Our Way

Maria comes in with a cup of coffee and a piece of chocolate cake. She places it in front of me, and I narrow my eyes. “What is this?”

“Cake, to sweeten you up.” She fusses around and cleans my desk, leaving me to sit back and watch her.

“Move,” she orders as she goes to wipe my desk down.

I sit back to give her space. I watch her for a few minutes. “Are you finished?”

“Nearly.”

“Well, hurry up.” I sigh. “And stop nagging me.”

“You stop being a grumpy ass.” She neatens the magazines.

I smirk. She’s got me. I am a grumpy ass. “How do you put up with me, Maria?” I ask.

“It is not without difficulty, sir.”

I chuckle.

She keeps fussing about. “Eliza is doing well in New York.”

I sit up. “What? How do you know?”

“I called her today. I needed her help with a program she installed for us on the computer.”

“Well,… w-wh… what did she say?” I stammer.

“That she is enjoying New York.” She keeps wiping my desk. “She asked how you were.”

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her that you were miserable.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because you are. Only you are too stupid to see it.”

“Get out of the way.” I swat her away from my desk. “I’m not paying you to give out your opinion, Maria, especially when it’s deluded. Stay out of my business.” She stops and puts her hands on her hips. “Look me in the eye and tell me you aren’t miserable, Nathan.”

“You know, some employers fire staff who overstep the line.” I huff.

She smirks and puts her hand on my shoulder as she walks past me. “Yes, sir.”

“Get out and stop patronising me.” I turn back to my computer.

Maria gets to the door and turns back. “Oh… and Dr. Mercer?”

“For God’s sake, woman, what is it?” I growl.

“Eliza is still single.”

My eyes hold hers, and I clench my jaw. “And why would I need to know that piece of information, Maria?”

She shrugs casually. “Just an observation, sir.”

I roll my eyes. “Unfucking-believable,” I mutter under my breath.

“Yes, I thought so, too. A woman as beautiful as Eliza? I was positive that she would have been snapped up by one of those hot businessmen by now.”