CAN I TRUST HER?
A yawn escaped her mouth as soon as she woke up the next morning. It had become like an everyday routine, to check her phone first thing after she woke up every morning. Not that it was a bad habit per se, however, apparently this habit was developed only to check up on for her boss.
This morning, as soon as she checked her phone, her sleepy- smiling face turned into a frown. There was a message that was displayed on her phone screen, but the sender was not her boss, but her friend, Jennifer.
Jennifer was back from the trip with her cousins, and wanted to see Lyrical. So Jennifer had texted her to inform that she would come down to her house to see Lyrical. Also, she had to return the sneakers and portable charger that she had borrowed before going on her trekking trip more than a week back.
Lyrical sighed. Feeling too lazy to chat or call, she quickly typed in an 'OK' and pressed the sent button on her phone. Lyrical kept the phone on the side table and covered her face with the blanket and dug herself back into her bed. A few more minutes of sleep is what she needed.. or so she thought.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed again with another message. Lyrical groaned in irritation and came out of the comfort of her blanket to read it. She was stunned to read the text that said, 'See you in 30.' She checked the name of the sender who had sent this message, half- expecting it to be her boss.
She took a glance at the clock and groused about Jennifer's plan for disturbing her this early morning and dropped a text, 'Isn't it too early? I will see you at 10am, right before I leave for office. Let me sleep for few more minutes." along with it was an angry emoji.
Lyrical kept her phone aside and rolled inside her blanket, when her phone blinked and buzzed again. She groaned loudly and sat up straight on her bed, reached for her phone ready to dial Jennifer's number and scold her for disturbing her sleep, when she noticed it wasn't from Jennifer.
'Be ready. On my way to pick you up, see you in one hour.' read the text message and it came from Melody.
She replied with, "I'll be waiting" and jumped out of her bed to take bath. Haphazardly, she pulled out a beige shirt and black pant and slipped into her clothes.
Lyrical had just finished her breakfast when her doorbell sound reached her ears, she rushed towards it and found Jennifer standing in front of her. Lyrical had completely forgotten about her friend's visit and so had missed reading her texts that followed after Lyrical had last texted her.
"Hi" Jennifer came close and hugged her. Lyrical apologized to Jennifer and told her that she wouldn't be able to see her today, because she had to leave for work and her boss was on her way to pick her up.
Jennifer insisted that just once Lyrical would have to listen to what she had to say and begged with Lyrical too.
Lyrical sighed in surrender and nodded. She checked her watch, it was almost time and soon Melody will be here to pick her up. She dropped her boss a text, saying she has a visitor and so she'll be a late. No sooner had she texted, Lyrical received a reply from her boss. 'No issue. See you at office.'
Lyrical quickly ushered Jennifer inside the house and both the friends sat on the couch, Aunt Marissa joined them a few minutes later.
While Jennifer was busy talking to Aunt Marissa, Lyrical quickly excused herself and called her boss. "Sorry Melody. Remember my friend Jennifer? She just came home to visit me. So, I can't leave right now." She explained.
"Hey! It's Ok. If you are not doing this to avoid me, then everything is fine." Melody remarked and Lyrical wasn't sure if she was being sincere or it was a jest.
Although Melody was being sincere, but Lyrical misunderstood her and assumed that her remark was to mock her about how she had avoided Melody for last few days.
"Ok. So, now you're going to slap it on my face now? Mock me for god knows how long," Lyrical argued.
"Oh! no, I seriously mean that." She said perplexed. "In fact, you know what? I was in dual mind, if I should ask you to come along today. I.. am actually headed towards the gallery to meet Joey. We had a meeting," Melody reminded but there was an unmissable hesitation in her voice and Lyrical understood the reason behind it.
"Melody, I can't change anything about you or Joey, so I might as well just ignore it. I already told you earlier, until and unless it doesn't affect me, I don't care what people did in their personal time," She explained. "Anyway, I'll see you later."
Melody did not reply as she chose to remain quiet, but that lasted only for few moments and Lyrical wondered why and what Melody was hesitating for. Then she heard Melody ask, "Will it affect you, if you go out with me this weekend. You promised, remember?"
