polaris

returning to the routine

Jack enters his workplace hesitantly. He walks to his desk, alerting his coworkers.

"Hey Jack." A woman greets him.

He looks at her and smiles. "Hey Josy."

"We missed you." She smiles. "Gary is about to catch up to your sold houses."

"Why do you think I returned?" He jokes. "I want that bonus."

The woman laughs. "Only twelve more days!"

He sits down on his desk. "Plenty of time to make him eat my dust." Jack turns his computer on. He looks to the side and sees a little frame. He furrows his eyebrows when he sees it's empty.

"Your friend came over and took the picture out." Josy replies to his silent question. "He changed your wallpaper, too."

Jack looks at his desktop. It was a picture of a field of wildflowers. Just like the one on his painting.

"If you ever need help with anything, we're here for you." She rests a friendly hand on his shoulder.

He looks at her and smiles softly. "Everything has been settled. Thanks for offering help."

She leans on his desk. Jack suddenly feels uncomfortable. "Would you be so kind as to kill my curiosity?" She questions.

Jack licks his lips. "I won't." He sets the boundary. "It's my personal life. And I'd like to keep it that way."

Josy raises her hands in defeat. "Alright, man. Fair enough." With that, she goes to her own desk.

The curly head takes a few deep breaths and opens his eyes to continue his work. As if he didn't disappear for a month and a half.

Jack works fast. He manages to schedule two house tours by ten and post four advertisements by eleven and start searching for apartments until noon. He looks around and opens a new tab.

He opens Tiffany's. It was pricey but still within his budget. He starts searching for necklaces. Jack leans forward as he becomes invested.

He doesn't even notice Zach coming into his office and walking towards him. The brunet grins.

He hits his hands on the table. "What are you searching for?"

Jack jumps and quickly changes tabs. He rests a hand on his chest, still spooked. Zach laughs. "Don't scare me like that!"

"Why? Scared your heart will fail you, Grandpa?" He teases.

Jack promptly flips him off with a smile. "What are you doing here anyway?"

Zach sets a brown paper bag on his desk. "Someone was too excited to get to work and left his lunch in my car before he got into his."

"Grandpa's memory isn't the best." Jack deadpans, making Zach laugh loudly. "Thank you."

"You're lucky I had to come here." He sits down in front of him.

"You had to come here?" He raises his eyebrow.

"I have a meeting with your boss." Zach explains. "He requested it... and I'm like his boss, too. So yeah." He shrugs. "Can't really tell you what it's about." Zach moves closer to him. "I'll tell you at home."

Jack smiles. "Alright." He looks at the bag. "Have you had lunch already?"

Zach nods. "The meeting is in," he checks his wristwatch, "ten minutes. Eat up."

He opens the bag and takes out his lunchbox. Jack opens it and smiles. "When did you find the time to make this?"

"I've been meal prepping." He admits. "It makes things like, so much easier."