Filed to story: Sinful Mates (Imogen) Book by Jessica Hall
Closing the door behind me, I return to my desk and melt into my seat where my coffee waits, my heart pounds in my chest. I can’t figure out what just happened, but I know one thing: the way he moved and silently stood there staring at me, made a knot form in my stomach.
Something happened under his gaze. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s definitely new, it sent thrills through me and fear at the same time. Something dangerous is behind the way he looks at me. That thought alone scares me.
The day passes by slowly. I resist the urge to jump whenever Theo comes and goes. I’m not comfortable with either of them, not after that strange encounter. But Theo is actively avoiding me for some reason. He barely even looks in the direction of my desk, just darts past and never lingers like he usually does. When it hits 4:30 Tobias walks out of his office and places a document on my desk. “I need you to copy this and email it off to all employees, and this is your copy for future reference,” he says. I nod and he turns and walks away.
Glancing at the paper I notice it says changes to Medical Insurance Policy. Scanning over the page, I stop when I notice one of the clauses is amended effective immediately. I read it and nearly cry. This would have helped me and my mother so much, if only it was changed before the accident.
I’m glad though; this has the potential to help so many people. Tobias has changed the Medical Insurance Policy so if you don’t have dependents or are single you can nominate one family member of your choosing to be on the policy with you. A lump forms in my throat as I get up.
I force back the tears that brim. I walk over to the printer and scan the documents in and walk back to my desk. I email every employee the document, letting them know of the changes to their Medical Insurance Policy. I receive a few emails back straight away from people who aren’t exactly in my position but have family that could really benefit with this sort of help. Mark especially, his message coming back instantly excited about the changes. Mark is single like me but has a sibling with ongoing medical issues. Mark works in the lobby downstairs and is one of the first people I met when I started here. I have seen him a few times at the hospital with his sister. We have spoken a couple of times, saying how we wished our medical policies could cover our family members. I was expecting a reply from him. I knew he would be just as excited as I am for him.
Unfortunately for me it’s too late. Mark though will at least get some help to support his sister. His message hits my email, and I quickly read it. “Is this real? Have they really changed the policy?”
I reply, “Yes, Tobias just gave it to me. The changes are effective immediately.” I hit send before closing my email down. I know I will be bombarded with questions but figure I will deal with them tomorrow.
Tobias walks back out and nods his head at me before leaving for the day. I can’t form words right now, so I just nod back. I don’t trust my voice not to break at his thoughtfulness. Maybe he isn’t as heartless as everyone thinks. Theo however, I don’t see him leave. He must have snuck out when I was sending off emails.
I turn everything off, making sure to turn off all the lights and check to make sure I switched the phones over to voicemail. I then step into the elevator. Thanks to this one change, I’m truly proud to work for my employers and want to do the best job I can for them. I hope my stray is around, I want to hug him and tell him the great news.
Making my way down to the now empty garage, I open my door and rip the blazer off, jumping into some loose-fitting leggings. It’s the weekend. I’ll have two whole days of trying to fill the time. Just as I get comfortable, Tom walks up the ramp, a container in his hand. Tom opens my door and passes the container to me. “Hey, I forgot to give this to you. I heated it up on my way down. Mary made lasagna last night.”
“Thanks Tom,” I say, grabbing the hot container from his hand. The cheese, spices and meat scent fills my car, my mouth waters.
Tom leans against my car. “Eat, I have something to tell you.”
Opening the container, I dig in. Tom even provides a fork and butter knife, my empty stomach welcomes the lasagna. Mary is a great cook. I can see why Tom is always so excited to get home to see what she made. Tom waits for me to have my mouth full before he speaks. Probably to stop me from cutting him off, forcing me to listen to him.
“Theo and Tobias know you’re staying in the garage.” I nearly choke on my food. My eyes widen. How? I’d been so careful! “I swear I didn’t say anything,” he says, holding his hands up in surrender. I don’t know what to say. I have to move on but how? Where?
“How then if you didn’t tell them?” I question, biting my lip. The hot food is too good for me to stop eating but my brain swims.
“I’m not sure. Tobias came and saw me today. I’m not sure how they found out, but he asked security to check the lower-level cameras, then came to see me when he realized every day I walk up to the top level and come back with you.”
“What did you tell him?” I ask, horrified. They will fire me, I know it. I never should have stayed here, and now Tom is probably going to get into trouble because of me. I’ll survive somehow, but I can’t handle it if they fire Tom just for helping me.
“I told them the truth. You shouldn’t have to struggle like this, Imogen.” I nod my head in understanding. Tobias has done his homework and really got up in my business.
Is that why he changed the Medical Insurance Policies?
“I’ll move on, I suppose I won’t have a job on Monday. I really hope you didn’t get in too much trouble, Tom. I never should have put you in that position,” I apologize.
Tom holds up his hand, stopping me from continuing. “They aren’t firing you. I think he wanted to help. He sounded genuinely concerned, which is odd, I know. That man is definitely terrifying, but he seems to have a soft spot for you.”
I raise an eyebrow at the last part, Tobias possesses a soft spot? I find that impossible. I think back to all the times he has scolded or yelled at me. The way he ignores my presence half the time. Something has changed the last couple of weeks though, he has become more intense and watches me when he thinks I won’t notice. Then I think about what happened today in his office. Soft isn’t the way I’d describe that. I think back to the meeting when he dressed me like a child.
My face burns up at the memory, making me feel self-conscious and embarrassed. “I don’t need their help. I manage just fine on my own,” I mutter.
Tom shakes his head. “Please, Imogen, if they want to help let them.”
“They have helped plenty. My job is enough help, that is if they don’t fire me. I’ll move on somewhere else, so he doesn’t harass you, and you don’t get in any further trouble, Tom. Really, I’m fine. It is only temporary.” I force a bright smile at him. I want him to relax, let me deal with this news on my own.
“Always the same excuse. You are too stubborn for your own good. You know that?” Tom shakes his head at me, concern still shining in his kind eyes.
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