"You said it's just a dinner in a normal restaurant. Why would it affect me?" Lyrical shrugged in confusion while replying. Melody sighed, "Alright. If you say so, then I am sure it won't. See you later when you're in office then."
Before disconnecting Lyrical added, "Melody.. Let me tell you one thing very clearly, I won't feel embarrassed if I am seen dining with you. I told you already, I respect you. And frankly speaking if you don't say it out loud, nobody can guess, you know what I mean, right?"
Melody replied with a simple "hmm." in a whisper. "So I really don't mind going out for dinner with you." Lyrical said assuringly.
Melody was still a little apprehensive about the dinner plan, but after listening to what Lyrical had to say, she was somewhat relieved, if not ecstatic about it.
Lyrical started to feel irritated with her friend. In the early hours of the morning, when Lyrical wanted to roll on her bed and sleep some more, Jennifer chose to disturb her sleep and now when Lyrical had to leave for work, she was wasting her time.
They were seated on the couch still chatting with Aunt Marissa, when Lyrical interrupted them and reminded again, that she needed to leave for work. So, Jennifer and she entered into her bedroom to talk about whatever it was that Jennifer wanted to tell her.
"What is it that you wanted to talk to me about, that you insisted to come so early morning?" Lyrical nearly snapped at her.
"Lyrical. We may not be best friends, but we have worked together for a long time and you know I care about you. Correct?" Jennifer asked, to confirm how far Lyrical trusted her.
Lyrical nodded her head to answer. "But you are my only friend." she confessed. "Up until now. Of course. Because I made friends at my new office." Lyrical could not understand where this conversation was going but wanted to get this done with, as soon as possible.
"I don't know where to begin with," Jennifer said while contemplating how should she put across her point. "Try from the start" Lyrical replied sarcastically. She was also getting frustrated now.
Jennifer sighed, "Let me put it straight in front of you. I met your boss the other day, I mean when you introduced us while I was leaving for the trip, and trust me I don't get a good vibe from her. She is not the person she pretends to be. To put it simply, you have been working since the time you were a student. Tell me which one of your bosses has been this friendly with you? And even if they tried to, it definitely did not go well, am I wrong? Just think and tell me."
Jennifer looked at Lyrical's face and noticed a smile stuck on it. "You feel I'm overthinking?"
Lyrical took her friend's hand in hers and shook her head, "No" she mouthed. "So this is what you are worried about?" Lyrical chuckled. "My dear Jennifer, I am her assistant, we have to travel together sometimes, and she has a car. That is why she picks me up and drops me back home. This is the least she can do." Lyrical assured Jennifer.
But her friend was not convinced, she had her suspicions. Jennifer further added, "Fine. But if this happens once or twice, I can understand. But you said she does this regularly. Think about it, why would you boss do such thing everyday?" Lyrical shook her head in disbelief, she still felt Melody is not a bad person and Jennifer was unnecessarily worried about her.
"Just because she is a female, you can't blindly trust her. I am sure she is into girls and because she is rich, she wants to show you her soft and vulnerable side or her fun side- maybe, to trap you. In her bed. And you are naïve, so you don't notice." Jennifer added.
Lyrical, although was still not convinced, but somehow was forced to question Melody's intention. Because, the truth was Jennifer made a fair point. And now Lyrical also knew about Melody's preferrance for a partner. And not to forget those flirty remarks from Melody.
Lyrical sat down on her bed and thought about what her friend just said. How far can she actually trust her boss?
After all, Melody constantly and openly flirted with her, also hid her sexuality. And just a few days ago, she even kissed Lyrical on the cheeks. Lyrical unconsciously touched her cheeks where her boss had kissed her.
"How do you know, she is into girls?" Lyrical inquired, not looking at her friend. She wanted to check what gave away the fact she is a lesbian to her friend, that Lyrical couldn't see up until now.
"The way she looks at you, have you ever noticed? That bloody immoral and lustful eyes?" Jennifer replied frankly. "Listen, you don't have to trust me. But at least be cautious around her, soon you will start noticing."
