My Husband's Boss

Chapter 17: Cloud Watchers

I really don't feel like being here today, maybe it's my period or maybe it's just the fact that it's much more difficult for me to suppress my guilt than I thought, now that Sterling is back. He has no clue what I have been doing.. If he knew.. "You know, I took cooking classes while I was in college and this was always my favorite dish to prepare." Mr. Primrose tells me from across his dining room table. "Oh really? That's nice." I say not paying him any attention. "You don't seem hungry?" he asks. 

"What do you think?" I retort moving the noodles around on my plate with my fork. "I take it there's something on your mind?" he asks placing his fork down. "What's the point in me telling you, I'm sure you already have the answer to that question and any other that you ask." I say. "Well since you have such faith in me I think it's time to deliver. So I'm assuming you have Sterling on your mind and now that he's back our little rendezvous are beginning to bother your conscious, correct?" he asks placing his fork down with a triumphant grin. 

"Ding ding ding. Look at that, aren't you just the genius." I state rolling my eyes. He can really be an arrogant asshole sometimes. "I wouldn't call myself a genius but I would definitely say that I am above the mean." he says smugly. "I'm sure you would." I say placing my hands on my temples. "I apologize. I was only trying to spark your interest in talking with me." he says. "I understand that but maybe not bringing up something that bothers me as much would help." I say intently. "I'm not quite sure I agree with that." he says slightly cocking his head to the side. 

"What are you talking about?" I ask. "Do you believe in medicine?" he asks. "hunh? What the hell are you getting at?" I ask. "Just answer the question." he says. "Please." he adds before I snap. "Thank you. And yes, I believe in medicine." I say. "Exactl-" he says throwing up one of his hands. "Save it, just skip to the point." I declare. "Excuse me. Could I finish my entire sentence before you add your own thoughts?" he asks raising his eyebrows sitting straight up. "Sure, go ahead." I say quickly picking up a noodle with my fork. "What does medicine do for you?" he asks. "It makes you feel better." I state nibbling on the noodle. "Correct it makes you feel better, but are you really better off?" he asks. 

"Obviously? If I have a headache I'd rather take medicine to make it go away. So what the hell are you talking about?" I ask. "Lena. I'm trying to get you to realize that just moving our conversation to a new topic doesn't make you actually feel better. You're just tricking yourself into thinking everything is better, when you're really just hiding the symptoms. Why not just fix the root of the problem." he says. "I guess you're right but what if I'd rather just run away from my problems instead of dealing with them." I say. "Well then I'm not sure what to say. Is that what you want to do?" he asks me his blue eyes catching a glint of light. 

"I don't know..." I say looking away. "Would you like to go for a walk Lena Valentine?" he asks me. "Where at? In your house?" I ask sarcastically. "No I meant outside, obviously." he says chuckling. "I guess we can." I say. "Geoffrey!" he yells. "What are you calling him for?" I ask. "To get the dishes? Why else would I be calling him?" he asks making a funny face. "Why not just wash them yourself instead of using him, he's no different than the medicine right?" I say. "Maybe you have a point but Geoffrey doesn't mind he prefers to work." he says. "He's right madame. Idle hands leads to an idle mind." Geoffrey says flashing me a smile as he enters the room. "Yes?" Geoffrey asks as he stops next to him. "We are finished eating and are going for a walk outside if the phone rings for me, tell whoever it is that I am busy." he says. 

"My pleasure Andy." he says nonchalantly. Did he just call him Andy? A small giggle escapes me, and Mr. Primrose glances over at me.  "Thank you." Mr. Primrose states standing up. "Alright let's go for a walk!" Mr. Primrose says walking over to me. "Thank you Geoffrey!" I say looking back at Geoffrey as I follow Mr. Primrose. "Why did you laugh?" Mr. Primrose asks me. "No reason." I say glancing at the paintings as we walk down the hall to the front door.