The Lingering Ex

Partner

Abigail had returned to work following the phone call. At six p.m. she collected her things as she was done with her work day. On her way home, she stopped at the grocery store to pick up some items for dinner. She had always been a good cook after learning from her mother. She prided herself on making meals for the two of them. Even though he only came once a week, she knew no matter how good the food was, she would still end up eating alone most days. As time went on, she wouldn't bother cooking unless she was in a decent enough mood. When Dean would return, they would divide the work to cook or order out. 

Abigail had music playing fairly loud as she prepared dinner for herself. She was distracted in the kitchen and didn't hear the door open. As Dean came into her view, she became startled and lost the grip on her knife, nicking herself with the blade. She quickly grabbed her hand and wrapped the towel around it. Before she could move, Dean had already grabbed a hold of her hand and removed the towel. "You need to be more careful" Dean said as he cleaned the cut and went to get a bandage. As she watched him, his movements seemed warm and inviting but his words were always cold and harsh. As he applied the bandage, she muttered softly "Sorry". 

Dean rolled up his sleeves and grabbed an apron from the cabinet, "I'll finish cooking". Abigail moved from the kitchen and leaned on the door way between the living room and kitchen, staring at the man who has now returned for a second day. "Why are you here?", Abigail asked. She tried to keep eye contact as Dean looked up at her. "Did you call me today?", Dean asked as he went back to the tasks before him. "My assistant told me I had received a call and someone asked for me. When I checked my phone, I realized it was you who had called.". Abigail had a puzzled look come across her face; she wondered why an assistant would refer to their boss by their first name, as though there was something intimate there. "Yes, I had something I wanted to talk to you about, but it's okay.", Abigail turned her gaze to the living room and decided to go sit down. While she browsed through her phone, she ended up on google looking up reason's why an assistant would be using her bosses first name. "Come and eat." Rang out from Dean as he sat dishes on the table. Abigail put her phone down and went to eat another meal in silence. She would look up at Dean periodically with a complicated look but never peeped a word. After eating, Abigail returned the dishes to the kitchen and began cleaning up. Dean retreated to the bedroom and showered. When Abigail finished in the kitchen, she headed to the bedroom. Dean was already asleep and she noticed his phone on the nightstand. After fighting with herself for awhile, she caved in and grabbed his phone. She already knew the password from previously using it to take pictures. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as she scrolled through, just a bunch of business emails that she didn't quite understand. Suddenly, she felt as though she couldn't breath, a text message that read: 'Dean, thank you for today. I hope you let me repay the favor and take you to dinner when you have time.  -Sherry'. Who was this woman? Is it his assistant, another women? Abigail's mind was racing. She closed out of the screen and returned the phone to the nightstand.