The Promise

11) Aurora

“What do you mean?” I ask my new boss.
He raises his brows then cocks his head for a bit without answering.
“But how? I do not know the name of my mentor, but I’m certain it’s not… you” I say puzzled
“It is me now” he says simply.
I get a bad feeling; I am certain something happened. His name wasn’t in the paper, I’m sure.
“Fine” I say simply mirroring him. His whole face a mask of cool boredom except his eyes. His eyes confused me the whole meeting, but I won’t let myself think about that.
“Excuse me “I say and head out without another word from him or me.

   “Well?” Dionne asks me when I enter her office. I look around at the other employees at their desk then back at her, “He sucks” I say.
She lets her jaw hang open “What?!” she asks unbelievably.
“I said he sucks” I repeat.
“I did hear you, what do you mean, sweetie?”
“What did you expect me to say anyways, he goes around giving orders; okay, I’m thankful for the place.” I raise my hands in defense, “but he just shuffled himself to be in the place of my mentor?!” I tell her.
Her eyes ping pong confused “Wait. How?” she raises her hand stopping me opening a drawer to look through some papers.
I sigh running a hand through my hair calming myself. I have no reason to be this frustrated, but I have a gut wrenching feeling that something is up. Or maybe it’s the whirlwind of events in the past weeks that’s making me on edge.
“Your mentor is …him. Yes, but how?” she says confused overlooking the papers again.
“That’s what I’m saying, I had another name that I couldn’t remember’-
“it’s not that “she interrupts me raising her eyes meeting mine.
“Then what is it?”
“Our manager does not mentor in the first place.”
“Huh?”
“He didn’t mentor before, ever. It’s always some of us, who are qualified to be responsible for the interns every single year” she says looking at me trying to figure it out.
“Well, that’s not my problem” I say
She breathes through her nose, “Look, I know what happened is weird ass confusing, but no one in your place gets to complain” she says trying to convince me.
“Why not?”
“Because he’s the best here”
I sigh sitting on a chair smoothing my hair away.
“Hey tell me, sweetie. Why are you not comfortable?” she crouches next to me putting her hand on my thigh.
“I don’t trust him” I say honestly.
“Well, you look like you don’t trust anyone” she shrugs.
I raise my eyes to look at her and she continues “yet”.
She rubs my knee, “Give it a shot, Ro; he really is very efficient and he’ll help you, a lot.”
I nod letting myself get comforted by her soft words.
“Good” she smiles warmly at me “Smile!” she says starting to tickle me, but I don’t budge.
“I’m not ticklish” I laugh at her attempt to tickle me.
“How! There must be a point of weakness!”
“There’s a point of weakness, but not on my body” I say, her face softens and she reaches towards me kissing both of my cheeks and the top of my head giggling and I join her, but then she stops; looking behind me.
I look around to find my manager and now mentor standing there.
“Mr. Mughrabi, we didn’t feel your presence, excuse us” Dionne tells him and I elbow her lightly, but my gesture doesn’t go unnoticed by him.
I challenge him with my eyes not saying anything and a hint of a smirk appears on his face.
“Focus on your work, Miss Lamrani and let Miss Soliman pick up with her program for today” he says glancing my way one last time, then leaves.
“What an ass!” I whisper and Dionne snickers slapping my shoulder lightly.
“Let’s go, sweetie; you should meet with your fellow interns” she says and we stand up to move on with our day.