At 8:00 AM the back door to the office clanged shut. CiCi glanced at the time. She had been alone in the office, and normally her coworkers didn't start filtering in until about 9:30. The stragglers who had stayed late the night before came in around 10. She craned her neck around the office door and called, "Hello?" into the back hallway. She was only answered by some bustling in the breakroom. She swore she heard a faint sob.
CiCi, concerned, locked her computer and sauntered into the hallway. She made an attempt at being quiet so as not to scare her company. As she approached the door of the breakroom, she called out "Hello?" one more time. Startled, Mel gasped.
"Im sorry! I didn't mean to... Hey, what's wrong?" CiCi said noticing Mel trying to discreetly wipe the tears from her cheeks.
"Oh, nothing!" She said "Nothing, I'm fine..."
CiCi took a second to feel a little self conscious. Mel was beautiful, and CiCi would never admit that she didn't mind that it was just the two of them. Mel's small frame rivaling the bulge in her belly. She was 5 months pregnant. Her blonde hair tumbled over her shoulders, still a little wet from the morning shower. You could see the sadness in her eyes still. They were green, and they showed everything she was feeling. She put her face in her hands and her shoulders started to shake again.
"Hey, it's okay, Mel. Hold on, Let's go to my office." CiCi felt the need to reach out and touch her. Maybe even hold her. Mel dropped her hands to her belly.
"Okay," She sniffled, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to... I didn't think anyone..."
"Don't apologize." CiCi quipped. She reached out and cupped Mel's chin in her hand. Mel closed her eyes, and felt CiCi's warm hand against her skin. CiCi had always been sweet to her. She had long dark hair down to the middle of her back with blue eyes that were clear enough to be ocean water. Her smile was a little lopsided and Mel knew she was capable of making anyone laugh. She had that charm about her.
Mel returned from her reverie just as CiCi's hand took her own and led her to her office.
"Do you want me to close the door?" CiCi asked. Why was she being so cautious? Mel thought. She nodded yes, and CiCi quietly shut the door, and drew the blinds. Mel looked down at her tummy, her shirt streched tightly across her indulgent breasts. CiCi couldn't help but notice, she seemed a little insecure, crossing her arms and shifting in her seat.
CiCi grabbed a little plastic cup for her Keurig, and a mug and started the machine. She finished it, and put whipped cream on top. She handed it to Mel and winked. Mel's eyes welled up with tears as she smiled and took it. This was something CiCi did for her a lot. This pregnancy had been an emotional one for Mel, and CiCi had made it just that much more bearable. CiCi never felt nervous near women. But something about this one that needed her right then made her a little uneasy, although she was the master at playing it cool.