** ** Omniscient Narrator ** **
Maxwell Blackwood paces around in his office, work was over for the day but he couldn’t leave, he had been restless since Anna left. He tried hard to act like he didn’t care but it wasn’t working, he cared for her and he knew it.
But why couldn’t he just say it? Whether or not she had reasons to leave, maybe he could have persuaded her. Why did he let his pride get in the way?
Was it something he did? He doubted she was really quitting because of the conditions he had given to her at employment, but regardless of that, maybe he should have just taken off the conditions.
It is not like he had used her like any of his previous Assistants, he had turned them all to literal sex toys but with Anna, he always resisted. To think that she was the only one who he despised amongst them, yet somehow they had come to form this bond and he had grown affection for her.
Lately, he hadn’t even abused her in any way, except for a few mean words here and there but that was part of his character and she knew it. So why did she take the initiative to quit her job?
Mr. Blackwood was worried, he wanted to know if she was okay and get her to come back, but he knew he would never bring himself to do that. Maybe if she came pleading to be taken back, then he would accept her, but he would never beg her to return to her job.
** **
Annabel was stuffing pizza in her mouth when her phone rang, she checked the caller and it was Jennifer. She didn’t want to speak to her best friend right now, so she ignored the call. The only person she had spoken with since she resigned earlier today was Jimmy, she broke the news to him but he didn’t seem very interested in the conversation, or maybe he was just too busy because he ended the call and promised to call her back later.
Shortly after, Anna heard the doorbell ring. Her heart skipped; who could be at the door? Jimmy or Mr. Blackwood?
She rushed to the door and opened it but met an angry looking Jennifer. Her best friend stood there with a frown and folded arms on her chest.
“Hi,” Anna forced a little smile.
Jennifer scoffed and walked right in. she flung her bag on the couch and turned to face her best friend. “So were you going to tell me or what?”
Anna tilted her head to the side, wearing a pretentious face. “Tell you what, exactly?” she asked, trying to act innocent.
“Don’t play dumb with me, you know what I am talking about. I thought we were best friends, you could have at least discussed this with me and heard my own opinion before making such a stupid decision.”
Anna sighed and shook her head lightly. “Yeah, I see. So Mr. Arrogant Pants called you, I didn’t realize you two were besties too. You know, for someone who doesn’t care if I quit or not, he is quite too vocal about me leaving.” She laughed.
“This is not funny, Annabel. I know it is your life but why did you choose to ruin it? Why did you quit your job?” she fired.
Anna groaned and walked past but Jennifer followed her right behind. She couldn’t understand why Jenny was taking it so personal.
“Don’t walk away from me, Anna. If you value our friendship, then answer my questions. Why did you quit?”
“Because I cannot keep up with the emotional stress Jen,” Anna blurted out and turned back to face her. “I cannot keep on cheating on Jimmy with my Boss, that is so unfair.” She voiced out.
Jennifer’s face turned sour the moment she heard that name. “Goodness me! Unbelievable! Don’t tell me you quit your job because of that boy, the same boy who fucking cheated on you!” Jennifer yelled.
“It was just once okay? And it is in the past, I have slept with Mr. Blackwood for six months, I am way worse than Jimmy, so don’t bring up the past.”
“Once you say? Isn’t that just the amount of times you caught him? Sometimes I wonder how we are friends, because you are so dumb, Anna!” Jennifer cussed.
“Yeah, go ahead and insult me, I don’t mind.”
“You think that is what this is about? You are so naïve and foolish, but that is not all Anna, you are also selfish. Did you ever think of your parents or your family? Did you forget why you took that job in the first place? Everything was finally going well, you were happy, your family is doing well, you were on the right path and then you ruined it all.”
“Okay, that is enough, Jennifer! First of all, leave me to worry about my family. So it is selfishness when I choose to put myself first, huh? You only care about those that rely on me, what about my mental health, Jen? Do you know how mentally stressed out I have been in the fucking past months? Do you know what it feels like to fight with your conscience? It is like the feeling of being a murderer.” Anna blurted in a rage
“Don’t lecture me on guilt, I know the feeling better than anyone. I have lived with that feeling for months and even here right now, that feeling is bugging down on my chest. You think you are the only one to commit such sins? Some of us have done worse and we live with it. Doesn’t make it right but some sacrifices are worth making for the better good of all.” Jennifer lectured.
Anna sighed and took a deep breath in, trying to not get in a fight with her best friend, she had already lost a job and a complicated sexual relationship, she couldn’t add her years long friendship to that list.
“Alright, fine… I will find a new job. That is your worries right, you are scared I would go back to the trenches and feed on scraps? Well you don’t need to worry, I will find another job in less than two months, I promise you.”
“Anna, this isn’t just about finding another job. I understand you but the man you have done all this for isn’t worth it. This is New York City, good jobs don’t grow on trees. Do you want to go back to packing excreta at elderly homes or washing plates at restaurants? Why do you choose to throw away the opportunity of a lifetime? Why is it so hard working with Mr. Blackwood?”
“Because I am falling in love with him, okay? That is why!” Anna burst into tears.
“What?” Jennifer mouthed, surprise etched all over her face.
Anna fell to the floor, with her back against the cushion and let the tears flow. “That is right, I couldn’t do it anymore Jenny… I am sorry, I just couldn’t be around him.”
Jenny rushed to her and sat beside her. “Anna, what are you talking about? Tell me the truth.”
“It has been difficult keeping him out of my head, I was already dealing with the guilt of cheating on Jimmy but it would have been much more endurable if I didn’t… if I didn’t start to develop feelings for him,” she said amidst sobs.
“You are in love with him?” Jennifer asked again, still in shock with the confession.
“Yes, a few days before his birthday, I started to notice this attraction towards him and then it kept growing. I don’t want these feelings, Jennifer. I want to hate him, I am not supposed to love him. I know we had our moments but it doesn’t change who he is or how he abused me, it makes it worse that I am also cheating on my boyfriend with him. I know that job was promising, I know I might never get to that height anytime soon, but I cannot do it anymore, the guilt is eating me up, Jenny.” She said, tears streaming down her eyes.
Jennifer sighed and pulled her into a hug, letting her rest her head on her chest. Now this matter just got complicated, what should she do?
!