Forty

Zach was in his office feeling miserable when he heard a knock. He had been like that since yesterday when he came to work hoping that Maisie would come to work but when she didn't.

“Come in," he called out. The door opened and Maisie stepped in looking as haggard as he was. “Maisie.” Zach whispered as he stood to meet her, she held a finger up.

“Stay exactly where you are if you don't want me to leave.” Maisie said as Zach froze then lowered himself back to his seat.

“Maisie it was all a plot of Vivi. I never knew she was coming. She had just placed her lips on mine when the door opened, and you came in. If you had come in five seconds later, I would already be dragging her out of the apartment.” Zach said as Maisie shook her head.

“I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear anything from you. Why would you even let her into the apartment at first?” Maisie asked, eyes flashing with anger. When Zach opened his mouth to reply to her, she continues without allowing Zach to say anything. “You know what? I don't want to hear it. I don't want to hear your excuse or whatever the hell you want to tell me to make me believe you. I don't want to hear any of it.”

“Mase you have to believe me.” Zach said in a soft voice.

“I don't have to do anything.” Maisie said as she opened her bag and dropped a letter in front of Zach. “My resignation letter sir. I will work for the two weeks I am supposed to work for and then I will leave.”

Zach glanced at the letter, then at Maisie's face. “I thought you never wanted our personal lives to affect our work life.”

“When you hurt me and I have to see you every day after this, I can't take it.” Maisie said tearfully.

“It wasn't my fault. I love you for God's sake. Why will I purposely hurt you?” Zach yells.

Maisie let out a small gasp as tears filled her eyes. “You are just saying that. You just don't want to lose me.”

“I have been in love with you since you came into my office for the first time Maisie.” Zach chuckles weakly. “I didn't say it because I didn't want to scare you.”

“I wish I could believe that Zach. I really want to...” Maisie started “Then just stay, I won't force you to be in my presence or even talk to you. You want a break, fine. I will give you, think about this, and us. You want to throw away what we have because of my crazy ex who hates to see me happy.” Zach asked Maisie.

“I don't know what to believe.” Maisie said in an outburst.

“Then watch. Sooner or later, you will know that she was lying. Just stay close enough to know.” Zach pleads.

Maisie was torn she wanted to leave Zach because of the hurt, but he was not responsible for it. And leaving him was like fighting against her DNA, she wanted him that bad.

“Fine. I will stay but you don't talk to me.” Maisie said and Zach readily agrees.

“Done.”

“Okay. I resume tomorrow and certainly not in my current case.” Maisie added.

“Sure. Anything you want.” Zach tells her.

Maisie looked at Zach weirdly. “I want a salary increase.”

“Done.” Zach agrees and when Maisie gave him a disbelieving glance Zach shrugged.

“I was planning to increase it soon.”

“If you say so.” Maisie said with an unsure look as she left his office the next stop was Anthony's office to ask him what the hell he was thinking of getting engaged to the wicked witch of the east.