Ok the reason THE SWAY is capitalized is because that was the original title but at the last minute, I decided GARDS Security would be better. I decided to leave THE SWAY capitalized. Sorry the chapters are so long. I wanted this story to only be ten chapters so i had to squish a lot into the ten.
Thank you for all the review! I appreciate it and love to read them. I try to respond to all of them, but it takes me a little time but I will get to each of you!
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the first!
Enjoy!
Chapter 2—The Closet of Lost Souls
Four weeks after her interview, on a crisp early January Monday morning, the first day of a fresh work week after the brand-new year, Michonne was about to stroll into her exciting new job with enthusiasm and optimism. Michonne was eager to discover what new opportunities and possibilities awaited in her new job. The pay was only slightly less than her old job at the law firm, but her hours and workload would be considerably less demanding. She would have the time to enjoy both her son and the money that she earned, which by all accounts was still top tier. Michonne worked so hard at her old law firm that she never had time to relish in the fruits of her labor. The thought of being able to spend quality time with Andre was worth her jumping off the hectic partner track and into a position that would afford her the essential time to actually take some joy in her life, in her family, and perhaps to even in love. It had been two years since her and her boyfriend Mike broke up with him moving out of the country, which put the final nail in a coffin that had already been lowered in the ground with a few shovel's full of dirt on top to seal their fate.
Michonne proudly walked onto the elevator with both a huge bright smile and a large box of stuff and thangs for her new office at GARDS Security as their new on-staff Corporate Attorney. Michonne liked that GARDS was very professional but still had a very casual feel to it and that the atmosphere was friendly and welcoming. When Michonne interviewed, she noticed that the office was decked out in Christmas decorations complete with a tree and presents. At her old firm, decorations beyond a poinsettia strategically placed here and there was strictly frowned upon. One would never know it was Christmas if all you had to judge the time of year by was her old office. Now, as she looked around, the Christmas décor was gone, but there was ample evidence of a New Year celebration with confetti still littering corners and crevices in the elevator and leading out into the main hallway. That stuff was notoriously difficult to fully clean up.
The people at GARDS also seemed warm and hospitable. Michonne had come to scout her new office a week before her official start date to get a layout of her new digs and to meet more of the staff. She laughed with the group as they all shared their holiday shenanigans. Rick was out of the office when she stopped in, and that was by design, Shane's masterplan, and Rick acted a plum fool when nobody called him to let him know she would be at GARDS.
"I would have come right back! You made me go get lunch!" Rick ranted and pointed his finger in Shane's chest.
"Shut up Rick and give me my damn lunch so I can go eat in peace," exhausted Shane who snatched his bag from Rick's tight grip, rolled his eyes, and went back to his office.
Glenn: I told you Rick was gonna be mad! oh no emoji.
Shane: I don't give a flying fuck about Rick Grimes being mad.
Abe: That's colder than a testicle on ice, poor Rick
Shane: No, poor us! I care about sexual harassment claims, not Rick. Get the fuck back to work.
Glenn: But it's lunch time? Chicken leg emoji
Shane: Motherfu
Shane was irritated and his annoyance caused him to accidently hit send before he finished typing.
Darryl: ROTFLMAO!
Shane knew Michonne was stopping by and purposely sent Rick to pick up the food order. Shane did not want another scene. He also did not want another encore appearance of little Rick. The first time was disturbing enough. He did not want Rick to run her off before Michonne even started the job.
Even without Rick at the office that day, Michonne felt like the people she worked with would eventually be great friends. Everyone she met was open and sociable. Michonne did subtly look for Rick, wondering where he was. Michonne did not dare to outright ask, she did not want to let on she was interested, so she settled on just being disappointed that he was not in the office, keeping that information to herself behind her little sad smile and darting eyes. She would see him soon enough. Her official first day was in a week and that brought a genuine smile right back on her face. Michonne thought Rick was the most friendly of the group and maybe quite possibly too friendly, but in a cute way and not in the skivvy, eyeing up and down, licking your lips, sort of friendly.
