the space between us 2: a novella | daerin

9

AZALEA

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When the opportunity had beautifully presented itself, I took it. With Tilly in school until the afternoon, I had a few hours to get the house sorted, make a nice home-cooked meal, and still have enough time to put it in a container to take with me to Casper.

I decided it would be a nice change. We haven't been able to do nice things for each other, especially given the nature of our new lives and how hectic our schedules have gotten.

I quickly threw on a light cardigan and put the containers into a zip-up bag to maintain the warmth until I reached the office.

I made sure to lock up behind me, my steps light as I made my way to the car.

I haven't been to her office before, so this was going to be a first, and certainly not the last.

When I reached the publishing company, I parked my car and made my way up to reception, collecting a visitor's pass and getting escorted up to the 9th level where Casper's office is.

When the doors opened, the office was much smaller than I expected, or perhaps it was too crowded?

The receptionist led me down the hall and to the left. "You'll find Casper inside."

"Thank you," I told her as she walked away in a hurry.

I knocked on the door and opened it after I heard Casper say come in from the other side of the door.

"Hey, you," I smiled, raising the bag in hand. "I brought you food."

Casper's smile quickly faded as she looked at me. "Babe, you're here?"

"I... am," I answered. "I thought you'd be hungry, so I prepared you some lunch." I walked closer towards her desk, the look on her face never easing.

"Thank you," she smiled nervously. "I appreciate it."

"Of course, I thought we—"

"Listen. Baby, I'll take the food, and I'll eat it, of course. But you can't be here right now."

My brows furrowed. "Why not?"

"Knock knock." Just then, Raven walked through the front door in a tailored suit, a thick stack of paper in her hands. "Oh! Azalea, we finally meet!"

"Uh, thanks. You too," I said before turning back to my wife. "I was just here to drop some food off and hopefully eat it with Cassie."

"I know and I would love to, but baby..." Her voice grew softer with each word. "Please, you have to go."

Raven stood beside me and let her hand rest against my shoulder. "She won't make it out in time, Casper."

"What? I don't understand," I said, confusion growing with each second.

"Our boss is..." Raven took a deep breath. "He's not particularly fond of visitors, and he'd be livid if he saw you."

A laugh escaped my lips. "Seriously? That sounds ridiculous. And childish!"

Casper's frown only deepened, and when her eyes moved past me and the office quieted down, and footsteps came rumbling down the hall, I realised I should stand up and make a difference.

When a man, dressed in a navy blue suit and with a beer belly, walked into Casper's office, his expression was one that was not kind.

"Casper, what is this?" he barked, his voice booming. "You know the rules. No visitors during work hours."