A BIG Boss - Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The feeling of anxiety, the feeling of desperation. Mrs. Stalwart rushed to her car and drove off, she barely followed the speed limit, she tried to get home as quick as she could.

Harvey never picked up the phone, he never returned her calls. No text, no message, no nothing! What happened? Was he ok? Was he hurt? Was he in danger?!

She ran half-a-dozen scenarios in her mind, she breathed in and out. She felt so tense, so worried, she felt so bad!

“D-don’t worry, he’s fine. As soon as I get home, he’ll be there! Yes! He’ll be there.” She tried to convince herself.

He just forgot his phone, he might have left it somewhere he couldn’t listen. Maybe he forgot to put the volume back on.

“He’s going to hear me when I get back!” She clench her hands on the steering wheel. “Or not, maybe not. Relax, be nice, he’s suffered enough…” she thought.

Being mad because he’s not answering her calls, that truly drove her to the edge! But she was more worried than she was mad, so she’ll give him a break.

—

She got home, parked on her drive-way and ran! Mrs. Stalwart didn’t shut her car’s door, she didn’t even turn off the engine! 

She opened her door, she was truly hoping to see him there. Standing behind the door, looking at her maybe with an angry expression in his face.

“Did you seriously suspend me?!” He’d complain, his arms crossed over his chest and annoyance in his tone.

She was hoping for that, but it didn’t happen…

She walked into an empty house. She searched for him. The living room, the kitchen, the bedroom, the guest’s room, all bathrooms, the garage, the pool. He was not there!

“Harvey! My love! I’m not mad! I promise! Please, don’t hide! Please… please, baby, answer me…” now she was truly desperate.

Her heart was pounding so that she could hear it. Like drums at her ears, despair was calling, screaming at her! What has she done? This was her fault, this was her fault!

A man, a truly lovely man has finally found her, they had finally met, and now he’s gone?

She rushed to their bedroom, his stuff was still there. He was not gone. She searched for a note, in bed, at the bathroom, even on the fridge! There was no note, he has not been home, most likely.

She was desperate, did she really set him away? She was not worried if he was not coming back, she was worried about him. Was he ok? Was he sad? Was that the reason he was not here? She hurt him, she HURT HIM!

She felt so bad, she no longer cared if he’s mad at her, or if he hates her. She only wanted to know he was fine, that he was safe and sound. She only wanted, she needed, to hear the sound of his voice and know he was safe.

“Harvey… please…” she called once again, no answer, and now she was leaving a message. Between sobs and tears, she needed him to call her, she needed to listen to the sound of his voice. “Please, I’m begging you! Call me back, dear. I… I need you…” She needs him.

For her sake, she needs to know he’s alive…

—

The sun was setting in the sky, Harvey was still at the mall. Dinner? Nah, he’s not hungry.

The night was approaching, he wondered, what to do? Where to go? He could easily go to a hotel, even a motel, he only needed a place to crash for the night. And then, in the morning, he could go pick his stuff at her place.

If she doesn’t want him close, then he’ll leave. He’ll get away, as far away from her as he can.

She’s persistent, she’s been calling him constantly, at least every hour. Maybe he should give her some credit, she’s playing her role of the caring lady so good. Did she even care? At all? At any time?

He sighed, he rubbed his eyes, some tears were coming but he can’t cry. He could spend the rest of the night wondering what he did wrong, but he did nothing wrong. He gave her his all, and she? Well, he thought she was doing the same. Now… he’s not so sure.

—

The hours kept passing, they haven’t spoken since that moment at the office when she kicked him out. To lose his job? That’s the thing he cares for the least. If anything, that’s good! Then he won’t have to see her again…

He turned at his phone, over fifty missed calls and nearly a dozen messages from Mrs. Stalwart. He was certain she was mad at him, that she wanted to yell at him, he didn’t feel like hearing her messages.

He was not even in the mood to see her again. So, why not end things up once and for all?

Harvey made up his mind, if this was the end, then it ends tonight!

He took a cab and headed to her place. He’ll get his answer, pick his stuff and she’ll never see her again.

Deep down, he had hopes, he still wanted to believe in her! If she had an excuse, then he wanted to hear it! To know she was sincere! He still wanted to believe in her!

But, not, he has no idea if he can still believe in her.

The whole way there, he was wondering what she'd say. What excuse she’ll give…

—

He got off the cab, paid and walked towards her house. A house he thought was their love nest, a house he never truly felt like his, or theirs, it was hers. She earned it, but just like her heart, he felt he could be a part of it, that he could find a home in it. He’s so sad about how foolish that now seemed.

