Page 4 of Under Ground

He frowns. It’s a sensitive subject given that this past year, he’s started balding. The charming, handsome man I thought I was in love with four years ago is long gone, and he knows it. It’s not like he’s that old—early forties—but maybe all the shitty things he’s done over the years are catching up.

“Are you okay? You look flushed,” Anna says. She’s a sweet girl—fresh out of school and our new receptionist. I watch out for her, even though she doesn’t know it. I was her once.

“It’s cold out there. And Casey was a bit upset about going to day care this morning.”

At the mention of our daughter’s name, Gareth scuttles back into his office. It’s just as well. I’ve got a lot of work to do this morning, and I don’t need him over my shoulder.

“Aww, poor thing. Is she okay?” Anna’s all curly brown hair and dimples, and she has a big heart. I do appreciate her caring.

“She’ll be fine. Kids just get funny sometimes.”

I round my desk and sit down. For a moment, I have to stop and think hard about what to do next.

Anna chuckles. “Are you okay? You look dazed.”

I huff out a breath and nod. “I just need to get myself together. This morning’s got me a bit rattled.”

“Want a coffee? I was just about to make one.”

My shoulders slump, and I smile at her. We’ve only got each other in this office, and I appreciate the easy friendship that’s happened between us.

I started work here in her role four years ago, leaving home at eighteen and getting a job with Gareth as his receptionist right as he struck out on his own as an investment advisor.

It took some time, but last year, he promoted me to office administrator and hired a receptionist. His next step is to lure one of his former co-workers to work with him, but it’s a work-in-progress. Or, as he says, he’s taking baby steps.

Those baby steps involve a ton of work for me, and I sigh at the thought of my to-do list.

“Wow. You really are a million miles away, aren’t you?” Anna picks up the mug from my desk. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

No. I just wish I was.

By mid-morning, I’m in the thick of it. Gareth’s business is doing well, but there are constant reports he wants from me, and from the day I arrived here till now, I’ve had zero training. It’s been my determination and Google that have got me through this.

Thankfully, he’s been in his office with a new client for the past hour, and I’ve been able to get on with it.

He’s all smiles as they walk out together, and after his client’s gone, he spins on his heel.

“Have you got that sales report?” He glares at me.

“I’m just finishing it up now and it’ll be on your desk in the next ten minutes.”

He gives me a short, sharp nod and walks back into his office, closing the door.

“He really does have it in for you,” Anna says.

I rub my face with my hands. “He’s just grumpy. This report was due about half an hour ago.”

“Still … it’s not the end of the world. The way he looks at you creeps me out.”

Clamping my lips together, I look away. It’s not worth getting into any of this with someone I don’t really know. Maybe it would be easier if I shared the details with her, but my past with Gareth isn’t anything I like to talk about if I can avoid it.

“I don’t worry about it. He’s not great, but I like the work.” That’s not really quite true either, but as a single mother, I’d rather have job security than end up worse off somewhere else.

“Me too. And I like working with you.”

I smile. “I like working with you too.” After pinning the last of my documents together, I drop the stapler. “Here goes.”

I pick up my collated papers and stand. It’d be so much easier just to email Gareth the documents, but he’s a stickler for his paperwork. It’s so unnecessary, but he’s the boss.

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