Second Class Citizen

Chapter 8

I was on my back home. What a crass joke on my life. Eight months had gone by since my departure and two months since the call incident of Lev. I didn't want to return and was more than happy to spend thanksgiving alone.

Mr Welwore had a series of depositions in my home town. It was a multi-million dollar case and one of Mr Welwore's biggest clients. The stress level in the office was palpable. Most of the associates were working in some capacity or another. Either helping to research or prepare documentation that would be used for trial. I had seen many tears fall. Men and women alike had reached their breaking point under Mr Welwore's temper. He was deeply agitated. Sloppy work was grounds for dismal. Praise was few. The glamours side of law had left our offices.  

Surprisingly I felt more at home in the office. There was a calmness that I found in the chaos. I gravitated towards the bustle of work. In some way it became my new identity. I was good at it. I excelled. I knew what was needed and how to achieve it. Unlike friendship. Unlike love. 

As a result I was the only assistant to accompany Mr Welwore and his associate Darren.  We were flying down in the company jet. Darren was a second year in the firm. A graduate from a Princeton. He was significantly more qualified than me. Of the three of us his personality was glaringly cheery. Normally he would travel with two associates but it seemed my performance had proven me worthy of coming. Despite my lack of expressed desire to attend. Mr Welwore and I were strictly professional. Idle conversation was a skill I had lost in the last few years.  Needless to say, Darren's jovially nature grated our nerves. 

"When are you going to take me up on that coffee, Kat-tia. I know this great place close to the office. The most delightful latte you've ever had." Said Darren plonking himself next to me. I was grateful for the armrest that separated us. However he just leaned over it, trying to grab one of my pens off my tray table. Irked at his childish antics, I smack the top of his hand. 

Mr Welwore sat a row ahead. The seating of the plane allowed him to face us. He continued to work, close enough to call upon us but also just out of range for him to isolate himself. Combined with the hum of the airplane Darren voice's went unheard by him. A part of me briefly wished we were seated directly across from Mr Welwore. Darren tended to perform less in his presence. 

"No thank you Darren. For the millionth time my name is not Kat-tia. Can you give me the environmental report from the CDC?" I asked him. I think Darren thought I was appealed by the distortion of my name. As if mislabeling me would be pleasing.

"One day, Kat-tia. One day I'm going to break down that no into a yes." He replied back, handing me the report he had buried under a mountain of paperwork. It bothered me that he was able to accumulate such a mess in an hour. Truth be told we all had an equal amount of dishevelment on our tables but everything about Darren was annoying. He was like a dog with a new toy. Playful and stupid.

I wasn't an idiot. I knew Darren's intentions were not fully noble. I knew he wanted to take me out for an ulterior reason. Maybe some bragging rights with the other boys in the office or perhaps a bet of some kind. Winner to the one who cracked the ice queen.

I didn't care. Countless others had tried. All would fail.

For the next half hour Darren flirted continuously with me. It was obvious and tiresome. I had developed a headache and was pinching my brow at the sound of my name being warped once more. 

"Darren, I believe Katia has refused you enough for one day. Perhaps when you are done being a nuisance you can actually do some work. Or did you wish this trip to be a vacation for you? Considering that you have been more interested in the warm peanuts than in giving me the case files I requested you to bring. " Said Mr Welwore, not even glancing up from case files. We had underestimated the power of Mr Welwore's hearing.

"My apologies sir." Replied Darren, temporarily quieted by Mr Welore's reprimand. Darren was really one cocky pain in the ass. 

At the sound of Mr Welwore's voice I opened my eyes, expecting a command for me instead of a reprieve. Mr Welwore looked over to us, waiting for Darren to haul out the files he needed. I however was grateful for the aid. 

"Thank you" I mouthed to Mr Welwore. He dipped his head in acknowledgment.  I could have been mistaking but it looked like he had a slight smile. 

For the rest of the flight we were able to return back to the cold professional working environment I loved. It was only when the captain told us to fold away our tables did I remember where we were heading to. 

A place I used to call home. 

Instantly my headache came back with a vengeance. I didn't want to think of home. I looked for my laptop, or my computer. Even a tablet, but I packed my electronics away for landing. My files was up in the stowage above me. I needed something to work on, to get my mind off were we were going to and a travel magazine wasn't going to cut it. My hand clenched firmly and my gaze harden as I looked out the window. For the first time in months I felt a knot tighten between my shoulder blades. Darren had shut his eyes for the landing and managed to fall asleep in the short space of time. Lucky idiot.

"Everything alright Katia?" Ask Mr Welwore. Surprised I turned to him not realising he was studying my gaze.

"I'm fine Mr Welwore. Can I get you anything, sir?" I replied back, my mind retracting to its automatic response. 

"You must be excited to be returning home." He answered, ignoring my response.

"Of course Sir." I smiled in return. It was more of a grimace.

"Are you eager to see your friends and family." He said. 

"I have no family. My parents died a few years ago. Only child." I responded automatically. 

"Well I'm sure your friends will be elated to see you. It's been quite some time since you've seen them. " 

I huffed, exhaling at the thought. Friends like Dave and Jane maybe. Not Lev. What were we anyway? Were we friends? Acquaintances? Was he now someone I used to go to school with? It was too confusing.

"I'm here to work Sir. My job is the priority of the trip. Not my social life." I replied resolute. It was the only thing I knew I could do. 

He leaned back into the chair. His eyes changing slightly in study.

"You are an interesting person Katia. Very well. There will be much work to keep you busy. Should you feel the need to leave let me know.I would be willing to excuse you for an hour or two if need be." replied Mr Welwore.

"Thank you sir. Anything else sir?" I asked, hoping to turn his interest in my home town away. He was lawyer and one of the best. I was not eager to attract his attention. If he wanted answers on my life he would be able to get them. 

"That's all for now." He replied closing his eyes. A faint look of bemusement on his face. 

If I hadn't been focusing so intently on the landing and my desire to go back home I might have realised that we had just had a conversation outside of work matters. One where Mr Welwore respectfully didn't pry. A first ever in his career.