Snake Charmer's Curse

Chapter 5: Office Gossip

I can't believe he did that! And that lady! What am I going to paint for— Shoot! I didn't even ask for her name! How rude can I be? Faith cried to herself in the confinement of her mind. She was immersed in embarrassment. She felt so overwhelmed. Meeting new people and interacting with them is already a challenge, but what happened today was on another level.

She snapped out of her vented scolding session as she realised how quickly she had reached her workplace. Faith stopped and turned to look from where she had just come. I'm sure this was shorter than when I walked with Aspis from the café. She shook her head dismissively at the thought, then made her way to her car to put the large bag and canvas in her trunk before she continued to the office.

As Faith entered the building, she ran into Rebekah, who had a look of the utmost betrayal on her slender refined face. "And now with that look?" Faith asked, genuinely confused.

"You abandoned me! I was so looking forward to lunch together!" Rebekah whined.

"I'm sorry, but I did pass by your desk, and you were nowhere to be seen. I thought you were in a meeting or something. I did not want to impose."

"I was in the bathroom! As I got out, I saw you walking across the road from the window. When I reached the café, you were gone. I felt like an abandoned puppy!"

Faith could not help but laugh at her overly dramatic friend and asked smugly, "Have you heard of this magical device called a phone?"

"You have no heart," Rebekah pouted unsuccessfully as she struggled to stifle a laugh.

"True, but my brain makes up for that," Faith snickered.

"You are terrible! It's no wonder Sarah despises you," she giggled, which in turn made Faith laugh out loud. Sarah was one of the account executives in the clients' department. Since Faith’s second day there, she had it out for her.

"We have ten minutes to spare. Can I make you a quick cup of coffee?" Faith asked.

"Better than nothing. Besides, I bought us some doughnuts. See what an amazing and forgiving person I am."

"You are such a darling!" Faith giggled, and then her expression transformed into that of excitement. "I also have some interesting news to tell you!" Rebekah's face lit up, and she immediately dragged Faith to the kitchen, not wanting to waste another second.

She speedily grabbed two cups from the cupboard and placed them in front of Faith next to the coffee machine. "Spill and I don't mean the coffee!" Rebekah demanded.

Faith laughed at the pun whilst carefully opening the sugar pot and started scooping at its contents. "Firstly, Brad from the café made that forest black wrap a permanent dish. Amy said, 'It was a means of welcoming me to the city.'"

"I am not surprised!" Rebekah snickered.

"What? How so?" Faith asked, looking at her confused.

"The way in which he was gawking at you last week when you were chatting to Amy, I thought he was going to ask for your number or something," she admitted honestly.

"What? You're joking! Surely you are exaggerating?" Faith asked, horrified, as she poured the freshly brewed coffee.

"I am serious! Didn't you notice?"

"No, not at all!" Faith exclaimed as she mixed in the milk and then slid one cup close to her colleague.

Rebekah only shook her head and then took her cup as she asked, "Is that the only news?"

"Nope, I made a friend!" Faith beamed.

"Look at you, becoming a social butterfly. Who did you meet?" Rebekah asked as she offered Faith a caramel doughnut.

"I don't know if you'd noticed the last time we were there, there was an elderly gentleman with black and grey hair. He was sitting in the corner reading a book."

"No way! Surely you don't mean Aspis Garter?!" Rebekah squealed in excitement.

"Yes! I was asking Amy if there were any art supply stores close by, and he overheard us. We ended up walking together to a huge one not far from here."

"Splash and Sketch?"

"Yes, that's the place," Faith exclaimed.

"No way! And? Tell me everything!"

Faith recounted the entire experience to her, beginning with Aspis paying for her smoothie and ending with her departure carrying a large bag of gifted art supplies. Rebekah's facial expressions were priceless. She was so invested, that she nearly spilled her coffee as she almost forgot that she was holding her cup in her hand.

"Holy s**t! Would you believe that I am shocked, yet at the same time not surprised?" Faith furrowed her brows at Rebekah's words.

She continued, "Oh the gift thing is nothing new, but who knew Mr. Garter has a thing for snakes and art? I never would have expected that. I always thought he was like a clerk or accountant, something really boring. After all these years, I'd say you have learned more about that man than the whole city's inhabitants," she laughed.

"Huh, you sure you are not exaggerating again?" was all Faith could utter with a raised unbelieving brow.

