5. Love Ballad, continued
AN: Thank you for reviewing the last installment of Love Ballad. Shout out to Lovelyshmi for assisting me with this chapter.
THEN, Part V
Michonne
Day 1...
What the fuck was that? I questioned myself as my body sprang into a seated position in bed. I listened to the sound of my racing heart as it accelerated and thumped hard trying to break through my chest. I shook my head from side to side in a desperate attempt to will my brain to function properly because it had obviously malfunctioned. It was a glitch and glitching more specifically, that GLITCH was totally unacceptable.
Ordinarily, I never recall my dreams so I was inclined to believe I didn't dream at all but this one proved me wrong—so very wrong. I don't know what disturbed me more. Perhaps it was the one dream I somehow happened to recall or the subject matter of the said dream. Both were equally disturbing. My unconscious mind had betrayed me. There was no escaping him now since he's managed to pierce the last layer of defence I had against him. There would be no reprieve from this insufferable man.
It was early and I knew I couldn't get back to sleep after that so I dressed, did a few stretches and left for an early morning run along the canal to clear my head. The moment I stepped outdoors the cool fresh air filled my lungs and invigorated my every step. There was no purer feeling than the sensation of me against the wind and the asphalt. With the sound of Alanis Morrisette's Jagged Little Pill in my head, I ran into the early morning mist.
…
Rick
"Here you go, Rick," Beth added in a flat voice after placing my coffee on the desk.
I heard it immediately. Beth is usually a bubbly person. Not much got her down but there was something different about her today, so I turned away up from the monitor.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah," she replied with her head hanging low avoiding all eye contact.
"Are you sure about that?"
"I'm fine, thanks. Can I get you anything else?"
"No thanks."
She was halfway to the door when I spoke next, "Er—Beth?"
She turned to look in my direction, "Yes?"
"Michonne didn't check in this morning and I can't seem to reach her. Could you please ask her to report to my office when she gets here?"
"She's not in today."
My chest seized at her words as it dawned on me just how fucked up the entire situation was. A part of me knew it was a lie because when I saw her the night before, she looked fine. I was the cause of her absence. I went too far.
"Ms. Williams sent an email stating that Michonne would not be in."
She immediately left, closing the door behind her.
Minutes later, I found myself still staring at the damn door, recalling the role I played the night before. My attention was suddenly diverted by a knock.
"Come in," I snarled, which surprised me.
The door opened and Andrea Harrison walked in. I groaned inwardly.
Andrea was an overbearing woman and that was being polite. She was not exactly the first person I wanted to see first thing in the morning or ever for that matter and certainly not before my second cup of coffee. Her very presence brought with it a throbbing pain just above my left temple.
She moved quickly, closing the door behind her and presumptuously took a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk. I already knew the reason for her visit. She wasn't exactly keen on my choice for a paralegal nor was she happy with the outcome of her meeting with Philip after the fact. I wasn't sure why but it seemed she held some deep-seated animosity towards Michonne; why? I have no idea.
News of Michonne's absence had no doubt reached HR which brought the mole out of her hole and into my office.
"Andrea, to what do I owe the pleasure of you gracing me with your presence?"
The woman's face appeared to be frozen in time and from her reaction, I believe it was a sad attempt at a smug 'I told you so'.
"I just wanted you to know that Mr. Blake's office has advised that Ms. Monière will be away today."
"People do get sick. That's not at all unusual, is it?"
"Rick, let's cut to the chase, okay? Friday, you begged me to put her on your desk because you and Mr. Blake brokered some deal to keep her on duty for the next six months. Next thing I know, she's laying down demands. I told you it was a mistake but what surprised me is that during our meeting, Mr. Blake entertained accommodating her wild demands."
"Is there a point to all this, Andrea?" I asked, exasperated by her annoying presence in my office.
"Just that I'm getting pretty damn sick of trying to find paralegals willing to work with y'all."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I spat back at her not even trying to conceal my contempt because I knew where she was going with the insinuation.
"Nothing at all, Rick. Just so you know, the employees on this floor heard that blowout between the two of you. Then she went home sick. And now, ironically, she's not here today."
"And?"
"A word to the wise, you might want to tread carefully with that one. She doesn't exactly report to you if you know what I mean."
"What exactly are you saying to me?"
"It's just something she said during our meeting, which I found odd."
I pinched the bridge of my nose to calm my nerves. The woman was infuriating. I exhaled and clasped my hands together and crossed my thumbs. I inhaled and exhaled once more and looked at her as I would a defendant on cross-examination.
"Why don't you enlighten me, Andrea? You know you want to."