Thinking about seeing the blue-eyed owner everyday was also an enormous perk on her checklist and when she had that notion about love, she immediately pictured Rick Grimes. She shook that prospect from her mind, 'he is technically my boss,' Michonne thought. Her willpower would be surly tested having to work and look at Rick's handsome face every day. It would be a daily battle to not fall and swim into those deep aqua pools of his, or fight from touching that rugged beard of his, or those curls at the nape of his neck. 'DAMN THOSE CURLS!' Michonne thought. The fact that Rick was obviously interested in her, well that just might make staying away from him romantically impossible. But she would cross that bridge if and when she crossed it.
On Michonne's official first day, Rick had been anxiously awaiting her arrival. He did not want to miss seeing her walk through the front door like the goddess that she was like the last time. Rick pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at Shane as if the man could see him through the wall of his office. Rick had an idea and strolled towards Shane's office and peeped his head in the door.
"I'm gonna to work in the conference room this morning," stated Rick matter-of-factly.
"Why?" Asked Shane looking his idiot friend up and down and already knowing the answer.
"I need to spread out," Rick replied.
"Spread out for what Rick?" Asked Shane who was now leaning back in his chair.
Rick had no valid answer, so he just turned and walked away. Shane narrowed his eyes and blew out his breath.
Shane: Get over here. I have a feeling we are gonna need HR this morning.
Maggie: Ohh this is gonna be good!
Shane: Maggie, you are DAMN Human Resources, WE. NEED. TO. AVOID. OH GOOD! For the love of God, please do the damn job you were hired for!
Maggie: Hush, Is she here?
Shane: Not yet, but that fucker has his eyeballs glued to the conference room window. Get out here and watch that asshole and help me keep him away from Michonne.
Shane noticed what Rick was doing and was deeply disturbed by Rick's behavior, especially since Rick was her boss and she, his employee. He knew Rick wanted to work from the conference because there was a clear view to the reception area and Rick wanted to know the exact moment that Michonne arrived. 'That asshole wants to see her walk through the door, see that ass again,' supposed Shane as he cut his eyes at Rick pacing inside the conference room.
Darryl: Why is Rick pacing and talking to himself.
Shane: That dumbass is in there waiting for Michonne and practicing his greeting I bet. DAMN!
Glenn: I am gonna go help him practice.
Shane: NO GLENN! DON'T ENCOURAGE THAT!
It was too late, Glenn was walking into the conference room and not in his normal jaunt, he was evidently pretending to be Michonne, full on switching his hips and all.
Abe: Is Glenn giggling?
Darryl: Did Rick just bow? ROTFLMAO
Shane was not amused. Shane pictured himself in the middle of getting sued and forced into a settlement that could bankrupt the company because Rick could not handle being around an interesting woman with a banging body, a gorgeous face, and an amazingly round and perfect ass. Shane noticed her too, how could he not, hell they all noticed her the moment Michonne walked in for her interview. Even Rosita commented on the beauty. They all subtlety stared, subtle being the key word, they did not make it obvious like Rick did by having their hearts pound out of their chest like a damn cartoon wolf then turning into a klutzy, drooling lunatic.
Abe: She's here.
Darryl: wait for it, wait for it…
Shane: That motherfucker better control himself. Look at his ass in that conference room grinning like a damn stalker. He ain't fooling no damn body. Where the fuck is Maggie!
Abe: Calm down Shane, just enjoy the ride.
Shane: Fuck you. I hope you enjoy the ride to the poor house when she sues us! Why the fuck did I hire her!
Darryl: YOU didn't hire her, WE hired her.
Shane: Then we are all some stupid fucks ain't we?
Rick was used to boring, he did not know how to handle anything other than that. And it definitely showed. Everyone was tickled as they watched their friend anticipate the attorney's arrival. Everyone except Shane. When she finally arrived, Rick jetted out of the conference room and made a beeline straight to their new attorney.
Darryl: ROTFLMAO…there goes Rick!
