A few hours later she heard her phone ring. She didn't answer or even look at the display. She had a strong suspicion as to who was calling and she didn't want to talk to neither him nor anyone else for that matter. The world could wait. Besides, her voice and her face could need a good night's sleep before the traces of tears would disappear.
***
The next two days, she called in sick. Her voice sounded so hoarse that Stuart had accepted her lie about having a cold. He wished her well and hoped for a speedy recovery. Kate knew that was a bit optimistic, but she didn't argue the case. She felt like a coward choosing to postpone meeting Scott but she worried she would start crying if she did.
During the next two days, her phone kept ringing several times a day. She tried to ignore it as best she could, and in the end she just pulled out the plug and put her mobile in silent mode. The same number had tried to call her fifteen times. It was Scott's mobile. She knew it well by now. She flung the phone away and walked into the kitchen to fix herself a sandwich.
She suddenly realised that she hadn't eaten all day and her body felt starved. The dizziness in her head could be explained by the fact she hadn't drank any liquid either. This was absurd. She wasn't going to waste away just because of a man. It was embarrassing that she responded so deeply to his rejection.
Still, she couldn't deny the fact that her heart felt hollow and that her mind seemed to need a restart. She gulfed down the sandwich before walking into her bedroom. Since the conversation with Scott she had spent her days crying and tidying, until her entire apartment looked spotless.
She had even packed all her new and sexy outfits in boxes and stored them at the back of her closet. The present situation made her unable to put on anything other than her old and comfortable clothes. Besides, who would she dress for? Her third condition to Scott about meeting other men was more a pretence than an actual wish. She had no intention of losing her heart to a man ever again.
Returning to her living room, she turned on her computer for the first time in two days. It felt weird that something that seemed so natural just two days ago, would make her dread all the reminders she would find of Scott. She deleted all the emails he had ever sent her, even the ones stating where to file the project papers as well as the project number which she should use on her timetable. It was childish but it felt better to remove all traces of him from her precious computer.
Having done that, she wrote a short resignation letter and emailed it to Carl. Unfortunately, her length of notice was now three months since she had completed her trial period. She hoped Carl would show some understanding and let her leave earlier.
***
An hour later she heard a loud banging noise from her front door.
"Open the door, Kate. I know you're in there," Scott bellowed.
"Go away," Kate shouted at the locked door.
"I'll break down the door unless you open it immediately."
"I'm busy. Go away."
"If you have another man in there I'll kill him."
"Oh, go to hell. You're so stuck in the Middle Ages you don't even see straight."
"Open up. I want to discuss your resignation."
"Stay out of it."
"I can't. I'm the owner. Now stop being so childish and let me inside."
Kate realised he would be standing there shouting until all her neighbours knew exactly what was going on between them. So much for discretion, she thought, as she unlocked the door and walked into her living room. She was glad she had managed to take a shower and dress herself properly before he started pounding at her door. Now, at least all traces of tears were washed away and she felt a lot better despite her baggy clothes.
"What do you want?" she asked in a neutral voice as he entered her living room.
"You have been sick?" he almost sounded worried.
"The flu. Thin clothes and freezing is a bad combination. I'm feeling much better now."
"Glad to hear it. I thought you were sulking."
"Why would I?"
"You seemed a little shocked at my proposal."
"I'm okay."
"Have you changed your mind?"
Countless of times, she thought but the words would not be spoken out loud.
"No," she replied instead.
"Good. The wedding has been set to Monday at 10 o'clock. In the city hall. There was no time to arrange a traditional church wedding, you see."
Kate just nodded. If it was a scam wedding it could take place at the front steps of the local game shop, for all she cared.
"I've arranged for you to come and try on a few dresses at the local wedding store tomorrow. That friend of yours, Laura, has agreed to help you."
"Okay."
"She even mumbled something about helping you pick some sexy underwear," he grinned at the statement, but she wasn't taking the bait. He paused a little while scanning her entire person from head to toe. "Are you planning on treating me this coldly for the rest of our marriage?"
"I'm not cold."
"It's practically freezing in here."
"This was what you wanted."
"No, I wanted a warm relationship between friends. Not a cold-hearted bitch that couldn't wait to get rid of me."
"Then I suggest you pull out right now and start finding another willing bride for your charade."
He took a deep breath as if to control the outburst that he had on his tongue.
"I said I wanted
you
and I'm sticking to it, no matter what you choose to believe. Now, what is the resignation about? I'm not accepting it as you should be well aware off."
"I can't both live and work with you, Scott. I need some space of my own."
"And you're trying to get that by throwing away your entire career?"
"Not at all. I'll find myself another job. I'm not made for being a housewife."
"I have a suggestion. What if we transfer you to Carl's team instead? That way you can keep your job and still maintain your distance to me."
"I would prefer to change company."
"In today's market? You know it's difficult out there right now. Besides, you can always apply for other jobs while working for us. What do you say?"
"All right. I'll withdraw my resignation -- for the time being."
"Good." He looked around with an expression of surprise. "You've been tidying."
"I was feeling better."
"Where are all your books?" he sounded almost shocked.
"I've tidied, as I said."
She didn't want to reveal that she had packed them away, not bearing to look at all the love novels she had acquired through the years. Not when her life was in such disarray.
"Well, at least it will make it easier for you to sell the apartment."
"I'm not selling."
