RC.

Ch5 .... D

My head buried in my documents, I'm making my way back to the office. I got an e-mail from Carter asking me to take care of a new file which I had to retrieve from another department.

While I leaf nonchalantly through the pages, I knock into someone!

(Ouch !!)

The file scatters all over the floor.

I get annoyed.

As I look up at the idiot who's not looking at where he's going, I stay dumb.

Jenny, Carter's sister is facing me.

Jenny:"Oh, sorry, I didn't see you!"

She kneels down to help me pick up the scattered pages from the file.

T:"My fault, I wasn't looking, it'll teach me!"

Jenny hands me the papers. She doesn't say anything more. She's acting as if she'd never seen me ...

T:"What are you doing here, are you looking for your brother?"

Jenny:"Is Ryan here?"

T:"No. He had appointments in town."

She gives me a quick nod and turns to leave.

T:"I can tell him you're here if you wish."

Jenny:"I have my brother's number if I need to reach him thank you."

(OK...)

The sound of her voice is curt. She's clearly being aggressive.

I look at her, a little taken aback by her hostile attitude, still, I stay silent it's better not to put oil on the fire.

Honestly, I don't know what her problem is with me ...

Jenny looks at me in silence. I can tell that she's holding herself back. Then she turns around and walks away without uttering another word.

But after a few steps, she stops short. She turns around staring at me coldly.

Jenny:"I know what you're trying to do."

T:"Sorry?"

Jenny:"No need to play that game with me when he's not here."

(What's she talking about?)

I keep calm, but honestly what's her problem.

T:"What are you talking about, I don't understand ..."

She takes two steps in my direction and stops in front of me. She's much less impressive than her brother but her eyes are still menacing.

T:"Do you have a problem with me ...?"

Jenny:"I'm used to girls of your kind getting close to the sister just to get close to the big brother ..."

I play it cool.

T:"But you're wrong! There's nothing but work between your brother and me."

(Yeah right! What with the episode in the elevator and the one in the jet, am I not lying to her big time...?)

Jenny doesn't seem at all convinced. I know, I'm a very poor liar.

Jenny:"Don't play innocent with me ... I saw how my brother was looking at you ..."

Jenny's look goes from aggressive to weary.

Jenny:"I'm tired of women like you, desperate to climb the ladder of success."

(Wow, women like me ?! What does she know about me ?!)

Our lovely conversation has aroused the curiosity of the secretary who is now openly watching us.

(I have a go at the secretary.)

T:"Would you like some popcorn with that ...?"

She quickly looks away, seeming embarrassed. She and Lydia would get on like a house on fire. Who knows, maybe they already give each other the gossip...

As I look back at Jenny, a disdainful air comes across her sweet face.

I clear the air with Jenny.

T:"You know nothing about me ... And this is neither the place nor the time for having this kind of conversation ..."

She sighs. Obviously, the way our exchange is going doesn't please her any more than it pleases me.

Jenny:"Please just stop interfering in my relationship with my brother ... I saw your blunder in that magazine, you've done enough as it is!"

Oh! There she goes throwing it all in my face! She really wants me to feel like shit!

T:"I got the message. Have a nice day."

This time, it's me who turns my back on her. I walk back to my office, holding my head high but with a bruised heart.