Jennifer suggested Lyrical to keep her eyes wide open whenever she is around her boss and soon she will notice that Melody looked at her with a very hungry and lustful eyes and hated whoever came close to her, as if Lyrical belonged to her. She further added that she could feel a hatred vibe from Melody that day.
"Perhaps, because we are friends for a long time and we gave each other our personal things that day." Lyrical remembered that Melody was asking her about her sneaker and did not seemed happy that Lyrical had given her favorite shoes to somebody else. She scratched her head in confusion, but went to the office anyway.
Luckily, Melody was with Joey until evening and next two days Lyrical took leave and stayed at home.
But she felt bored and mostly spend her time playing games on her phone, but failed everytime. She kept checking her inbox, in case she received any text from Melody and even if for five minutes she is away from the phone, she immediately unlocked it to see if she has missed any call from her boss.
She took aunt Marissa for her check-up and then hurried back home. They had to buy groceries and medicine for her, but Lyrical lied that she had a headache.
Desperation started to grow inside her. She missed the laughter and fun with Mia, Carol, and others. She missed Leia's beautiful smile every morning. As hard as she tried to deny it, she was missing the bantering and her bickering with Melody. She was lying on her bed and a smile crept into her face.
Melody called to check on her, but she made up an excuse that her aunt is not well and so she had to stay home. But, truth be told she went outside her house to buy medicine that her aunt needed, just so she could chat some more time with her boss. They spoke on nothing specific, just general talks. But Lyrical still enjoyed it. All of a sudden, Melody suggested about calling Gisselle, to which Lyrical agreed. However, she regretted it only a few moments later.
She wanted Melody to talk only to her. Frankly, talking to Gisselle was always fun and today was no different. Yet, something had changed. Melody's attention totally shifted on Gisselle and Lyrical felt uncomfortable. She tried to excuse herself but Melody stopped her. Something was different today, because even though she knew what Gisselle meant to Melody, Lyrical felt ignored when all of her attention was on Gisselle.
Two days of leave dragged unbarearingly long, however, on the third day they were expecting some client at office, so Lyrical promised Melody that she'll be there and check on the arrangements. Though, Lyrical wouldn't admit, but she was secretly happy to go back.
That night, Jennifer called. "Hey, girl. Listen, I told you and I was right. That boss? Lyrical your boss, I saw her with another woman, Right Now. I did not have much time to get you the evidence. Next time, I promise I will."
Lyrical slid on a black shirt and faded jeans, picked her sling bag, and left her house, not bothering to take a glance at herself in the mirror.
Lyrical came to office on time and focused all her attention on making arrangement for the expected visitors. Right from the cleanliness, to the files that were needed for the meet and their lunch according to what everyone preferred. She double-checked all the arrangement, before Melody finally came with the visitors.
And as expected, the first thing that Melody noticed was Lyrical. As soon as she entered, her eyes automatically went towards where she was standing and she frowned.
She excused herself and came to see Lyrical, and was still frowning. "Are you seriously going to wear this? A casual shirt and faded jeans?" she paused. "Or.. are you leaving right now? Is everything alright, do you need my help for your aunt?" Melody sounded anxious.
Initially Lyrical wanted to provoke Melody. so she deliberately wore such faded outfit to office, but Melody, instead of getting mad, was worried about Lyrical and her aunt.
Melody even apologized to her, saying that it was wrong on her part to call Lyrical to the office when her aunt was still unwell and this made Lyrical feel guiltier than she already was. Lyrical had doubted her boss and then she lied and avoided her. On the other hand, her boss blindly believed her lies, moreover she seemed worried and concerned about Lyrical.
"You should go home, I'll handle everything around here. Don't worry and thank you for coming today, but I will take help from Leia if at all I need anything," Melody was assuring Lyrical when the case should have been vice-versa. Melody ordered her to go home and take care of her aunt. Her work would be taken care of by someone else while she was away. It's just a matter of a day or two.
Melody called her in the evening and told her that the meeting went well, also thanked her for the arrangement and she need not worry. If required Lyrical can take leave for this entire week. She also decided to cancel the dinner reservation, but Lyrical stopped her from doing it.
