Boss Next Door

But the sound of Serena’s door clicking open stops me in my tracks. I just have this feeling that my gut is about to be proven right. Serena is seeing me leave and she’s about to yell at me, to beg me to stay. My heart leaps in to my throat as I realize that I might be back on another high. Things could be about to turn around for the better once more. If me and Serena get back to our previous relationship, I will make sure that she doesn’t feel insecure anymore. Having experienced life without her, I don’t ever want to go through that experience again…

Oh! But as I spin around, Serena looks surprised to see me. She certainly doesn’t look like she’s rushing out to beg me to stay. She is wearing a tight sparkling dress, one that makes her look like a sexy princess, which can only mean one thing. She is going out…out with someone else who isn’t me. Oh God, is she going on a date with someone?

My stomach clenches, I grab on to my belly afraid that I might throw up at any moment because that will be too much for me. Losing her because of work is one thing, but doing so because she has met someone else is worse.

“Oh, Will.” Her eyes nearly pop out of her head as she clocks me. Immediately, her hands fold across her chest as if she feels uncomfortable with me seeing her all exposed. But I’ve seen her naked… “I… How are you?”

“I’m good.” I sling my bag further up my shoulder. “And how are things with you?”

“I’m just on my way out.” She giggles and blushes which makes her so adorable I can hardly breathe. “Alisha and the others from work want me to hang out with them. To get to know each other better or whatever…”

Ah, okay, so this isn’t a date. That’s good. She’s just going to hang out with friends at a night club. I know that Alisha and the others do that a lot, so this should really be expected. Although I have to admit that I can’t imagine Serena in one of those night clubs. The small town inexperienced girl who clearly has a family with issues probably hasn’t been out clubbing before. From the stories that I have occasionally overheard on a Monday morning, Alisha and the others can get wild, too drunk and crazy leading them to do stupid stuff. Stuff that might be a bit too much for Serena. Does she know what she’s getting herself into? How can I help her with this?

“Erm, well I know how difficult it is to get a cab late at night, so don’t hesitate just in case you need to call me for a ride back home. I mean, we live in the same building, it makes a lot of sense.”

“Aren’t you going somewhere though?” She nods at my bag. “So, you won’t be in.”

Oh, of course. I’m supposed to be getting out of here. I’m supposed to be going home. That’s the smart thing to do, but it seems like my gut is going to win out. I shake my head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Oh right. Well, I don’t want to ruin your night anyway. I’m sure I will be able to get a cab…”

“Look, this is just me being a good person. I would do it for any of my employees if I was worried about them. I don’t want to think of you stuck out in a place that you don’t really know yet. I’m not suggesting that Alisha and others aren’t good people who won’t look after you, but sometimes when alcohol comes in to the equation things can change. I would just sleep better knowing that you are looked after.”

I’m sure that Serena can see right through me and she knows that this is an offer just for her. Of course, it is. Yes, I would help out other people who work for me, I do care about my staff, but I wouldn’t actively give them my cell phone to pick them up after a night of drinking. But I have to do that for Serena because I care for her too much.

“Okay, well thank you for the offer. I appreciate it, but don’t worry about waiting up for a call because I will do what I can to look after myself. It will be fine.”

But I can’t help but notice her making a tight grip on her phone and cradling it to her chest, near her heart, as if it contains something super special to her. That brings a smile to my lips that I haven’t experienced in a very long time. I have a funny feeling that me and her are going to end up together after all…