94- Going into the elevator

I stopped at the sudden revelation, all sorts of damning consequences coming to mind.
He notices my concern and instantly calms me. “He didn’t sustain much physical injuries but the damage to him emotionally was severe. Since then, I don’t feel like I've had a father. He retired voluntarily, and he’s never been the same. Our relationship has since soured.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I say.
“Things can be easily mended in my opinion but he is the most stubborn prick to ever exist, so we’re still constantly at odds.”
I want to go over to give him a hug and struggle with holding back. Eventually, I give in and go over. Lifting myself on the tips of my toes, I place a kiss on his cheek and then quickly take my leave.
A few minutes later, he emerges from the closet to see me getting my things together and announces that he’s heading downstairs.
In no time, I myself am ready to go, so I hurry down the stairs.
My stomach growls from hunger and it makes me think of the dinner we’d ordered the previous evening before things got out of control. So, I head straight to the front door and pull it open to check

if perhaps it’s still there. I’m beyond excited when I see that the brown paper bag is indeed still there. “It’s still here, oh my God.” Delighted, I lower to pick up the food and bring it into the house. It seems to take forever but soon, I arrive at the kitchen.
Grady is brewing a pot of coffee. “I’m having second thoughts about eating that,” he says.
I ignore him and plop the bag on the island. “Let’s see its state first,” I insist, and retrieve the packaged meals. First comes the rice, and then the chicken. Afterwards is the fried dumplings and shrimp. After inspecting them, I find to my relief that they’re all still very edible. “They’re still great,” I say, “I’ll heat them up. Where are your plates?”
Putting his mug down, he turns around to head over to the cabinet behind him.
I can’t help but admire his appearance; the new pair of slacks and crisp olive green shirt that he has on. Dressed like this, he has reverted to the almost unapproachable executive from the office but as he turns around to hand the plates over to me, there’s a warmth in his eyes that heightens the burning pressure in my chest.
I quickly look away to hide just how affected I am by him. Soon, our meals are heating up in the microwave so he passes me a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The aroma is wafting all across the kitchen, the perfect accompaniment to a surreal morning. “Do you usually brew the ones you come to the office with?” I ask.
“No” he replies. “Andrew gets them for me when he picks me up.” “Ah,” I say. “No wonder you never let me get them for you.”
“I don’t want to trouble you.”
“It’s my job you know,” I remind him.
He nods his head in agreement. The microwave announces its completed run, but before I can go over to retrieve the plates, he’s already turned around to grab them. He lays them out on the island and then passes me a fork. He munches lightly on a few pieces of chicken and rice and teases me about the carrots and broccoli that I keep picking out. “You eat like an eleven year old,” he says and places his fork down.
“Hey!” I complain, to his amusement.
He takes his drained cup to the sink and then grabs his keys from the table. “I’m already late,” he says. “I’ll see you at the office. Tell Andrew to take you home, he’s already waiting outside.”
“Oh no, he doesn’t—”

He cuts me off with a wave. He soon disappears around the corner.
I can’t help but feel a bit sour that he doesn’t give me a kiss at his departure. I hit my fork to my head at the thought. “You’re just fuck buddies,” I remind myself. “Don’t dig a pit for yourself with impossible expectations.”
With a sigh, I finish up my meal, clear what I can of the dishes and then hurry out of the magnificent apartment to start my day.


pon my return to the office later that morning, I can’t believe just how eager I am to see her. Especially after the quarreling and rants from my half-drunk father, having to wrestle
him back to his home and discussing with the Sheriff on how to perhaps hire someone in the park to look out for him.
I feel emotionally drained and want to lean against the elevator but as I’ve come in at a busy hour, there are other employees in the space. They all get out at their various floors taking the time to send me greetings before they do and soon I arrive on mine.
She is however, not in her seat.
I stop in the middle of the reception and just stare at the empty space, not even realizing what I’m doing until there’s a sudden knock on the door. I turn around as it’s pushed open to see that it’s our course development leader, Elaine.
“Grady,” she calls. “Good morning.” She seems quite taken aback to have met me in the reception since I’m usually always in my office. “I just came by to drop off the course list for Blair. She requested it earlier.”
I nod in understanding.
She proceeds to place the document on the desk.
“Do you know where she is right now?” I ask. “I just got in.”
“She’s probably down at client management. Do you want me to contact her for you?” “Don’t worry about it.” I shake my head. “What I need is not urgent.”
“Alright then,” she says. “Have a great day.” She heads out.

I continue on to my office. I can’t stop thinking about my father and his deteriorating mental state, and the fact that he isn’t even aware of it enough to seek or allow any help being offered to him. It puts me in an incredibly sour mood, and it’s not until there’s a knock on my door a little while later that I finally look up from my computer screen.
My heart slightly jumps in my chest at the probability of who it is, seeing that they came straight to my door. “Come in,” I call out and the door is pushed open.
It’s Allen, and the degree of disappointment I feel is too heavy to hide.
It even makes him stop in his tracks at what is probably an incredibly unwelcoming look on my face. “What’s wrong?” he asks, slightly alarmed.
I quickly rearrange my expression and lean into my chair to take a little break. “Nothing,” I respond. “What’s up?”
“It’s either there’s something really bothering you or you were incredibly disappointed to see me,” he says as he approaches.
I don’t bother responding, so I just watch him as he takes his seat.
“So,” he begins. “I’m here to remind you that I’m taking about two weeks off from the day after tomorrow. Meredith’s really struggling with the morning sickness so I’m on duty to help out with Hazel.”
“Sure,” I respond. “Do what you need to, but be available for emergency situations. We need to be able to contact you at all times.”
“I’m aware, sir.” He laughs.
“Why don’t we do something together tomorrow. Maybe catch some dinner? Go to a bar?” He seems stunned at my suggestion. “Wow, you must really have a lot on your mind.”
I try my hardest to keep from rolling my eyes at his quite accurate speculation.