Shane: Shit, get out there and stop his silly ass! That asshole is actually running!
Side text
Shane: Where the fuck are you!
Maggie: Sorry, got distracted.
Shane: FUCK!
As Michonne walked through the front doors, Rick noticed her hands were full and ran to help her with her belongings. Rick was actually breathing a little harder from his unnecessary sprint. His eyes had been glued to the entrance door, anxiously awaiting, and watching for her arrival and practicing exactly how he was going to greet her as he checked the reception door every thirty seconds.
"Happy New Year Michonne," grinned Rick shyly as he reached to take the box out of her hands.
Rick and Glenn thought that was the best of all the greeting options they practiced.
"It's fine Rick, I got it. It's very light, and Happy New Year to you too," smiled Michonne trying not to get sucked into those blue eyes or those pink pouty lips which were currently calling her name and begging her to kiss.
"I got it," replied Rick still trying to snatch the box from her hands causing a tug of war right there in the middle of reception.
"She said she got it Rick," smirked Carol the receptionist who narrowed her eyes at Rick hoping he would leave Michonne be like she requested but thrilled to see Rick act silly for a change.
It was a new and refreshing side of Rick Carol had yet to experience.
With the box almost firmly back in her hands, Michonne tried to walk away towards her office, but it was difficult with Rick still slightly holding onto the box and walking beside her. He could not force himself to fully let go of the cardboard container. Rick's brain told him to unclasp, but his hands grasped it tighter.
"RICK!" yelled Shane. "GET OVER HERE!"
Rick smiled and nodded at Michonne and reluctantly let go of the box. He was still grinning widely at Michonne as he backed away slowly before fully turning around and walking towards Shane. Once Michonne took a few steps towards her office, she turned back to watch Rick walk away.
It was the gait that stopped Michonne in her tracks. A sexy bow-legged stride that left her mouth dropped open and one corner wet with drool. A clutch your pearls, stop your breath walk that caused a sudden soak. She did not move a muscle. Just stood there, head tilted, and watched Rick saunter towards an irritated Shane. Michonne needed to get herself under control, go to her office, put away her stuff and thangs, but she could not get her feet to move. She could not force her body to turn away from him. Shane noticed Michonne watching Rick. When Michonne realized Shane was staring at her and shaking his head with a tight grimace on his face, she snapped out of her stupor, managed to close her mouth, and wipe the stream of drool from the corner of her lips with her shoulder, and hurried off towards her office.
"Fuck," Shane said under his breath before turning to Rick, "What about Jessie?"
"Who?" Rick questioned genuinely confused, and still staring at THE SWAY as Michonne made a hasty retreat towards her office.
"Jessie, Rick. Your girlfriend. The woman you have been dating for the last six months?" Clarified Shane slightly amused and a touch annoyed with Rick's response.
"Shit, I forgot about her. I haven't talked to her in over a week," announced a distracted Rick.
"Over a week? How have you managed to avoid talking to your girlfriend for over a week, during the damn holidays? Let me get a pencil so I can write this shit down cuz this has to be gold!" Exclaimed Shane who was always looking for new innovative ways to ditch the women he dated.
"What's gold?" Asked Darryl sauntering over to listen to whatever puppy love mumbo jumbo Rick was spouting in order to have some info to use for some funning and teasing later.
"Rick ain't talked to Jessie in a whole week!" Shouted a very proud Shane, "He is about to share how he pulled that shit off, how did you avoid New Year's Eve?"
"Did you two break-up?" Asked Glenn overhearing the conversation drinking a cup of coffee and eating a donut.
"Who broke-up?" Probed Abe who noticed Glenn had two donuts and rolled his eyes because he knew just where Glenn was headed before he got side-tracked.
"Do any of you actually work?" Questioned Carol confused at how all of them managed to be anywhere but near or at their desks.
"That's why we hired the help!" Replied Glenn mouth full of a chocolate glazed.
Carol just rolled her eyes at the group and went back to doing actual work.
"Since I met Michonne, I feel like I am cheating on her with Jessie," fretted Rick.
