Chapter 14: CARA

"Thanks for..."

"It's nothing," Peter says drying the plates while I rinse them.

"Ok, just get it out already," I say signing. It's so obvious he wants to say something but every time he opens his mouth he shuts it immediately.

"I don't get."

"At least I gave you a chance," I say as I pick up the plate I dropped.

"Is there any particular reason as to why you don't want to talk about what you do or where you stay?"

"Yes because people will find it embarrassing. Especially with the grade, I finished with. It's not like they won't eventually find out but till then, I would like to walk around town with my head held high."

"It can't be that bad and even if it is, I can help you get a job that comes alongside accommodation in Birmingham that's if you are willing to move to the Uk.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” “Mrs Johnson?”

I raise my eyebrow knowing where this is heading. “Yeah? What about her?”

“I know they have a booming company which makes me wonder why she would give you a belittling job.”

Ok so maybe I didn't foresee where this was going. I'll rather let the truth out than have Mrs Johnson who has been nothing but nice to me be perceived as a bad person.

“Very far from it. Before I left Dublin, I ended things with Liam in a not-so-nice way. Not sure if his mum knew about how we ended.

When my mum passed, she got me a job and accommodation here in Dublin. Unknown to me that the apartment was Liam's and the job was in his company.

I work as his assistant for reasons best known to him. He is bent on tormenting me till I quit I think because that should be the only reason he treats me that way. They have a legal department yet he chose to give me an assistant’s post. You should have heard the hurtful things he said to me yesterday. I just couldn't stay one more second around him.”

“Why don't you just quit or move out?”

“It’s not as easy as it sounds. I don't want to look like an ungrateful person and two when do I move to? I don't even have the money for an apartment.”

“I can help you. I have properties in Dublin,” he says holding my hands.

“ I promise, when I can't take it anymore I'll be out of here for good. There's nothing for me in Dublin anyway.”

“I’m here if you need me. I don't know if you'll find this as encroaching on your privacy but does this mean that whatever was between both of you before you left is in the past?”

“Yes. Are you sure about that? Now enough about my life.” “Do you have plans for today?”

“Nothing serious asides from being a couch potato.”

“That makes two of us then but tomorrow I am taking you out after church service. You know Mrs Chloe doesn't joke with her services.”

“How can I forget?”

The rest of Saturday and Sunday went by faster than was expected. Time to face my demons.

I press the floor on which my office is situated and relax as the lift ascends. This weekend was indeed a very relaxing one. I didn't want it to end.

“Hi, Veronica. How was your weekend?”

“Hello. It was good. Yours?”

“Splendid. Would love to see more of this.” “Is it that obvious?”

“Of course. Hurry up though. The boss is in.” “So early? How about Laura?”

“She’s still at Mrs Johnson's place. I guess she's dropping her off.” “Oh ok. I'll get going.”

“Ok, darling.”

I slide the card over the lock and push the door open. I pray the week goes by as quick as the weekend did.

“Good morning Mr Johnson.”

“Good morning Ms Bloom,” he responds, his eyes buried deep into whatever he was staring at.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the silence but it just feels weird that Liam Johnson is not barking out orders.

“I need this sent to the security department.” “Ok, sir.”

I pick up the files and head to the security department. I haven't properly thanked JJ for a wonderful Friday night well spent.

“Hi, I haven't seen Jeffery around. Do you have any idea if he's on duty today?” I ask a man wearing a similar uniform to that of Jeffery.

“Jeffery James?” “Yes.”

“He was transferred to the other branch. Heard he was up for promotion. He earned it.”

Liam Johnson! How petty can you be? I storm off to the office. “We have a meeting with Fresro by noon.”

I control myself not to hiss out loud because I wanted to. See him acting so calm and collected like he didn't just make a sneaky move. Why are you so pissed? If he wants to move everyone from this branch to the other and move people from the other branch down here, he has every right.

“I know Mr Johnson. I typed the schedule.” I say rolling my eyes. He must have sent me down there to find out for myself.

“Can you stop fidgeting? I'm sitting right here, get it off your chest.” I hate that he knows me too well.

“Did you send me to the security department for the sole purpose of dropping off those files or for something else entirely?”

“Tell me, what do you think?” he asks flipping over the pages of a file in front of him.

“I think you sent me down there to discover your petty doing.” “Last I checked, I run this company and I can do as I please.” “Of course, the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.”

I didn't just say that aloud. Did I? He was about to say something when his phone rang. What do I say when he asks what I mean by the apple doesn't fall too far from the roof? Sweet Lord, please let him not remember.