You and I - Eviana

Take Things Slow

"I think we should keep our relationship professional. Like you said that's not right for us to date" Evan said looking straight ahead.
"Oh.." Mariana looked down. Not the answer she wanted.
"What.. are you sad?" He said now looking over at her slightly.
"Yeah I mean, kinda. I know I said it wasn't right but, I can't help these feeling that I have for you" she looked at him.
"So you do have feelings?" He said.
"Of course I do. You're amazing Evan and I don't care if it's wrong I want to see where this can go" she finally let out her true feelings.
"Ok. But I thought you said we can't feel them and at work we can't be.. affectionate" he said.
"I agree, I dont want any of them thinking anything else of me. The last thing I need is more drama" she said and Evan smiled.
"So you're my girlfriend?" He said bashfully.
"Let's take this slow ok? But... yes.. and no more sex at work that was way too risky" she leaned in and they kissed quickly before the elevator opened up.
"Text me" Mariana said before they walked opposite ways.
She didn't want to go fast with Evan, especially because he was her boss. She figured the best thing to do would be take it slow and in the meantime figure out what she should do about her job and get this Raj thing sorted out.
She arrived back at the coterie to find Gael and Dennis dancing on the table.
"Wooow, unemployment looks sad" Mariana said walking to her loft.
She changed into her pajamas but a call from Callie stopped her in her tracks,
"Hey, what's up?" She said.
"I just got off of work and i'm outside of Jamie's house to pick up my things and I can't do this" she heard her voice crack.
"I can't go in there on my own can you come help?"
"Of course, I'll be right there. I'll just make Malika drive me." She said before hanging up.
She arrived less than 20 minutes later with Malika and a car.
Callie was sitting on a bench nearby.
"Hey girl, we got you" Malika said hugging Callie and Mariana joined.
"Thanks, I love you guys" she said as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Malika wiped them with her thumb.
"Let's go get your stuff" Mariana said as they headed into the fancy apartment complex.
"Is he here?" Mariana said.
"I don't think so.. he doesnt want to see me" Callie said looking absolutely distraught.
Mariana linked arms with her and they headed up to the door.
Callie unlocked the door with a key he left for her under the mailbox and they walked in.
"Damn" Malika said
"I forgot how gorgeous this place was"
"And how rich he was" Mariana added.
They looked over at Callie who was just staring out the windows with a blank expression.
"Ok let's get your stuff."
He had already packed all of her stuff in boxes and left it by the master bedroom door.
Callie walked over to the bed and gently ran her hand over the covers. She sat down, put her hands over her face, and sobbed.
"I'm so stupid. I ruin everything" she said through her tears.
Malika bent down and patted her knees.
"It's ok, you did what you did because you were looking out for others. And now people won't suffer just because some rich white men want more money to gentrify neighborhoods. You did good and if Jamie doesn't see that then you don't need him girl" she said.
Callie looked around the room.
"But I loved him" she said.
They headed out each carrying a box of things. Before they left Callie slipped a note she wrote to Jamie underneath his pillow without Mariana or Malika seeing.
They loaded up the car and headed back to the coterie.

~

"So, I kinda made things official with Evan" Mariana said while snuggling with Callie outside near the pool.
"No way" she said looking over at her.
Yup, I told him to take things slow and he agreed. Also we are keeping it a secret at Speckulate, don't want it to cause problems there"
"Ugh, yeah. Well, I'm happy for you. I hope you guys can make this work out. Have you talked to Isabella yet about Raj?" Callie said
"No, it's kinda hard to talk to her about anything without wanting to rip her head off"
"Oof, yeah she's horrible"
Just then Gael walked out and jumped in to the pool.
Callie avoided looking at him but Mariana could tell there was tension.
"You sure nothing happened between you two?" Mariana said and Callie didn't say anything instead she stared at the glare of the pool reflecting the buildings.