TNN ONESHOTS

Stupid? - AFK & MK & RK

Autumn made her way into the office, locking the door behind herself. "You alright, my love?" Marjorie questioned while watching Autumn closely. She sighed, sitting down at her desk and logging into her computer. "We need to talk." She started before taking a deep breath to steady herself. "Its about us."

The two women sat at their desks, Marjories eyes were fixed on Autumn but she refused to look up from her computer screen. "Marjorie you need to understand that we are nothing more than coworkers. Yes I know about your feeling and yes i have played into them when I probably shouldn't have." The deputy spoke confidently, her tone sharp.

"Aut" Marjorie started, earning a dangerous glare from the other woman.  "I thought we had something, you know,  something special" she got out, hurt clear in her voice. "Marjorie, it was just a bit of fun. We are BOTH married. Just because you are unhappy in yours, it doesn't mean we all are. Honestly I just needed a friend but watching you fall made it more entertaining." Autumn spoke, her voice laced with venom.

Marjorie couldn't think straight, her jaw hung open as a broken sound left her mouth. Her trembling hand flew up to cover her mouth before anything else happened involuntarily.

She quickly grabbed her keys off the desk before racing towards the door, leaving behind everything else. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as her hands shook. The tears blurring her vision. "This fucking door." She choked out as she fought to unlock the door, only becoming more distressed.

Autumn slowly moved closer, moving Marjorie's hands away from the lock gently. "No, I'm not staying!" She exclaimed while trying to push Autumn away so she could get out. "Marjorie!"  Autumn warned before opening the door for the manager and stepping back, saying nothing.

The moment the door was open, Marjorie ran out of the office, making her way out of the building and into the carpark. By the time she reached her car, her breaths were coming short and fast, not only from running but from the overflow of emotion. Autumn's words echoed in her head on repeat.

She fumbled with her keys, her fingers visibly trembling. Finally, the lock clicked open, and she practically fell into the driver's seat, slamming the door shut. The car felt like a place to catch her breath and gather her racing thoughts.

Marjorie sat there for a long moment, the engine idling. She closed her eyes, trying to block out the memory of Autumn's face, the coldness in her eyes as she spoke those cutting words. But it was no use. The image was seared into her mind, a painful reminder of a friendship that had been strong and a big part of her daily routine, leaving behind a bitter taste of regret and betrayal.

*

Marjorie unlocked the front door, the click echoing in the quiet house as she slipped off her shoes. The only sound was the soft humming from the kitchen, where Reece was making dinner. Tears streamed down her face as she walked to the kitchen doorway. "Reece," she mumbled, her voice cracking.

Reece, tall and blonde, turned instantly at the sound of his wife's distress. "Darling, what's happened?" he asked, crossing the room to embrace her. Marjorie broke down, clinging to his familiar sweater. "S-she said she had been stupid for months. I thought she finally saw me as more than a coworker, as a friend, as a sister, but no. Reece, she said she's been stupid," she sobbed into his shoulder, her body shaking with each word.

Reece held her tighter, gently stroking her hair. "Hey, hey, it's okay. Tell me everything," he murmured, leading her to a chair at the kitchen table. He pulled it out for her, his eyes filled with concern. Marjorie sank into the seat, her gaze fixed on the floor as she tried to compose herself.

She took a deep breath. "She walked in and locked the door. She then said that we needed to talk," Marjorie began, her voice still thick with tears. "And I thought we were connecting, really connecting. Laughing, sharing stories about the twins... it felt like more than just work. More like friends." She paused, taking a shaky breath. "Then, out of nowhere, she said it. Said she'd been stupid for a while. For letting herself get carried away, for thinking there could be something more between us. More than just co workers. I thought we were friends,  sisters even."

Reece knelt beside her, taking her hand in his. His touch was warm and grounding. "And that's it? Just like that?" he asked softly. Marjorie nodded, fresh tears welling up in her eyes. "I just... walked away. She hates emotion and I didn't want to make it worse."

The silence stretched between them, broken only by Marjorie's quiet sobs. Reece squeezed her hand, his eyes filled with a mixture of anger and sympathy. "She doesn't deserve your time, Marj," he said, his voice firm. "You're amazing, talented, and anyone who can't see that isn't worth your tears. We know what Aut is like when she lets her guard down."

He stood up, pulling her gently to her feet. "Come on," he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Let's forget about dinner for tonight. We're ordering pizza and watching your favorite movie, then tomorrow, I promise I will deal with her." She looked up at him. "Mean girls?" She sniffled with a small smile, only to be met with a knowing grin.

*

An hour had passed and by now Marjorie had calmed down. She had spent time curled into Reece's side while he continued tracing patterns on her arm. The rhythmic motion was surprisingly soothing. The initial panic had subsided, replaced by a quiet exhaustion. Reece hadn't pushed, hadn't demanded, just offered his silent presence and the comforting touch.

She shifted, her head lifting slightly from his shoulder. The room, dimly lit by a single lamp, felt safe, a small bubble of peace in the chaos of her emotions. She could still feel the tremor in her hands, but it was fading.

Reece’s fingers stilled on her arm, and she felt his gaze on her. She didn’t need to look to know he was watching, waiting patiently for her to speak, or not speak, as she chose.

Taking a slow, deep breath, Marjorie finally let out the tension she'd been holding. The knot in her chest loosened, and a fragile sense of calm settled over her. She leaned back into Reece, a silent acknowledgment of his support.

The silence was suddenly broken by the ring of the doorbell. "Darling, I'll go." He hushed while slowly moving and standing up. "I'll be back." He promised before kissing the top of her head and making his way out of the room.

Reece opened the door to find his sister stood the other side. He could see the pain and regret in her eyes but that didn't stop the words tumbling out of his mouth. "How could you Aut? She has only just calmed down. She has been shaking all night because of you." Reece spat harshly.

Autumn stood frozen as she listened to Reece talk about how hurt Marjorie was because of her. "Can I talk to her, or you and you can pass on the message?" She questioned quietly.

Just at that moment, Marjorie appeared behind Reece. She put one hand on his back to let him know she was there. "You have five minutes, Autumn." Marjorie spoke quietly, giving reece a nod. He understood and moved away, leaving the two women.

Autumn took a deep breath. "I dont regret what i said but i regret the was it was worded." Marjorie kept quiet but nodded slightly. "Of course,  I'm still your friend. The twins need their auntie Marji to gang up on." She joked to lighten the mood.

"I couldn't last without our friendship.  Aut you are my best friend, please you can't hate me. Please dont hate me" Marjorie started before taking hold of her hand. Autumn looked down at their hands quickly. Everyone knew how much Autumn hated physical contact. "Marjorie, let go please." She mumbled while trying not to pull her hand away.

Marjorie looked down before moving away like Autumn asked. "Sorry." She whispered while shoving her hands into her pockets.

Autumn took a deep breath. "We nothing ans we will never be anything. When you learn that everything will be easier. I may have let my guard down to play with your feelings but its over. Im not who you thought i was becoming, im stil me." She warned which made Marjorie nodded and step back.

Autumn dropped her shoulders slightly. "I will see you back at work on monday." She stated before turning on her heels and walking away.

Marjorie sighed before closing the door behind herself, walking to find Reece. "We are only talking on business terms, she apologised but i have been warned." She whispered while wrapping her arms around Reece. "Shes not the best with emotion." He mumbled before walking back into the living room.

Once Marjorie was settled again, Reece pulled out his phone before opening the conversation between him and winter. The plan worked, everything should go back to normal. Reece sent the message quickly before putting his phone away, cuddling his wife.