Stop Calling me Hans

"Remember to ask me first if you want to add something to Jessica's schedule. If you do something off-schedule or change it, then I'll know right away. Don't try me or you'll be gone when I get back!"

Jonathan glanced at Jessica, who was standing a step ahead of him, waiting for the elevator to reach the 46th floor.

Immediately he replied to a message from Hans. "I'll do my job well. Relax there no need to rush. I hope you won't have to come back."

The lift clinked and the door opened, signaling that the day without Hans had begun.

Jonathan had to adjust to Hans's dense portion of work. Luckily Hans had everything put on the agenda and Jonathan just got to go with it.

"Hans, bring me a cup of coffee!" The intercom on the table suddenly voiced orders from Jessica.

Had the woman forgotten that Hans wasn't there? Why are you calling his name?

Jonathan brought in a cup of coffee along with several files that needed to be handed over to Jessica. The woman seemed unfazed and focused on the MacBook in front of her.

"Here's your coffee. I also brought you a list of stunt actresses for our new product spokesperson." Hans put the folder next to the coffee cup.

"I'll see you later, Hans." Jessica is still immersed in her work and still calls her Hans.

"Sorry, I'm not Hans!" Jonathan interrupted a little.

Jessica did not respond, the woman did not speak again. Not bothered or feel guilty about his calling.

Not getting a response from that woman Jonathan began to feel a little annoyed. Jessica had called him Hans many times that morning. But he still tried to tolerate it at that level.

After Jonathan left his room, Jessica raised her hand to reach her cellphone. She swept the screen, lowering the notification bar. There is nothing there.

This condition is actually reasonable because not many people know Jessica's cellphone number. But Hans wasn't there that day and he hadn't contacted Jessica even that morning to check on her.

Usually, when Hans went out on duty, he would send a message in every hour. Checking what the woman is up to and making sure Jessica sticks to the agenda Hans has created. She was like an alarm set to remind Jessica what to do each time. But where is he now?

***

Approaching lunchtime, Jonathan opened Jessica's schedule. There is no special agenda such as meeting or having lunch outside. Jessica's schedule was clean that afternoon.

Jonathan went back into Jessica's room, he had not had time to speak a word when Jessica suddenly threw a folder on the table.

"Bring back the list of actresses, Hans. None of them are good enough for me, have the project department update the list and hand it back to me at 3 o'clock."

Jonathan looked into Jessica's sparkling eyes. The woman also looked at him, she should have realized that the man in front of her was not Hans and stopped mentioning that name. Couldn't she properly call his name?

"My name is Jonathan, not Hans."

"Then what's with that?"

"Can you stop calling me Hans? Do you miss him so much that you keep calling me Hans?"

November 18th, 2020