Greenlight
1235 Words
-Genesis
I am finally baptizing my first office. Sitting on the chair, listening to '90s songs on my laptop and staring at Ben's photo.
This is the only good memory I have of him. This was three weeks before he found out I had a mate. We were so happy back then. No complications. No love problems. No deaths. Just happy.
Ben is all wet in this photo. I still remember me and the guys spraying him with champagne. He has his arms wrapped around me and my feet are off the ground as he was spinning me around. This was the day he became part of the pack and we celebrated with champagne, barbeque and music.
I wish I could go back and celebrate this day over and over. It was the happiest day of my life. It was the first time I knew I had feelings for Ben, but he does not know that. He will never know that. He is getting married in six days. Everything I feel and felt for him, will soon be gone.
A sudden call from Ella frightened me and I hid the photograph in the first place I thought of.
"Genesis, are you in there?" Ella called again and I told her to come in.
She came in, looking agitated.
"Is everything okay?" I asked and offered her my chair but she declined.
"It's Benjamin. He keeps making things worse, Genesis. Skye just slapped him in front of us. He was disrespecting Sabrina, again."
I hope this has nothing to do with the fact that I rejected him.
"I am sorry for bringing this up, especially talking about this with you."
"Do not worry, Ella. You can talk to me about anything."
She stopped pacing and our eyes locked.
"Why isn't this bothering you?" She asked and I knew where she was going with this.
"Ella, this is normal for me these days. You know that."
"No. No. Two days ago you had a mental breakdown because of him. You couldn't even bare to listen to his name. Now it's like you don't even care."
'Out with it!' I willed myself.
"I rejected him this morning," I confessed, and pain spread over me, again.
"You did what?!"
"Keep your voice down," I whispered.
"What happened? What did he do that you had to reject him?"
I closed my eyes and went through the whole thing in my head again. Him kissing me. Taking me in his arms. Before it got too intense, I shook my head and opened my eyes to look at Ella, who looked as hurt as I felt.
"He kissed me, Ella. He kissed me and then he said we should stop. The conversation got heated and I ended up rejecting him. I can not take it anymore, Ella. I have had enough of his bullshit."
"Oh my God. Genesis, I am so sorry," she hugged me and as hard as I have tried not to cry, I could not keep it in anymore. I let myself go for a second but reminded myself, it is not worth it anymore.
"You must be crushed, Genesis. Please take the day off. Go home and relax. You can start next week."
"No. That would not be right."
"Genesis, just go home. I am giving you the day off. Just this day. You can come back tomorrow if you'd like."
I smiled at her and she finally sat on my chair.
"This baby is draining the life out of me," she took a deep breath.
"Do you want me to call Xander?"
"No. He will get freaked out and take me home. I am feeling well, but having a baby inside of you is not as easy as it seems. He crushes my organs then dances around on my bladder. He is so lucky he is so worth this," Ella rubbed her belly and smiled.
"Now I got to go," she stood up and at that moment, Ella's phone rang.
"It's Flora. Hi!" She answered and I started pacing around the office.
"Really? Okay. I will let her know." She hung up and looked at me, grinning.
"What?"
"Paul is here! He came to see you. Apparently, he wants to give you something. He is at the front desk. Go and see what he wants."
"But I told him to meet me tomorrow, not today."
"Just go!"
I walk out of my office and head to the front desk and see him talking to Flora. He is wearing jeans and a basil green shirt.
"Paul?" I call him and he raises his head to look at me and lights up immediately.
"Hey. I am sorry to bother you at work, but I had some business to attend to at this neighborhood and decided to come by. I brought you these," he offered me a small blue box.
"What is this?"
"Just open it."
I take it from his hand and open it. Inside the box there are two small turquoise rose-shaped earrings. They are so beautiful.
"Why did you buy me these?" Was the first thing I said and I kind of regret it.
"The color of the earrings goes with your hair color. I am not very good at gift giving, but I wanted to give these to you tomorrow but couldn't wait until then. I know it is too much, but I do not regret it."
"Oh my God. Paul, this is very thoughtful. Thank you, so much. Even though flowers would have sufficed."
He laughed and his cheeks turned pink.
"How about I buy you flowers tomorrow?"
"Spoiling me is not going to help."
"Can't persecute a man for trying."
Flora laughed and, for the first time, I realized we were not alone.
"I know this is probably a stupid question, but do you have time for a quick lunch?"
Ella gave me the day off. I could go.
"I actually do. Let me tell Ella and I will be right with you."
He wandered off a few feet away from me and I asked Flora if she could call Ella for me.
"Mrs Walson, Miss Martin would like to have a word."
She nodded and handed me the phone.
"Hi, Ella. Paul just asked me out to lunch. Is it okay if I go?"
"Of course. As I said, you have the day off. Be careful and call me if you need anything."
"Thank you. I will," I said and hung up.
"I got the greenlight," I said to Paul and he came towards me, smiling.
"Ready to go?" He asks and I realize I have to get my purse and coat from the office.
"I will get my purse and be right there," I turned around and rushed to my office to grab everything I needed.
I put the earrings inside my purse, grab the coat and head outside. Just as I was approaching Paul, I sensed Benjamin. He is staring at me. The thought of him makes me want to cry but I have to keep my s**t together because I have a date with Paul.
Paul offered me his hand and I knew that if I took it, it would make Ben mad.
I took his hand and I swear I heard Ben growl but apparently it was not loud enough, because Paul didn't look back and neither did I.
- Writer