"WHAT?" Asked a disbelieving Shane? "How the fuck do you figure that?" Shane cursed, well aware of how much his cussing has increased since Rick met Michonne.
The correlation was not lost on him. Silly Rick equals a cursing Shane.
Shane and the guys were truly curious at the logic Rick was about to spit and stared at him expectantly with their arms crossed in anticipation.
"Look, I am a one-woman man," expressed Rick with his brows drawn up.
Yes, and Jessie is your ONE- and ONLY-woman Rick. You and Michonne are not dating. Are you crazy?" Asked a worried Shane reaching to touch Rick's forehead to see if his friend was running a fever.
"Crazy for Michonne," laughed Abe.
Darryl: Damn, Rick got it bad!
Abe: Not any worse than lover boy Glenn, he is itching his left nut to get to Maggie and give her that donut.
Darryl: he has chocolate all over his mouth, think we should tell him?
Abe: Nah, let Maggie tell him! LOL
Darryl: That's cold bruh…but funny as hell.
"Look, let's get back to why we are here. So, tell us Rick. How have you been avoiding Jessie?" Asked a very curious Shane.
"I don't answer her calls and when she comes to my house I hide. She has a key, so I just hide in my closet until she leaves. One time I was in there for over two hours! But thinking about Michonne made the time pass quickly," answered Rick with a grin on his face.
All of them just stared at Rick. Carol's cackle broke the stunned silence.
Darryl: Rick is damn nuts.
Abe: crazy ass honey badger nuts.
"WHAT?" Asked Shane who was at a complete loss for words, and patience.
"I don't want to hurt Jessie's feelings and I don't know how to break up with her," responded Rick pleading with his eyes for help form any of his boys.
Rick was under the false assumption that if you ignore something long enough, it will eventually go away. That logic may work for a stray cat that got into your yard, but not Jessie Anderson. Jessie was not as bright at a stray anything.
"So," asked Abe after laughing for a few minutes, "to clarify, you are going to break up with your real girlfriend, whom you hide from in the closet of your own home, for your imaginary girlfriend?"
"Yes," Rick replied matter-of-factly not seeing any issue with his shenanigans.
Abe: Yup, completely nuts
Darryl: YUP. I love it.
Abe: Me too.
"You are a damn mess, Rick. Fuck you for being you and Fuck me for standing here listening to this bullshit. What the actual fuck is happening?" Shane asked rhetorically as he walked back to his office shaking his head confused and highly irritated.
Darryl: Shane is gonna have a stroke if he don't calm down.
Abe: yeah, he has been riled up since Michonne's interview.
Glen: I'm gonna go give this treat to Maggie for working so hard today. Sweating emoji
Darryl: It's 8:10am Glenn, work has not even started yet.
Glenn: how do I look, any crumbs on my face? Donut with sprinkles emoji.
Darryl: you good man
Abe: Thumbs up emoji.
"Thanks guys!" said Glenn as he darted off towards Maggie's office.
When he got there, Maggie giggled and pointed to his face.
Glenn: Thanks a lot guys! Side eye emoji
While Maggie was helping Glenn wipe donut off his face and Abe and Darryl were laughing at all the antics of the morning, Shane was seriously concerned about the mental state of his friend. Rick went from rational to delusional in slightly less than a month.
Rick was not crazy, nor had he lost his mind. He was still rational when it came to work. Sound when it came to Carl. Sensible when it came to just about every aspect of his life. Just not with Michonne. Rick was experiencing something that he had never experienced before. Unpredictability. Spontaneity. Passion. He just did not know how to handle those things just yet. So he came off as irrational, nonsensical, and delusional at times. Rick was a bundle of lovesick, thirsty nerves.
