Alekses massaged her shaft as she watched her assistant's intern run around the office like a headless chicken.
Xhenia was supposed to be setting an appointment for Alekses since the actual assistant wasn't here, but her coworkers kept adding to her load.
"Are they running you over, little mouse," she groaned, watching the cameras. She made sure to mesmerize each employee who added to Xhenia's load.
Xhenia had finally made it back to her office and plopped down with a sigh. Her body was only starting to relax when she heard her boss' voice.
"Are you done setting that appointment," her husky voice filled the room. Xhenia inwardly flinched, then shook her head. "No, I went to use the restroom and got distracted," she lied.
Xhenia could feel the hair on her neck lift when she uttered those words. Though the woman showed no expression to the lie she was told, it excited her that Xhenia had lied.
"Get it done, Ms. Jon," was all she said before she left.
Xhenia sighed when Alekses left. It was as if a massive weight was lifted off her shoulders and she could breathe again.
"She's so intimidating," Xhenia mumbled.
Xhenia got to work. She set the appointment and finished the extra given to her by the end of the day.
She grabbed the files for her coworkers and went to their cubicles, but they were empty. She looked around to ask someone where did they go, but no one was there. The floor was empty. Where did everyone go?
She took a look at her watch and saw it was past leaving time. It was possible she was the only person there.
"Oh, Ms. Jon, you're still here?"
In shock, Xhenia looked up to see Alekses leaving her office with a briefcase. She looked tired to Xhenia.
Her hair that fell at her shoulders was now in a messy bun. The first two buttons of her shirt were undone, and her eyes were slightly red from rubbing them.
Though Alekses scared her more than anything, Xhenia still had a kind heart and was worried about her.
"Are you okay," she asked.
Her voice was like a melody Alekses could never tire of, but she can't show that yet. She had to give her little mouse an answer that would make her drop her guard, even if it was just a little.
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired," she started. "My mother was admitted to the hospital, so it's worried me."
She technically didn't lie. Her mother was admitted to the hospital, and she was worried sick, 12 years ago.
Once her mother was admitted to the hospital, she was immediately pronounced dead. Her mother had died of an overdose, and because of that, Alekses despised her mother.
However, Xhenia didn't need to know that.
"Oh my gosh, is she okay," Xhenia asked with her hands covering her mouth. Xhenia wanted to hug her boss but refrained from doing so because she was her boss.
"She's doing better."
"I'm glad to hear that."
Now that conversation had ended, the tiny woman was nervous again. She lowered her head and twiddled her thumbs, not knowing where to look.
Alekses found this cute and inwardly chuckled.
You're so cute, Whiskers. I want to ruin that.
"It's getting late. Are you not going home," Alekses looked at her watch and asked.
"Oh, right. I didn't notice it was so late," Xhenia mumbled as she tried to walk past, but Alekses blocked her path with her hand.
"Speak up."
Xhenia looked at the hand, then its owner, then gulped.
"I didn't notice it was this late," she squeaked a little higher.
"Hmm, well, be safe, Ms. Jon," Alekses said as she stepped toward the elevator, but Xhenia stopped her.
"Um, I need to grab my bag. Could you wait on me, please?"
"Of course."
Hearing an answer, Xhenia turned around and scurried to the assistant's office, grabbing her bag.
"Thanks for waiting," she said as she returned.
"Shall we?"
Xhenia nodded and walked ahead of her to the elevator. Arriving at the elevator, Xhenia hesitated. Though she got on this elevator every day, she was deeply terrified of them, but she never showed, so no one knew.
Alekses knew.
She knew almost everything about her mouse. She needed to if she was to take care of her.
"It's okay. I'm here with you," Alekses said as she placed her hand on Xhenia's lower back and pressed the button.
The doors opened, and Alekses guided her inside the elevator.
"Um, you can move your hand now," Xhenia mumbled, but Alekses pretended not to hear, wanting her to speak louder.
She never did. She went the entire drop with Alekses' hand on her back. Why? Because she was afraid to say anything to her boss.
Alekses settled comfortably in the uncomfortable silence that had surrounded them. However, Xhenia did not. If anything, she wished this dirty floor would open and swallow her whole. I don't care if it's dirty.
When they stepped outside, Xhenia was surprised to see her friend was on time to pick her up. Usually, she would be late thirty minutes to an hour. She was never on time. This could only mean one thing. She needed money.
When Alekses saw the car, she immediately grew upset. She didn't want her mouse hanging around a drug addict.
Whiskers doesn't need anyone like that around her.
"Thank you for walking me down," Xhenia said as she happily detached herself from Alekses. "Have a good night."
And with that, Xhenia got in her friend's car, leaving her boss where she stood, but that didn't break Alekses' glare. She watched her mouse get in the car and drive off until she no longer saw the vehicle.
"Soon."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked to her vehicle, leaving as well.
"Paws, I'm home," Xhenia yelled through her apartment.
The slight sound of excited pitter-patter filled her ears before the culprit came into sight.
A small black pup came running towards her, washing all her stress from the day away. Paws was the best thing to happen to her. If he could speak, he would say the same about her.
When Xhenia was walking one day, she found a dog who died from exhaustion, dehydration, and hunger after giving birth. Sadly, Paws was the only pup to survive. She took him home, and the rest was history.
The only problem was hiding Paws since her complex doesn't allow pets. It wasn't that big of a problem, but Paws could get excited sometimes.
"Are you hungry, Paws?"
With a wag of his tail, Paws followed her into the kitchen and watched her heat leftovers for him.
Because he wasn't supposed to be there, she fed Paws her leftovers. She was also training him to use the toilet. This way, she wouldn't have to sneak him out so much.
His barks weren't loud yet, so that was a plus.
She sat the bowl in front of him and put her hand out.
"Sit, Paws."
Paws stopped and sat. He waited for her to tell him he could eat, even though he was starving.
"Eat."
Xhenia watched Paws eat before deciding to shower and brush her teeth before bed.
"Today has been a long day," she mumbled to Paws as she pulled the cover back. Paws wagged his tail, waiting for her to pick him up so he could join her.
Xhenia picked him up, kissed his head like always, and laid back.
"Goodnight, Paws."
"Goodnight, whiskers," Alekses mumbled as she walked away from the camera.