It's been three weeks already. I've been trying to reach Val, but her phone is always busy. I even went to visit her the other day, but she wasn't home. That left me really worried. I hope she's recovering well and staying safe.
I leaned back in my office chair after finishing my work for the day. Our fashion show is just around the corner, and we've been working tirelessly at the company lately.
I took off my medicated glasses, rubbed my tired eyes, and put them back on.
For once, I was the first one to arrive at work. That was unusual-it was always Val who beat me to it.
"Good morning, Dan," Grace, one of my colleagues, greeted me as she walked in.
"Good morning," I replied with a smile, waving at her.
She gave me a stiff nod and moved on. Not long after, Kamsy walked in-Val's former best friend. She always ignored me because of my closeness to Val.
Her protruding belly explained her recent weight gain around her hips and face-not that I'm quick to notice such details.
"Good morning, Mrs. Kamsy," I said, waving politely, though I knew she wouldn't respond.
A few minutes later, Val walked in. I couldn't hide my excitement-I stood up immediately to welcome her.
"How's your arm? Are you feeling better now? And why haven't you been answering your phone?" I asked impatiently, not even waiting for her to reply. I grabbed her handbag and placed it on my desk.
"I'm fine. My arm is almost healed-look!" she said, flexing her arm playfully.
"I'm very strong now," she added with a smirk. "How's our wife doing?"
I pretended not to hear that.
My girlfriend and I had a small misunderstanding recently. She always blamed Val for our issues. While some of her accusations weren't completely wrong-for example, Val is my ideal woman-our relationship is strictly platonic. And Val has no idea how I feel about her.
Still, it infuriates me when my girlfriend drags Val into our arguments. We're currently taking a break, and I even asked her to leave my house. I might visit her next weekend to sort things out, though.
"What are you spacing out for?" Val asked, interrupting my thoughts.
I looked up and gave her a half-grin. "You have no idea how bored I've been. No one here likes me, and you're the only one who jokes around with me. I'm so glad you're back! The past week without you at work felt like torture."
"Aww, I'm back now. Give me a hug!" Val teased.
I gladly obliged and hugged her tightly.
"So, what did you bring for me? Did you cook?" I asked, peeking into her lunch bag.
"Dan, it's just medicine in there," she replied.
I recoiled immediately, hating even the sight of drugs. "Why are you carrying medicine to work?" I asked with a grimace.
"I haven't completed my dosage yet, silly. Now go-I need to say my morning prayer," she said, playfully pushing me out of her corner.
As I returned to my desk, Jennifer, one of our colleagues and the former boss's favorite, approached me.
"Dan, I submitted some designs for editing. Are you done with them?" she asked.
"Am I the editor?" I replied flatly.
"She isn't here yet. Can't you help out?" Jennifer persisted.
"I'm busy with my own projects," I replied curtly, continuing to adjust a design on a mannequin.
As I worked, a pin needle pricked my finger. Blood oozed out, but the pain wasn't too bad. Still, I decided to have some fun with Val.
"Ouch! Oh my God!" I yelled dramatically, drawing brief glances from my colleagues before they returned to their work. I marched over to Val, groaning as if I'd been stung by a scorpion.
"What happened?!" Val asked, rushing over with concern. She tore a piece of fabric from her work material and tied it around my finger.
"Does it hurt?" she asked, blowing on the wound as though it were on fire.
"Yes!" I groaned, pressing the pinprick to make it bleed a little more.
"What really happened?" she asked again, her eyes filled with concern.
I stayed silent, pretending the pain was unbearable.
"Does it hurt that much? I think I have a balm," she said in her native language, rummaging through her bag.
"No, no, I don't want balm!" I protested.
"Be quiet!" she snapped.
She loosened the makeshift bandage, applied a generous amount of balm, and tied it again. The sting was intense, and I cried out for real this time.
"Why did you put that on?!" I snapped as the burning sensation intensified.
"Relax-it'll help it heal," she said, blowing gently on my finger.
PRINCE'S POV
I walked into the company and was greeted by the employees. My attention, however, was fixed on Val and her so-called work boyfriend, Dan.
They greeted me briefly before returning to their little scene.
What was she doing with him? And why didn't she even glance at me?
I mean, I kissed her the other day. I thought she'd have it on her mind, but I was wrong.
That girl didn't think twice about my kiss. If she had, she'd be nervous seeing me. But no-she was too focused on another man.
It shouldn't bother me this much, but I can't help it. Why am I so consumed by her?