Hiding from Jessie was not meant to be mean, or rude. But after meeting Michonne in mid-December at her interview, Rick knew Michonne was the one for him. She was his true love. He never believed in soulmates or love at first sight, but Michonne made him do a complete about face on that notion. Rick had met his other half, and he knew he needed to get rid of Jessie so that he could focus on his real future. Rick really did not want to hurt Jessie's feelings, nor did he want to continue to string her along. And that was his paradox. Rick was so kind-hearted and had no clue how to fix the problem. Rick was not good when it came to women. On Christmas Day, Rick lied and told Jessie that his parents wanted to spend Christmas with only him and Carl, and that she should just spend her holiday with her family. Jessie was devastated, but said she understood. When Jessie asked about New Year's Eve, he pretended to have a bad signal after he agreed to an unfortunate request from the blond and disconnected the call. Rick has not talked to Jessie since.
Rick thought about going to Shane for a solution, but he was too harsh. Shane would tell him to just spit it out then slam the door in Jessie's face. He thought about asking Abe for advice, but he was too vulgar. He shuddered at what lewd advice he would offer. He considered Darryl, but he would just grunt, and Rick did not speak grunt fluently enough to understand. Glenn was too wet behind the ears. He was worse than Rick. So Rick went to Maggie and she gave him some sage advice. Maggie told Rick that honesty was the best policy and what he was doing was hurting Jessie more than just breaking up with her out right. Rick nodded then asked Maggie if she would handle the break-up for him. Maggie asked Rick to leave her office.
Michonne had finally made her way to her office and was in the middle of unpacking her almost hijacked box of goods when the happiest, most optimistic person she had ever met in her life walked in and greeted her with a hearty Georgia accent-filled hello. Michonne had to admit, it was a bit contagious, she could not help but to smile brightly herself. Maggie and Michonne got acquainted as Michonne set up her office and they got along famously.
"We need to go to happy hour!" exclaimed Maggie, "we can invite Rosita!"
"I'm game, just not today. I need time to set up care for my son but let's do it soon!" Replied Michonne, "Who is Rosita? Hey, can you tell me a little about the people that work here?"
Michonne did not meet Rosita when she came by the previous week, but other than Rick, met everybody else.
"Sure! They are all great people, really laid back, well, except for Shane. These last few weeks he has been really stressed. Not his usual fun-loving self. So do not take what he says and does as an indication of his natural personality. He is really laid back and funny usually," stated Maggie.
Michonne wondered if Shane's new personality had anything to do with Rick. During the interview and even that morning, Shane looked as if he would strangle Rick if he could.
"What about Rick?" Inquired Michonne trying to sound casual and nonchalant.
Maggie smiled mischievously as she eyed Michonne up and down wondering if she had anything to do with Rick's sudden desire to breakup with Jessie.
Maggie: I think Michonne is into Rick.
Glenn: heart emoji!
"Rick is a hard worker, kind, a gentleman and until a few weeks ago, very average and boring. Now he is all goofy and animated. It's almost like Rick and Shane traded places. Like, what is that movie…where they switched bodies? Pondered Maggie as she brought her brows together in concentration.
"Freaky Friday?" Asked Michonne.
"YES!" Hollered Maggie to Michonne's delight.
Michonne knew her and Maggie would be great friends.
Glenn: Maggie thinks Michonne likes Rick too!
Abe: Are you fucking with me? HOW?
Darryl: I saw how she looked at Rick earlier, might be true. Maybe she is just as silly as he is!
Shane: you know what might be true? People come to work to actually fucking work. That shit right there might be true.
Shane saw it too and he was worried that it would only throw more fuel on the dumper fire that was Rick Grimes in love.
Shane was not always as high strung as of late. Up until a few weeks ago, Shane was a charming, debonair, fun-loving, ladies man. He would often slack off at work a teeny tiny bit sure, but that was because Boring Rick always took care of business. Shane had no worries. When Boring Rick turned into Silly Rick, Shane went from being the adorable fun-loving womanizer to serious businessman overnight. It was a shock to his system to say the least. It truly was a Freaky Friday situation between Shane and Rick. Although Shane was excellent at this job, Rick was always his safety net. Rick made sure the business was running smoothly which meant Shane could afford to be slightly irresponsible, which he loved. Shane would sit around the office and make everyone laugh with stories of his escapades and shenanigans. He especially loved relaying the ones about his sexual antics with women. But now, the roles for Shane and Rick were suddenly and drastically reversed and now, Shane is busy overcompensating for Silly Rick. Poor Shane is overwhelmed to say the least.
