Emancipation

forty

A blonde woman from the accounting department has been glaring at me since two days now, ever since I started working here. It has started to annoy me now but I'm trying my best not to let it get under my nerves.

My first thought is to assume the worst, that she could possibly be one of the women James has slept with but we talked about, the list is much shorter than I imagined it to be and he promised me that there's one who's employed at the company, except Amy.

Amy! That woman is another disaster altogether. I've become way too insecure ever since James and I first slept together. There's this constant comparison that goes in my head about how inexperienced I am, and whether or not James is actually happy with me. I understand how a lot of it is irrational, so I've been indulging in positive affirmations as much as possible.

I also called Dr. Wilson to shift my Friday appointment to Saturday since I cannot excuse time from internship now.

"Hey, want to exchange?" Yash asks, interrupting my thoughts and I jump a little because of how distracted I was.

I look down at the file I had finished going through as he offers me the one he was reading and nod, passing it to him. He doesn't say a word, just gives me an amused look, clearly catching me lost in thoughts before he starts skimming through the documents.

David has been assigning us a lot of reading material, past investments and to draw out the review reports of the same. It has been fun so far, new learnings included but sometimes the figures get too much.

The blonde passes by our desk and narrows her eyes at me, making me look away as I sigh, wanting to shout at her because I really don't understand what her problem is.

"Do you know her or something?" Yash asks and I shake my head, rubbing my temples.

"No, is it that obvious?" I sigh and he gives me a pity nod. "God, I don't understand why people can't mind their own business."

He frowns a little but lets it go, not questioning me further. I feel the need to go meet James because of how annoyed I am. We got tested yesterday and the report is due tomorrow, which is under thing I'm a little nervous about even though I'm pretty sure we're both clean.

I pull out my phone and decide to drop him a text even though it's just an hour before my leaving time.

"Missing you a little."

His response is almost instant, which makes me smile. "Not very nice of you to use working hours for texting your husband, love. Missing you too."

I shake my head, grinning before keeping my phone aside and getting back to reading the report and making notes side by side. The next hour goes in a blink as I start discussing some pointers with Yash and he makes some very crucial points that I make a note of.

"Walk you out?" Yash asks and I shrug, gathering my things.

I drove myself here today, making use of the new car that I've absolutely grown to love. James had a breakfast meeting so he left a little early while I was still in bed. When we reach the elevator, it's just the two of us inside and I press the button for first floor.

"We have to go to the lounge tomorrow, it's definitely at twelfth floor because anything above that are for higher authorities." Yash begins, "I've heard the new CEO is an ass."

I can't help the laugh that leaves me at his words, covering my mouth with my hand and he gives me a questioning look.

"Yeah, I've heard so too." I grin, agreeing with him because I can already imagine James's amusement with this statement. Well, it is kind of true. "Have you met him?"