The next day Lyrical even went to the office, as she couldn't handle the guilt anymore. Mia told her that she offered to help Melody, while Lyrical was away and Leia helped her too. But they all missed Lyrical very much.
That day her father called her and gave her the good news, that his friend who was in the hospital was being discharged today. At last, after a long time his health seemed to be improving and today the doctors gave him the permission to leave, but he would still require to rest for few more days, maybe till his next check-up date.
Lyrical was very happy to hear this news. She had been feeling sad and gloomy, because of the guilt that she had been keeping inside. She can't confess her stupidity to anyone, which was making it even more difficult.
She wanted to blame it on Jennifer, but can't. Jennifer had good intentions in her heart and truth be told Jennifer never forced Lyrical to take a leave from the job so she could avoid her boss. Jennifer had requested her to be a little more cautious, and that was it.
Rest all was Lyrical's faboulous idea. But, after hearing this news about her father's friend, she felt better, even better because her father's voice sounded cheerful. He must've been very worried about his friend, Lyrical figured.
Melody was not in the office when Lyrical knocked on her the cabin door. So, she called on her boss's number. Melody did not answer her calls or reply to her messages the entire day. When Lyrical was just about to reach home, she saw Melody's car that stood a little far away from her house. She called her number again and ah, at last Melody answered.
"What are you doing in front of my house?" Lyrical inquired as she walked towards the car. "I was a little busy today, so thought of coming to see you before I head home," Melody replied, her voice almost inaudible and also tired.
As soon as she reached the car, Lyrical just stood outside. Melody told her to come and sit inside the car, so they could talk, but Lyrical invited her to come inside her home, instead. Melody denied, saying she needed to rush back home and that she was very exhausted.
Lyrical was a little annoyed and upset with Melody, but she couldn't deny that her boss did look exhausted. Lyrical insisted that Melody should come in and meet her uncle and aunt and possibly stay the night. But, Melody apologized and rejected the offer. They spoke.. more like debated on this and Melody left.
Lyrical was checking Melody's schedule, but there was nothing that showed that Melody had to travel somewhere far, like a long distant place or something. Then why was Melody unavailable the entire day and why did she look so exhausted, Lyrical could only wonder. Then she noticed, Melody had a meeting scheduled with Joey and she would be at the art gallery the entire day. She mused over whether she should accompany Melody to the art gallery.
Melody looked very tired tonight. But that was not the point. Because secretly, Lyrical wanted to stay beside Melody. She did not even realize when she fell asleep that night, still pondering over whether or not she should accompany her.
The following morning, Lyrical, as per her newly developed habit reached for her phone, even before she could open her eyes properly. She looked at her phone screen with one open eye. There was no message from Melody and she still had time to get ready to go to office. But, she did drop a text message to Melody that she would accompany her to the art gallery.
Melody read the message immediately and replied. "Are you sure? As much as I would love your company, I don't want you to do anything, you are not comfortable with." Lyrical's phone buzzed and as soon as she read the message, she sat straight on her bed to call Melody, which was answered right away.
Lyrical sighed, "I have to get used to meeting Joey or other similar people for that matter, since I am a working woman now. I can't have such an attitude and avoid meeting people. So pick me up from home. I'm not going to the office."
"Oh, But, I am at office. I thought maybe we'll leave from here." Melody replied and it stunned Lyrical. "Why are you in office so early? Did you not go home?" Lyrical asked curiously. "Are you really in problem, Melody?" she questioned inquisitively.
Melody laughed. "This is my office. I came early to collect a few things and then I can leave for Joey's. You coming or not?" Like always, Melody managed to dodge the question.
"I'll be there. Don't go anywhere without me." Lyrical sternly replied. Lyrical did not understand why did she have to add the last sentence. She heard Melody chuckle and then giggle, even though she did not say or teased Lyrical.
"Oh God Lyrical. You idiot. What do you think you are doing." Lyrical swore at herself, burying her face in her pillow. If only she had answer to her own questions or ask someone to help her figure out what was happening with her.