CHAPTER 3: DEALING.

I stood and turned to see Jane looking at me, talk about creepy.

"Good morning, Jane, isn't the weather just nice today," I said gesturing outside, in an attempt to be friendly and avoid any unnecessary confrontations between us.

"What's good about the morning?" she snapped attracting the attention of the entire office staff to us. "Seems like someone's on her period," I sang under my breath. A few chuckles and laughs concealed as coughs followed that and Jane narrowed her eyes at me.

"What did you just say?" she asked threateningly

"Nothing" I answered innocently {more chuckles and coughs}.

She looked around, narrowing her eyes at everyone watching the spectacle, they immediately ducked their heads pretending to be very busy, one person even started admiring his pen, and I almost burst out laughing. Thankfully, I was able to conceal it before it escaped.

"Why are you late?" she barked at me, after sending a warning glance around. Okay now, I think my plan backfired not that I had any in the first in the first place.

"Hum..." I racked my brain trying to think up something, and suddenly an idea came to me. I didn't think of it much before I blurted it out

" My toilet got clogged," she looked confused for a second and in that second my brain warmed up to the idea

"Yes that's it. My toilet got clogged."

"So... She urged. I looked at her as if she was stupid,

"So I had to call the plumber to come see it," I said in a duh tone.

"Isn't that what the toilet plunger is for?”

Okay maybe I did not think this through, I hastily replied

I did that, at first but it didn't work so I had to call the plumber."

"And you couldn't wait till after work. Why?"

"Uhh, I had some urgent business to do in the toilet {chuckles and more laughter disguised as coughs} and the plumber lived close by. So I figured, why not"

"Why not?" She repeated

"Yes why not?" I repeated. This time full-blown laughter erupted and she turned to look sharply at my colleagues. They immediately sobered up and she turned back to me. Behind her, I could see a few people give me thumbs up and I immediately looked away so I would not laugh.

She cleared her throat, stood ramrod straight and said,

"Amber, I would not like a repeat of this morning." I nodded seriously

"If this occurs again, you shall be formally queried." I nodded again this time in mock seriousness.

Seeing she did not have anything more to say to me, I gestured her out of my seat

Thanks Jane I'll make sure to keep that in mind. Excuse me; I would like to go back to work". She narrowed her eyes at me but did not say anything about my obvious rudeness to her; instead, she turned and stalked away.I return to the comfort of my chair grateful for the close save.

I worked for a couple of hours, after which I stood to go for lunch. I let out a scream when I turn to find Anne looking at me. I freaked out; I mean who would not.

How long have you been standing there?"

"For about 10 minutes, I can't believe you didn't notice me staring at you. I wonder if you have a sixth sense at all."

"I was engrossed in my work duh," I said ignoring her comment about my sixth sense.

"Yeah at the rate you work, you could be nominated for employee of the year," she sneered.

"I can't hold a candle to you when it comes to work stuff. And as my friend, aren't you supposed to encourage and support me even if I'm walking into fire." I narrow my eyes at her.She scoffed

"Like I care." I narrowed my eyes more at her, which was almost impossible as my eyelids became even more slanted.

She suddenly started laughing, "What?" I asked confused and a little annoyed,

"I was just kidding. You take things so seriously. You can stop squeezing your face now. You look ridiculous."

"Having fun in my misery, some friend you are,"

"I don't need to tell you all those corny rubbish of how great you are before you know I love you. So get up and let's get some food before I drop dead here," She said with a small smile. At that, my stomach rumbled agreeing with her,

"I think we should go now before we start mourning our intestines." I laughed at that and picked up my purse.

I look around, seeing everyone gone for his or her breaks and Anne walking towards the exit.

"Wait for me!" I shouted after her,

"I don't wait for slow pokes." She sassed and walked off. Typical Anne.