How Do You Frustrate Your Ex? Fall Into His Arms? Or Undermine His Authority?
How Do You Frustrate Your Ex? Fall Into His Arms? Or Undermine His Authority?
Day 121 of The Andie Chronicles
“You’re going to have to stand back folks.”
I didn’t realise the iconic Melbourne building, 101 Collins, had so many security guards until the lifts ceased moving.
Entitled office workers advanced through the foyer like confused ants. I became caught up in the vortex of impolite pushing to the two lifts still functioning.
It was a like being amongst savages, all willing to sacrifice each other in order to get to work faster.
I pitied the masses. Well, I couldn’t understand their panic. I was in zero hurry to return to my torture chamber, otherwise known as my office, and I couldn’t imagine why anyone else would want to hurry to theirs.
I knew this was a juvenile thought.
People did love working for the man, working in these big towers. Not everyone wanted to be like me, in my makeshift office, with my big ideas and a will to get it right.
Letting a few desperate faces into the lift before me, I finally found a free spot and was moving slowly towards the top floor.
As the door opened into the office foyer, I noticed Douglas standing there, holding a file in one hand and squeezing his hip with the other. I stepped out, hoping to move past him without conversing.
It was the first time I had seen him since sharing this place with my ex. If I hadn’t seen him, I would have smelt him. Doused in his familiar earthy, wooded cologne, I could still taste his skin on my lips.
And as I attempted to suppress the memory of his body against mine, I felt the warmth of his arm present itself in front of me. My chest collided with it, my arms clutching onto the wool sleeve, saving myself from falling.
I didn’t recognise the suit, but I knew it would have been one from Harrolds. He had an account there. It was probably Tom Ford or a designer like that.
I stumbled back and out of his grip. If I held onto his body any longer, I would feel the muscles that would hold my naked body up against his.
I would be reminded of how we would spend an entire night pressed up to the side of his ensuite spa bath, the size of a plunge pool, our bodies colliding together.
There was no way I could let myself remember that.
Douglas threw down the papers he was holding and folded his arms across his chest. He puffed out his chest, a pose that didn’t suit him.
“What fucking time do you call this?”
He wasn’t joking. I hadn’t looked at the time, either. I had no idea how late I was.
“The lifts were out.” My response was calm; it wasn’t an excuse. In my mind, I didn’t need to explain myself.
“Everyone else managed to get here on time.” I could hear the whispers of the office humming along.
“Good for them,” I replied. “Do they get a medal?”
Despite my facade, I felt the tears well in my eyes, yesterday’s downpour ready to recommence. “Get the hell out of my sight. And never be later again.”
As I took each step away from him, I couldn’t reconcile how I ever felt like I might love him.
I hated him so much.
I hated this situation so much.
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