A burgundy, leather Chesterfield executives chair sat right behind the desk. There was a La Kentia plant in the corner which sat in a tall floor vase. Two chairs, matching the ones in the sitting area, sat across from the desk for guests and clients. The best feature of all, and one that Simon loved most, was the wall of windows behind his desk. Their blinds were drawn and nearly touched the ceiling. He adored the natural light that flooded in and never tired of the view. Excited to show her where he worked proudly, he truly cared about what she thought.
As soon as Cherish walked in, she was stolen of breath. Not only from the large, expensive pieces that set the scene, but the view that dominated the background. She held onto the handle of the stroller tightly while she stood between his desk and the front door.
Letting the door shut, he walked to his desk and pulled out his chair with a grin, “Come and take a seat.” He said. Passing the desk, she stood in front of him and flattened the fabric of her skirt against her body before she sat down; sinking slightly. He rolled her in before he went around and sat in one of the chairs across from her. She tilted her head slightly to the side and smiled a bit as she looked over the small knick-knacks and photos resting on the desk. She noticed one was turned downward, which came off as strange to her. Reaching out, she flipped the photo over to see a close shot of he and Emily together.
Everything was left the same way it was the day he took leave for the birth of Jr. He eyed the way she looked at the picture and drew in a breath, “All of my work stories are from this room.” He said.
Smiling to herself, Cherish looked up at him and saw the way he stared and smiled at her, “Oh yeah?” she asked rhetorically.
He nodded before pointing behind her, “Turn around…” Her eyebrows lifted as the chair turned and the entire view of the large buildings, bridge, water, homes in the distance, and palm trees branched out further along the horizon towards the gulf. Simon stood before her and placed both hands in his pockets, “You don’t know how hard I worked for this view. I love it.” He said. One look at his face told her that he wanted to share his life and knowledge with her. That much was clear.
Standing from the chair, she took a few steps to the window and stood beside him, “You’ve been very lucky, and blessed in this life. You’re nothing like the people they portray in the movies, you know. You’re humble and kind…” Turning her head to face him, she gave him a small smile, “…you truly do not deserve the heartache you’ve been given.” She said rubbing his back.
Simon smiled sheepishly. Cherish was often sentimental with her compliments and he felt subtly flustered by them, “You’re going to make me blush.” He said. As cliché as that phrase was, it was true. “Thank you for not thinking I’d be a movie villain.” He teased with a smile.
Susan stood behind the door to his office, the only one without glass that could give one a glimpse within. Her tight red pencil skirt complimented the bright and airy white top. Her hair was feather light and curled to perfection on her shoulders. Smiling to herself, she pressed both hands to her stomach which dropped. Jasmine squealed out angrily which told Susan that Simon really was just beyond that door. Flattening her blouse once more, she held her head high, shook her shoulders slightly, and knocked on the door before she let herself in, “Hello!” She exclaimed before pausing.
Instead of one broken man and a child that needed her attention, there was Simon, who looked normal, and a strange looking female she’d never heard of in her life.
Cherish stopped dead in her tracks halfway to the stroller. For a moment, she thought Emily walked through that door which put her on an edge. Turning to face Susan’s familiar voice, Simon gave a half smile, “Oh, Susan. You found us.” He said.
Us. He said, us. Just what the hell did that mean?
Slowly, Susan lifted her head a bit more before she took another step and shut the door behind her, “Hello.” She said stoically. Blinking several times, her gaze bounced between Cherish, Simon, and a double stroller? Susan tilted her head to the side slightly and looked to Simon; waiting for him to at least start the introductions.
Her stare spoke volumes which caused Simon’s feet to move until he stood beside Cherish and motioned between them, “This is Cherish. She’s a friend of mine and Emily’s. Cherish, this is Susan, one of the branch lawyers here.” He said.
Susan’s eyebrow quirked as she stepped closer to Cherish and nodded, “Oh yes, It’s…nice to meet you.” She said.
Cherish looked between the two of them before she nodded and held her hand out, “Nice to meet you as well.” She said. Susan didn’t make a move to shake which caused Cherish to slowly pull her grasp back.
Jasmine wails caused her to kick into high gear and tend to her daughter. She unhooked the little girl from the car seat and picked her up. Checking the side of her onesie, she nodded to herself, “Yeah, she pooped.” She explained to no one in particular. Taking the baby bag, which was tucked beneath, Cherish went over to the rug, laid out a receiving blanket, and set Jasmine on top.
Susan watched Cherish with a slight step away to not touch her or the baby, “There is…a bathroom for that.” She stated calmly but was drowned out by Jasmine’s lungs. When this
