Old Feelings And Jealous Bosses (A)

Matt

It was bad enough that I couldn't discourage Claire from going back to the murderer's house; I also had to deal with my jackass business partner Nathaniel, who just wouldn't stay away from Abigail. Don't get me wrong, I know she doesn't belong to me and she's a free woman; yet it's so annoying to see him all over her. 

Abigail doesn't even like him! I mean, she's definitely not entertaining his flirting. 

But, it would have been a whole lot better if she was speaking properly to me. Forget about speaking properly, she was clearly avoiding me; speaking formally to me, barely touching me. In fact, she only made physically contact with me when she pushed me out of Claire's room, every other time, she either looked away from me or spoke with monosyllables.

I didn't know what her deal was and she also refused to tell me. I felt I did something wrong, but how do I apologise for something I don't even know about?

I walked away to the window and turned to my phone to try distracting myself by calling Nick. I had asked him earlier to follow Claire and make sure nothing goes wrong. I couldn't get over the feeling that it wouldn't be safe for her.

Nick picked up.

"I know what you want to ask and the answer is no. Nothing bad has happened. The kids are just looking through stuff." 

"Okay. Keep me updated. Did Ross give you the gun?"

"Yeah, and you know I've never used that outside practice."

"You'll do fine. I don't think you'll need it though, but if you do, you're a good shot."

"Fine. I'm hanging up." He hung up.

I turned back to Nathaniel and Abigail; his lips were really close to her ear. WTF?! I turn away for two seconds and he's all over her? And why wasn't she pushing him away? I knew she could easily destroy his groin if she wanted.

I was confused.

Abigail never lets Nathaniel this close to her and why won't the jackass just leave? The meeting has been over for twenty minutes now. We were the only ones in the boardroom.

"That's enough." Abigail snapped. Now that's better! Break his nose or something, he's not that important anyway.

"Abby..."

"It's Abigail and I've told you before, this is no place for such mindless flirting." She said as she j my more appropriate. A restaurant, a bar, wherever you want."

"I'm not interested." She said solemnly. Nathaniel inched closer to her, giving her a seductive smile.

"How can you say that, Abby? I've been pouring my heart out to you for over a year now. You're not romantically involved with anyone, so what's the problem?" As his hand was going for her chin, I rushed over to grab it with one quick stride.

"If she said she's not interested, then she's not. I've been quiet and let you do as you please, but it's enough now. This should be..." He jerked his hand away.

"Why are you so bothered? She's not your wife and she's even barely your employee. I mean, what could you possibly pay her? She's worth a billion already."

I got mad.

"Don't..."

"Stop." Abigail spoke above us. "Mr. Newman, you can't speak to my boss that way. We can't talk about personal matters here and..."

"Go on a date with me and I'll never bring our personal matters here again."

"She..."

"Alright, I will."

"Really?"

"You what?" Nathaniel and I said in unison. Abigail avoided my eyes.

"I'll go on a date with you Mr. Newman. Can I have your phone, please?" While they exchanged private numbers, I was still too stunned to mutter any word. It was until Nathaniel left as a happy jerk, that I was able to find words.

"What just happened?"

"Mr. Newman left." She said simply and turned to her wristwatch. "We need to go over the Boston files..."

"Don't you dare talk about work right now. You just agreed to go on a date with that jackass."

"Yes, I did. Is that a problem?" A second wave of shock hit me. WTH?! Did I drop into an alternate universe where Abigail and I are not friends?

"You don't even like him."

"I do. I like his eyes and he's always being nice to me." I shook my head, as if resetting my reasoning.

"This is insane. If you like him that much, why didn't you go out with him all these while? This isn't the first time he has asked you out; this isn't even the hundredth time he's asked you out. So, why now?"

"Because I want to. I still don't understand, why is this a problem?" Yeah, what's my argument? She is a free woman any way. Yet...

"It's hard to process. You've never liked Nathaniel, you said he's annoying."

"That's before I developed a liking for him."

"Developed a..." I paused. "Are you just trying to get me mad? Oh, I know! You're trying to get me jealous." She met my eyes, harsh.

