IN BED WITH THE BOSS

It had been weeks since people got to know about Vivian and Scott, and Vivian was starting to get used to the looks and whispers from people about it. Thankfully, just like all gossip, it was getting old and people weren’t talking about it as much. So she was having an affair with her boss, she wasn’t the first person and she certainly wouldn’t be the last.

Scott on the other hand didn’t seem to care at all about it. But why should he? He was rich, powerful, and he was the boss. No one could say anything to his face if they wanted to keep their job, and honestly, as Vivian continued to spend time with him, she realized that he wasn’t the kind of person who cared what people thought about him so it didn’t even matter.

At times she wished she could be that way. It would make things easier for her. Especially now, as she joined Betty, Linda, George and Michael at the cafeteria.

“Hello,” she greeted them.

“Hello” they all greeted back.

“Hi Vivian,” Betty said cheerfully as Vivian took her seat. “Nice choice. I thought I wanted this damn salad but it turns out that I’m just not the kind of girl who can stick with just veggies for a long period of time”

“I told you didn’t need to, but you didn’t listen” George chipped in.

“I thought you promised to be supportive?” Betty asked him.

“And this is me being supportive” George retorted.

Linda, George and Michael had returned her greeting, but Vivian could still sense some awkwardness as she hadn’t really been hanging out with them since the news of her and Scott broke out. Of course, she and Betty saw each other more as they worked on the same floor, but the rest of gang were not…and she didn’t know if she wanted to talk to them about it.

Michael seemed alright with it, but he also seemed to be avoiding direct eye contact with her. Which sucked, because even if she wasn’t into him romantically, she truly liked him and valued his company as a friend. The fact that he seemed to be avoiding her broke her heart.

George didn’t seem to mind. He was the kind of guy who always minded his business, and he was so in love with Betty that it was almost difficult to see him concerned with anything other than Betty and his job.

Linda on the other hand…. Vivian was surprised that she hadn’t said anything. But she didn’t stay surprised for long because as soon as she began to eat, Linda spoke up.

“So… how have you been lately, Vivian?” Linda asked, “We certainly haven’t been seeing you around much.”

Vivian managed a small smile. “I’ve been around” she replied, “Just busy”

“I’m sure you have been,” Linda replied with a mischievous smirk that Vivian tried her best to ignore. When Vivian said nothing, Linda pushed even further, “There’s been a lot of… talk… about your latest adventures that I’m sure must have kept you very busy” she added, “I mean, anyone who’s having an affair with the boss would surely have a lot on her hands… no doubt”

Betty suddenly smacked her hand on the table. “Oh for God’s sake, Linda. Cut it out” she said.

“What?” said Linda feigning ignorance, “I’m just saying…. Everytime I mentioned the fact that I had a crush on Mr McCall, Vivian acted like a Saint. It’s just shocking to see her shacking up with him now”

“Stop it!” Betty told her. She turned to Michael, “Could you please do something to shut her up?”

Michael shrugged, still avoiding eye contact with Vivian. “Why? I don’t think there’s anything I can do. Please leave me out of this. It’s none of my business.”

Angry and humiliated, Vivian stood up, abandoning her food.

“Where are you going?” Betty asked.Content © NôvelDrama.Org.

“I… I have some work to finish in my office” Vivian replied, although she was sure she didn’t sound convincing at all, but she didn’t care. She could take the judgement from strangers at the office, but not from her friends.

“Oh, come on. Linda was just joking. Weren’t you, Linda?” Betty asked, but Vivian wasn’t listening

“It’s fine, Betty” she said, as she turned away from them. As she walked away she heard Betty scolding them.

“That was such a horrible thing to say” Betty was saying to Linda, “And you, Michael. What is wrong with you?”

Fighting back tears, Vivian hurried into the elevator and was very grateful that it was empty. As she got out, she came face to face with Scott, who seemed to be leaving his office. He flashed a smile at her, but she couldn’t talk to him at the moment, so she brushed past him and hurried toward her office.

Five minutes after she sat down, there was a knock on the door, and Betty stepped in, concern written all over her face.

“I’m really sorry about Linda” she began, “Sometimes she gets that way and I don’t know why. She’s awfully blunt, that’s all. I’m sure she doesn’t mean any harm.”

“I’m fine. You don’t have to check on me, Betty” Vivian lied, “I just lost my appetite and there’s a lot of work for me to attend too.”

She hoped Betty would leave, and maybe she’d have some time to think. Whether she liked it or not, she had to admit to herself that what she was doing with Scott was crazy… or it would be when it ended… she was sure that it would eventually. What she wasn’t sure of was why she was doing it anyways.

But Betty didn’t leave. In fact, she took a seat. “You and I both know that’s not true” she said, “You don’t have to lie to me, Vivian. I know you… at least to some extent.”

Vivian stared at her for a while, wondering if she could really open up to her, then she decided to. Screw it, she thought. Everyone was talking about it anyways, then why shouldn’t she.

“I look at you and George and I admire the relationship you have.” said Vivian. “It’s almost like you have a way of keeping the balance. Not letting your relationship affect your jobs. I wonder how you do it… sometimes… and I was wondering if you could… you know, give me tips.”

Betty smiled at her, “Are you asking this question because of a certain Mr McCall? You know, the one who bosses everyone around?”

“You’re not going to give me a hard time too, are you? Don’t you think I have had enough. Yeah I know, I’m dating my boss. I’m silly. Silly and crazy. I know”

“Who said you were silly”

Vivian smoothened her ponytail, “Everyone here seems to think so”

“Well, I don’t think you’re silly. And if you want to be with Mr McCall, then maybe you should be”

Vivian looked genuinely surprised. “Then what about all that stuff you said. About him and his other women and how I’d get hurt if I went out with him”

Betty sighed, “I know. I know… and I meant what I said at that time, but now…when I look at you… I see this happiness that hasn’t been there since we met…. even amidst all the gossip, there’s this glow in you. And as for Mr McCall, he seems a lot more softer now. Look Vivian, I’m sorry about what I said. Now that I think about it, if I hadn’t given George a chance, I don’t even want to imagine what my life would be like without him. So, if you and Mr McCall bring out the best in each other, why should you stay apart?”

Vivian smiled at her, her eyes glistening with tears,” Oh, do you really think so, Betty? Because all of this talk from people is starting to get to me, but I can’t…. I can’t… ”

“End things with him?” Betty cut in, “Yeah I know. I tried that without George. You really do like him, don’t you?”

Vivian nodded. “A lot. He can be a lot to handle sometimes, but I do care about him and the attraction is just too hard to resist.. He is the..”

Vivian didn’t get to complete the sentence, because Scott knocked and walked in that second. His eyes narrowed when he saw Betty and replied to her greeting.

“Urmmm… I’ll see you later, Vivian” said Betty as she stood from her seat, then hurried out of the office.

“What was that about?” Scott asked as he walked deeper into the office that now seemed to grow smaller. “Telling you how horrible I am and how you should run far away from me again?”

Vivian smiled slowly, his presence already making her feel much better. “You need to cut her some slack” she said to him, “She was only trying to look after me when she said that, and you shouldn’t have heard that conversation.”

“Indeed” Scott said. “That doesn’t answer my question though”

“If you must know, Scott. She was actually doing the opposite this time. She is on your side. Happy now?”