Ascot’s breath quickens and he suddenly pulls back, shaking his head. “We shouldn’t, I mean, I shouldn’t be doing this. You’re too vulnerable,” he whispers, eyes heavy lidded.
“What are you talking about,” my breath hitches, “I’m okay,” I whisper and lean back in but his hands goes up.
“Elise, it’s not a good idea,” he scoots away. “I’ve just handed you the most important news of your life. You’re confused, you need time to process this.”
I blink, embarrassed by his sudden recoil. Is he being serious or am I just a massive turn off? It doesn’t matter because now I’m mortified.
“You’re right,” I leap to my feet and his brows push together. “You need to go,” I say, darting for the door, swinging it wide open.
He lets out a long sigh and slowly walks toward me, calm and totally collected. “Talk tomorrow?” he asks, eyes washed in sincerity but I can’t be certain of anything. Not now, maybe not ever.
“Yeah, whatever,” I shake my head, unable to conceal my sharp humiliation.
Ascot places a gentle hand on my upper arm, looking me in the eyes. “We need to talk about this, Elise, let’s have dinner…”
“We’ll figure it out, Ascot,” I interrupt, waving him out, my face becoming hot with frustration. “I’m not your responsibility.”
He stops in his tracks and abruptly turns around, eyes blazing, almost angry. “Oh, but you are my responsibility and I won’t allow you to shut me out. Remember that,” he says, the echo of his firm voice lingering as he walks away.
I nod, even though he doesn’t see it, overcome with emotion. The edges of his back becoming blurry as I shut the door and blink, letting the sting of new tears run down my cheeks.
Chapter Seven
“I should fire you on the spot!” Adam shouts across the room the moment I walk in. “Why didn’t you return my texts last night?” he asks, coming towards me as I shove my purse in the side drawer of my desk.
“I don’t have to answer to you after hours,” I say calmly and take a seat.
“Well, it’s not after hours now, so you better start talking!” he demands, the tips of his ears turning bright red.
“Adam, fire me if you want, but I’m not going to do this with you.”
“I asked you to do one thing,” he slams his hand down on the stack of files and I jump, glaring up at him. “You couldn’t bother yourself to even answer me?”
Anger immediately takes over, stopping me from caring what comes out of my mouth. “Do you seriously think I’m that stupid?” I squint my eyes. “I know why you wanted me to stay late, it was some kind of sick punishment.” I cock my head. “But isn’t it funny how you offered to stay late with me and bring your little stash of Jack Daniels?”
His nostrils begin to flare. “I was being nice!”
I chuckle and shake my head. “Oh, that’s rich, Adam. I’m sure Mrs. Tate would enjoy knowing how nice you intended to be.”
“Leave my wife out of this!” his eyes narrow, face crimson with anger.
I’ve got you now you, son of a bitch.
“As long as you play by the rules.”
“Or what?” he smiles sarcastically, challenging me, crossing both arms over his huge belly.
Adam won’t ever fire me, I’m too good at my job, not to mention the only other person besides Tammy who’s lasted this long.
“Or, the Board of Insurance will have their own claim against you for sexual harassment,” I pull my shoulders back. “Do I need to go further?”
His face drops and he opens his mouth to say something but stops himself, glaring at me with hate. “I’m docking you thirty minutes for coming in late yesterday morning,” he spits out his words, turning toward his office.
“I was only ten minutes late,” I singsong and he gives me a dirty side eye. “Don’t start breaking the rules already.”
***
The rest of the day Adam and I hardly spoke ten words to each other, avoiding eye contact at all costs. It was the best day at work I’ve had in a long time, I finally stood up to him. So, when he grumbled something about his son’s baseball game and left early, the tension lifted and I was able to bask in my personal victory. I only wish Tammy hadn’t taken the day off. She would have loved to see Adam’s face when I threatened to tell his wife about his advances. Somebody had to do it and I’m glad it fell on me instead of Tammy. I can always get another job and live on ramen noodles for weeks at a time if I have to. I don’t have the extra responsibility she has of raising a young daughter.
But my boss and his disgusting, inappropriate ways isn’t what I’m concerned about. The new revelation of being suddenly immortal is.
Last night was brutal. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t think straight. I paced, and I cried, trying to wrap my brain around the concept. I even tried googling it, but that was a waste of time. I found nothing but a few definitions on immortality and several links to fictional characters. None of that matters now, it still feels impossible. And why me? Haven’t I had a hard enough life? So many questions have been constantly spinning in my head. How come I don’t feel any differently? Shouldn’t I have gone through some kind of transformation? Shouldn’t I have died and miraculously come back to life?
Jesus, Elise, this isn’t Twilight.
What’s impossibly worse, I can’t get Ascot out of my head. The man who clearly doesn’t want me the way I want him. Did becoming immortal stop my ability to read people too? All the signs were there. Even if he did block himself, I sincerely thought he liked me. The way his eyes held mine, the way he watched my mouth when I spoke. I noticed, because I was doing it too.
Last night ended badly, I allowed Ascot’s refusal to go any further get the better of me. I’ve been on autopilot ever since, preoccupied with the new conception of what I’ve become while simultaneously wondering how or if I should even approach him. And if so, what the hell do I say? “Sorry I threw you out of my house, wanna make out?”
I roll my eyes and glance down at my phone.
5:03.
84% Charged.
Time to face my fears and get some answers.
Or maybe just hide under the covers for eternity.
Gathering my things, I lock the door and have to squint when the bright sun hits my face. It looks more like mid-afternoon outside due to the time change last weekend. Stupid Daylight Saving Time. Losing an hour in spring only to gain it back six months later. Definitely a huge, outdated waste of time, if you ask me.
I dig in my purse and grab a pair of sunglasses, wiping the lenses with the bottom of my shirt.
That’s better.
At least my walk home will be pleasant while I obsess even more about him.
***
The apartment building sits just across a busy, two-lane street, its red brick, and art deco façade still intact and still beautiful. It’s what attracted me to it in the first place. Well, that and its cheap rent. The day I signed the lease papers was just the beginning. I was happy to have a big city address and a future that belonged only to me. I had finally made it, and I had done it all on my own. No more running from my past.