Page 9 of Obsession

“I can stay back in my own time. I honestly don’t mind.”

“I appreciate the enthusiasm, Kora, and I’ll keep it in mind for your next appraisal, but like I said, Cody and I have it all covered here. Now head on home and enjoy your night.”

She stares at me blankly for a few long seconds, but she doesn’t move. I really do appreciate her dedication to the job, and she is one of my best employees, but this was one of the reasons why I hired another manager. I needed to cut back on my wage budgets, so having two of us that are salary employees helps me keep the wages down because we can work without it paying overtime.

“Honestly, I don’t mind, really. I mean, I know what needs to be done and with two experienced staff members, we can get it done in no time.”

“Like I said, it’s fine. And I can’t have you stay here on your own time for insurance purposes. If something happens to you while you’re here and you’re not on the clock, insurance won’t pay out a work cover claim. Truly, Cody and I can handle it from here, there’s not too much more left to do anyway, so we won’t be here too late.”

“Aiden, I really want to stay and help.”

“Why are you pushing this, Kora? Is there some reason you’re trying to avoid going home?” I ask her.

“No. It’s just … like I said, I really want to help and I think another set of eyes would ensure we got the best possible results for inventory.”

“And like I mentioned, I can’t have you here. But if you want to wait outside until we’re done, then you’re more than welcome to.”

“I won’t get in the way, I promise.”

“Honestly, Kora, what is going on? In the amount of time we’ve stood here having this conversation, Cody and I could have finished what we needed to do by now.”

“Nothing is going on, Aiden. I just—”

“She doesn’t want you and I to be left in the same room alone, together,” Cody blurts out.

Silence blankets the room and I can honestly hear the sound of several pins dropping. I shift my focus from Kora to Cody.

“What are you talking about?” I inquire.

“Ah, what he means is, that I don’t want the two of you to be in here alone together because … it’s dangerous and in case something happens, there should be someone else here.”

“Cut the bullshit, Kora. You got what you wanted. I’ve kept my distance from Aiden, just like you asked, so if the two of you want to get it on with each other, I will gladly get out of your way.”

“What is going on here?” I ask.

“Nothing!” Kora adds quickly, and I notice her give Cody a death glare.

“Okay, someone better tell me what the hell is going on here and really quickly, too.”

“I told you, it’s nothing,” she insists.

“She threatened me,” Cody suddenly says.

“She what?”

“Cody, shut up,” I hear Kora whisper through gritted teeth.

“A couple of weeks ago. It was right after I started working here. I was behind the counter when Kora approached me and warned me that if I didn’t stop ogling you, that she would spread a rumor. The rumor was that I told all the workers here that you’re gay and that you sucked my dick.”

“That’s a lie,” Kora says.

“You and I both know it isn’t,” Cody chimes in.

There’s more silence in the room, I move my attention from Cody to Kora.

“Is this true, Kora? Did you threaten him?”

“I … ah, all I wanted to do was scare him off a little.”

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