Chapter 85

I storm through my front door, my briefcase sling over my shoulder, and make a beeline for my office. I have a lot of work to do and couldn't afford to waste any time. As I pass through the kitchen, I hear Clarisse's voice calling out to me, but I ignore her, not wanting to be distracted from my task.

"Hey, Ben! Where are you off to?" Clarisse call out, her voice following me into the hallway. "Are you okay? You look a bit flustered."

I grit on my teeth, feeling my irritation grow. I have forgotten that Clarisse is staying with me for a few days, and now she is bothering me at the worst possible time. I do not have time for this. "I'm fine, Clarisse," he call back over my shoulder, not stopping to acknowledge her. "I have a lot of work to do."

Clarisse's voice follow me into the office, her footsteps padding behind me. "But Ben, you're not even going to say hello? You're just going to ignore me?"

I sigh, my frustration growing. Why couldn't she just leave me alone? I have important