"And why would you be jealous? I'm not your girlfriend or your wife; I'm just your best friend, right?"

"Why are you saying that like it's a bad thing? You don't want to be anymore?"

"Yes, I don't!" She snapped. That's when the third wave hit me and this time, it left a large hole in my heart.

"Why?" My voice was barely audible. My ears were still ringing with her last words.

"I have to go." She turned around sharply to reach for her handbag, but I beat her to it, grabbing her hands and turning her to me. She kept her eyes down.

"You need to answer me. You've been acting strange since yesterday and you've refused to tell me what's wrong. If you want to end our relationship of forever, then you at least owe me an explanation." She slowly looked up at me.

"I owe you? Matthew, I've offered everything I have to you. I have nothing left... you've left me with nothing."

"What are you talking about? I've given you everything too. My..."

"Yes, everything except..." The ringing of my phone cut her off. She jolted as if pulled out of a trance. I quickly reached for the phone. Nick.

"I have to take this." I said hurriedly as I picked up, letting go of her.

"There's a problem." My heart skipped a beat.

"What happened?"

"Frank suddenly appeared and there was a confrontation. I shot him in the leg but he escaped and Claire's unconscious with a broken arm." Fuck!

"The hell?! You were right there... how could you have let Frank hurt her?"

"Frank didn't touch her. There was shuffling and she was caught in the middle of it. I only looked away for a second to take a call and all hell broke loose. Look, I'm sorry about this. I'm taking her home right now."

"Okay, I'll be right there." I hung up and turned to Abigail, but she was gone.

Damn it!

I made my way out of the company, trying not to attract any attention as I made for my car. 

When I got home, Nick's car was nowhere to be found. I called him back.

"Where are you?"

"Chill, Charlotte isn't a minute drive. I'll get there as fast as I..." A pause.

"Claire won't come home today." I heard Antonio's voice instead of Nick's.

"Why not? She needs medical attention. She has to..."

"I've already arranged that. Her uncle will take care of her for the night, you just have to take care of James and make sure he doesn't suspect a thing."

"I don't understand."

"James has Schizophrenia. Stuff like this triggers it and it's bad for him. Just lie to him that Claire misses Tyler or something. Just don't let him miss her."

"You're right. But I have a question for you Antonio."

"I know already. Believe me, I didn't see anything. Jacey did but she wasn't clear when she told us; you know how she can be. I'll fix Claire, I promise. Don't worry about her, she's fine." He hung up. 

I took a few minutes to collect my thoughts and plan a way to distract James, before going into the house. If I'm lucky, I'll have a few hours before James starts asking questions.

"Dad!" Yup! No luck there. James was right behind the door, all dressed up for a stroll with Nanny Reggie. I caught him as he ran up to me for a hug.

"Hi! Going somewhere?"

"Mhmm. Nanny and I are going strolling. Claire isn't back yet, but Nanny says she'll be back before we're done with our stroll." Exactly what I was avoiding.

"Urh, she won't come back today." His face fell immediately.

"Really? But..."

"Don't worry, she'll be back early tomorrow. She just wanted to spend some time with Tyler."

"Not fair! I want to see Jane too."

"You... you will. You'll see Jane soon. You know what? Why don't we invite Jane for a playdate this weekend?"

"Yes yes yes!!!" He scurried down and went to repeat what I said to Reggie.

"Dad? Can you call Abigail? I want her to stay with me tonight." Urh, what now? She's clearly upset, she wouldn't want to be anywhere near me right now. I was busy thinking up a lie when Reggie's phone began to ring.

"It's Ma'am Abigail." Yeah, it's definitely not my day.

"Yay! Gimme, gimme, gimme." Reggie picked up and handed the phone over to James.

"Hi, Abigail." A pause. "I'm okay. But Claire won't be home tonight and I like the way she reads to me. Can you come read to me? You can tuck me in! Please?" A long pause. "Yay! Thank you." He barely handed the phone over to Reggie before skipping around happily.

"Abigail is coming!" And I have an unfinished business with her.