Rita had had enough of being cooped up inside. It was not that there was not enough entertainment and comfort but she felt there was too much. It was her inner workaholic talking.
She had spent the better part of last week getting herself a new phone, getting a hold of her finances and getting her car, not the company one, into tip top shape. It was a grueling process and she might have fainted one or two times but she figured if she could not go to the office then she would put most of her energy into the bakery until it was time to go back.
Since she could not driver herself just yet, she hired a driver. She had called Matthew to tell him that she was coming, excited to talk to him and to see her bakery but instead Marisol picked up the phone. She had sounded so agressive over the line till she found out she was talking to her. Her boss.
Rita was not the least bit happy. If that was how Marisol was talking to her over the phone–over Matthew's phone–then she was truly afraid of what happened when a client or a customer called.
When Rita saw the long line outside, she could not figure out if she should be happy or less enthusiastic. She walked in found a pleasant and unexpected surprise.
“Good morning Rita.”
Her eyes met Kalzaar standing by the counter. A smile on his lips, shining greatly in his misty purple eyes. “Good morning Kalzaar. What an unexpected surprise.”
“I think the unexpected surprise is getting to finally see you today. And I find it a really nice one.”
She flushed. “Oh stop it.” She did not really need all so much blood rushing to her face.
His smile gradually fell from his lips, replaced with a relieved look. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I'm feeling better. Much better than the last time that's for sure.” Rita smiled. “How are you? Have you ordered your usual yet?” she asked.
“You are the one that has been in the hospital for more than a week and you are asking me how I am feeling? Considering what you went through I am as fit as dragon.” The mention of the word 'dragon' made her remember Wahim and she felt like tucking herself into a ball.
“I have ordered my usual and a few other things. Are you sure you are feeling good enough to be here this morning?”
“Yeah, I'm okay.” She was not but she was trying her best to be. She hoped he was not a lie detector.
Concern crossed Kalzaar's features. “You sure, you look like you need to sit down.”
Maybe she did. “I will but when I'm in my office.”
She saw Matthew come out from inside. He looked upset. “After I have a talk with my manager first.”
He looked at her and shook his head. “Your are a workaholic, you know that right?”
“Yup, that's me.” she grinned.
Kalzaar chuckled, the sound of it making her heart beat a mile a minute. “Ok, just promise me you will not be too hard on yourself.”
She nodded, at the same time telling herself to stop reacting like a teenager. He could probably hear her heart beating like crazy loud and clear. “I promise.”
“Sir, your order is ready.” Wendy said. Kalzaar turned to her and took the bags.
“Thank you.”
With the bag in his hand he turned to Rita. “I will be on my way now, work has been a beast. See you around Rita.” He wved goodbye and made for the door.
She waved back. “You too Kalzaar.”
She watched him leave the door and then turn back to the counter to find Matthew emerged in the other side. The upset expression on his face gone and replaced with a happy one.
“Good morning boss. It's great to see you again. How's your head?”
Indicating to the bandage around her noggin.
“Morning Matthew. My head's fine. Can I talk to you and Marisol for a minute?”
The look on Matthew's face was one of apprehension and resignation. “Sure.”
“Go get her. I will be waiting in the office.” she said, walking around him and making her way behind the counter.
“Sure, I'll get her right away.” he said with resignation in his voice as he trailed behind.
*****
Seven minutes later Marisol and Matthew stood before her in the Manager's office.
“Marisol, I want to know why you were so rude and aggressive over the phone? And why you had Matthew's phone in the first place?”
Marisol with her red locks and aqua green eyes remained quiet.
Rita folded her arms against her chest and leaned back into the chair. “I'm waiting Marisol.”
Marisol played with her lower lip before answering. “Well I–I wanted to know if Matthew was cheating on me.”
Matthew looked like his eyes would pop out. And Rita raised her eyebrow. “That doesn't answer my first question. And i didn't know you and Marisol were a thing.”
“That's because we are not.” Matthew said. The expression on his face turned shock to anger.
Marisol looked at him, her eyes glistening with tears about to break. “How could you say that?”
Matthew looked at Rita, his eyes pleasinf with her to believe him. “Because it's the truth.”
The drama here was too much. She is not present for a few weekends and this is what she meets on her first day back. “Hold on a minute the both of you. When did this start Marisol?”
Marisol wiped her tears and replied. “At a party nearly a month ago. He said he wanted to be with me.”
Rita turned to her manager. “Matthew, what do you have to say about that?”
“We were at the party, yes I admit that, but I never said anything like that. I swear.” he pleaded.
“Yes, you did! And now you want to blow me over because of her!” Marisol screamed. Red feathers jutting out of her skin, eyes changing, the aqua green spreading like dye across the whites.
In response, Matthew's teeth lengthened his nails did the same. “Biola has nothing to do with this! Stay away from her!”
“Then she should stay away from you! You're mine!”
“The both of you zip it and maintain your composure before I get a frying pan!” Rita shouted.
She came here to work but she guessed it was to play Jerry Springer.
“Marisol leave. And by leave I don't mean standing outside the door and eaves dropping.” Marisol grumbled, her feathers rattling. She stayed put.
“Leave now or you're fired Marisol.”
Marisol let out a hiss and Rita could not tell if it was at her or Matthew but she left and slammed the door.
She looked at Matthew, his teeth and nails returning back to human form.
“Now Matthew walk me through what happened carefully.”
*****
Max and Samuel got into the car and drove away from the bakery after paying. They were silent throughout the whole drive. Their minds on the guy that walked into the bakery. Samuel's mind mostly going to what connection Rita and the man had. Max had seen his face, he would give him the details when they got to his apartment.
“So who is she?” Max asked.
Samuel did not take his eyes off the road. “She is my personal assistant.”
“I know that. I gave you the details on the bakery when you asked. I meant who is she to you?”
Samuel swirved past another driver and continued down the road. “I just told you.”
“She is more than that. Hell, if she weren't you would not have reacted that way in there when she came in and started talking to that guy and would not have that look on your face right now.”
Samuel said nothing, just stepped on the accelerator.
“You're whipped aren't you?” Max said, the realization, making his voice low.
Samuel took his eyes off the road to look Max, non-verbally telling him to shut up and looked back to the road.
Max did not take the hint and made his voice loud and clear. “And your wolf is too.”
Samuel looked at Max again, this time through the rearview mirror. His eyes brimming with gold and not at all human.
Max looked at him wide eyed. “Christ.” he muttered finally before keeping lips shut.