Escalation

I slept like a baby... I mean in the figurative sense, I've heard from Jasper and Minnie that babies actually sleep very poorly. I guess after all of the excitement of yesterday I needed the rest... and that's without mentioning the physical exercise. Thrusting really takes it out of you, one of the many reasons I prefer cunnilingus, what can I say? I'm lazy. This laziness is my main enemy the next morning as I'm forced to go to work again, who knew this thing would be every day? At least it only has to go on until I retire in, like, sixty years.

Employment is an existential crisis.

I fight through my cosmic terror and eventually I'm making my way back into work, kissing goodbye to Elise at the door and catching the bus. It's at this point I realise something. I never mentioned what happened with Ashley. Shit. I got so wrapped up in all the chaos with Elise's parents I forgot about my own biological disappointment. Still, if he listened to what I told him, I shouldn't have to worry. I mean, I only told my boss' fiancé to leave and never return... Okay, maybe I should be worried either way.

I follow the same route as yesterday and soon find myself in the elevator heading back up to the office. I'm a few minutes early, but hey, better that than late. I know Lauren doesn't care, but Moira definitely seems like she would. As the doors open it doesn't look like either is here yet, oh well, I'll get an early start on the reports, might as well make a good impression.

More and more people show up as I tap away on my laptop, I'd set up my desk near the window, not just for a nice view of the street, but it also meant I could spy on people entering and exiting the building. I mean, it can't hurt to see who's coming and going, should mean no surprises like yesterday... Or at least time to prepare for them.

My diligence sadly has another side effect. Boredom. I'm finished with my reports within a couple of hours, and with no sign of the bosses, that leaves me with no work... Laptop solitaire isn't as fun as it was in school either, did I become ambitious overnight or something? Who knows, maybe I just needed something i could properly engage with. I decide to check with reception to see if there's anything I can be doing.

"Ask Lauren and Moira, they're downstairs." Sunny grumbles, not looking up from her phone.

It's only eleven, Lauren in the bar this early makes sense, but Moira? Maybe I misjudged her, and after I told myself off the other day for assuming stuff about people too. I enter the lift and head down to the speakeasy, it's as quiet as yesterday, and sure enough there are my bosses propping up the bar.

"Hey! 'Sup new girl?" Lauren greets me, Moira gives a smile in greeting, before returning to her own laptop. I guess they wanted to work down here today. "Let me guess, reports are done and you were bored?" Damn, she's good.

"Guilty." I admit. "Any chance you need me to do anything?"

Lauren snorts at my request, but Moira looks up with a serious face. "Second day and you're asking for more to do?" She asks, I can't tell if her voice is confused or impressed.

"Told you, M, she's a go-getter. Still waiting on the 'you were right' by the way." Lauren brags.

"Hmm, well, we won't have a new campaign to start preamble on until next week, so feel free to take a half day." Moira states matter-of-factly. "You'll still be paid, but no point you hanging around for no reason."

Wait, seriously?

I came in to do reports that took like an hour and a half?

I feel like an idiot now, no wonder the office is so quiet, the client from yesterday must be the next campaign, and it's not like I can help with contracts and all that.

"You almost look disappointed, it's your own fault for picking it up so quick." Lauren laughs at my reaction. "Surely you must have something else to do today? Go pick up lunch for the missus or something" She continues, taking a swig from what, surprisingly, looks like non-alcoholic beer. I guess even Lauren has limits.

I thank them and make my exit, followed closely by my exit from the building. Well this is unexpected. I have free time. I'd say I can revise in the library, but... Well, nothing to revise for... Well, except that one science exam, but let's be honest, I've already got a job, what am I gaining from boosting my grades at this point? I pull out my phone and before I realise what I'm doing I instinctively call Elise.

"Are you slacking off from work?" She jokes, answering her phone.

"Corporately mandated slacking off, they've got nothing for me to do so they gave me the day off, wanna get some lunch?" I enquire.

"Yes!" She answers immediately, catching me off guard. "Sorry, yes! I'm shopping at the minute, I tried to invite Rouge and Trish but they both said they're 'busy today' which... I don't want to know about, so it's perfect timing."

Today does seem to be going that way. I suppose I'm owed a nice easy day.

*

Lunch with Elise is amazing, it's been too long since we had a proper date, there's always drama, or things to do, or other people. Just sitting and eating together feels liberating. We stop in at a couple of shops, both picking up a couple of new articles of clothing, and then head for the bus.

"So, I had a chance to look at flats, there's not much, but there's a couple that are perfect for us." Elise smiles as we sit down on the vehicle. "One's not far from Jasper and Minnie's, the other's further out, but it's cheaper." She continues, bringing up pictures of the properties. I know I should be looking at our future homes, but I can't help staring at the glee in her eyes as she talks about them.

"I'm really glad you're staying." I blurt out. Damn it, idiot, she doesn't want to be reminded her parents are leaving.

Elise stops her gushing over the apartments and meets my gaze. "Only you thought I was leaving, everyone else knew we'd never be apart." She corrects me with a smirk.

"Not true, Rouge wasn't sure either!" I argue. I mean, I know full well Rouge probably figured that out and just wanted to make me let my feelings out, but she didn't outright say that so I'm claiming it. "Besides, I just mean... I'm really happy that we're doing this."

Elise just responds by kissing my forehead and pulling me in for a hug. It's so comfy I almost don't realise we're about to miss our stop. I frantically ring the bell and we hurry off the bus, apologising to the driver as we leave. As mortifying as that was, we can't help but laugh as we head into the house, only we could literally forget the world exists.

"Girls..." My mother's voice whimpers. I look to it's origin and I see the worried face of my Mum, peeking out from the living room. "Could you... Could you come in here?" She requests. She doesn't sound angry, more... Frightened. We follow her into the living room and see another figure. The figure of a man who has a bad habit of appearing when I least expect him. "Scarlet, this... This is your father." Mum forces the words from her lips, trembling with each syllable.

Ashley turns to look at me from the sofa.

"Hello, sweetheart, it's nice to finally meet you."