The Contract Marriage.

de

6 o’clock Emily is already w

rplexed look before unloc

onally avoiding eye contact with me. Lately, she’s been a

. As we stand in the elevator, I feel awkward, and I don’t g

ce her bloodshot, circle-shad

“Emily, what is going on? Are y

esn’t seem like the trouble-making type

hair falling into her face as she says, “no

il sign she’s lying. I’m very observant and I know the s

ng her into the corner. She takes in a shaky breath as she lo

as I ask. “I can’t help you em If you don’t tel

rs slumping. “Someone dropped be

king for the sign she is lying. “Why h

etting irritated with my questions. “Si

ssed me off through clenched teeth I say “

y work is not affected. Could you please push start instead of askin

ction turn and press start, she’s right I shouldn’t be asking her as long as she does her

g over my shoulder “buy some new clothes, then you can

oor. I take my suit jacket off, roll my sle

t kidnapped by some guy who’s stalking her. In the end she. escapes. That’s all I

what she wants. For the next two hours, Emily will make ca

owing my shower suggestion. The only thing I’ve added was a bathro

“I didn’t ask for you

trying to help but honestly I don’t need it but I appreciate your concern for me and second I got some

the same. I reply, “Sorry for asking about your personal life.” I

as she says “th

ches on and the most unprofessional thought of Emily pops into my mind of her

on I’ve never experienced before. I shake my he

out to leave my office on the phone? Rings, ha

your brother here. He would like

taken up a bad habit ever since my father died drinking and d

away,

nto my office. He’s become a dirty. fucker the last couple of months, I will. Protect

orward with my hands clasped together, waiting

grey sweats. He doesn’t give a fuck any more than he u

ing for him to speak, which takes all

I’m not in the mood to pretend he cares. “let’s get r

hile scratching his arm. “W

of Emily. Three years of loy

I will give you. Stay away from my assistant. Any attempt to l

hands up in surrender “I dint mean to

away, walking towards my window to see the downtown traffic on the top fl

e glass I say “how mu

he shifts in his seat. “I won’t aft

I clench my teeth

at before he says,

him I slide it across my desk holding it down with my pointer finger as I look at him “this is the last time I’m giv

m IT to me a

my finger, I say “go to fucking rehab Get yourself clean Emm

’t need to. I’m fine. This isn’t for

I can’t force him. Unless he seeks

bathroom door opens and Emily

as he says, “no wonder you’r

I mutter, “You got wh

w you’re screwing your assistant? It makes sense w

he reaction I want to give him is a throttling and wat

. Someone might report this, and she could lose her

ite my tongue. I struggle to remain

nd I won’t start now. He walks out

nned to her head while the makeup she was we

her, “what are you still doing in here?

yes wide. I shake my head as I take a seat tha