She spoke too soon.
Monday greeted her with calls about delayed deliveries, close to impossible demands from clients, and last minute changes.
"Damn it," Althea muttered as soon as she ended the call.
The manager of the band they hired for a celebrity's birthday party just called and it was not good news. They had already signed the contract and now they wanted to back out because one of the members has a history with one of the star's friends.
She was close to filing a law suit. She has no time for dealing with celebrities and their issues.
Althea groaned. She rested her elbows on the table and massaged her temples. Her patience was wearing thin and it was only ten in the morning.
She heard a knock on the door. Althea didn't answer. She needed time to calm down. However, whoever it was didn't seem to get the message. She turned to scowl at the person by the door.
"Good morning!" Jade came in with her usual smile.
Althea went back to the paperwork in front of her. She wasn't ready to face Jade after what she saw yesterday.
"Flowers for you, m'lady."
"Just leave it there. Thanks," she said, still not looking at Jade. "Next time wait for an answer before you come in, okay?"
Jade stopped. "I'm sorry. Batchi told me it was alright."
"I can see that. You seem to have developed her habit of just barging in," she couldn't control the sarcasm in her voice. "And wow. I wasn't informed that she's the boss here now."
"Althea, is everything okay?" she worriedly asked when she noticed her tone.
"It's obviously not, isn't it?"
Jade was dumbfounded. Althea walked towards her. She could see the confusion on the brunette's face as she laid out her hand.
"Just give me the pad so I can sign it."
Although she was confused with the way Althea was acting, Jade did just that. She wondered what she had done that made the short-haired woman grow cold all of a sudden. Things were going well when they parted last Friday. Was it something she did?
Althea signed the pad and gave it back without looking at her. She moved away but Jade held her hand to stop her.
Althea tried to ignore the current that seemed to run through her every time Jade's skin touches hers.
"Althea, if there's anything I---"
"What?! What else do you want, Jade?" She spewed.
The color drained from Jade's face. She quickly took her hand back.
"Look, I have a lot of things I need to do right now so make it quick. And I have no time to deal with personal matters so let's keep this professional."
The words came out harsher and louder than she had intended. She immediately regretted it. She wanted to punch herself right now. Althea could see the surprise and hurt in Jade's eyes.
What have you done, Althea?
She looked down. They were both quiet for a while. She saw Jade bite her lip when it started to quiver.
Shit!
Jade let out a sigh.
"Y-you're right."
Althea looked at her but Jade avoided her eyes.
"Jade, I---"
"It's nothing. It was nothing."
