Moving On

32

   Morgan couldn't keep his hands and eyes off me as he escorted me down the stairs of my apartment . We got out of the apartment and hurried towards his van . When we climbed in and put on our seatbelts , I could still feel his eyes boring into my skin.
" Okay that's enough " I said and giggled

He brushed his hair roughly with his fingers .
" I must say, i am one lucky guy"
I didn't say anything; just smiled at him briefly and held on to his free hand as he drove me to work.

  Most of my colleagues were already at work by the time i got in.
The day went smoothly and I tried to meet with some deadlines. The trip was a month away and I needed to free up my schedules.  I didn't notice when Allen came up behind me. It was when he placed a document on my desk that I saw him.
He didn't wait for me to extend a greeting before he spoke .

"Icecream van"

" What?"

" Your boyfriend. You threatened you weren't desperate for this job ;that you could leave whenever , yet he works in a mere van and sells cones to kids "
I glared at him .

" And what's wrong with icecream?"

" Nothing . Its just ...what's the word I'm looking for ? It's pretty bold of you "
He stared for a second or two longer before breaking off his stare and then strutted away . As usual ,I couldn't read his expression.

I tapped my pen on my desk rapidly and breathed out of my mouth slowly as I tried to calm myself . Now wasn't the time to be bantering with Allen. I would need his help soon . I needed him to grant me the permission to attend the funeral. It would hurt knowing I had succeeded in pushing the date of the trip further from the funeral only for it not to go in my favour. I looked around the office and I was glad that no one was staring my way.

***  ***
I nodded as I got off the call with Selen. I was still at work and I wanted her to know I wasn't going to be in anytime soon. 
" Blue file , blue file" I mouthed as I searched through the haphazard pack of files on my desk . I rolled my eyes when I realized it was right under my nose . I opened the file and rubbed my eyes . I was tired and sleepy and was a bit hungry from this morning.  When i came in to work today, I ate breakfast . I got a burger and drink combo from the cafeteria. It was already 5 pm and I hadn't made an attempt to leave my  desk. I knew I was overworking myself .
  I smiled as Grace, a co worker informed me she was leaving . She passed my desk and left through the office doors. I completed some inputs on the computer and stretched my tired legs . I heard footsteps and I didn't bother to look up . I was making progress and I couldn't afford any distractions. I knew I couldn't finish everything today but i did have a target i wanted to reach.
The footsteps sounded like they were nearby and when my inquisitive self made me succumb and I looked up, I saw Allen walking on the hallway . He didn't notice me . There was a glass wall between I and Allen. I should have looked away because then ,he turned his face in my direction and had his oh-so-not-attractive smirk . He looked away and continued walking and I thought he would leave. I was wrong as I heard a slight push of the office door. I turned to see him making his way into the big office . He passed the work desks towards mine and dragged a chair, making himself comfortable on it.

" Pulling an all nighter?" He asked as he hung his coat over his chair and sat down .

" You shouldn't be sitting by me ".

" Your boss shouldn't be sitting by you? Sky, you keep getting bolder by the day"

I turned to look at him apologetically
" Of course , sorry . Silly me "

" Why are you overworking yourself ? You're avoiding going home to your boyfriend , perhaps ?" He teased .

This was my cue to tell him about the funeral.
" I need to get to a funeral on the 30th of September.  And i don't stay with my boyfriend,"

" A funeral ? Were you by chance going to inform your supervisor ?"

" Of course . I just thought i also let you know "

" Because you think we're friends and I'll let you have it easy?" He asked amusingly.

" No... but anyhow ,I need to get to the funeral at Vancouver urgently"

Allen stared , concerned.
" Is your mom okay?"

"Oh , yes.  It's not about her . It's my step-dad "

"Why would you want to go to his funeral. Allen knew about my step-dad's attempted stunt before I moved to the university.

" Maybe because he's human and deserves one .."I chuckled .

" Yeah well talk to your supervisor.  I just can't guarantee you'll be given the chance. If it's a day off , fine but a funeral could take more than a week "

" Oh my supervisor is okay . I think he'll take it well . I hinted something like that to him a while back and he didn't seem to have a problem " Allen leaned back in his chair staring at me and it was my cue to keep on typing .

" I'm not talking about your supervisor . I'm talking about myself . Youlld have to go through me too " I turned to look at him confused.

" What if im done clearing my work before then ?"

" And throw the subsequent loads on whom ?"

" Please" I said with a sad look, though I was intrigued at what Allen was trying to pull
I wasn't so surprised when he ignored my plea .

" Im sure you're famished, let me buy you dinner . And plus, it's been a while . Let's catch up "

" No " I said curtly and went back to work.

" I mean , I just thought it would be easier, considering you dont stay with your boyfriend . It shouldn't hurt "

" I said no"

" Think about it " He finally said and grabbed his coat and hung it over his shoulders and proceeded to leave the room .

" Allen "

" Yeah" He said , turning to stare at me .

I walked hurriedly towards him making sure not to bump into my own desk and blocked his path.

" I asked to see if I can take a short leave.  You can't ask me for a favour in return for a leave to be granted, especially if its a date "

" Wow, see you telling me what i already know . This is merely me asking you to let me buy you dinner . Don't confuse that with a date . I'm just trying to catch up with you"

" You said our work should remain completely professional "

" I did but I don't like you , Miss Sky. Help me like you first then we'll talk business. I don't see myself worrying over rendering favours to people i dont like."
The conversation was far from over, I could tell as Allen shrugged and walked out of the office .