I watched her as she typed something on her computer before she glanced up towards me. She looked surprised, but she was able to compose herself. "Andy, you're late," she pointed out casually.
"I'm sorry for my tardiness, Ms. Maxwell. I woke up late this morning. Can I give you the letter this afternoon instead?" I asked shyly.
"Sure. Take your time. There is no need to rush. I'm here all day today," she replied.
"Thank you," I nodded briefly as I turned to exit the room.
"Oh! Andy … Can you tell William that we'll have a meeting later at two pm?" She called, making me stop mid-stride as I got half way out of the door.
I looked back and nodded in reply, ambushed by her words. I stared at her for a second before getting out of the room. I quickly made my way towards my desk and slumped down on my chair as I let out a frustrated breath. Maggie looked at me with a curious look when I exited Alexandra's office.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked worriedly.
"It's nothing. Is William in his office?" I asked wearily and stood up from my chair.
"He's inside. Just knock and go in," she replied and gestured towards his office.
I nodded briefly before I slowly walked towards his office door, giving it a soft knock. I couldn't believe I was going to see him willingly today for the first time, but it was not really willing since it was for work.
"Excuse me, Mr. Maxwell," I called as I entered his office. "Ms. Maxwell told me to tell you about the meeting at two p.m," I continued after a short pause. I tried to keep my tone professional.
"Andy, you're here," he stated breathlessly as he looked up towards me, finally giving me his full attention.
"Uhm … That's all, Mr. Maxwell," I stated sternly after a few seconds of awkward silence when he stayed there, staring at me, from his seat.
"No! Wait! Can I talk to you for a second?" he called aloud and jumped up from his chair when I slowly turned around towards the door.
"I'm busy at the moment, Mr. Maxwell," I lied, not bothering to turn around.
"Where were you last night? And, why were you late this morning?" his loud voice muffled my soft reply.
"That really isn't your business … " I replied with more volume but my voice still sounded breathless.
"If it isn't, then tell me this, who are you avoiding right now?" his voice had a hint of vexation in it.
I felt myself stiffen yet again from his question. I didn't realize my hands balled into fists on my side. "What do you want? You already made your point. Why can't you just leave it?" I countered in the same tone.
"How can I leave it as it is when you are like this?" he replied louder, like he was almost standing behind me.
Then, I felt a hand touch my shoulders and down to the fists on my side. This is when I finally realized the inner anger I held within. However, like a breath of fresh air, that anger was slightly abated by his touch.
"I'm sorry, okay. I'm really sorry for being what I am and for what I did. I don't know how to make it up to you. You can't believe how guilty I feel for what I did. What I told you in the car was all true. Please believe me … " he whispered softly, his warm breath caressed of my hair.
I felt a shiver run through my body at his proximity and the sincerity of his words. But I didn't let it show. I remained rigid as I stood there like a statue. Slowly, I took a necessary step away from him to give myself some room to breathe.
"Even if I don't want to, I do believe you. But the damage has been done," I answered softly.
"What can I do to change that?" he asked desperately.
"I don't know."
I stared at him for a moment, seeing a situation from a past I've almost forgotten. Someone I used to love once played me. He groveled as he asked for another chance. I was weak then, and I did give in. I thought he would change as he had promised. But the second time around, he did it again like the first time never happened. And I don't want a repeat.
I quickly turned the knob on the door and walked out of the room. I thought that William would stop me again, but he didn't. I sighed in relief as I sat back down on my desk. I felt Maggie's eyes trail me, but I tried to stay indifferent under her watchful gaze.
For the rest of the hour, I remained on my desk, thinking on how to type my resignation letter. Also, I was thinking whether to even make it. Even though I've already made the choice, I felt hesitant to proceed. But I had some pride left in me.
When lunch break came, I accepted Maggie's offer to dine together. I didn't want to be alone. I was afraid to be closed off with my thoughts. Maggie was better choice of company if I wanted anyone to distract myself while not being interrogated about my personal life. Though at some point, she may want to ask me about my situation, but she is a woman who knows when to give someone his or her personal space.
Our lunch was uneventful yet comfortable. We talked about the event for this weekend's charity gala, but somewhere around the end of the meal, I think her curiosity got the better of her.
"Andy, I don't want to pry, but is there something wrong? You've been sighing a lot today," she asked worriedly.
"Maggie. Can you keep a secret for me?" I countered shyly, feeling the urge to seek comfort.
"Sure, you look like you are about to tell me something bad … " She nodded and stated pointedly while she studied my expression.
"Do you know about the real job offer that Ms. Maxwell had offered me?" I asked with a little more volume, my voice slightly quivering.
"I think I heard about that … She did mention about a new art curator that would be her temporary secretary," She nodded and gestured for me to continue.
"Yes. That's me … Well, was me … I was going to be the art curator, but I'm refusing the job and quitting my current one altogether. And now that I'm saying this out loud, it seems like a bad idea," I trailed off, disgruntled by my realization.
"You're quitting? Why all of a sudden?" Maggie asked in shock.
"My father is being discharged next week. I thought he wanted to go back, but I was wrong," I replied with refined disappointment.
"So, since you aren't moving back, you're not going to quit?" she asked with a little hope in her voice.
"No. I've already told Ms. Maxwell. I can't take it back without sounding desperate," I replied sadly.
"But what are you going to do? You need to find another job again."
"I have sent my résumé to a few companies. I'll just wait for those, I think … " I sighed heavily in defeat.
"Do you need any help?" she offered with sincerity.
"Well … I need some help with the letter," I lightly chuckled in embarrassment. I don't even know how to properly write a resignation letter, since the job I had in the past weren't as formal as this job. Plus the most recent one I had, it ended with me quitting in front of my boss. I couldn't help but chuckle at that memory.
"What's so funny?" Maggie asked curiously as she lightly laughed with me.
"I just had a little flashback on how I landed this job in the first place. If I didn't do any of those, I wouldn't be here with you at all. I wouldn't be here … " I laughed but trailed off when my thoughts led to William.
Maggie looked at me in wonder as my mood changed yet again. This time she didn't ask what it was about since I already gave her a clue. She gave me a small sad smile before calling the waiter's attention to ask for our bill.
When we got back to work, and on our respective desk, I was about to stand up again to ask Maggie's help with my resignation letter, but then William's door suddenly opened with him by the door while his back is facing us.
"Do you expect me to just let it go? You were the one who messed it all up!" he yelled in anger, his voice ringing on the whole floor.
I flinched as I heard him and turned towards Maggie, watching her do the same. She turned towards me and looked uncertain about the situation. She wouldn't know what this was about since we've been together for the past hour.
"Stop being a child, William and grow up! Just because you can't have things the way you wanted them to be, you're going to blame me!" Alexandra's voice suddenly surfaced from inside William's office, making both Maggie and I looked back.
I saw William's body stiffen as his hand balled into a fist. From the way he was standing and holding the doorknob, I think he was about to slam that door shut and break it at the same time, but he didn't. He left the door opened and turned toward Maggie before his eyes landed on mine.
"Can we talk?" he asked. The tone of his was more commanding than usual.
"If we are going to talk about-" I started but trailed of when he interrupted.
"Yes, we are going to talk about that again if that is the reason you are going to quit," he pointed out. His eyes hardened as he continued to stare me down.