Second Chances

Truth In Reality Take 2

I walked into work, eagerly looking for Abigail. My heart sank when I saw that she wasn't in yet. I continued to wait, jumping whenever someone walked by my office.

When it was a few minutes past the time she normally gets in, I started to worry that she had decided to call in sick. I tried to busy myself so I stopped watching the clock and the elevator.

"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Efron," Abigail said as she popped her head into my office. I looked up, my breath instantly getting caught in my throat when I saw Abigail looking at her feet.

"I got stuck in traffic."

"No problem," I stuttered. She was about to walk away, but I stopped her. "Abigail, wait. Please."

"It's fine," she said, clearing her throat. "We can just pretend it didn't happen."

"What if I don't want to pretend it didn't happen?"

I tried to take a step towards her, but she took a step back. "I think since we work together, we should pretend it didn't happen."

We stared at each other, neither one of us saying anything. I wanted nothing more than to pull her into my chest and press my lips to hers.

"Let me just double-check your schedule and I'll be right back to go through it with you." She nodded before turning on her heel and leaving.

Throughout the day, I couldn't focus on work. All I could do was watch Abigail. And she knew it. I noticed her walking to the bathroom more, talking to other assistants more, making more copies, and running more errands. All to stay away from her desk.

Away from me.

At the end of the day, I saw Abigail getting ready to leave. Before she could head out, I stopped her.

"Abigail? Can we talk about my meetings I have tomorrow before you leave?" I asked. She studied me before nodding. She grabbed my schedule off her desk and walked into my office.

"Tomorrow, you have a meeting with. . ."

"I don't care," I cut her off.

"Mr. Efron," she stuttered.

"I shouldn't have kissed you," I said quickly. "And maybe I shouldn't have gone to your house late at night, but I wasn't drunk. If I can just explain. It's going to sound crazy, but I need you to hear me out. Please, Abigail."

She bit her lip in hesitation. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding when she nodded and closed my schedule. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to find a way to tell her.

"What I'm about to say," I started slowly, "is going to make you think I'm either drunk off my ass or should be in a mental institution. But I'm begging you to hear me out."

I grabbed her hand and waited for her to pull away. When she didn't, I was surprised. I ignored the burning that went up my arm and led her over to the couch. Once she was sitting, she finally pulled her hand out of mine and started playing with her pencil skirt.

"Do you remember when I started changing how I looked and acted?" I started.

"Yes," she said slowly. "You said you met someone who helped you realize you weren't as happy with your life as you could be."

"It was an Uber driver," I nodded.

"An Uber driver?" She asked slowly.

"I know how this sounds," I sighed. "But he asked me if I was happy, like truly happy. And I thought I was. Until I had this dream. I woke up in a different life. I wasn't a New York Lawyer. I was an art teacher at a high school and. . ."