T's & C's (don't) Apply

17. Coddling is (not) in the Job Description

Kaidan Jerkeley: Leave without me. I'll meet you at work.

I stared at my phone screen for a whole minute without any thought. Kai insisted that if I helped out his girlfriend, he would've been more punctual and serious about work but it only took half a day for him to turn back on his word.

The previous day, Kai left for lunch with Rosalind and never returned. He texted me just before the working day ended to find my way home because he would be late. I was used to taking the bus back home so it didn't bother me much, even though I left my umbrella in his car and got home drenched from the rain.

What irked me was that he didn't have the common courtesy to let me know that he wasn't going to return at all. I struggled to sleep on most nights and the previous night was one of those awful times. I was awake almost all night and didn't hear Kai come back.

I stared at my phone a couple of times throughout the night and contemplated calling or texting to check if he was alive. However, I was clocked off for the day and knew he was with Rosalind. I didn't want to stir more absurd doubts in Rosalind's mind so I let it be. Besides, it wasn't my place to check up on him after hours.

"So, you do have some courtesy," I muttered as I sipped tea.

I didn't bother to respond, I read the text so his message was received and understood. I couldn't believe I felt a little bad for being extra angsty with him the previous day when he proved what I thought about him was correct.

Kaidan Jerkely: I'll be there on time too.

I paused on my way out and read over the next message he sent. I frowned and wondered why he had to say that when I had zero expectations from him.

"Nobody asked but okay," I muttered to myself as I left.

"Good on you for taking my advice," Melissa, ruined what started as a decent, Kai-free morning.

I ignored her and sat at my desk. I was sleep-deprived, bloated, and had lots of work pending so listening to her would've set me off. I rubbed my temples as the computer started up and my eyes lingered over to Kai's office.

I scoffed under my breath when I saw that his office was empty. Denise, his assistant was there as usual, probably doing all his work while he grabbed breakfast with his girlfriend.

"I'll be there on time, my arse," I muttered to myself while I logged into the computer.

I tried to get some work done but couldn't focus. My eyes hurt and I assumed it was because of sleep deprivation. I needed to reboot my brain and only one thing helped with that. I got up and made my way to the break room.

I tried to avoid coffee early in the morning, especially if I didn't eat enough but my brain needed the caffeine. I put up a pot and grabbed a mug off the shelf above the coffee machine. While I waited and the room filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, I noticed a hand slip a bar of chocolate on the counter in front of me.

A little sticky note with the words 'I'm sorry :(' sat over the Aero chocolate bar. I frowned slightly as I looked at the owner of the hand.

"What's this for?"

"For opening my big mouth yesterday," Keenan sheepishly replied.

It took me a moment to understand what he meant. I already forgot about Melissa's stupid words.

I half-grinned at Keenan and slipped the chocolate back. "It's water under the bridge."

Keenan's blue eyes lit up when he smiled. "I felt awful but didn't mean to upset you. Your mood seemed foul all day and I knew I played a role in that."