Stubborn

[SneezingGenius]

New name, new me.

Hey guys, I don't know if I have anything here but I've been sitting with this story for a while. Hope y'all enjoy!

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Stubborn

An important job, rich, large family...

Yeah, none of that is ever going to happen. But, It's the only thing that keeps me going back to the same building every day. Fairly large, millions of windows, plenty of people running around. Not exactly my dream but it will have to do. What do I do you may ask? I basically keep the city running. Well, not exactly, but I like to say that.  I do most of the design for our cities website and other social media platforms. See what I mean? Keeping the city alive and running, in a more virtual way. 

You'd think with such an important job I would have at least a larger office space. Nope. Our office is one smallish sized section of the building with Nikki at reception and my private office to her right. Nikki is the youngest out of our section, but don't let that fool you. She's got her eyes on everything. And, to my pleasure, she always has the juiciest gossip. 

Myself and my fellow colleague Connor have two tiny offices beside each other. I mean, I only really need my computer so I guess it makes sense. Across the hall is Katelyn. Honestly, we only see each other during meetings and that's fine with me. She's doing more of the agriculture planning side of the city so I don't usually need to talk to her anyway. 

Most importantly, we have Natalie, my boss. She's cold-hearted, hard-working, and something of a mystery. Yeah, she's also my best friend. Don't ask me. We've been friends ever since I cracked her cold-hard outer shell.  Nobody has been able to do that, except maybe Nikki. She's not the same age as me, about 6 years older. I'm even miraculously the godmother to her first child. Told you, I've cracked her. 

Nat and I have worked together for over 10 years and I guess I can say I enjoy her hard-working attitude. We work very well together, and I help keep her on the more kind, soft-hearted side of her personality. 

I turn the final corner and head into the office building. I won't kid you, it's quite a walk from the parking lot. Especially on these types of days; uncomfortably cold with flakes of snow softly falling to the ground below. I reach the warmth of the office building and see that many have chosen to stay home today. "Babies". 

Up in the elevator I go to the 10th floor. Down the hallway, to the left, and straight to the office.

"Good morning Nikki", I pleasantly announce. 

"Good morning Miss. Hill", she responds.

Although, as I continue to my office, I feel the presence of her small frame following me. 

I hang up my fashionable winter jacket and sit down at my computer.
I was right, Nikki is now standing in the frame of my door.

"Gossip?" I question, "it better be good"

"No, sorry," she replies.

"So?" I say motioning her to speak. 

"Well," she hesitates, "I know you are good friends with Ms. Jones..."

"Oh no," I utter

"She's being extremely stubborn and won't listen to me" she protests. 

Yeah sounds about right...

"What is it this time?" I sigh.

"I believe she is coming down with something" she expresses. 

See what I meant by Nikki's extreme observation skills?

"She won't even discuss the option to go home" she continues. 

One thing you have to know about Nichole Jones is that she goes home for nothing. She once fell down concrete stairs at the office head first. She insisted that it was just a bump which turned out to be a massive concussion. Most people would have gone home immediately, not her. 

"Hmmm," I vocalize "You know what, I'll go check on her in an hour. We are supposed to have a meeting on the Henderson project. I'll investigate from there."
Nikki nods her head and exits my office and back to her small front desk area. 

 

What am I ever gonna do with her?

 

 

 

 

[oOMariusOo]

The prologue is interesting and very nicely written, I went to take a look at your other stories, I really like to read you, you have a certain style when you write in the first person singular. I loved "First impressions" but my favorite at the moment is "Doctoring a Doctor", I think you have a lot of talent ! I can't wait to read the rest of your current story. Thank you for sharing it with us. 

[Likesn]

On 5/18/2021 at 2:16 AM, SneezingGenius said:

What am I ever gonna do with her?

Take care of her, of course 😉 Don't worry - if you end up catching her cold she could do the same for you 😜

I really like where this is heading. You built the characters well and I'd like to see what happens next.

[SneezingGenius]

Thank you @oOMariusOo and @Likesn, very much! Both of you have given me the drive to continue writing!! 😊

I'll try my best to continue writing what you guys are looking for!

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It's been around an hour now. I decide it's time to go check in on my patient. 
I head around the corner and send a little wink to Nikki. 

As I stand in the doorway of my boss's office, I see the obvious signs of a lingering illness. Tissues fill up the basket, nose is red, hair is in its "weekend" state. 

Also, damn I forgot how big her office is. This would be nice...

But I have to focus.

"Good morning," I say as I waltz deeper into her office. 
But I am not given a reply, and it doesn't take long to figure out why.

"Huh- NGkchoo"
Stiffled, into her waiting elbow

"Well good morning to you too," I continue

"Funny," she says, in that unamused tone of hers as I pull up a chair. 

"How we doing?" I ask, knowing the answer to come,

"Fine" she utters. 

"You ready for our meeting?" I ask.

I know she forgot about it, let's be honest, when we are sick we can't remember anything. 

"oh," 
...told you 

"Yes of course I'm ready," she says scrambling.

"uh-huh" I mutter.

Of course, she continues with the conversation as if nothing was wrong. Once I start talking about my project though, I feel like I'm talking to a wall. 

"What do you think?" I continue.

"hmm yeah, It's great",

No, it isn't. This is my first draft. She always has critiques especially when it's for an important client. 

