Krystina.
The drive home from the office is particularly uneventful. Usually I get caught up in traffic, witness a road rage accident, or get to watch a young couple argue on the streets.
Not today.
The boring drive home gives me an ample amount of time to think; something I've been dreading. All my thoughts keep reverting back to him. There are a million questions running through my mind. Will I have to see him? Will I have to meet with him? Will he find out? Would he even recognize me?
Why didn't I read that damn file. All of this could have been avoided then, right?
Maybe?
Probably not.
As Head Art Director, all projects no matter their size, went through me first.
This was unavoidable.
I take a deep breath and try to clear my head as I pull into the drive away. A certain someone is unusually perceptive for their age, and if I walk in the door sporting a frown, the questions won't stop until midnight.
Stepping out, I reach over and grab my briefcase, before locking the car and heading up the stairs.
I hear the footsteps before I can even open the door.
"Momma, you're home!" My four year old angel screams as I walk in the house.
He tackles me into a hug which I gladly return. Bryan Green, is quite literally the love of my life. Standing at 3ft. 6 inches tall, he's the perfect cuddle buddy, and an outright gentleman. Who the hell needs a man when your son literally comes into your room at the ass crack of dawn, looks into your sleep filled and day old mascara covered eyes, and tells you that you're the "most prettiest mommy in the whole world"?
"Hey muffin. How was school today?" He started preschool last year, and literally raves about it every chance he gets.
"It was awesome. The firefighters came and they brought their trucks, and we got to go inside of it. It was sooo much fun. I think I want to be a fireman when I grow up, momma!" He grinned up at me, eyes bright with childlike excitement.
"A fireman? I thought you wanted to be Clark Kent, and Superman?" I joked, feigning confusion.
"Can't I be both?" He questioned, suddenly serious.
"Of course sweetie. I've already told you, you can be anything you want to be." I pull him in for another quick hug.
"Where's auntie Sav?" I ask him as we separate.
"In the kitchen making dinner." He tells me while wiggling and doing a series of weird hand gestures
Yeah, he's one of those people. Poor thing can't talk without using his hands. No, he's not mute. Just slightly theatrical.
I usher him back into the living room and put on his favorite cartoon, The Amazing World of Gumball. Our guilty pleasure. The episode when they catch Banana Joe watching Orange/Tangerine 'porn', is a gut buster.
"Hey, thanks again for picking him up today." I tell Savannah graciously as I enter the kitchen. She's done so much for me in the past few years, I never want her to feel unappreciated. I honestly don't know where or who I'd be without her.
She nods is reply while tasting some of the soup she's currently working on.
Making sure we're not being heard by little ears, I ask her "Guess who came by the office today?"
"Chris Evans?" She replies immediately.
I look at her seriously, "Hun. Do like Elsa, and let it go. Just let it go."
She rolls her eyes at me in response. "You never know Krys. You never know."
"Why would it even matter? You already have a man." I smirk.
"True. And I love my man dearly, but it wouldn't hurt to look." We agree.
"No, but seriously. Guess who came by?" I ask her again getting back on topic.
"You know I'm shit at guessing Krys. Just tell me."
"Fernando Villarreal." I tell her with a straight face.
She turns around quickly, almost knocking the pot off of the stove. "You're shitting me. Fernando Villarreal. OUR Fernando?" She asks me disbelieving.
"What was he doing at the office?" She asks, turning the stove off.
"The new project I'm working on for S&S toys, he's the rep they sent over."
"Wow. What did he say to you when you saw him? Did he even recognize you? It's been what, 5 years?" She asks interested.
"Of course he recognized me. We made plans to have lunch in a couple of weeks. You should come with us, it'll be just like back in college." I force a smile.
"What else happened?" She narrows her eyes at me. I guess it wasn't Bryan's perception I had to be worried about, but hers.
"What do you mean?" I ask her trying to play it off.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Something else happened. Your whole demeanour is off. You're happy about seeing Fernando, but you're upset about something else. What is it?" She demands.
"Have you ever wondered what the S's in S&S stand for?" I ask nonchalantly.
"Uh, no. Not particularly. What does this have to do with anything?" She rambles confused.
"Stephen Sims. S&S stands for Stephen Sims." I deadpan.
"Holy shit." She whistled. "That's, wow! What does this mean? Are you gonna have to meet him? Work with him? How is this gonna play out?" She asks vocalizing the same questions that I had.
"I don't know." I mutter honestly. "Usually the rep handles and oversees the project, but there have been instances where higher ups in the companies, or even CEO's decide to sit in on a strategizing meeting. This could go either way. There's really no telling what could happen now."
"Well, you know what? It doesn't matter. Okay? We're good. Let's not waste time thinking about things that may or may not even happen, alright. It's almost six, there's a new episode of Gumball on tonight, and I think your favorite little man is waiting to watch it with you." She says pointing into the living room where Bryan is already turned around watching us. He make a "come on" gesture when he finally catches my eye.
"I'll be right there, sweetie. Just let me change." I giggle at his impatience.
"Thanks Sav. Really. You always say exactly what I need to hear."I say hugging her again.
"That's what I'm here for." She replies cheekily.
"Will Kyle be joining us tonight?" I ask referring to her fiancé.
We live in a duplex style home, and Kyle and Sav live in the apartment directly adjacent to us. The apartments are separated by the kitchen, which we share. Usually either myself or Savannah will make dinner, and then everyone will eat over here together. Like a family.
"Not tonight. Him and the guys are doing a "boys" night out thing. They'll be at one of the guy's house watching sports and eating junk all night."
"Well, you're more than welcome to join us." I tell her
"Thanks, but I'll just take my bowl up to my room. I haven't had a bubble bath in forever. This one is long overdue. I am going to enjoy a night all to myself." She says before heading out the front door and up the stairs leading to her apartment.
I quickly run into the bathroom and wipe off all my makeup before changing into a t-shirt and sweatpants.
"Alright little man. I guess it's just you and me for the evening, huh? Date night?" I say smiling as I pick him up and sit him on my lap on the couch.
"Date night." He says in agreement.
And we do just that. Just me, my little angel, Gumball, and way too much junk food.
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There it is. I think I'm finally gonna get into Stephen's POV in the next chapter.
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