Silly Rick scares Shane and sometimes, well most times, Anger and Frustration allows your true feelings to hide behind it. Such is the case with Shane. He is unintentionally expressing is worry and fear though, yup, Anger and Frustration. Shane believes that he is the only one tasked with the responsibility of keeping his best friend and their business from crashing and burning. All Shane can see is silliness, and is worried Rick might lead them to ruin. Poor Shane is at a complete loss of how to handle Silly Rick and prays that Rick will get himself together sooner rather than later.
"Let's see, Abe is lewd with his colorful language, but is the sweetest man you will ever meet. Darryl comes off as antisocial, and that description is very accurate, he is not social at all. Antisocial does not even begin to describe him well enough, but he is also a really nice guy with a huge heart. Glenn is super sweet and super cute," Maggie noticed Michonne furrow her brow, "We are dating. I had to come up with HR forms for that and we both signed," Maggie giggled much to Michonne's delight, "Carol is like the mother hen. Eugene is super strange and talks weird. Rosita is tough and will tell you like it is, but she is also really cool."
Maggie went on to tell Michonne that there will be more people starting in the next few weeks. Sasha Williams was hired and would be working in Human Resources to take over payroll, benefits, and any mandatory HR trainings. Maggie will continue to handle employment laws, disputes, personnel issues, recruitment, hiring and firing, updating policies and forms and maintaining employee records.
"Basically Sasha will handle the money and training and I will handle everything else!" Exclaimed Maggie, "Also Andrea Harrison will be our new in-house accountant. Ohh, I am going to plan a get-together for just us girls to celebrate and then I will plan another with all of us with the guys! PARTAY!"
"Wow, Ok. That sounds like fun. I am so excited to be here already!" Smiled Michonne.
Michonne also thought to herself that, at least for now, it was best to avoid Rick if she could help it, but it was nice to know there were HR forms to keep her options open. For some odd reason, despite his crazy antics, she was really attracted to Rick.
Two weeks had since passed since Michonne's first day, what is now coined "Box Day" by the guys, and Rick was out of his mind, euphorically jubilant. It was not because they were currently fully staffed as both Andrea and Sasha had officially joined the company for about a week or so, both fitting in with everyone just as smoothly as Michonne did, and all were becoming fast friends. And also not because Rick was successfully still dodging Jessie, much to Shane's delight. His friend had some impressive escape skills Shane thought, and he was taking good notes. No, Rick was thrilled because he was finally about to get some alone time with Michonne.
Rick: Should I ask Michonne to ride with me or will that be too forward?
Darryl: It's a business meeting. Nothing forward about that!
Glenn: Ask her and open the car door for her. It will be romantic. Heart emoji
Abe: No that is just basic manners, not romantic.
Darryl: Unless she don't like a man opening a door for her.
Rick: Shit how will I know
Darryl: You won't until she knocks you out and never talks to you again!
Rick: DAMN!
Side conversation
ABE: you bout as right as a left donkey testicle, lol
Darryl: Let's wait on the sidewalk and watch what happens. ROTFLMAO
Abe: Fo sho mo fo
Glenn: Guys! Sad face emoji
Abe: Shit thought this was just Darryl you better not ruin this Glenn!
They were about to close the deal on another big security contract and, as part of her job, Michonne had to accompany Rick and Shane to all meetings to finalize the deals and sign the contracts. On this most recent contract, Shane could not attend; he was courting another client that Michonne set up. Shane was very nervous about Rick with his new silly ass behaviors handling the meeting alone. Shane trusted Rick, just not around Michonne. So instead, Shane decided to trust Michonne and hope for the best. They all went over every detail of the project specifications and Michonne was savvy. She caught a ton of details that would save them time and money and restructured and renegotiated the deal that hugely benefited GARDS. She refined clauses that were previously unclear and made any wording that was ambiguous transparent to avoid future issues. Michonne was a powerhouse. They all knew they got more than their money's worth with Michonne as their corporate lawyer and then some.
