Always giving her flowers, gifts, and chocolates, like they were some kind of high school teenage lovers.
However, they have some things going on between them... it might get serious.
His stare was different; anger flashed in his eyes, and also, his face squeezed.
Normally it should be admiration and those soft, flirty smiles that made her heart warm.
But it was nothing close to that.
"The fuck is going on!" She cursed under her breath.
She was very sure no one had seen her with Derek. Definitely that wasn't the issue right now.
A lot has happened in the previous week.
They may have realised how uncomfortable the stares made her feel and immediately got back to their laptops.
She exhaled and walked to her desk, her eyes sternly looking at Elysian for explanations as she sat at her office chair.
Elysian, her best friend for years.
"What?" Elysian said, lips curled, eyes wide.
"I'm supposed to be asking you that, bitch!"
Elysian looked confused, like she didn't understand what was going on.
Nevertheless, Elysian eyes were on her like others.
She leaned close to Elysian; they both had their desks arranged on the same row.
Elysian whispered. "Tell me the hell why you all were staring at me like an outcast when I entered."
"You both fought?"
"Is this exactly a question or an answer, Ely?" Melissa lashed out angrily.
"Fuck off, girl! I won't say a word."
There was a thick silence. Mellisa knew she had provoked Ely, who was more hot-tempered than she was.
Melissa cleared her throat and brought out a red lip gloss. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. Take this; you asked for it."
Elysian angled her head to Mellisa, and her face lit up seeing what it was; she quickly snatched it from Mellisa.
"Thank you so much, Melllll." She screamed, drawing the attention of others.
Melissa stretched her hands and tapped Elysian to control herself.
She realised herself and went cool. "You know ball, girl." Elysian pouted and shoved the red lip gloss inside her bag.
It was worth $2000. Knox got two for Mellisa, and she asked her for one.
Most times, Mellisa and other coworkers wondered if his pay cheque was the same as theirs. He was too expensive.
Fishy, right?
"Just an answer to my question, girl." Melissa persisted.
"Work time, girl. Wait until it breaks."
Shit!" Melissa groaned, gnashing her teeth; curiosity was killing her.
She checked, and it was a few minutes before break time.
However, Mellisa was still trying to figure out what the word "fought" meant in her context and with whom.
~~THREE HOURS LATER~~
Everyone has left the office for the staff canteen.
"Ely, are you still typing? What the fuck have you been on ever since?" Melissa scoffed.
"Be patient, girl; what you're about to hear isn't a good one." Ely said, chuckling-not looking up.
"I don't mind!" Melissa's voice was sharp, even though her heart skipped.
"Shut it down and come tell me what I want to know," Melissa said, slamming the laptop shut, trapping Ely's finger in the process.
"Ouch!"
"You deserve that and more."
Ely untrapped her fingers and gave Melissa a playful look. "Oh well, sit, girl."
Melissa sat too quickly.
"You're acting guilty," Ely said.
"Guilty of what?"
"The drama he displayed."
Of course, she knew the HE she meant.
'KNOX', the extremely obsessed gods.
"And what was that he displayed?" Melissa at this point was very confused.
Then, her head drifted back to how he looked so angry.
"How'd you ask me if we fought?"
Everything was logical yet confusing at the same time.
"Watch me." Ely said, rising to her feet.
Melissa's eyes were glued on her. Ely literally exited the office and slammed the door.
"The fuck! This Bi-"
She wasn't done when the outburst slammed.
"Damn! Fuck! She's secretly seeing someone? Really! I've been a fool all this while. I caught her sneaking in there with him." It was Elysian yelling and mimicking whatever Knox had done. Obviously.
"The display." Elysian said and burst out laughing... while it dawned on Melissa.
"Wait... he saw us?" Melissa stuttered, trying to assimilate Elys's action.
"Yes, he actually did. And who was that?"
"DEREK!"
"DEREK? You started seeing that arsehole?
"No, Ely."
"Then?"
"It's complicated." She sighed, "You know I can never fold for that asshole."
"Whatever, girl. Knox is pissed. I've always told you-make it clear to him that..."
Just then Melissa's ringing tone pierced the air... leaving whatever Elysian has to say hanging.
'SCHOOL PROPRIETOR' flashed on the screen.
School was still in session; she had to pick up to know what the issue was.
"Hello. Am I speaking to Ms Mellisa?
"Yes, ma'am." Melissa's voice cracked, maybe due to what just happened.
"Ms, please rush to the Crestwood hospital right away; one of the twins fainted and was rushed there in an emergency."
"What? Fainted?" The word tastes like ash.
"What?" Elysian gasped.
"Please. Hurry."
Beep beep... the line died.
Melissa quickly grabbed her bag and her phone. "I'm off! My kids! Please, inform the CEO!"
"I'll inform Knox about it...."
Melissa didn't wait to hear what Ely had to say; she bolted out so fast.
But she knows this: Knox doesn't play with her kids; he'll definitely come around.
They'd sort out that silly thought he had about her and Derek.
Derek was her ex, and he remained her ex. His time has expired in her life and that of her kids.
He is never going to get to know them either.