Monday came all too quickly and as I got out of bed that morning all I could feel was dread. I’d spent the entire weekend in my apartment with Jess and it was absolute bliss but I just couldn’t get the thought of today out of my head. I felt like an inmate on their way to death row or some shit. I had no idea what was going to happen today but I knew it wasn’t going to be good.
Needless to say I got ready for work as slow as possible. I left Jess sleeping soundly in my bed since it was her last day off to recover and I’d say it would be a while before she got another day to sleep in. I’d like to say it made me feel like a good girlfriend, letting her sleep in, but how could I considering what I would be doing today?
I knelt next to the bed, where Jess was still sleeping. Her light snores were the only sound in the room and I couldn’t help but stroke her hair lightly as I watched her sleep for a few moments. I could see her eyelids fluttering slightly, letting me know that she was dreaming. There was a small smile forming on her lips and it made me wonder if she was possibly dreaming of me? I could only hope.
I kissed her forehead gently and whispered an ‘I love you’ before getting up to leave. Just as I reached the door I heard a quiet voice behind me.
“Where are you going?” Jess asked in her sleepy voice. I stopped and turned around to see Jess laying there with her eyes wide open.
“I have to go to work,” I told her as I walked back over to her.
“I don’t want you to leave,” she pouted. “You should call in sick.”
Oh how I would love nothing more than to do just that. I couldn’t though.
“I can’t. I wish I could,” I said before kissing her pouted lips. “Do you want anything before I leave? I still have a few minutes. I could make you breakfast?” I suggested.
She only shook her head and held her arms up toward me childishly. I couldn’t resist at that point and I ended up pretty much falling on top of her. Jess wrapped both her arms tightly around my shoulders while mine found their way around her waist. I sighed in content as I snuggled into her. This was my happy place. She made me feel like I could take on the world and that’s exactly what I needed today. My happy place.
“I really have to get to work now,” I said after some time.
“Yeah, you probably should,” she chuckled. “What time do you think you’ll be home?”
“Probably about five. You can stay here if you want, your choice,” I told her as I pecked her on the lips and got up. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” she called after me.
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I arrived at work on time despite how much I dragged my feet this morning. I walked quickly past Tamra’s office, noticing that the door was shut today which was odd. As I made my way to my own desk I noticed Ally was already there waiting for me with the usual smile on her face.
“Hey, Elena,” she greeted. “You ready to start?”
“Yep,” I answered with a fake smile which didn’t go unnoticed by her.
“You all right?”
No, I wasn’t all right. I knew it would only be a matter of time before Tamra called me into her office. I sat down and turned on the desktop computer in front of me, brushing off Ally’s concern.
“Yeah, fine.”
I could feel her eyes on me as I waited for the computer to boot up. Honestly, I appreciated her concern but it just made me even more irritable.