"Okay," I continue, standing up "Greeeat feedback" 

"Shut up" she replies.

"Well I'm not the one making myself sicker by staying at work, am I?" 

"I said I'b find", the congestion now filling her voice.

"Yep, I ABsoLuTely believe you", I say rolling my eyes.

I'm given her classic "evil stare" back.
That's my cue to leave and as I reach the exit I hear a very stifled "H-NXt", probably attempting to hide it from me.

"Um hmm" I utter, as if to say "Suuuree I can TOtally tell you are 100% not sick at all" 

My eyes meet Nikki's as I exit Natalie's office. I give her a slight shrug and she answers with an eye-roll. 
My plan you may ask? Oh no, I'm not giving up, don't worry. Since my office wall is against hers I can hear every sound that comes out of there. The moment I know she's lost the battle, I'll play the roll of a "nice" friend. But, until then, yeah, she can suffer. 

[NickG1998]

Another wonderful chapter I absolutely love this story  I can't wait for the next update

[oOMariusOo]

Woohoo, I love it ! I want to read more ! 

[M214186]

I love this denial

[SneezingGenius]

Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. As well, sorry for the wait! It's been quite a busy week but I've finally gotten back to writing. I'd really like some suggestions on where to go from here. Your input would be greatly appreciated! 

But, without further ado, here is chapter 3...

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I was right, like always.

It didn't take long for me to hear the sounds I was waiting for through my office walls. It's almost 3 hours into the day. I honestly can't believe she's lasted this long. Well, actually, that's a lie. I can. One stubborn lady.

"Hn CHooo" 

Another one...

I've counted about 10 now. I don't think I've EVER heard her sneeze this many times in one day. 

I think it's my time to intervene now. One can only last so long before they know they need to help.  Especially with Nat. 
I sigh and stand back up on my feet. I've gotten no work done. How would I have time for that? 

"HA CHn" 

Yeah, there's my sign. 

I feel almost like a tugging on my heartstrings. Two seconds ago I didn't really care but now, I know I have to help her.

I rush over to her office and walk into her room with no introduction. If I would have knocked, I wouldn't have been accepted. 
I close the door behind me, a little louder than I wanted to but it felt necessary. 

She looks up, surprised, confused, and maybe a little angry at my interrupting presence. But, I also see her now almost blood-shot eyes, dark red and chapped nose, and her extremely pale face.

"You look like shit you know," I say. Oops, a little harsh, but someone has to get it in her head.

"Thangs," she said, looking back at her screen which, I am quite sure did not change from the last time I has been in this room. 

"Nat, seriously, what are you doing?"

She still isn't giving up.

"My worg" she says hiding a slight sniff to attempt to rid of her congestion. 

I give her my best mother stare down, which I've seen her do multiple times not only to her daughter but me as well. 
I was going to try to continue talking her into leaving when her nose decided to help me out. 

"sorry," she says turning to the side as her breathing began to twitch...
"huh huh hii... HA chee, ITchew, HiCHew"

There it is.

Oh yeah, what do I mean by that? I never explained that I've been paying close attention to the little "tendencies" of hers. Mainly because she'll never tell me the truth so I have to pay close attention to the little signs her body is sending.

Getting to the point, one of the tendencies I do know after many experiences is, she sneezes in three's when she is sick. Only when she is sick. She'll sneeze in ones when a small sample of pollen falls on her nose, or if a little piece of dust irritates her. But when she is sick, those threes come out. 

"I knew it," I say under my breath

"*sniff, knew whag?" she says, with not a single change in her expression.

"You are sick," I said, as I fold my arms across my chest, with that "I know more than you know" look. 

No answer. I can feel I am winning. Wow, and it only took me to 11 am. 

"Nat," I continue, softening my tone a slight bit as her guard is let down, "I think it's time to go home."

Pause...

"ogay" she finally gives in but refuses to look at me.

 

Wow

"Okay," I say "grab your stuff and I'll drive you home"

"No", she protests, "I cang drive myself"

Oh definitely not, ABSOLUTELY not.

"Uh, no, you aren't driving"

"wh..." I can hear her say but I'm already on my way out of her office.

"No protesting" I shout back at her.

I head straight to my office, where I pack up my belongings. Good thing I decided to take the bus today. I mean, driving or taking the bus, you end up at the same parking lot so who cares right! 
Back to packing my things. In my office, I can hear her getting up and collecting her belongings. Honestly, I surprised myself. Score for me!

When I turn around, there is Nikki, back in the door frame she appeared in this morning

Except for this time she better be here to congratulate me.

"I'm guessing I'm signing you two out?" 

"Yes, thank you Nikki" I reply

"I'm impressed, Miss. Hill, you've done the impossible" she says with a little smirk on her face

 

 

"I know" I reply with a little chuckle...

[Likesn]

Still going strong and I enjoy it very much 💪 Suggestions for potential continuation of the plot? Well, my (obvious?) suggestion would be to have the protagonist take care of her sick friend, despite the friend insisting that she doesn't need taking care of. This will, inevitably, lead to the protagonist catching the cold and for potential role reversal. Maybe this will even lead to Nikki getting sick and having to deal with both women insisting that she goes home. Of course - these are all just suggestions ☺️