"Testing the Waters"
Rose pov.
I am lying in a hospital bed. Watching a drama series on my phone, when the door bursts open.
Sandra and Chelsea shashay in. Sandra is holding a pink bag in one hand, and a Stanley in the other. And of course, she never misses an opportunity to dress up. She looks stunning. Chelsea on the other hand doesn't bother much about dresses. She ties her hair in a ponytail and she's good to go, dressed in a casual shirt and jeans.
"This place is so quiet," Sandra says as she tosses her bag on the bed and bounces on the space next to me, making the bed dip under her weight. "You need music or something, get some life in here"
She reaches into her bag and brings out a small boom box, and hits on a soft jam.
I smile. "They already think I am too reckless, I set off the monitor last week just by trying to open a soda"
They both laugh.
"Oh come on Sandra," Chelsea says sitting on the other side of the bed. "We walk in here and that's the first thing we say, how are you Rosy" she says turning to me.
"Never been better", I say. "Except for the fact that I don't get to see you guys every day, I think I'm good"
"Awwwn," Chelsea says. "We miss you too, get better quickly come on"
I force a smile.
Sandra cracks a joke and we all love, soon we are plunged into a full-time gossip session. They are updating me about what's going on in school. And we are mocking the fun of people.
"Do you know, all Miss Sainty dainty is pregnant?" Sandra says in a whisper.
I place my hand over my mouth. "Huhhhh, that's a lie," I say.
"Huhuh," Chelsea says. "Rumour has it, they don't know who is responsible, you should have seen the look on people's faces when she walked in full belly, wonder what her mum would say"
"She would say, Oh Mary mother forgive this dear little child, all the while making a sign of the cross" Sandra cracks and we all laugh.
There is silence.
Then Sandra asks suddenly like it's a harmless question "How is Liam"
I look up quickly.
"He's fine," I say "I mean he's just being Liam"
"Oh," Chelsea grins like she knows something. I notice they exchange glances.
I grab both their hands. "What is it? Spill it"
"Oh, it's nothing," Chelsea says.
I glance over at Sandra. She raises her hand "Don't ask me, ask Chelsea"
I turn to Chelsea. "I think I saw him last weekend. He was at Beaton's Café. You know the one near the park? With that girl who's always wearing glitter on her eyelids."
"What girl" My voice comes out sharper than I intended.
Chelsea hesitates unsure if she should continue. "I don't know… Just some girl. I didn't want to assume anything. Could've been a cousin or a coworker. They were just talking. She laughed at something he said."
The girls move on, already onto another topic someone's breakup, someone else's internship. But I am not listening anymore. My throat is dry, her fingers tangled in the blanket as my mind spins.
I don't know why my heart skipped a beat. Why do I care so much about the girl Liam is hanging out with? I hate how my mind fills in the blanks, like how she looks. How hard was he laughing at her jokes?
It's not like we are dating. He's just my best friend he should be free to hang with whoever.
"Are you okay Rosy?" Sandra turns to ask me mid-convo when she notices I am being quiet.
"Duhhhh," I say faking a laugh. "I think we should get something to it, I am starving," I say trying to change the subject.
We head over to the food court for a meal.
I try to convince myself that I don't care. But the next time Liam called. I didn't answer.
Camila's POV
I take the stairs downstairs instead of the elevator. I have been restless all day.
By the time I reach the glass doors of the reception area. I am thinking of what to eat. Something that would fill me up completely. Then I see him. I am not sure at first. It just looks like a tall figure at the far end of the lobby. Standing too close to Sophie's desk. I wouldn't have looked twice if he hadn't turned around.
But he does right at the moment as if the universe wants to ruin my day.
And there it is. The familiar grin he gives. Then he waves as if we planned it.
It's Mike.
I slow down out of reflex, partly out of shock and partly out of embarrassment. What the hell is he doing here?
"There she is," he says leaning one arm against the reception desk and looking my way.
He is holding up a paper bag in one hand and chocolates in the other. Like a proud child. "I brought you lunch, dessert, and company," he says spreading his hands so I can see what he is holding.
He's voice is cheerful.
Sophie looks from me to him then me again. "A friend of yours?" She asks arching a brow. Pen in hand.
I can see the glitter of excitement in her eye. Like she just got another juicy gossip.
Mike turns to Sophie and gives her a wide smile. The type he gives when he wants to charm people. "Thank you very much, darling"
Then he turns to me.
I squint my eyes. Wondering what he's thanking her for.
"You're not going to invite me up?" he says.
"No," I say. "My boss doesn't like visitors. And I don't like surprises."
He throws his head back and laughs like I had just cracked a joke.
"Oh, come on," he says. "I got all dressed up for this."
"You wore jeans and your everyday leather jacket."
He grins. "So you did notice."
I shoot him a look. I can feel Sophie's piercing gaze even though I am not looking at her. Like she's trying to absorb everything that's going on so she can discuss it with Sinclair or worse with me later.
"Outside," I say already pushing through the doors.
And he follows still holding the bags carefully.
We step into the warm afternoon sun. A perfect work environment, a few people moving about, and then a dog barks at the far distance. I stop by a bench under one of the office trees and face him.
"Mike," I say, keeping my tone serious. "You can't show up here like this."
"You're hard to reach."
"Maybe I like it that way."
"I just wanted to see you," he says. "The last time we spoke, you hung up on me."
"Because you were being difficult."
"Because you won't tell me anything."
"And that gives you the right to track me down at work?"
He tilts his head and narrows his eyes at me. "I didn't track you. You told me where you work."
"I told you in passing. That doesn't mean I want you showing up."
He places the bag on the bench and sighs. "Look, I know I've been… off lately. But I thought maybe this would help. Talk. Eat. Be civil."
"In the middle of work? Without telling me beforehand?"
I stare at the bag then back at him.
"You can't keep showing up like this," I say again, "Not here. This job means something to me."
The last thing I want is him and Sinclair bumping into each other.
"I know."
"You could ruin it," I say again.
"I won't, I just wanted to see you"
I stare at Mike for a while. Because I don't know what to say. Because what do you say to someone who doesn't even see the problem?
I sigh and take the goodies from him. "Thank you," I say. " and please next time, a heads up"
I hope there won't be a next time.
He nods and stands, I stand up as well.
"See you sometime other time Mike"
"Will you call me?" He asks.
"Sure" I wave him goodbye and stand there watching him till he finally drives off.
When I walk back in Sophie is looking at me. I feel her gaze on me till I reach the elevator doors.
Great, something for her to talk about.