I watch her walk around the office with her head held high, as she talks to other employees. Over the last couple of months, Alsie and I didn't speak as much—hell I don't think we ever did before. We spoke during our daughter Vanessa's funeral—everything else was work related in a sense. Once she was released from the hospital, she stayed out of work for six months. Those six months were so unbearable. Not knowing what and how she was doing, drove me insane for a while. I know she wanted space and didn't want to deal with me—with us anymore, but I just couldn't ignore the feelings that were brewing inside of me. I've made it known plenty of times to Alsie that I wanted her. I've made it known she was the woman for me. Yet, she repeated what she said in the hospital two years ago.

"You keep staring she is going to file a harassment complaint." Caroline taps my shoulder. "You can always just go up and talk to her. I'm pretty sure she wants to talk to you too."

I reluctantly look away from Alsie to Caroline. "Do you have anything work-related you want to discuss with me? If not get back to work. I don't pay you to gossip."

"You wanted to gossip last week—if I remember correctly you wanted to know who that guy was that picked Alsie up. I guess I shouldn't tell you what I found out." She shrugs walking off. I grab her elbow ushering her into my office, and closing the door behind us. Caroline laughs.

"Who is he?" I notice the guy two months ago and thought nothing of it until I spotted him again and again. I told security to keep an eye out for him. Then was informed that Alsie knows the man. I tried my hardest to ignore it. Not caring. I slept with my fair share of women to help forget Alsie—nothing worked. Who I want—no need is Alsie. I'll be 40 in three years and the feeling to settle down is burning within.

"Hate to say this, but Alsie got a boyfriend. So, I think you should channel all that energy into finding someone else." Caroline looks at me, pity in her eyes. "I'm sure—"

A knock at my door cuts our conversation short. It's Alsie.

"Come in," I say.

She walks in wearing that red form-fitting dress that stops right above her knee. I should have noticed the change in her. Alsie's choice of clothing changed slightly over the last month. She went from wearing loose clothes to more fitting—slightly revealing yet still work-appropriate. I move behind my desk taking a seat as Caroline walks out of my office. Alsie stands there awkwardly.

"Did you need anything?" I say a little too aggressively. Just the thought of another man making love to her is sending me over the edge.

"Yes..." she starts to talk about the new project that we just took over. I nod my head listening to what she is asking of me. But all I can picture is her making love to another. I hold up my hand stopping her mid-sentence.

"Are you free tonight?"

Alsie looks at me with wide eyes. "Tonight? For?"

"Dinner," I say honestly.

"Uh—umm. I can't, I have plans." She says nervously.

"With your boyfriend." This time I don't care how jealous I sound.

"I believe that's none of your business." She snaps.

"You're still my business." I stand up walking around the desk. "You and I know that we belong together." I stand a few inches away from her. She shivers. "Why won't you tell me, what I did wrong? We've already established Zoey isn't my child. Don't think I didn't know that was your reason behind those words all those years ago. A little birdie told me. I never thought Zoey was my child, but a pawn in the game your sister likes to play. You never gave me a chance, you took it upon—"

"The past is in the past. I have a boyfriend. I moved on and you should too." She dips her head looking at the floor.

I gently grab her chin lifting her head up to look me in the eyes. "Is that what you truly want?"

She nods her head.

So, this was it.

"Okay." I clear my throat, walking back behind my desk. "I will have all the necessary paperwork for you. You can send Emile over to get it from me by the end of the day. Anything else?"

"No sir, that will be all." She says.

"You can go." I turn my attention to the computer and began to bury myself in more work.

****

"Emile is here to see you." Caroline's voice blares through the speakers.

Emile is Alsie's secretary. She was hired a year ago and I haven't heard any complaints about her. She is an older woman, I want to say around a few years younger than Caroline, but looking at her you would think she is younger. Emile gets the job done. Very efficient and doesn't gossip. I joked around with Caroline telling her I think I want to switch secretaries and she chewed me out for a week straight.

"She can come in," I say.

Emile walks in wearing a green dress and I raise my eyebrows in shock. Not saying anything is wrong with her attire, but Emile's work attire—seemed like she only wore black. My reaction didn't go unnoticed because she chuckles. I apologize, handing her the files that Alsie requested. She thanks me and start for the door, but stops.

"Mr. Reed, I know this might get me fired..."

"Then don't say it. I would hate for Alise to lose an amazing secretary." I say.

"Right." She smiles, shaking her head. "Actually, close mouths don't get fed. I was wondering if you would like to grab dinner? I know you're a busy man and Alsie reminds me of that every day. So, never mind." She rambles, rushing out of my office.

What?

I go back to working and kept replaying what Emile said over and over. I glance at the clock on my desk, my eyes landing on the sonogram of Vanessa. Alsie was nice enough to allow me to have two and I place one in a frame on my desk and the other in my wallet. I miss you, baby girl.

4:47 pm.

I wrap up my things and make my way to Emile's desk. I see she isn't there, but hear her voice coming from Alise's office. Knocking on the open door. I see the two of them at her desk, going over some files. Emile looks over at me first, followed by Emile.

"Can I help you, Mr. Reed?" Alise speaks up.

"I came to talk to Emile," I answer. "Can I talk to you in private?"

"Oh sure," she looks back at Alise and Alsie nods her head. I mentally roll my eyes, stepping out of the office. Emile comes out and I close the door. "Is everything okay, Mr. Reed?"

"Closed mouths don't get fed, right?" I look down at her and she slowly nods her head. "I will pick you up at 8 tonight."

"You don't have to. I should have never said anything. Alsie—"

Alsie opens her office. "Are you two done?"

I don't break eye contact with Emile as I tell her again 8 pm. Ignoring Alsie I walk down the hallway. I have no clue what in the hell I'm doing, but if Alise wants me to move on I will. Whether it's with her secretary or someone my mother keeps pushing on me.

I will move on just as she has done.

⚠⚠