i still own nothing. Pretty short again, sorry it's late!

Chapter Four


Friday was cleaning day at Almaelou. Despite Rose's best efforts, their filing cabinets always managed to become cluttered and disorganized. Once a week she waged war on the piles of paperwork, hoping that maybe they'd stay organized for once.

Rose emptied a drawer and carried its contents across the office, laying her load out on her desk. She glanced up and realized she had left the filing cabinet open.

"Albert, could you get that for me?" she asked, distracted by the daunting mountain of forms she was trying to sort through.

"What?"

Rose heaved a frustrated sigh. "The filing cabinet, Albert. Could you close the drawer for me?" She looked up and found him staring at her, frozen in place.

Rose frowned. "What?"

Albert coughed, turning pink. "I, uh– you– you called me Albert."

"Oh." She did? She hadn't even realized. Rose felt her own cheeks start to flush. "I'm sorry, I didn't– didn't think it would bother you."

"It– I mean..." Albert trailed off and blushed brighter, not looking at Rose.

She shrugged a little and turned back to her desk. "We have worked together a little over a year. Don't you think it's about time we call each other by our first names?"

"I– I don't know, maybe–"

Rose pretended not to notice Albert's discomfort. "You could call me Rose, if you want," she said lightly. "I wouldn't mind."

Albert shook his head. "No, I– I think I'll stick with Ms. Alvarez for now," he stammered. "Sorry."

Rose shrugged again, as if to say it was no big deal. "No need to apologize. Whatever you're comfortable with... Mr. Peterson."

He shot Rose a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," she mumbled back. If it wasn't a big deal, why did Rose feel so disappointed?