Dabbling in Danger

Woman Troubles

Adeen

Malina's still upset and we've been home a few days. The way she looks at me with those sad brown eyes pulls at my heart.

I don't know how to put her at ease about the situation. I know it's a shitty one we're in, but she has to know I care about her. She has to know that the last thing I want, is to hurt her. I don't know how else to make that clear without making rash decisions. I know that if I did things the way she wanted, I'd be sending Tiana divorce papers and setting all her stuff on the curb, but I just can't do that, not yet anyway. Tiana still needs me...

I suppose I haven't had the best luck with the few women in my life. On two different instances earlier this week, I've gotten voicemails that Christina has shown up to work inebriated.

"What the hell is going on?" I grumble to myself.

I hop out of the Jeep and slam the door shut.

When I walk through the office door, all eyes land on me. Some eyes advert, while others look in the direction of Christina's desk behind a wall.

I nod at those willing to greet me and make a bee line for Christina's area.

When I go around the corner I find Christina slumped at her desk. Towering over her, she doesn't notice me so I make my presence known.

"Christina."

She slowly lifts her head fron her desk and looks at me with bloodshot eyes.

Her eyebrows pull together at first then a foolish grin spreads across her face.

"Well, well Mr. Hutchison," her tongue is thick.

She rolls back in her wheeled seat and stumbles to her feet.

"Christina," I say sternly, but calmly. "I'm going to send you home for the rest of the day."

She rolls her eyes and wavers in place. It sounds like she tries saying something, but she doesn't quite get it out.

Visibly frustrated, I take a step back trying my best to stay calm.

"Christina, I will call you a taxi, an uber, whatever you need. But you cannot be intoxicated here."

"I'm not drunk, you're drunk," she cackles.

Losing my patience, I start to walk away.

"Don't run off!" Squawks Christina, tripping over her stilletoed feet trying to follow me.

I get two strides away and stop, spinning to face her again.

"You need to leave now, I won't ask again."

"Why? You don't want everyone to know about us!?"

She's got a wild look in her eye and I know nothing I do at this point is going to calm her down.

"Christina," I say firmly.

She bites her lip, her heavy eyes droop lower.

"I love it when you get stern with me baby," she growls.

A look of disgust crosses my face. Seeing her like this, it only reminds me of Tiana and it pisses me off.