A White Lie

Chapter 7: Sensitivity

CHAPTER SEVEN: Sensitivity

“It’s so obvious, isn’t it?” I asked, watching Cassandra tilt her head sideways while she draws up a new design.

“Yeah, did you realize how she blushes every single time his name is brought up?”

“And that she’s always texting someone?”

“She’s definitely in love,” Cassandra concluded and I nodded my head, just as Cassandra’s office door flew open.

“Who’s in love?” Jennifer asked, strolling in with thick files in her hands.

 “You,” we both answered bluntly.

“W-What? No!” she denied.

“C’mon, we’ve seen how you act around Xavier, stop denying it!” Jennifer quickly shut the office door and locked it.

“Shh, not so loud!”

“So you are in love!” I accused. A slight tint of pink appeared on Jennifer’s cheeks as she set down the files on Cassandra’s desk.

“I wouldn’t say in love…” she trailed off.

“You like him then!”

“Well, not really. Kind of. Sort of. Maybe?” Jennifer suddenly took interests in her shiny pair of Jimmy Choos as she played with the hem of her skirt, obviously nervous. Cassandra and I exchanged glances as a wide grin appeared on my face. “I don’t like that look. Please, please don’t do anything to embarrass me,” Jennifer begged. My grin grew even wider.

“No promises,” I said as Cassandra neatly stacked all the files up in her cupboard, wrapping up the day. After locking up her office, the three of us made our way to the elevator and just as the elevator dinged open, I heard a loud cry of frustration.

“Who’s still here?” I asked, surprised. Most of the time, it was the three of us who were the last to leave the office.

“Most probably Mr. Kingsley,” Jennifer answered. Jason?

“You guys go ahead first, I’ll catch the next lift down,” I told them and before they could answer, I ran towards the direction of Jason’s office.

Without knocking the door, I silently went inside his office. “Hey, are you okay?” I asked when I saw the look of frustration on his face. Jason whipped his head up and looked at me, quickly removing his hands from his tangled hair. “Were you pulling your hair?”

“What are you doing here?” he asked, ignoring my question.

“Making sure you’re okay,” was my simple response. His blue eyes seem to darken as countless emotions seem to flash in his eyes, but just as fast as they appeared, they returned to his normal emotionless state.

“I’m fine.”

"You were pulling your hair! How is that fine?” I asked.

“I’m fine. Go home,” he insisted.

“You’re not fine!” I argued, my voice raising an octave. He let out a big sigh before pushing chair back from the desk and closed his eyes.

“I am!” he shouted at me, clearly the little patience he had with me had run out. I glared at him.

“Don’t you dare lose your patience with me, Kingsley!” I knew I was treading on thin ice by saying this, but I knew that dealing with Jason required force.

“Fine. I’m not okay. Not okay at all in fact.” My eyes softened as I saw him bury his face in his hands, poor guy.

“Take a break then,” I told him.