Catch Me When I Fall

Boundaries

"ASM Karla?"

Karla held the button on the microphone of the walkie-talkie, "Go ahead."

"What's your 20?" The voice cracked over the walkie.

"Towels."

"You have a team member on their way to see you."

"Thank you, Vicki."

A short time later, Karla was interrupted by an, "Excuse me?"

Turning towards the male voice, she blinked a few times, "How can I help you?" It was the man from yesterday.

The man cracked a smile, recognizing Karla as well, "Long time no see, I'm looking for Karla?"

"Yes, that's me," she chuckled. "And you are?" She extended her hand.

"Drew," his touch lingered for a moment.

"Oh!" She put the towels down, "You're one of the transfers, right? Thank you for coming, let's chat." Karla took them to the impromptu office that was in the spare room adjacent to the break room.

Looking around, Drew commented on the pathetic-looking office space, "Real nice place you got here. I figured the store manager would be sitting a little more pretty than in a closet."

"Oh, I'm not the store manager, I'm just the assistant store manager...that does just about everything around here for half the pay," she tried to make light, though it wasn't far from the truth.

Drew nodded in understanding, "Got it, Reghan talked you up. I figured you were someone important." He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms, "Didn't know the hot chick with the shitty truck was running this place, though. Shouldn't you be in a Benz or something with the racks you make here?"

Karla let out a nervous chuckle. She did make decent money, but the approximate $56,000 a year she made was barely getting her by with all the expenses she was paying for, and only one person was paying for them. "I try to stay humble," she lied before moving on. "So, do you have any questions about the transfer itself? Are you looking to keep your current position, or something different?"

"I'm good at what I do," he shrugged. "I've been with the company for six years, if it isn't broke, don't fix it, right?"

"I suppose that's true," she smiled.

"How long you been here?"

"Me? Oh, I don't know," she paused, thinking for a moment. "It was 14 years in May, I think."

"Ah, a lifer, huh?"

She snorted, "It would seem like it." Karla rested her head in her hand.

Drew glanced at her left hand, "Married?"

Karla glanced at the ring on her finger, "Yes, sometimes happily." She chuckled at the patheticness of it.

"A damn shame," he clicked his tongue.

"Why?" She narrowed her eyes slightly, and an amused smile pulled at her lips.

Before Drew could answer, one of the maintenance workers, Tom, opened the door. "Ope, sorry, Karlie, just came for the broom."

"It's just over there, Tom, no worries." She waited until Tom had left, not quite closing the door behind him, letting in the noise from the hallway.

Standing up, Karla went to close the door, "The disrespect," she muttered. Reaching for the door, Drew had stood up to close it himself.

Standing inches from Karla, Drew looked down at her, a smirk forming in the corner of his mouth, his hand leaning against the door to prevent people from coming in further. "Something tells me you need an eye kept on you, Manager Karla."

She took a small step back. Drew was close enough to her that she could smell his cologne. The silver chain around his neck glinted, even in the dim fluorescent light in the room. He was easily over a head taller than her, his green eyes not breaking contact with hers. Around her age, he was built sturdy, but wasn't overweight; his facial hair moved with his expressions, not quite a full beard, but more than just grown-out stubble. Her expression hardened slightly, realizing she was staring, "I can mind myself just fine, thank you."

"What, your man can't?" He c****d his head slightly.

"He...can," Karla hesitated.

Drew took notice, "Can he?" He scoffed. "You seem a bit soft to be standing up for yourself. I saw you crying yesterday. But I guess the pressure gets to you sometimes, I get it." He had leaned closer to her face.

"I don't think that's your business, Drewseph." She furrowed her brow. "Your first day is Thursday, I'll see you then, yes?"

Drew straightened up, "Alright," he took her chin between his thumb and index finger, "See you Thursday, sweetheart."

He left her office, leaving Karla flustered, unsure of what that interaction was, but she liked the attention. She shook her head of the thoughts. She was married; he knew that. This had to be some sort of power move to play mind games with the new boss. Testing his boundaries, perhaps?

"Alright, then," she clicked her tongue, leaving the room to go back to straightening up the towel section, the interaction with Drew making her think. Had she said or done something to lead him on, or implied her interest in some way? Now that he knew who she was, and vice versa, she would have to mind herself around him. Prepare to reprimand him, if need be. She was already getting pushed around by one man in her life; she didn't need another male subordinate giving her grief in the stress-induced oasis that was her place of work.

Hearing her phone chime, Karla pulled it out of her pocket; a message from Ricky read: Hanging out with the fellas tonight don't weight up. Going hooping at Brandon's might drink and stay over.

A wave of relief washed over her, thankful she wouldn't be walking on eggshells when she got home, and would have some peace and quiet when she woke up the following morning. Be safe, have fun, lmk if you need anything. Her fingers typed before sending the message. She put her phone back into the pocket of her jeans, a smile on her face as she went back to the mundane task of folding towels on the sales floor.