The Color of Blood is Red

Chapter 2

9:30 am
I’m going to be late, but I can’t push myself to be any quicker.

I’m strolling around trying to get my shit together for the day. Taking a deep sigh, I decided that I completed my before work tasks and stepped out. However, from the moment I crossed the little incline and exited the house. I stood frozen as the door slowly closed shut behind me, “The fucking house key…” I mumbled under my breath.

I slammed my elbow into the door out of frustration like that would have done anything for me. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I felt a headache brew. This is not okay, I’m the most organized and alert person I know. Every morning, it’s always, gets up, run, eat, bathe, dress and leave. Today however it was run, get your shit together, bathe (but stare into space while you’re at it), dress and leave. I don’t have an appetite. And the more I stand here moping and fuming, I’m going to lose my job. I’ll sort this out later.
11:45 am

Traffic was a bitch. Such. A. Goddamn. Bitch.

Kill me while you’re at it. I was supposed to be in the office by 9:00 am. I tried to shrug it off and start my work as soon as possible, I'll probably work overtime tonight.
“Katalina Joseph, please report to Mr. Jackson.” Blared over the intercom.

Shit.

“You called Sir?”

“Ms. Joseph, please take a seat,” his normal deep and raspy voice seemed soft and quiet.

“How was your day Kate?”

“I’ve had better days,”

“I know you were late this morning, but I will let it slide, you look like hell.”

“Thanks.”

“Anyway, you mind doing me a favor?”

“Depends,”

“Mind training a new employee for me?” Yes. I do mind very much.

“I don’t mind at all.” I weakly smiled and he took a breath.

“Only for the week, little information, he’s just an intern, for now. He’s 22 and his name is Cardlin. He will be here by 1. Also, I’ll be gone for a few weeks, so keep an eye out for me. I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“No problem, sir.” I got up, fixed my skirt and stepped out.

12:56 am

He should be here at any moment. What was his name? Cardlin? Cardlin, Cardlin, Cardlin. Cool name.

Beep

The answering machine blared, “Yes Amy?”
“Boss said to send the trainee up to you, ready?”
“Do your worst,” and I ended the call. I started getting really anxious, and that pain in my head started to return. I should really get that checked out.
The elevator a few cubicles down dinged, and the sound of dress shoes clicked against the tiled floor. My stomach started getting really queasy and I began to feel a surge of laughter ripple in my ribs. My breath quickened and I started getting really light headed again from holding in the laughter.

I have this really horrible problem where I laugh at the most inappropriate times, instead of crying, I laugh and laugh. Like a psycho. It’s disgusting because I’m doing everything, I can do to make myself stop, either it is trying to gag myself or forcing up bile. Really not the most attractive thing you can see on me.

My knee is bouncing under the desk and my hands are fidgety. Calm down Katalina, calm down. I close my eyes and rest my head on the desk.

“Um…Kata-li-na?”

My head shoots up and the laughter is still bubbling in my throat, I cover it with a simple clear of my throat and mask a smile.
“That’s me!” I slowly swivel my chair around and I almost pass the fuck out from a nose bleed.

I’m pretty sure a vein in my neck just popped.

It’s him. The guy from the run! There’s that searing pain in my head.

His name is Cardlin.

I slowly get up and my vision is going blurry. There’s a cloud of grey over my eyes and I need to look away from him. I busy myself with fixing my chair back in place before I walk towards him.

He stands there patiently, with a smile on his face and one of his hands in the pocket of his smooth khaki pants. His blazer smoothed over his other hand that is brought near his stomach. His shirt, neatly ironed but one button popped at the top, I am not going to tell him to fix it.

“Good morning ma'am.”

His smile got bigger.
It does things to me God damn it.
A crush, that’s what this is.

A crush that kills me.