The Devil's Harem

“Will you all listen to me? Alex is leaving,” Amber whispered loud enough for everyone to hear. Alex joined the company with her, and the two of them grew up to become great pals. Though Amber had joined the ladies in bossing around Alex, she was among the first ones after Jennifer to his rescue whenever he was in need or bullied by an outsider.

“Leaving where?” Hazel asked as she didn’t think much of it.

“You know, the newbie has got it the best. For all the time he has been here, the number of days he has been in the office can be counted on fingers,” Ellaine complained, “And he gets injured every other time. Followed by a couple of more days, chilling at home.”

“Yeah, I don’t mind if he slacks off and does nothing, but I like to have him around.”

“You all are not understanding. Your dear newbie is quitting. He is leaving this job, this company,” Amber shaking her head, lightly massaged her forehead in irritation. These guys can be so dumb sometimes.

Now, this was like a bomb exploding on all of them. None could believe what Amber said. Shocked, they silently looked toward Alex, hoping for denial or at least some clarification. But Alex looked away, pouring water on the last of their hopes.

.....

‘Is this true? The only flower of our garden is going to wither away?’

‘My Shota. Why is he leaving?’

‘I need to have my fill of his face. Don’t know if I will ever see him again.”

“Who will get me my coffee now?” Ellaine thought out loud.

*Crack! Crack! Smash!

All the others looked at Ellaine in disdain. All of them were sad that they might not be able to see their beloved Alex again, and this woman was more concerned about her errands.

“What happened? Didn’t you go there to sign the contract like Amber? How did you end up resigning instead?” Jennifer was still clear in her head, and ignoring Ellaine, she asked. Not long back, Amber came dancing in joy as she shared the details with everyone. They had hoped the same for Alex and were quite pleased about it. But everything turned out to be totally different.

Alex was also too tired to narrate the story to them, “It’s just how things turned out. One thing led to another, and I ended up quitting.” Alex sighed, “There is nothing that can be done now. I should pack my stuff now.”

When the ladies heard him, their faces withered, and they could not help but curse the one responsible for his resignation. After so long, the office had finally got a reason for them to be happy, but it ended in no time. Jessica should not come across these angry kittens, at least not for a few days.

After Alex was done packing his stuff, he leaned back on his chair with his eyes closed, waiting for Karen. Though he was leaving for good, there was no way he was going to leave without having looked at her for one last time and saying his goodbye. She was not Jessica, whom Alex wouldn’t want to see even if she was the last person left in the world. Karen was special, special than most of the people he had come across.

Seeing Alex close his eyes and lean back, the ladies also slowly dispersed from there, giving Alex some space. They wanted to say more but could bring themselves to express themselves.

“And here I thought I would come across someone repenting over his rashless behaviour,” Alex did not know how long he sat there, but Karen’s voice brought him back.

As he opened his eyes, he found Karen standing in front, with her arms crossed above her chest and a sullen face. She was already sad, but when she saw his stuff all packed up in a cardboard box, the gloomy aura around her skyrocketed.

“You are here,” smiling softly, Alex greeted her.

“You should have kept your cool,” Karen was not going to melt over that smile today, “It is totally unlike you to just lose it like that,” Karen said. But the next moment, she remembered her latest interactions with Alex, and she was not sure anymore.

“There is nothing left to talk about Jessica and what could or could not have been done. I can’t stand her presence, and she can’t have me around her. And since she can’t just leave the company for me, it’s better that I look for better alternatives.” Alex brushed aside any hope of ever reconciling with Jessica. He also chose not to mention that he had already made up his mind of leaving the company. Since he had gotten an excuse, better to use it right.

“Alex...” Karen still persisted, but Alex waved her hand, cutting her short.

“Sorry, but this is it. I have made up my mind, and even though I hold you in very high regard, I hope you just let it go,” Although Alex felt uncomfortable looking at Karen’s helpless face, Alex stood firm. He knew how much she would have pushed for all the perks offered to him, “I know all that was good in that piece of paper must have been your doing. But I guess it was not just meant to be.”

Karen sighed and shook her head as she complained, “You totally flushed all my good intentions down the drain. But since you have decided to call it quits, I can do nothing but cheer for you,” Karen said as she forced a smile on her face and extended her hand, “And one more thing, since I am no longer your chief, you should just call me Karen from now on.”

