Chapter 7: Possessiveness over someone else wife

Elliot’s POV

"Have a seat."

I said to Sophie as she came in, gesturing to the empty seat at the other end of my table. This was supposed to be the part where I gave her a formal and concise orientation about the modus operandi of her new job. And also rant endlessly and confidently about the dos and don’ts of the company and what you want her to focus on right now as the company's financial analyst.

It was the normal company bureaucracy. Something I could say I’ve done well over 30 times in the past. But from the moment Sophie stepped in, I could already sense that this meeting was doomed to be different from others. I felt awkward.

"Thank you,"

She said quickly before she took her seat. She assumed a straight, square-bodied sitting posture; her buttocks were placed at the edge, and her back did not touch the rail of the chair.

Looking at her from such a close angle, it was even harder now to believe that this young lady with her taunt curves and firm breasts had even given birth to one child, let alone three triplets—three separate people all at once! Unbelievable.

She was just too shapely to be a mother, too perfect, too supple, too...

"Mr Harrington?"

Sophie's voice brought me back to the present; she even had to tap my arm repeatedly before I could hear her call my name.

"Oh yes, yes," I said incoherently.

And because I had been so lost in my daydreaming and my thoughts were still so uncoordinated, the next thing that came out of my mouth was:

"Are you sure the kids are yours?"

"What? I beg your pardon." Sophie queried, knotting her eyebrows to give a puzzled look.

"I eh...." I stammered, unable to form a proper word.

I muddled my fingers around, staring back dumbly, trying in vain to quickly come up with a reasonable comeback that would not sound even weirder.

Then, more understandingly, she freed her eyebrows and said,

"If it's about the kids, you don't have to worry; my kids won't be coming with me to work. I can...."

"Not at all, not at all." I quickly cut in, shaking my head in disagreement. "That's not what I meant, ok? Your kids are free to come here anytime."

Seriously, what is coming out of my mouth? Children in the company?

I took a deep breath and said, "Follow me." Beckoning with one hand and standing up to my feet.

"Let me show you to your office. It’s not too far from here."

We made our way from her office through the waiting room.

And at the far end, I saw that same guy—Sophie's husband—sitting in a corner idly and pressing a phone. My blood immediately started to boil, and my eyes reddened.

What was his deal, by the way? Must he always hang around her like some sort of satellite? I mean, should he go shrink or something? I could hear myself breathing heavily. His presence had really triggered some nerves. I had to quickly pinch myself back to sanity.

I ran my finger through my hair. "What is wrong with you, Elliot? Why this level of possessiveness over someone else's wife?"

Sophie's office was the room at the corner that had its thick sheeted glass door slightly opened, exposing a brown filing cabinet and a dark walnut bookcase lining the entire left-hand wall.

"Here we are," I said as we got inside. Spreading my arms in the empty air, my voice sounded too fake and charismatic even to me, too eager to please her.

What is happening to me for crying out loud? She's my employee, and I need to get hold of myself.

"Thank you," Sophie said weakly, looking around halfheartedly. Her heels are easy on the lush rugs.

It was at that moment that the man again, whom I now believe to be her husband, joined us in the room. The door had not been locked, so he didn't have to knock, but inside me, I still wish he had.

"Hi," he said to Sophie with a smile, and I scoffed.

"Hi," Sophie responded equally. Then there is an uneasy silence.

I know at this point I am the elephant in the room and I’m supposed to walk out, but for some weird reason, I couldn't just move. I kept my gaze on her so-called husband. Sophie is too perfect for someone like him; she needed someone like...

Then Sophie cleared her throat and asked, "Anything else Mr Harrington?"

"Oh..oh nothing. Hav…" I stuttered, walking toward the door.

"Have a great day." I managed to say before I excused myself and pushed the door gently closed.

But I had not gone too far, or should I say, I had not gone at all. I stood just outside the door, so I could overhear their conversation, if any, and I did overhear a bit.

"Where are the kids?" It was Sophie's voice.

"They wanted to use the restroom." The man responded.

"You know they can be funny." Sophie sounded like she was laughing. The man also started to laugh at what she had said until both of them were laughing. I wonder if the two were kissing each other. I think I need to lay some ground rules for Sophie tomorrow.

It was the right cue I needed because I started to walk back soberly as soon as I heard it.

I strolled weakly past the hallway, past the waiting room, and back into my office. On entering my office, sitting on my personal rotating chair was Olivia, my girlfriend, or better yet, my self-acclaimed girlfriend.

"What are you doing here?" I said almost in a whisper.

The first three buttons on her patterned sleeve shirt were loose. She did one more spin on the chair before she stood up silently and slowly started to walk towards me while I looked on, quietly watching her, but my mind was not silent. Too many thoughts bubbled over themselves. Too many suggestions about what was more appropriate—shoving her aside when she came close or just waiting to hear what she wanted to say. Sometimes I still wonder if this was that innocent yet mysterious girl I met that fateful night five years ago. A lot has changed about her, or, should I say, somehow she has not really lived up to my expectations of her. Maybe I had expected too much from a total stranger.

When she was close enough, she gave me a peck on the cheek. It irritated me and sickened me.

It came with the feeling of a tropical insect crawling wet all over my skin.

"I said what do you want?"

I could not help but shout this time, my voice stretching as far back as the hallway and bouncing back with echoes.