"You want to ride over with me, and then we can stop and have some lunch on the way back, my treat!" Asked a hopeful Rick.
Sure, but let's go Dutch unless you want to put lunch on the company expense account? Or is this a date Rick?" Michonne joked.
When she saw his eyes blink excessively fast (she noticed Rick did that a lot and wondered if he has some sort of eye condition), and the grin that spread across his face, she regretted the funny.
"A date it is!" Exclaimed Rick joyously thinking they were both on the same page.
Michonne let out a huff but decided to just go with the flow.
At the car, Rick stood in front of Michonne staring at the passenger side door handle for a few beats too long. Darryl and Abe were peeping and laughing around the corner and Michonne stood watching Rick with her brows furrowed. Rick was panicked. He did not know what to do. Rick took a deep breath and with very sweaty hands, he decided to do what he always did, open the car door for a lady, but added some extra protection.
"I open the door for Glenn too," Rick stammered.
Michonne smiled and tilted her head confused as to how to respond to that strange declaration.
Abe and Darryl busted a gut at hearing Rick's announcement that he was also romancing Glenn and Michonne turned to watch her two co-workers fall out on the sidewalk before she nodded in understanding, smiled with one side of her mouth, shook her head at their antics, and got in the car. 'Poor Rick,' Michonne thought, and she could not help but to chuckle because at the end of the day, that was some pretty funny shit.
Darryl: Good job renaissance man!
Rick: Shut it Darryl.
Rick put his phone in his back pocket and rolled his eyes at his two laughing friends before he jumped in the driver's side of his truck.
During the meeting, Michonne saw a very different Rick than what she has previously experienced. In the meeting Rick was dominate, in charge, and firm. His presence garnered respect and many in the room, including seasoned businessmen and attorneys bowed to his authoritative stance. Michonne was completely turned-on. As cute as she thought Rick was at the office, with all of his fumbling and nervousness, the man sitting next to her was FINE. He went from adorable to delectable in a manner of minutes. She wondered how he was able to switch to this controlled, sexy, intelligent specimen of a man so quickly. It was fascinating and remarkable to watch. It was also sending tingles where tingles had no place being during a professional meeting. Michonne had to shake herself out of her spellbound state to refocus from Rick and back to the meeting. By Rick's side, they were both a force to be reckoned with and everyone in the room knew it. GARDS walked away not only with new clients, but with those new clients agreeing to every single change Michonne suggested. They did not know what hit them.
As Rick and Michonne walked out of the meeting, Rick reverted back to the one she first met. Bumbling and delightful. He ran to open the car door for her, but his hands were so sweaty he could barely grip the door handle. He tripped but did not fall on the curb and he moved away to let Michonne in the passenger side of his truck once he finally got the door open. Michonne was captivated by the sudden change. She went from being merely interested in Rick to being very excited about the "date" they were about to have. Michonne could not wait to discuss this new development with the girls at happy hour. She wanted to know if other's saw the dual Rick's also. But for the most part, she would find that they only got rare glimpses, because Rick was only a mess when Michonne was in the vicinity or when he was talking about Michonne or thinking about her. Basically, he was a mess all day.
Rick picked a small diner style restaurant that served all kinds of different food from all day breakfast to burgers to steak. Rick settled for a cheeseburger and Michonne the meatloaf special. Sealing deals always made her hungry. Well, everything made her hungry, but in this instance, it was closing a contract. Rick admired her appetite. Usually, Jessie would order a light salad consisting of lettuce, tomato, and carrot slivers with a squeeze of lemon for dressing then pick off of his plate asking to taste his food. Rick hated that with a passion. His food was his food, and Jessie's food was Jessie's food. He hated having to share his meal. He would often deny Jessie and tell her that she should have ordered something more than a salad.
