The Mistreated Wife

Chapter 3: Running Errands for the Boss

As I knocked on Sebastian’s office door, I was clutching the pen and notepad that I was holding. I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure if I should apologize for what happened in the elevators earlier, or if I should just feign ignorance. I wasn’t even sure if it was him poking me earlier.

But then again, if it was him, then he owes me an apology too. He just let his b*ner poke me and even suggested that I was enjoying it. As much as I hate to admit that I did kind of enjoy it, it was still wrong of him to continue doing it. I am a married woman for Pete’s sake!

With that conviction, opened the door and went inside his office. I was about to say something when he started dictating things he wanted me to do.

Sebastian: “I need you to pick up the suit I will be wearing for the function on Saturday. Call Maurice and tell him that I need two new pairs of shoes, just the usual style in black. Add some socks too. Set an appointment with my barber for tomorrow at noon. Call Patricia and tell her I can meet her for lunch after the haircut. Book a table at Portofino’s for two for tonight at 7pm. Send a bouquet of pink roses to Janine, and make 10 copies of these.”

Belle was still writing stuff down when she almost jumped as she heard a binder getting slammed on the table. She looked at the notes she scribbled, and can barely decipher any of them. She just looked at Sebastian, then back at her notes, then at Sebastian again.

Sebastian: “What is it?”

Belle: “Uhm, who’s Maurice?”

Sebastian: "Ms. Santillan, if you can’t handle those simple tasks that I just gave you, maybe you should just quit. I don’t have time to explain how to do your job.”

Belle: “No, sir, I can do it, Mr. Maurer, sir.”

Sebastian: “Call me Sebastian.”

Belle: “Okay, Sebastian.”

She just stayed where she was, while Sebastian seemed annoyed that she still hasn’t moved.

Sebastian: “What are you waiting for?”

Belle suddenly stood straight, picked up the binder and saluted Sebastian, then turned around and left while saying:

Belle: “Nothing. I’ll go now Sir-- Sebastian.”

I was thankful when I found Trina on the secretary’s desk. She’s packing up her things to move to her new office on the 23rd floor.

I asked Trina about the tasks Sebastian was firing at me earlier. Apparently, Maurice is his personal stylist, who chooses and buys all his clothes for him. He’s too busy that he doesn’t even have time to do it for himself. Patricia is his cousin, who lives abroad, but is visiting the country. Janine is Sebastian’s girlfriend for the month. Apparently, he changes girlfriends quite frequently. He has been with Janine for almost two weeks now. She’s got two more weeks before she’ll get replaced by another tall leggy model.

Trina gave me the rolodex, which contains all the contact numbers I needed to know. She also showed me Sebastian’s calendar. The function on Saturday is a benefit for the Breast Cancer Society. It’s an event where the rich and wealthy get to dress up and pay a hefty sum to eat dinner, all in the name of charity.

Trina offered to make the calls, while I picked up the suit and made the copies. I was really thankful to Trina for helping me out. She even said that I can call her anytime if I need anything once she moves to her new office. She gave me some petty cash to use while running the errands.

I took a cab to get to the suit place. When I was on my way back to the office, I got a call from Sebastian asking me to pick up some coffee and pastries at a coffee shop about five blocks away from the office. I asked the cab driver to drop me off there. When I got the order, my hands were already full. I decided to walk back to the office. I decided that starting tomorrow, I will change into flat shoes if I need to go out of the office to run errands. My feet are now killing me, and I can feel blisters forming at the back of my heels, and they rubbing against my shoes. I already feel the sting.

When I got to the building, I was sweating profusely. I went straight to the elevators and headed to Sebastian’s office. I knocked and opened the door. He was seated at his desk and as soon as he saw me, his face changed. It was like he was trying to stop himself from laughing.

Sebastian: “What happened to you?”

Belle: “What do you mean?”

Sebastian: “I suggest you visit the ladies’ room, Ms. Santillan.”

I have no clue what is going on, so I just placed the coffee and pastry in Sebastian’s desk and hung the suit in the coat rack. I bowed my head before leaving my boss’s office. I swear I could hear him laughing as soon as I closed the door to his office.

