***
I had taken to wearing kitten heels to work now, ditching my leather sandals for something slightly more professional now that I had an actual job. I still wasn’t going to dress like the other corporate thoroughbreds, though. I still wore bright prints, floral skirts, peasant blouses, and beaded jewelry, just a little less loud.
Today, I was in khaki pants that barely reached my ankles and a tie-dye blouse with my red curls tied up in a bun at the back of my head. My black pumps clicked against the polished marble floor of the lobby as I walked toward the elevator.
Marie, the receptionist, and I exchanged cold glances. We weren’t exactly on talking terms yet, but she had started smiling at me sometimes now, which I believed was a step in the right direction.
I still felt out of place here, but I was learning to accept it. I was making a difference from the inside, instead of from the other side of the picket line.
I took the elevator to the top floor with a pack of files pressed under my arm. Casper had been away for business for the past two days, and I had some research that I wanted to show him.
I’d also missed him. But I wasn’t going to tell him that in fear of appearing too needy. But he always kissed me, holding me close in the privacy of his office, and I was looking forward to that. I had a smile on my face as I stepped off the elevator and walked toward his office door.
I knew that his door was slightly ajar even as I walked toward it, because I could hear the trickling sound of the koi pond and waterfall in the hallway. I began to walk a little slowly because now I could hear the exchange of voices. Casper wasn’t alone. I didn’t want to interrupt a meeting.
But when I got closer, I heard a woman’s voice, one which sounded oddly familiar.
The door was ajar indeed, just a little bit, but enough for me to see through if I put my eye to it.
Samantha. My blood boiled immediately.
Casper was at the far end of the room behind his oak desk. Samantha was standing in front of him behind the desk, too, so that he had to twist his chair sideways. He was looking up at her with that smile on his face. The one that always melted me into a puddle.
Samantha was in a sleek white jumpsuit with gold trimmings and large, gold earrings. She had the perfect copper makeup on that made her look like a celebrity. She was, indeed, fit to be a celebrity. But I wasn’t concerned about her looks just then. I was more concerned about why she was standing so close to Casper, leaning toward him, making certain that he could see down her cleavage, revealed by the deep V-neck of her jumpsuit.
“You are such a tease, Casper. I flew in all the way from New York,” she said, and my jaws clenched tightly.
Samantha leaned in closer to Casper, her nose nearly grazing his. I knew I shouldn’t have been spying – not again, not like this – but I couldn’t help myself. This would confirm all the fears that I had about Casper.
“I really can’t, Sam. I’m busy tonight,” he said, and my heart started racing more.
Samantha looked visibly upset by his response. “You were always up for a date before. At my beck and call. We always had fun. What’s changed now, Casper?” she asked, straightening. I could barely control myself from the burst of feelings coursing through my veins.
“What can I say, Sam? I’m otherwise engaged,” he replied with a smile.
“Engaged with what?” she pushed him with a sour look on her face.
“All right, Sam. I didn’t want to be direct because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” Casper stood up and glared down at her. “But, I can’t see you tonight because I want to spend time with my girlfriend, all right? I’m just back from a business trip, and I haven’t seen her in days.” He was speaking through gritted teeth now with narrowed eyes, focused on Samantha. Who for some reason, had managed to get on his nerves at that precise moment.
I entered the office without knocking, forcing my face to be as expressionless as it possibly could. They both turned to me, and the look on Casper’s face changed. He smiled.
“Lily! I was wondering where you were,” he said, taking long, meaningful strides toward me. He kissed me with his hands on my cheeks, holding my face. Right there in front of Samantha, the witch.
I was smiling when we parted. My heart was ready to burst out of my chest. Casper always surprised me, but this was a new high. One I didn’t want to get off.
“You?” Samantha cried, with her nose pinched and her eyes narrowed to a slit. She was ready to slap me if she could.
I simply smiled at her. “Hello. I remember you from the party in Hawaii. You’re Casper’s friend,” I said as casually as I could. Casper’s hand on the small of my back was filling me with confidence.
I could see the hatred in Samantha’s eyes as she glared at me, choosing not to respond.
“How was your trip?” I turned to Casper instead.
“Good. I missed you,” he said, smiling at me, as though we were the only two people in the room.
I bit down on my lip as I drank it all in, swaying from the headiness and my happiness.
“Zoe was asking about you today. Maybe we should all have dinner together tonight,” I said, certain now that I had made the right decision.