“You don’t mean it,” Alex thought Karen was joking, but that smile on her face made him doubt it, “Do you?”

Hearing Alex, Karen’s smile grew even wide as she said, “Think of it as a last request from your chief. You can do this much for me, right?”

“But...” Alex was still hesitant to do so. All this while, he had hoped for a way for them to grow closer. But when the time came, he felt a bit cold feet.

“Fine, treat this as one of my wishes,” Karen still had her hand reaching out for Alex, “You can’t back away now,” Karen said as she eyed towards her arm.

Alex looked at her hand and then towards that smiling face. For all that he might hope for, this may be the last time Alex and Karen might cross paths with each other. He can’t dodge this small gesture. d.c

With the intention of not letting Karen down and pouring his heart out one last time, Alex put forward his hand and gently encased those soft hands, “Karen, you have been one of the most wonderful people I have met in my life. I don’t know what life has stored for me, but I hope this won’t be our last meeting.” Alex said and pulled Karen towards himself as he tightly embraced her in his arms.

The stunned Karen could do nothing but stay stiff in his arms and inhale his peculiar scent. She had never been embraced like this. She had never smelled something like this. Her head was slowly getting lighter, and she could not think clearly anymore.

Karen had no idea how long she was in his embrace, but slowly her legs were going weak. Alex’s support was the only thing keeping her straight.

“I will miss you,” Karen heard Alex whisper. His voice brought her back, and the next moment, Alex had pushed her away from himself, and picking his stuff, Alex made his way out of there.

“See you soon, everyone,” Alex yelled as he walked out.

“Everyone?” Karen whispered. It was then she remembered that she was not alone there. As Karen slowly turned around, she found all the ladies looking at her with their mouths wide open, completely ignoring Alex. In that moment, when she was in Alex’s arms, she had felt that apart from the two of them, nothing and no one was there. And now, Alex had left her alone under the prying and suspicious eyes of all of them.

Their inquisite gaze made her hot, and with a blushing face, Karen hastily walked away from there as numerous eyes tracked her.

‘What was that?’ This was the only thing that the ladies had in their minds.

‘What was that?’ Not just the ladies, but as soon as Karen was all alone, even she had the same doubt in her mind.

As she laid back on her chair, everything began to rewind in her mind. Alex was again standing in front of her, looking at her with those tender eyes and a gentle smile. They were still shaking hands as he gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand without averting his eyes from hers. There was nothing around them but vast emptiness. She had no idea where they were, and she did not care because her beloved was in front of her. Soon, Alex let go of her hand as he took a step and leaned forward with his face inches away from hers. He gently put his hand on her cheek and began to caress her face with her thumb. Karen closed her eyes, feeling Alex’s touch as he appreciated her beauty.

‘I have missed you,’ Karen heard Alex say. It was like their reunion after days and months of being apart and not seeing each other. Alex slowly approached Karen as his lips made way toward hers. The last time they were this close, Alex was mesmerized to see her beneath the moonlight and ended up giving a peck on her cheek, but this time he was going to feel those sweet, soft, pink lips. As he inched closer, Karen could feel his breath on her face. Time almost paused, but her heartbeat began to rise. Was it the moment she had been waiting all along?

*Ding!

And Karen’s dream was broken. With her arms in the air and her neck stretching out, Karen opened her eyes. Now, this was awkward. She was just inches away from kissing Alex, and the thought of it made her ears feel hot. Now there was nothing left to deny. All she could do now was either act on her feelings, or bury them deep. The ball was in her court now.

Feeling annoyed with herself, she adjusted her hair and looked at her phone. Who was it who disturbed her?

As she looked at the text, it was from Alex.

‘Message me Jessica’s email address. I want to send her my resignation letter directly.” Alex had written in the message.

‘There is no need to blow things out of proportion. I will handle everything,’ Karen wrote back to him. With the way they are now, things could quickly go out of hand between Alex and Jessica.

‘No need. Since I am the one to start it, let me see it to the end,’ Alex, on the other hand, was adamant.

‘If you say so. Just remember, don’t go over the top,’ Karen had no energy left to reason with Alex, and she easily gave in.

‘Don’t you trust me?’ Alex asked.

‘To be honest, I am not sure anymore,’ taking everything into account, it was obvious that Karen had her doubts.

* * * * *