I went straight to the restroom, noticing a few funny looks from the other employees I passed by. I was getting nervous so I walked faster. When I got to the restroom, I was flabbergasted when I saw my appearance. Strands of hair are hanging out, and some of them have stuck to my sweaty face. Somehow, there’s a black line running along my right cheek. I couldn’t remember where I got this. I looked at my hand and saw that it’s dirty with something black. I must have transferred it to my face when I wiped my sweat with my hands earlier. Although I couldn't remember for the life of me where I got it and what it is. It smells greasy. I must have transferred some of it to my top as well, because it looks dirty. I made a mental note to bring an extra shirt aside from the flat shoes when I go to work the next day.

I really looked like a mess! No wonder Sebastian was laughing at me earlier. I washed my hands and face, and fixed my hair. When I’m satisfied that I looked decent enough, I left the rest room and walked back to my desk. The same people who were looking at me funnily earlier are now smiling at me.

I’ve been told multiple times that I’m beautiful. Even when I’m already married, men are still trying to get my attention and woo me. I’ve always been faithful to my husband and I plan to do so forever, but I must admit that the admiration from other men (and even some women) are very flattering and helps boost my confidence.

Once I got back on my desk, I took the binder and went to the copying machine. I made the copies that Sebastian needed and assembled them into their own binders. Once I’m done, I knocked on Sebastian’s office and asked him where I should put the copies.

He looked at me without expression, then just told me to put them on the table in front of the couch. Before leaving, I asked if there’s anything else he needs. He just looked at me again and said “No, you may go.”

Once I got back to my desk, I let out a sigh of relief and took off my shoes. I looked at all the drawers and was glad to find a first aid kit. I took two adhesive bandages for the blisters on my feet. I was in the process of putting them on when Sebastian got out of his office. I stood up right away and asked if he needed anything.

He didn’t say anything and just took the bandages from my hand. He had me sit on the chair. He lowered himself, took my right foot, and put on the bandage himself. I wanted to protest, but he was done by the time I realized what was happening. He lifted my left leg and put on a bandage there as well.

He then stood up and left right away before I could even say, “Thank you.”

As I watched him walk away, I was dumbfounded. For the first time today, he actually seemed sweet. Who knew he was capable of that? I can feel light goosebumps earlier when he touched my feet.

The rest of the day was uneventful, as Sebastian did not return to the office anymore after he left. I organized my desk, checked my email, and familiarized myself with my boss’ schedule. I also took in some calls and jot down messages as needed.

I sent a message to Paul asking how his interview went, and he replied that he’s still waiting for the results. He also said that he’ll be waiting for me in front of the office building when I’m done.

When work was almost done, I got a call from Trina asking how my first day at work is so far. I told her that aside from the rush earlier, everything has been fine, and that Sebastian doesn’t seem to be coming back to the office anymore. She told me that before leaving the office, I should always make sure to ask my boss if there’s anything else he needs and say goodbye before I go. If he wasn’t in his office, I should either call him or send him a text message. Trina gave me his mobile number before saying goodbye.

At five o’clock, I sent a message to Sebastian that I’m about to leave the office and asked if he needs anything before I go. I got a reply right away.

Sebastian: “No.”

Belle: “All right. I’ll be leaving now. Have a good night.”

Sebastian: “Okay.”

He’s really thrifty on those message replies. I shook my head while sending a message to my husband telling him that I’m about to leave the office. He replied right away.

Paul: “Okay honey, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs. See you soon.”

That’s more like it. That’s how a proper text reply looks like. I wonder how Sebastian is like to his girlfriends. Does he send them one word texts as well? Maybe he’s different with the women he’s in a relationship with.

I gathered my stuff and headed to the elevators. I smiled as soon as I saw my husband waiting in the car right outside the building. I got into the passenger side and gave him a kiss. He asked how my day was, and I told him all about it. I didn't tell him about the poking incident, though. As I gave him a blow-by-blow of the events that happened, I realized that I actually enjoyed my first day. 

I am actually looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow.