No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

The amusement park was almost finished, and I didn't want to leave when things were so critical.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Around noon, as I was sorting through my workload, Deborah came running up with a secretive air. "Felicia, did you get your period last night?" I glanced at her. "Is there a reason I shouldn't?"

"No, no," Deborah shook her head vigorously. "I was wondering why Mr. Wagner's been so upset today. Must be his frustrated desires."

It took me a moment before I got what she meant. I tapped her on the head with my pen. "Focus on work during work hours. Cut out the wild thoughts."

Deborah giggled and handed me the report we'd both reviewed the day before. "It's not just me. Everyone's been on edge with Mr. Wagner snapping at them. No one's come out of his office smiling today."

Images of Conrad angrily tossing away a bouquet of roses that morning flashed through my mind. I wondered if his sour mood was because I hadn't been as easy to appease as usual or because of our breakup conversation.

"Felicia, you didn't fight with Mr. Wagner, right?" Deborah pried.

Snapping back to reality, I warned her, "Get back to work, or you'll be the next one crying."

After Deborah left, I spaced out for a while before refocusing on my tasks and sending the revised report to Conrad.

He didn't respond, and I didn't press the issue.

At three in the afternoon, I went to the break room for coffee and bumped into Conrad. His face was as stormy as Deborah had described, darkening further when he saw me.

Still, I greeted him. "Mr. Wagner, I've sent the report. Please review it so I can get back to our partners."

He ignored me and walked away.

I didn't take it to heart. Just as I returned to my office, my phone rang with an unknown number. "Hello?"

"Felicia, it's me," came Haley's voice.

I wondered what Haley wanted with me so soon after we'd last met. Before I could ask, she said, "I'm at the coffee shop downstairs from your office. Can we meet?"

"We just saw each other last night. I'm at work now, so whatever it is, say it over the phone," I declined.

Haley didn't give up. "Then I'll wait for you to finish."

I underestimated her stubbornness. But I knew it was just her way of forcing a meeting. I didn't indulge her. "Well, you'll be waiting then."

And I meant it. I carried on with my tasks.

After everyone had left and I finally headed downstairs to the coffee shop, I found Haley was still waiting. As I approached, familiar footsteps sounded behind me, and Conrad strede past me toward Haley.

"Rad!" Haley's excitement mixed with panic.

"Why are you here?" Conrad's face was still sour.

I couldn't just turn around and leave. "Haley came to see me."

Conrad's expression turned even colder. Haley hurried to explain, "Rad, don't get it wrong. I came to explain about last night to Felicia. I don't want any misunderstandings between you two because of me."

I couldn't help but inwardly laugh. Haley was full of schemes. She had deliberately left to ruin my date with Conrad the previous night, and there she was, playing the peacemaker.

"Your concern for my relationship

with her is unnecessary. If you truly

don't want there to be an issue between us, you should stay home more often and not wander around," Conrad's scolding caught me off

guard. off