"Trust me, there was once upon a time when I made it my mission to learn more about him, but I got nowhere and nothing! He would avoid me like a plague and I eventually gave up. For him to actually approach you could mean either of two things. One, he has a thing for you, or two, it's probably because you are new and not yet polluted by Vilda’s gossip.

"Haha, I'll place my bet on number two. Surely a handsome man like him has a wife or partner?"

"Honestly, I can't say. Some rumours claim that he may have had a wife who passed away long ago. A more recent gossip, now when I say recent, it was like a year or two ago. Some believe he just wasn't into women. In fact, to my knowledge, you are the second or third woman he bought gifts for."

"You really were on a mission to invade the poor man's private life. Shame on you, you nosy girl! If he is not hurting anyone, let him be," Faith teased.

"Yes, Mom," Rebekah pouted jokingly. "Truth be told Faithi, I used to have a huge crush on Aspis. I still steal glances when I see him. Those dark and silver locks and earthy green eyes, f**k me my heart!"

"That poor, poor man, no wonder he was avoiding you. You are like a hurricane of passion ready to obliterate him," Faith said dramatically, causing both women to laugh. "But I will give it to you, he is a handsome gentleman."

"Nu-uh, he is off limits! You've got your Jason," Rebekah teased.

"Oh boy, don't even say that. I can already imagine hubsy flipping out when I tell him what happened today with the whole gift ordeal," Faith giggled nervously.

"Oh f**k, and the forest wrap issue on top of that, you are so screwed. Guess you're not allowed to go out for lunch without me," Rebekah laughed villainously.

"You are such a schemer," Faith pouted.

"Hello ladies," greeted Blake, their employer, as he looked them up and down with curious eyes.

"Hey Mr. Craven," both women greeted.

"What are you two laughing about? It seems as though I had missed some fun,” he smiled keenly.

"Yup, just missed it. Faith and I 'wrapped up' our lunch," she said with bobbing eyebrows, nudging Faith.

"You are terrible," Faith whispered as she got the pun.

"Oh, pooh!" Blake sighed, and then his eyes lingered on Faith before he continued, "Faith, why not come with me to my office? There is something I'd like to discuss."

"Sure, Mr. Craven. Later, Bex," she said as she got up from her seat.

"Yeah, see you, Faith," Rebekah greeted, but she showed an unsure glance as she observed her colleague walking off with Blake.

As Blake and Faith made their way to his office, he gently placed his hand on Faith's lower back, catching her off guard. "Can you believe it's almost been a week since you started working here?" he purred whilst skillfully grazing his hand to her hip.

Faith shifted uncomfortably, however, she still managed to respond with her famous poker face, "Yeah, time sure flies. Thank you so much for the opportunity, Mr. Craven." She suddenly stiffened as he firmed his hold on her.

Blake showed Faith where to sit as soon as they entered his office. He closed the door and casually leaned against his desk right opposite where she was sitting, facing her. He was close. If Faith didn't move her legs to the side, her knees would have touched him.

"How are you finding things here at Galaxy Design Retail Solutions?" he asked as he leaned over, staring down at her with his peckish gaze.

Faith felt like shrinking to the point of disappearing. His leer was somewhat unnerving.

"I have been enjoying it, Mr. Craven, and have learned a lot. Everyone here has been so kind and helpful to get me settled."

"That's good," he hummed, "Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"Thank you, but I just had a cup with Rebekah," Faith quickly explained.

Blake stood up and took hold of Faith's hand. "As good as things are now, remember that it can get a bit tough here, and some people tend to vent their frustrations on others. Especially around this time of year. We are a large business, so it is to be expected." His fingers sensually played with her captured hand, making Faith more uneasy.

"You are always welcome to my office when those times come. I will make sure no one bullies you, Faye," Blake reassured with a charming smile.

"Thank you... Mr. Craven."

"Please call me Blake," he sang, and gingerly let go of her hand. "It was nice catching up. I am glad you are settling! I am sure you have quite a bit of work to do. We wouldn't want you to stay late," he said with a mischievous wink.

"Yeah, wouldn't want hubsy to worry,” Faith said deliberately.

“Ho ho, no we wouldn’t," he chuckled, then continued, "But when it does come to that, I am here in the evenings also, so you will be quite safe,” he said as he helped Faith up and guided her to the door.

“Uh, thank you, Blake. See you,” Faith muttered.

"See you," he beamed. As soon as he opened the door for her, Faith scurried out.