“I’ll see you later.”
* * *
The unceasing ringing of my phone woke me from my deep sleep.
Squinting and grimacing, I craned my neck to check the clock on my nightstand.
It was three in the afternoon.
My eyes scanned the room in an attempt to spot my annoyingly ringing phone. Must be in last night’s clutch bag lying in that corner there.
With a loud yawn, I slipped my feet from under the bed covers to the cold floor and trudged across the room like a zombie. I picked up the bag, just in time as the ringing ceased. I fished out my phone and unlocked it. The first thing I saw was the critical low battery warning. With a wobble, I crossed the room to where my phone charger was plugged and attached the cord to my phone. Then, I lazily slid down the wall and sat with crossed legs near the wall plug as I checked the phone notifications.
There was one text message from Joe, four missed calls – one being from Sam – and sixty emails in my work inbox. That was precisely why I hated skipping a day off work. I couldn’t even miss a few hours. I was part of the management team, after all. It was my job to stay on top of things at all times.
Ignoring Sam’s missed call, I tapped to read Joe’s text.
Ibuprofen is in the medicine cabinet.
Short and sweet. But friendly and caring, I guess. At least Joe sent a message, not asked someone else to send me a message.
I clicked on my email next and skimmed through for any important ones. All of them are. Except maybe the five emails from Sam with no subject, which were surprising to see. He never sent emails without a subject because he deemed it as unethical and rude. That said, I was curious to know why he resorted to committing that offence.
I decided to deal with Sam’s emails first.
Good morning. You okay?
Simple and formal. Expected worse after… dinner. I meant, business dinner. Hopefully, the wine madehimforget.
I switched to the second email.
I had fun yesterday – minus the wet pants.
He couldn’t forget this one though, could he?
His third email did have a subject. One which made me guess the contents are anything but formal.The subject read: ‘Cheers’.
Click this link for Top Ten Hangover Cures.
Ha ha, funny. I didn’t even click on the link. Delete and on to the next.
Call me.
Short and bold. Definitely Sam’s style. And surely not a call-back request related to work.
Last email…
I’m not sorry.
My finger quickly hit the phone’s lock button and dropped the phone onto my lap to free my hands and use them to cover my face from the shame.
Oh, shit. Hedefinitelyremembered.
And I was definitely not returning his call. What was I supposed to say to him?
Good morning, boss. I really enjoyed kissing you last night, but I really shouldn’t have because, for one, you’re my boss and two, I already have one messy relationship with my best friend and can’t deal with another one.
Yep, that was precisely how I felt.