"I'm curious. She spent one week here and she seems to know there's something afoot in your department. She claims it's the reason why no one wants to work specifically for any lawyer here. When I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that she's right. They seem to feel more comfortable in the pool but not on any specific desk. Why exactly is that, Rick? The paralegals in this department have an extremely high turnover rate. It's a damn revolving door. Why is that?"
"You're HR. I believe that falls within your purview to ask at their exit interview."
"I know my job, Rick."
"We should hope so."
"So, what was yesterday's outburst about then?"
"A slight miscommunication."
"I'd hate to see a huge miscommunication. You two might just level the damn building."
"If you have nothing further to add, I actually have work to do."
With that, I turned my attention back to the monitor, effectively dismissing the woman.
...
Michonne
Later that morning, after I showered and dressed, I grabbed my phone from the edge of my vanity and quickly checked my messages. Naturally, there was a flurry of exchanges between Aaron and Sasha about my going off the grid and working to rule which was technically incorrect since I was off with Philip's blessing.
It seemed that botoxed's nose was out of joint because she summoned me to her office and I didn't show nor answer. She was so annoyed that she called the twelfth floor only to be sent an email on which both Rick and Beth were copied. I chuckled because I'm certain that I would no doubt hear about it when I return to the office.
By the time I caught up to their chatter they were off on another tangent.
...
Sasha: Girl, what have you done?
Aaron: If the grapevine is right, it sounds like our girl is performing a work-to-rule campaign and he deserves it.
Sasha: Can you imagine those two together once this all blows over? As Madea would say, "Lort have mercy."
Aaron: That be all she be sayin' cause de bitch won't be walkin' right for dayz…
Sasha: Damn, Aaron you have me fannin' myself. You had to go there—and that damn walk of his. Goin get me some water. Lort have mercy it's so hot up in here.
Aaron: I'm just tellin' the truth. The girls on the fourth may not wanna work for his mercurial ass but they certainly would jump at any chance to work him if you know what I mean.
Sasha: Not all o' them. Lol.
Aaron: A damn shame. Ole man Stone's ethics are a damn curse to my wallet.
Sasha: You're too cute because you still believe you stand a chance at winning this thing.
Aaron: Of course. Seriously though, the ole boy needs to grovel hard because it'll take more than 'I'm sorry' and a prayer to forgive his sneaky ass.
Sasha: Can you imagine? What the hell was he thinkin' anyway?
Aaron: He was thinking about his career but ole boy can't control his feelings for her. Even her mama could see something brewing between them from across a crowded restaurant. That's why I know they'll be doing it soon.
Sasha: But fool, six months ain't soon.
I chastised myself for having told them so much but in my defence, who was I going to talk to about this? My mom, who was usually level-headed and who I would go to for hard advice, was already compromised; not only was she compromised, she planted her silly thoughts in my head and look where it got me. Sasha and Aaron were a pain in the butt but I loved them. That said, however, I pledged to keep the latest update to myself because telling them I dreamt of Rick Grimes would only give them more to talk about.
Michonne: You're both hilarious. Do y'all know where I might apply to get a job like yours?"
Sasha: Well, whaddya you know, she speaks.
Aaron: Oh shit, apparently he left the office fifteen minutes ago.
Michonne: How do you know what's going on with the ninth floor?
Aaron: There are eyes and ears everywhere.
Sasha: Girl, I keep tellin' you—there's a network. You got to get plugged in.
Just then Mom called from downstairs, "Michonne, darlin' breakfast is ready."
Michonne: Gotta run, breakfast is ready.
Aaron: I miss those Stone breakfasts'.
Sasha: Yeah, how come we don't get invited to brunch anymore?
Michonne: Cause y'all can't be trusted with information. Lol.
…
Lovers come and then lovers go
That's what folks will say
Don't they know?
They're not there when you love me
Hold me and say you care
…
In the short time, it took me to descend the stairs, the doorbell rang. It seems we had a guest. As I walked the long hallway to the kitchen, I heard indistinct chatter. Then suddenly my mother's voice was crystal clear when she instructed Jackie to set another place.
Great! I thought. I was looking forward to just the two of us for breakfast but it seems I'll have to suffer whatever unwanted fool who just happened by.
I walked into the kitchen and damn near had a stroke when his piercing blue eyes stared back at me.
"Darlin', look who dropped by? isn't it lovely to have such a caring boss? Richard was worried about you so he decided to come by to see how you were doing."
I swallowed hard. My feet felt glued where I stood. I could not move.
Meanwhile, the rage I felt from the day before seized me. It amused him. The tiny laugh lines at the side of his eyes revealed this.
My eyes pleaded with him to leave but I knew it was useless. My mother had already insisted he joined us for breakfast. What the hell was she doing encouraging this man? She invited him in and like a vampire, he would feel free to come and go as he please.
Suddenly, I wished dad had not been such a stickler for routines because my own mother blindsided me.
