Karma 19

After my classes about how to make coffee and learning about different types. I decided to head to the bar where my workmates are. I had hoped to run into Oliver during the classes but was informed that he wasn’t around. I wanted to thank him for the flowers and chocolate. I am disappointed as I have come to love his company but I guess for now a text will suffice.

As I am busy texting Oliver, I bump into someone and he quickly walks away without acknowledgment. I realize I have seen his face before. He is the skinny guy that was with Cassandra at Achilles Club.

I watch him walk hoping that he looks back and I might be wrong and he is not the one. However, he is determined to get wherever he is going. I try not to think too much about it, especially since someone has been stalking me. It must be a coincidence, I tell myself.

I order Uber to my destination and I have to keep on looking around to ensure that I am not been followed. I have become too paranoid and I have to question my sanity with everything around me. As soon as I walk in Clara waves at me and I make my way toward them.

“Glad you came.” She says and points at an empty seat to sit. Around her are about seven to eight other people. Most of the faces I have seen around the office but never got acquainted with. They acknowledge my presence making me the object of their attention.

“I am going to get a refill, what will you have?” A woman that seems to be in her forties questions me.

“A beer is okay. ” I answer, my eyes unconsciously looking around for anyone that seems suspicious enough to be following me. I make a mental more to make sure I don’t drink a lot to be drunk.

“You have worked with us for days yet know little about you Mrs secretive.” A girl that I have seen hang around Clara speaks.

Good, that’s how I want it to be. I think.

I force a smile and respond, ” What would you like to know?”

The faces around the table glare at me, curious to dig deeper and find out who I am. The problem with humans is once they know they don’t give a shit after.

“There have been rumors, you and Mr. Thorne.” She leans close to the table and says.

I sigh inwardly, They just wanted me here to prod information from me. They are just gossipmongers, it is like high school never ends after high school. Unfortunately, the ugly side of humans starts to blossom in their teen years and they choose to lean on that side as they get older.

“What about?” I ask in an angry tone, although even with my little experience, I know the only rumors that revolve around workplaces are; money, who is sleeping with who, or who is getting fired and promoted.

“You know…” She smiles and it agitates me.

“I don’t know. ” I adamantly state making her cower a bit.

The woman returns with my beer and I gulp it down immediately.

“You must have been wild in college.” She comments.

“I didn’t…” I stop myself when I realize I am about to sell myself out. They all believe I went to college. “I wasn’t.” I correct myself.

“I was and I want to relive it again. She says and takes several shots that are already on the table before she rushes to the dance floor to twerk. The rest join her and I am left with Carla.

“Don’t take Amanda personally her mouth has no breaks,” Clara says and I am surprised she is civil with me.

“Who is Amanda?” I ask.

Clara takes her time to tell me each person’s name and the department they work at. Amanda is the nosey girl and the woman who brought me beer is, Paula.

“Careful with all of them. it is all cliques and that jazz with them. They treat Thorne PR like a popularity contest and they will do anything to get ahead.”

“What about you? Why are you telling me all this? “

“I am content with my position and you should be careful.” A cold chill runs down my spine as I listen to her.

“What do you mean I should be careful? “

“People think you are too close to Mr. Thorne, therefore standing in their way. ” She replies and somehow I sigh relieved that maybe I was wrong and it is not the Thorne family that has been stalking me. After all, it might be just a jealous workmate.

Then I remember a statement she has said more than once, “You did mention that Cassandra and her husband were acting weird. Why?”

“Before you came, they never showed any emotions towards each other. They always acted too formal with each other.”

“Do you think Mr. Thorne has ever cheated on his wife?”

She seems surprised by my question, “What? He may be condescending but I think he cares for his family”

“What about Ava?”

“I don’t know, but I doubt there is anything between them.” She turns to me, “Why are you interested in knowing of this?” She asks.

“Nothing. Just curious.”

*****

“I see you finally came to your senses,” Cassandra says as she opens the door for me.

I did initially refuse her request to stay with them but after my talk with Clara. I want to uncover what the Thorne family hides. I can sense that Cassandra was never fully honest with me, initially. And with such compromised information it is hard to know which step to act on.

“You were right.” I patronize her.

“You have no idea how happy I am that you are here.”

“Me too.” I force the words out.

Chapter 23 is now available at Inkitt.