Forbidden Fruit (gxg)

Part 8

For the rest of the weekend, I was less upset than I thought I would be about seeing Gabby hooking up with someone else.

I knew that was because of one reason.

Kori.

I wasn't sure what would happen when I saw her at work on Monday, and I felt a bit apprehensive about it.

On Monday morning, I once woke up later than I needed to, but I had enough time to get ready and make an espresso.

When I got to work, I said "hello" to Francine at the front desk, and went up the elevator to the third floor.

When I got to the IT Department, Grace immediately approached me.

"Hi, Ashley!" she said, "How was Glow this weekend?"

"It was a lot of fun," I lied, "I think you'd really enjoy it there."

"I'm totally going," Grace smiled, "Oh, Kori wanted to speak with you, she said to find her in her office when you have a chance."

My brow furrowed, "I wonder what it's about."

"She didn't seem mad or anything. She probably wants to know how you're feeling about the department."

"The seems correct," I said, not really meaning it.

I walked down the hallway to Kori's office, and her door was slightly open.

I knocked and said, "Good morning, it's Ashley."

"Come in and close the door behind you, please."

I did as Kori asked, and then faced her. She was standing in front of her large, dark wooden desk, her back leaning against it. I couldn't help but notice that she had bags under her eyes.

I took a few steps forward toward Kori.

"Grace said you needed to see me?" I asked her, heart already starting to pound.

Kori nodded and spoke in a low voice, "I wanted to talk to you about Saturday."

I swallowed nervously, "Okay. Thank you again for it."

"You can't speak a single word of it to anyone," Kori said in a calm, but very firm tone.

Okay. If she uses that tone, I can see how intimidating she is.

"I won't," I reassured her, "I wasn't going to."

Kori looked right at me, "It probably shouldn't have happened."

Ouch.

I tried to conceal how I was feeling as I said to Kori, "I understand why you say that. I'm sorry if it's something you regret doing."

Kori cocked her head to the side a bit and said, still in a firm tone, "Did I say I regretted it?"

"Well, no-"

"I don't," Kori replied, "I don't regret it...at all. You just can't speak a word of it. Understood?"

I nodded, "Understood."

"Alright, thank you. I'll see you later."

Kori went back to sitting at her desk, seemingly dismissing me.

I left Kori's office feeling like a kid who just got scolded, and felt like that for the remainder of the day.

When I got home from work that day, I was surprised to see Trey at home, sitting on the couch in front of the TV, wrapped in a blanket.

"You're not going to work tonight?" I asked him, "Usually you'd be getting ready now."

"I'm just...simply not in the mood," Trey said, "I need a mental health day. I got a coworker to cover for me. Take a seat next to me. I'll order us food."