It was Monday. Once again, I had spent the whole weekend with Harry. After we had (had sex? made love? I didn't know exactly but it had felt different), we had talked. I had shared things I never expected to share with anyone with him.

Though I hadn't gotten to ask him the question that had been burning on my mind. What exactly were we?

I didn't want to seem like I was needy and desperate. But I had to clear things up. Were we just fuck buddies so I knew not to catch feelings? Or were we something else? Something more?

I was honestly confused. I didn't have feelings for Harry. Yet. I knew they were going to come. I found it hard sometimes to differentiate sex and love. So I knew if we didn't set boundaries immediately, someone would get hurt. And it might be me. I definitely didn't want that.

I sighed, attracting the attention of the person passing by. It was the girl. The one Harry said was his sister. I didn't believe him for one second but I had no hold over him, I guessed.

As soon as she spotted me, the girl smiled really wide. I was kind of creeped out. Her smile was blinding and her teeth of course were white and straight.

I smiled back shyly and turned my head away, expecting her to get the hint. But when I looked up again, she was walking to my cubicle. I kissed my teeth then prayed she was quick about whatever she wanted to say.

"Hey," she said as soon as she reached me, the smile still present on her face. Didn't her cheeks hurt from smiling so much and so widely?

"Hey," I replied, not wanting to seem rude.

"I'm going for lunch. Want to join me?" she asked and I looked down at the computer. I didn't have a lot of work but I was about to lie to her.

"I know you're not busy," she said and I blushed. Now I couldn't refuse. Besides, I was such a bad liar she was going to see through me right away.

So I nodded and if it was even possible, her smile increased in its intensity. I packed my stuff and saved the document I was working on. Then picked up my purse and phone and stood.

We walked to the elevator together, nobody uttering a word. And I honestly hoped we did not meet Harry on our way down. My feelings were mixed enough as it was. I didn't want to confuse myself even more.

As soon as we got into the elevator, she started speaking. "I'm Pearl, by the way," she said with a sweet smile. It seemed like she was always smiling.

"Um, I'm Iris," I replied awkwardly, rubbing my right hand against my left elbow.

"I know," she said and I smiled, at a loss for what to say.

We stayed silent for a while and I started asking myself why I had even decided to come with her. I hated awkward situations over anything on this Earth.

"So you and Harry?" she asked with a smirk and I frowned a bit.

"Me and Harry?" I asked and as she was about to answer, someone got into the elevator.

"I'll tell you later," she said, then the silence resumed again. I wanted to gouge my eyes out. I was going to spend at least an hour with her. God only knew how awkward it was going to be.

Finally, we got out of the elevator and headed to the parking. I didn't know how she knew I didn't have a car. But she didn't even ask, just motioned for me to get into her car.

I got it and and she turned to me immediately, and I got kind of scared we were going to have an accident because sweetie right here wasn't watching the road.

"So, tell me. What do you think of Harry?" she asked with a mischievous smile and I raised a brow.

Okay, what was this chick up to? Why was she asking all these questions about Harry? It made me think of those two, Josh and Melanie who had approached me before.

"He's a good boss. Efficient–"

"Nah girl. You know that's not what I'm talking about. What do you think of him as a person?" Pearl asked and I peeked at the road that she wasn't bothering to look at.

"Uhm, I don't know him on a personal level. He's just my boss," I said, really and extremely reluctant to reveal details of my life to a total stranger.

Pearl smiled and I was creeped out once again. Her smile was knowing. Like she was aware of something I was not. But she shocked me with her response. All she said was "okay".

"Okay?"

"Yes. Okay," she said with a smile and I let it go. I turned towards the window and stared at the road for a while. Then I widened my eyes in shock and stared back at Pearl. She was heading exactly to the cafe I had met Parker at. And he was the last person I wanted to see on this Earth.

When she parked, I almost felt like my head was going to explode. She had parked right in front of the cafe and there was no doubt that she was planning on getting her lunch there.

"Um, this is where we're going to eat?" I asked, just to make sure. After the weekend, I was not ready for any kind of drama. So I really did not want any encounter with Parker.

"Yes. They have the best coffee. It's too good. And I know it's not lunch, technically. But I can't stay away from it. It's too great," she rambled and I didn't have the heart to tell her I couldn't eat there. So I got out of the car and followed her to the entrance of the cafe.

I started praying and invoking all the gods I could think of, hoping Parker wasn't there. To my greatest surprise, and absolute relief, he wasn't sitting at the counter. So I relaxed my guard and followed Pearl to what was her "usual" table.

When we sat and had passed our orders, she smiled that same knowing smile from earlier. I smiled back, not knowing what else to do.

"So tell me a little bit about yourself," she said, and I was happy that she had not brought Harry into the conversation.

"Well I just moved from–" I started but was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Good day ladies. What can I get you?" It was Parker and he was staring straight at me.

I swallowed and turned to Pearl. I knew I didn't have to feel like I had done something wrong. But after what had happened when we met, I felt really nervous at the thought of meeting him.

"Iris? What will you take?" Pearl asked with a smile and I asked myself if she wasn't feeling the tension. It was quite palpable for me.

"I'm not really hungry. I'll just get a coffee," I said hesitantly, looking at Parker who was still staring fixedly at me.

"You sure?" she asked and I nodded rapidly. "Okay. I'll take the chocolate cupcakes. Ten to go."

I widened my eyes and Pearl said, "Harry is obsessed with them" as an explanation.

I chanced a look at Parker and his demeanor was tensed. I swallowed then nodded at Pearl with a small smile.

He jotted everything down then walked away. I let out a sigh of relief then met Pearl's confused eyes.

"Girl, what was that?" she asked, raising a brow.

"I'll tell you everything. Let's go!" I exclaimed and she laughed. I blushed then turned my head away.

Finally, Parker came with the order and our bill. Before we could leave, he held my hand and said, "Unblock my number"

I nodded quickly so as to get rid of him then walked out briskly. That was a scene I never in my life wanted to relive.

***

Word count: 1358

Hey guys! This is kind of short, late, boring but I promise you the action will start in the next chapter!

Also, my friend and I created a WhatsApp group. It's lit af. If you want to join, just pm me and I'll send you the link 🤗🤗

Love, Essie 🌺