"Don't be rude, darlin'. Please take your place," she motioned to her right which meant he sat directly across from me.
I kissed mom's cheek and pulled my chair out. He stood up until I was seated. "I'm sorry for delaying, Mom."
My mother was present and for that reason, I tried very hard to be respectful.
"Mr. Grimes, so nice to see you again," I uttered as though I chomped on a mouthful of glass shards.
Rick and my mother made small talk which I blocked. Instead, I forced myself to eat because it was the polite thing to do. Needless to say, breakfast was tasteless.
After eating, Mom excused herself and went to her room to brush her teeth. While I was stuck in our kitchen with an unwelcomed guest. I bided my time with tidying up something Jackie came to do but I insisted on doing it. I needed to distract my mind until such time my mother left.
Fifteen minutes later, she bade us goodbye and winked at me as I saw her out the door.
...
Rick
When I left the office, I had no destination at all. Next thing I knew, my Porsche pulled into the circular driveway where I once picked up a seriously drunk Philip years back.
I should have kept driving but, of course, I did not. The driveway was empty of cars which meant they kept them in the three-car garage. It was a gamble. She wasn't at work and I know Stone would already be on his throne or heading to court.
At nine-thirty, I expected Michonne would open the door, not her mother and I certainly wasn't expecting to be invited for breakfast. It wasn't so much of an invitation as much as it was an insistence. I could see exactly where Michonne gets her confidence from because it was certainly hard to say no to her mother.
The moment our eyes met I knew I had it coming. I had never felt such pure hatred directed at me as I did at that moment. Lucky for me, she knew her mother so she knew my being at their table was completely unavoidable.
Her control astounded me. Even when her eyes sent me daggers, she held it together. This woman had my head totally off balance but I had to see for myself that she was okay.
Finally, her mother was gone and it was time for me to pay the piper. I brought this on myself so the consequences, whatever they may be, I would bear them.
Her steps were slow and measured as she returned to the kitchen. I was now completely alone. The nosey housekeeper must have sensed my impending doom because after restacking the dishes the way she wanted, she closed the dishwasher and disappeared.
"What exactly are you doing here, Rick? Do I need to file a complaint with HR?" she asked in a clipped tone.
I stood with my back against the countertop near the sink.
"It was wrong of me to come here. I am sorry."
"Is there any part of my life that you think should be off-limits to you?"
"As I've said, I'm sorry. It was poor judgement on my part. Feel free to report me to HR if you wish. But before I go, I just wanted to make sure you were okay and not hiding out here because of our argument."
"If you think I'd allow you to bully me, think again. Being here in my home is a gross invasion of my personal space just like it was when you dug into my background. Do you not see that? Why are you stalking me?"
"Michonne, my actions were stupid, childish even, but they were not intentional. A slip of the tongue on Philip's part was all it took for me to connect the dots. I didn't set out to come here but somehow I found myself in your driveway."
"And, how do you know my address? Don't you see this is a problem?"
"I actually picked up Philip here a couple of years ago when he and Deanna got into a fight. He called Zeke, who was out of town, so he sent me to collect Phillip and keep it hush-hush. I don't even know how I remember this place".
...
Michonne
Somehow, when he mentioned the ruckus a few years back, I remembered him. I was about eighteen and Mike had just pulled into the driveway to drop me home that night. We were late and thank God for the distraction because I recall my father made a point of looking at his watch as I walked into the kitchen. The guests had dispersed for the most part and those who lingered were on the backyard deck drinking and conversing as though nothing had happened.
My parents were in the kitchen trying to ply Philip with coffee. The doorbell rang and I answered the door. There before me stood the most beautiful stranger with the kindest blue eyes. His chestnut hair was longer with wavy curls. Then, he was clean-shaven. The stranger smiled at me and asked to speak with my father. I told dad and went off to my room where I kept a low profile for the remainder of the night.
I never saw the stranger after that encounter because he never came to any of our parties.
"We met that night."
"We did?"
"I opened the door for you and you asked for my dad."
"I remember a young girl opened the door that night but until just this minute, I never made the connection."
"Can we get one thing straight?"
"I'm listening."
"Work is just that—work. My family and personal life are off-limits to you. The only thing that matters is whether I'm competent for the task at hand, got it?"
"Fair enough. So, when will you come back to work?"
"Have you messed up everything I've done already?"
"I'm not above it if gets you back to work."
With raised brows, I took his measure.
"What? Do you want me to get on my knees?"
"Talk about being dramatic. Seriously, Mr. Blake gave me a few days off."
He laughed, "I think I should leave before I dig myself a new hole."
I chuckled too because I learnt something new. The man's feelings were on his sleeve. His visit had nothing at all to do with work.
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