Twice the Love

10

I looked at Katherine as she pretty much ran out of the room. Ridiculous. I couldn't understand her. Why would she care whether firing Leina or not? It's not like I was firing her, not that could if I wanted to.

I slumped down in my chair. It was back. That nasty clenching feeling in my stomach that told me I had no control over her. Was I a workaholic? Rivin had told me that for quite a while. Did I really care so much that a good employee didn't work for me.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I wanted another cup of coffee, or better yet a mug of hot chocolate. I loosened my tie. This sucks. It was hot, but I longed for something hotter to slide down my throat.

Katherine ran back to my desk, panting. Idiot; why would you run? She handed me a pile of papers. I looked up at her face. She smiled beautifully. It was like watching a good dance performance. One with people leaping into the air, a long velvet cloth trailing behind them.

"Leina's reports," she said. I sat up straight, swiveling to face my laptop and placed an x by her name. I turned back to face Katherine to ask her for a cup of coffee, but she spoke first.

"Would you like some hot chocolate?" she asked. What was she, a mind reader? "Or is that weird and you'd prefer coffee."

"Why?" I asked, in a slightly harsher tone than intended, "I already drank a cup this morning." Katherine looked at the floor.

"You looked stressed," she said, "Warm things always helped me calm down." Dang it. It showed. I was letting go of myself. All my useless emotions were leaking out of me.

"I'm not stressed," I growled, "Hot chocolate is fine." Katherine's face lit up. A smile tugged at my lips as she went to go prepare a cup. She was sweet.