Roommates - A Jerza Oneshot

3.

Jellal's boss was happy to see him come to work every day on time. The front and the bathrooms were always clean, the files were always stacked neatly and the trash would always be empty.

Having a change of heart, he decided to give Jellal a promotion. To work a real-time in front of the computer with the other employees.

As to keep the surprise still in the bag, he walked with Jellal to his home, both leaving only after the others had left.

Confused on what the reason might be for the boss to come over to his house, he was more than afraid that he wouldn't be able to give him anything to eat, or in any way give any means of comfort.

Nevertheless, he remembered the chicken sandwich Erza had bought for him yesterday. He didn't quite eat it because of reason unknown. That may possibly work.

The tarnished apartment welcomes the boss in an unwelcoming way, the lift being too small for more than one person and the lobby poorly-lit. The decomposing hallway gave a tragic feeling to the boss as if there was nothing more miserable than staying in a place like this. The apartment itself seemed abandoned and disturbing and almost resembling a haunted house. The lights flickered and all the boss could do was let out a chuckle instead of sweating bloody tears. Anyone would be scared of such a place, thought the boss and stood behind Jellal as he halted in front of his apartment, room 12.

Unlocking the door with his spare key, he switched on the lights and saw--no one.

Erza's bed was empty. The mattress was neatly unyielding and the sheets were perfectly folded.

Jellal reasoned that maybe she was working late again, like the previous day and the day before that.

"What's that strange smell..." The boss asked as he walked in further into what had seemed like a room.

"It must be the drainage behind our apartment. It always stinks."

Jellal's eyes slowly grazed upon the chicken sandwich which was in a plastic bag.

He peeked inside and saw a white layer covering the bread and tiny, pale yellow insects feeding themselves off of the chicken.

The unbearable rotten smell made Jellal quickly wrap the bag and throw it in the dustbin.

"Ah Jellal, I don't think you should live in this place anymore. It's not right." The boss said as he carefully sat on Erza's bed. It let out a squeaking sound.

"Pardon?" Jellal frowned.

"Since I'm giving you a promotion, you need to live in a place that's more suitable for your position."

Jellal's eyes widened, pupils dilated and time had completely stopped around him.

"Moreover, you really need to change the way you dress. Be more like an employee now than a worker, got it?"

"I..." Jellal fell on his knees and bowed. Not because he had to or wanted to, it was just an unwitting act, "Thank you very much, sir!" He innocently voiced.

"Don't be late tomorrow."

"Yes, sir."

With smiles hidden behind growling stomachs, Jellal saw off his boss out of the apartment.

He wanted to inform Erza about the good news, see a smile on her face because the last he remembers, their timings had gotten a little off to converse, even if it was just for ten minutes.

He waited for Erza as the minutes on the clock ticked by, however, as idleness took over his body, no sooner was he was out like a light.

Jellal's eyes shot open and hastily he glanced at his watch. 4:10 A.M, he only had five minutes to reach his destination, otherwise like Erza said, his grumpy boss might fire him even if he's a minute late.

So he ran, anxiously and fast.

He wondered why Erza didn't wake him up, albeit he stuck the note to.

Now that he thinks about it, she didn't come home yesterday as well, though fortunately, Jellal had woken up in time.

Was she that angry with Jellal for throwing a pillow at her?