at the kitchen table. She has some coloring books and crayons in her backpack that she gets busy with. Rachel and I sit across from each other, making casual small talk.
Eventually, she sighs. “I heard from Anya that you and Mr. Davenport are working together now.”
I glance at Anya, who is busy singing a tune under her breath as she concentrates on her coloring task.
“We’re not exactly working together. We’re working close to each other. It’s fine.”
Rachel smiles and nods. Even if she’s detected a sudden tensing of my nerves, she doesn’t make any comments about it.
“How is it like for you working for him? Is he a good employer?”
Rachel glances at Anya too, but she doesn’t seem to be paying attention to our conversation.
“I love Anya, I really do. I’ve grown really fond of her.”
“But Mr. Davenport…” I urge her on, and Rachel looks at her hands nervously.
“He can be quite intimidating,” she says.
Yes, he can be. Even I’ll admit to that; no matter how much I try to stay in control, he has a way of getting under your skin. Maybe it’s his piercing green eyes or the way he looks you up and down. Maybe it’s his deep growling voice. How he always appears to be not impressed.
“I hope that doesn’t affect your work here.”
Rachel breathes in deeply. She’s worrying the cuticles around her nails, so I can sense she’s nervous.
“I’m not sure what I want to do. I…really want what is best for Anya.”
“What has he done?” I ask. I’m not a fan of where this conversation is headed. I know Anya doesn’t need any more sudden changes in her life.
“Nothing specifically. He’s just…”
“Rude?” I ask.
“He can be, I guess. And it feels like almost nothing I do pleases him.” Rachel is speaking in a whisper now, hoping Anya doesn’t hear. I’m hoping the same.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“I don’t know what to do. It’s been almost a year that I’ve been working here, and I don’t see any change. Sometimes I worry he’s going to fire me on a whim. Over something really small.”
“And that can’t be a nice feeling, to always worry while you’re at your workplace.”
Rachel nods and sits back. The timer on the oven has gone off and our dinner is ready. Anya jumps up excitedly and offers to help Rachel set the table.
Over dinner, we are distracted by Anya and her stories, but when I glance at Rachel, I see a sadness there. She is torn too, just like me. Between her love for Anya and the conflicting feelings she has towards Trevor. The nature of our feelings is different, of course.
We eat ice cream, and finally, it’s time for Anya to go home. Rachel has to be firm eventually because Anya doesn’t want to go, but I promise that we’ll do this again soon. Some evening when her father is working late again.
They leave, and I get started on clearing and cleaning up.
I really wanted to be able to avoid Trevor for a few days, just to try and get over what happened this morning, but I feel like I need to speak with him.
He needs to know about the effect he has on the people who work for him and look up to him. Maybe it’s not my responsibility, but I care about Anya too much to turn a blind eye to this.
I wait until I know it’s too late for Anya to still be awake.
When I knock on their door, Trevor opens several minutes later. He has a glass of bourbon in his hand, his tie is loosened, and there’s dark stubble on his cheeks and chin.
Is it just me or does he look even more ruggedly handsome at the end of the day? I clench my hands at my sides and stare at him firmly.
There’s a knowing smile forming on his face. Oh God! Oh no! He thinks I’m here because I want to finish what we started in his office today.
“I have something important to tell you,” I say quickly before he can let his mind wander.
“Why don’t you come in first?”
Gingerly, I step in and Trevor walks down to his living room. Honestly, I didn’t want to come this far into his apartment. This place is dangerous!
But I have no choice but to follow him in, and so I do. He’s got some soft jazz playing in the background, and the financial news is on mute on his humungous TV screen.