Part IV: The Not So Distant Ex
Katie hurriedly grabbed a couple of journals before continuing with her current work load. She was supposed to have finished the load two days before but she didn't really have enough time. As of the moment she was running late on her deadline. On the better end of things, Katie enjoyed the rest of the two days she spent with Jessie as per request by the great Grace Manning. Suddenly, a commotion outside her office took her attention to her door.
"Don't you dare block my way!"
The voice was certainly familiar but of course. So Katie decided not to entertain the fact that a raging ex just arrived in Grace Manning's firm.
A few notes and a few taps on her calculator, Katie was suddenly caught by surprise as the door swung violently. Sarah was standing in front of her panting and holding on to plants, which to Katie's recollection, belonged to the small pot near the entrance door. She scratched her head, knowing very well that behind Sarah stood the bewildered security guards and probably a fuming Grace Manning.
"Sarah… Can you be anymore subtle?" Katie stood up and tried her best not to laugh.
Of all ex-girlfriends, Sarah Grasser would not let up. No is not the answer for the delirious and probably hyper-active ex. Though Katie knew they loved each other once upon their lives, it wasn't there anymore.
Well…
That's aside the fact that Sarah was overly jealous at any girl or boy that came close to Katie. The connotation of closeness was very much different to Sarah. Someone being close to Katie meant just standing next to the person and sharing a conversation – Whether it was business or personal didn't matter. Sarah would throw Katie a tantrum that made the latter feel embarrassed or annoyed.
"You didn't return my calls!" Sarah screamed almost throwing her shoulder bag across the room.
Katie scratched her head and tried her best not to anger the woman in front of her.
From behind, Grace came mouthing a few words and pointed a finger at Sarah.
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM? THIS IS MY FIRM! TAKE YOUR BUSINESS SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
Seeing that they were about to begin a serious cat fight, Katie hurriedly stood in between and tried to restrain her emotionally charged companions.
Damn. Women.
"KATIE IS MY BUSINESS!" Sarah retorted as she pointed a finger at Grace.
"THEN TAKE KATIE SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
"I HAVE TO GET HER TO TAKE HER SOMEWHERE ELSE!"
"Ok. Stop it you guys. You're attracting too much attention the floors above us are having a field day on the latest soap opera written by Grace Manning and Sarah Grasser." Katie rolled her eyes holding out her hand on opposite sides to make sure either of the two women pounce the other.
"SHUT UP KATIE!" The two yelled making Katie cringe.
Katie just mouthed "ok" and stood there till Grace and Sarah were too tired to argue.
----
Though the day seemed normal, Jessie felt a little heavy. She thought about her nice neighbor till morning. Her fascination for the brunette seemed to grow though she tried hard to just let the feeling pass. A sigh escaped her lips which didn't go unnoticed by her companion.
"Dr. Jessica Sammler… Didn't know I'd see the day you would sigh." Russell held Jessie's charts and stared at his friend for a second or two.
The blonde's face was paler than usual. It was just about lunch and Jessie was already lacking the energy for the day.
Jessie, of course, could not deny the obvious.
"I've been feeling edgy lately."
"Miss Tad?" Her friend asked.
"Honestly?" Jessie asked as if she was unsure what to answer.
"Of course. I'm your friend Jess." Russell gave her a reassuring tap on her shoulder.
Truthfully, Russell never liked Tad for Jessie. He liked Tad for himself. But then again, if your friend is happy, how else could you not let go?
"No."
The answer was simple but had weight. Tad was Jessie's fiancé. And here she was, missing another person.
"What's wrong girl? Did you two have a fight?"
"No. Not really. He called a few times yesterday so… We're fine… I just…"
"What?"
"Is it possible that… At this time, I'd end up liking someone?"
"Of course… But then in the end you'll realize, you love Tad more."
"Just like in the movies?"
"Yeah… Just like in the movies…" Russell ended the conversation with a hug for Jessie.
Though deep inside, he was happy Jessie was having second thoughts. Russell could not help but think that their relationship was meant to be.
Childhood friends.
High school sweethearts.
College love.
It was all there and the two had it going well.
----
"Who is your other woman?" Sarah asked angrily.
It had been almost an hour since her and Grace's exchange but Sarah would just not quit on Katie. Though it was a trait which was supposed to be sweet. The rage and the anger the coupled with her persistence almost took Katie to the brink of killing her ex-girlfriend just to make her shut up.
"I have no other woman so please stop pointing fingers at me." Katie tugged Sarah's finger and lowered it.
"But they saw you. With a woman."
"Who?"
"My sisters." Sarah replied quirking her brow.
The Grasser's sisters had an endearing trait that Katie loved to hate. It was the notion of going all Sherlock Holmes on your sister's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend and reporting in detail on how a day went having passed their line of sight. Stalking, investigating, was practically legal for the Grasser sisters.
"I was out with Grace's stepsister. Not that it's any of your business."
"So you where out with another woman! And a relative of your hooligan boss I might add."
"My boss is not a hooligan."
"So did you enjoy your day with her?" Sarah asked sarcastically but Katie saw the hint of pain in her voice.
Though Katie was already, supposed to be, free from the clutches of Sarah, the mere fact that Katie was a caring person paved way to her weakness - Her compassion. Katie could not hurt people around her purposely for her own sake. Knowing someone was in pain because of her made Katie sad and worse depressed.
"Look. I just helped her pick out her wedding dress."
"She's getting married?"
"Yeah…"
"With you…"
"No…"
Sarah looked away from Katie and took a few paces backwards. They were both silent for a while till the former decided to speak again.
"What happened to us Katie?"
"I grew up…"
----
Jessie sat on her office chair and ran her fingers through her hair. She had speaking to Tad about their wedding plans. She felt not into it but it was her job. It was supposed to be her dream. But as of the moment, the lack of Katie Singer's presence seemed to pull her spirit down. She could hear her fiancé mumble about a few things he forgot to call and about the people they forgot to invite.
Jessie thought for a second, zoning herself away from her conversation with Tad. Was she doing the right thing? Is the right thing supposed to make you unhappy? Is a thought of a wrong intention supposed to excite you?
"It's just wrong because I'm still with him…" Jessie whispered to herself, barely audible on the phone speaker.
"Hey Tad… I need to call Grace. I'll call back later." Without waiting for Tad's reply, Jessie ended the call and began dialing Grace Manning's number.
----
Katie was on her way home when she spotted flower shop. She stopped by and parked her car to look for a few for her home. She found gardenias at the side of the counter and bought about two dozens.
The flowers seemed to uplift Katie's heavy heart.
Since she left the office, the thought of Grace Manning's disappointment and Sarah Grasser's emotional pain never left Katie's mind. Ever the worrier, Katie couldn't help but blame herself for the trouble she had caused. There was no one to tell her she wasn't at fault.
After her purchase, Katie went straight home. The sky was already dark when she parked in her garage. She picked up the flowers from the backseat and got out of her vehicle. To her surprise, Jessie was standing at her doorstep – Obviously waiting for her.
"Need help?" The blonde asked, walking towards Katie.
"If you would be so kind…" Katie let out a small smile and handed Jessie the flowers.
The blonde stared at the bouquet and quickly glanced at Katie.
"What are these called?" Jessie asked as she turned her gaze towards Katie's door.
"Gardenias…"
"You like them…"
"Yeah… Reminds me of the singer… Billy Holiday…"
Jessie quirked and eyebrow and followed Katie inside her house.