Harvey put in the code she gave him and walked in. Every step came with a pound in his heart. Every step he got closer, he felt gravity augmenting, he felt like running, like turning back and walking away.

But that’s not what he came here for.

Harvey walked in, he closed the large door behind him and walked towards the living room.

He heard a voice, Vera’s voice. “Harvey? Is that you?” she asked, and soon her huge steps were coming his way, heavy stomps making their way down the stairs. She knew he was here, she was going to come find him. What was she going to tell him? Will she scold him for what he did today? For the incident at the meeting? He no longer cares, he doesn’t even know if he’ll be able to listen.

He kept walking, like a man who’s numb, who’s empty, he just walked without a real purpose. Why was he here? He ignored. Why did he come back? He wasn’t sure.

Soon, he could see  her large form with the corner of his eye. A nearly ten feet-tall woman was just too big to ignore. But he so wanted to be able not to see her.

“Harvey! Oh, it’s you! Where have you been?” She said, a tone of contempt and relief in her first words. “I’ve been calling you!” The concern was back on her voice, and soon escalated to anger, “Why didn’t you answer! I’ve been worried sick! I was worried something happened to you! Do you know how I feel?” she asked.

That was it, the push he needed. She’s been worried? But why? She’s the one who kicked him out!

“How you felt?” He asked, “You? Oh, do you have an idea of how -I- feel? How it… how it was like to be kicked out! How… how it was like to be thrown away by the… by the woman who…” the words couldn’t quite make it out of his mouth, a knot in his throat cut him off.

Vera was surprised, angry but surprised. She’s never seen him upset, and now he’s standing there, the 5´5” man yelling back at the 9´6” amazon.

“You… do you even care about me?” He asked, looking at her body.

Vera was wearing a nightgown. Her hair was done in a bun, she seems to be ready to sleep. He had no chance, or will, to see how sexy she seemed. Her enormous breasts overfilling the top, or her massive legs showing off. He was mad, he was so upset!

“If you were so worried, then why are you ready for bed? I bet you didn’t even search for me.” He said.

How could he say that?! She wondered. What was wrong with him? She was so worried and now he’s talking this way to her?

“Excuse me? How dare you say such a thing! I’ve been worried! I’ve been calling you over and over! There must be a hundred voice messages in your phone! Why didn’t you call me back?!” She said, standing tall, hands on her hips, a stern look on her face, she wanted an answer, and he’ll give her an answer.

“Why didn’t you?! Why did you kick me out of the meeting like… like… like you didn’t care for me! I thought,” his voice broke a little, his eyes went teary. “I thought you’d come back,” he sniffed, “I thought you’d call me back and… and tell me you didn’t mean that…” A tear ran down his cheek.

That’s what it was. How could she be so blind? In the heat of the moment, she kicked him out, didn’t she? She cast him away, and she was certain she was pretending for everyone, but the one who truly believed her act was him, he’s the one who felt each and every word of hers.

“Harvey, I…” her tone softened, she tried to approach him, but he stepped back.

“Everyone was staring at me,” he turned away at the floor, “when that man tried to shut me down, when he tried to make fun of me, I thought you were going to stand for me. Why did I? I don’t know… I thought, she’s got my back, but then, you kicked me out. You suspended me, you… you made me feel like… nothing.” The tears fell to the floor.

“No, baby. I did it because… you were taking things too far.” She said.

“So? What about him?” He rose his gaze and turned at her. “He’s the jerk! He’s the one who started this! I… I just wanted to share my thoughts and… make you proud. But I just made a joke of myself.” Now she feels the knot on her throat.

So this is what it feels like, she thought. This is what it feels when you regret the way you’ve talked to someone. When you actually care for those you were mean to. She meant no harm, she was just acting as she should, like the boss would. But she’s not just his boss, she’s his lover.

Now, he didn’t feel it like the boss yelling at you, he felt it like your girlfriend screaming at you. And this was not like the boss correcting you, this was his girlfriend setting him away.

“But, maybe, joke’s on me because… I was the fool who believed your lies.” Her heart skipped a beat as he heard his words. “You told me you kept our relationship a secret because it was inappropriate. But, I think, you’re ashamed of me.”

“No, Harvey, I… I love you.” She tried to comfort him, she just wanted to wrap her arms around him and make things alright. But he didn’t let her.

“Then, prove it. Show me this is true love and not just… a game for you. Because, right now, I don’t feel loved, in fact, I don’t know what I’m even doing here. I… I’ll just take my things and go find a motel to stay the night.”

What had she done?