"Oh Rick, that burger looks great, can I get a bite?" Asked a ravenous Michonne.
"Of course you can, anything you want," Rick replied as he gladly handed his plate over to Michonne," take some fries too!"
As Michonne took a bite of his burger followed by several French fries, Rick's phone rang and Michonne noticed the name on the caller ID.
"Who's Jessie? She's called at least four times; do you need to take the call Rick?" Michonne asked with a mouth full of hamburger.
Michonne knew exactly who Jessie was, Maggie had filled her in on Rick's sudden need to break-up with his girlfriend. When he asked her out for their lunch date, Michonne assumed he had already taken care of the issue. It had been several weeks since he went to Maggie with his problem. Michonne did not feel right calling this a date if he was not single.
"Nope, I do not need to take the call," replied Rick as he nervously continued picking at his food.
"How long are you going to ignore it Rick? Maybe it's an emergency?" Michonne stated trying to get Rick to come clean.
"I am going to ignore it for as long as I can," Rick responded.
Rick had hoped that ghosting Jessie, he got that term from Glenn, would help her get the picture without him actually having to get his hands dirty.
"Who is she Rick?" Michonne sat back in her seat, arms crossed.
Rick noticed the sudden shift and decided to come clean. He did not want to be dishonest with his Michonne.
"She is my ex-girlfriend, but I don't think she understands the "ex" part," exasperated Rick.
"Why not?" Michonne inquired held now tilted.
Rick: Michonne is asking why Jessie is still in the picture.
Abe: Tell her about your closet.
Glenn: NO! Don't tell her about your closet! Face with spiral eyes emoji
Darryl: Don't tell her about your closet, just tell her about your ignoring skills!
"Because I have not exactly solidified the breakup yet. I've been avoiding her. Been too scared to break up with her because I don't want to hurt her feelings. So I have just been ignoring the calls." He did not mention the hiding part. "I haven't talked to her since I tried to break up with her before New Year's."
Glenn: No don't tell her that either! Weary face
Rick: I already did!
Darryl: ROTFLMAO
Rick: Shit!
Michonne was stunned.
"RICK, are you kidding?" Inquired Michonne.
Rick was ashamed. He was also very mad at Darryl.
Rick did call to break up with Jessie a few days after New Year's Day, but it did not go as planned. Between the rambling and double talk, Jessie had managed to talk Rick into the mini vacation, then he just pretended his signal was bad and hung up the phone.
"Look, I don't have much experience with women and just don't know how to do it. I did try once, when I called her two weeks ago, but she kept talking over me and by the time we were done, I had committed to going on a weekend getaway with her. So since then, I just went back to ignoring her," said a sullen Rick.
Rick looked desperate and despondent at the situation and Michonne could not help but to chuckle.
"Rick, you need to channel the man that I just saw in that meeting. Put your big boy pants on and do what you need to do. Until then, this is not a date. I'm going to put this lunch on the expense account. I will let Andrea know so she won't go all overboard insane about the receipts." Michonne informed.
Michonne took out her cell phone and texted Andrea then took a picture of the receipt and hit send.
Andrea: I need the actual receipt so drop it by my office. So business lunch huh? Is Rick crying? LOL!
Michonne: Hush
Michonne could tell Rick was devastated and for a moment she felt bad, but then she felt even worse for poor Jessie and quicky thought twice about feeling sorry for the downcast man in front of her. For Rick, this was the kick in the pants that he needed. He was not going to lose Michonne behind Jessie Anderson.
Rick: I need to talk to you today if you are available.
Jessie: I am available! Heart emoji, heart eyes emoji
Rick rolled his eyes and blew out a breath. Jessie was going to make this difficult.
Rick: I will text in a bit on where to meet me in about an hour, be ready.
Jessie: I can't wait! Clock emoji
Rick looked up and saw that Michonne was watching him text Jessie.
"I will tell her before the end of the day today." Rick said with authority, "Can we still call this a date?"
"No" Michonne deadpanned.