...

NADINE
~Pronounced: Nay-Deen~

ᥫ᭡

The sun isn't even up yet, and I'm already awake, one eye barely open as I fumble for my phone. I glance at the time, groan, and slip out of bed quietly, trying not to wake Marcus.

The only sounds in the house are the soft hum of the fridge and the creak of floorboards as I tiptoe to the kitchen.

It's only minutes to 5 a.m., after all.

This time of the morning is usually when I get some peace and quiet to focus on my priority work.

So I don't mind that I'm only functioning on five hours of sleep.

As I enter the kitchen, I make a bee line for the pantry.

First item of business: coffee.

. . .

I'm sitting around the island, scrolling through my content planner with one eye open and my coffee cup glued to my hand.

The house is blissfully quiet--just how I like it, but I know that the morning rush is about to crash down, in a few minutes, so I'm trying to savor every last second of calm before it does.

Of course, as soon as that thought crosses my mind, I hear footsteps. Ria's little frame appears around the kitchen corner, rubbing her eyes and dragging her blanket.

"Mommy, why you up so early?" She leans her head against my leg, looking up at me with that half-awake pout that always melts my heart.

"Mommy's working," I whisper, patting her head. "You, on the other hand, are supposed to be sleeping, Miss Thing."

She grins, too awake now to go back. Pulling herself up on her tippy toes, she tries to peer over my hand to see what I'm typing. "Mommy what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to create a design. If only you'd let me do so in peace."

"Can I help?"

I laugh, tugging her onto my lap. "If you've suddenly developed the ability to make printables, be my guest."

I tickle her sides making her squeal.

Just then, Marcus strolls into the kitchen, already in his work pants but still pulling on his shirt. He looks at us and shakes his head, laughing. "Isn't this a little early for family meetings?"

I raise an eyebrow. "Tell that to Ria here. She's up and ready to supervise me and my work."

"More like 'watch cartoons and eat cereal.'" He picks her up, and she giggles, reaching her arms out for the pantry.

I sigh, shutting my laptop. "Might as well get breakfast going before Jaden wakes up, since the wul a uno decide fi wake up early this morning."

Him ago live long eno, as not even ten minutes later, Jaden walks into the kitchen, hair sticking up like he's been wrestling with his pillow all night.

He's barely awake as he reaches for an apple and takes a big bite out of it before he plops onto a chair with a grunt.

Face nuh wash, teeth nuh brush nor noth'n.

"Good morning, my ray of sunshine," I tease, setting a bowl of cereal and a plate with bacon and eggs in front of him. "Why your face long so?"

"Is it Saturday yet?" he mumbles between bites.

Marcus laughs, ruffling Jaden's hair. "It's only Wednesday, papa. Long way to go."

Jaden groans.

"The man look like him ready fi call it quits," Marcus turns to me saying, with a chuckle. "No school mood today."

"Eeeh? Sorry fi him 'cause he's going."

"Sorry, mi boss. Mi try lobby fi yuh but mi fail."

Playfully rolling my eyes, I walk over to him, pulling Ria from his hold and setting her down around the counter so she can eat.

Because if mi follow them, them late this morning, and mi mad out.

"Stay deh lobby fi Jaden and nuh eat yuh food so yuh can go finish ready before it get late."

"OK, Mommy." Marcus chuckles as he sits beside the kids and tuck a slice of toast into his mouth.

Mi think mi need a holiday from di wul a uno eno. I swear.

. . .

The morning whirls by in a mess of cereal spills, last-minute outfit changes, and the endless question of whether Jaden remembered his homework. By the time they're both packed off and Marcus is on his way out the door, I feel like I've already worked a full shift.

Thankfully, Marcus decided to take them to school for me this morning. Because...bwoi.

Marcus kisses my forehead, lingering for just a second longer than usual. When he pulls away, he stares down at my face. "Yuh good?"

"Yeah, I'm good." I smile, adjusting his collar. "Thanks for taking the kids today... and for packing their lunches."

He chuckles, grabbing his keys. "Anytime. Just don't be surprised if their sandwiches look a little...experimental."

This makes me laugh.

Marcus closes the gap between us, again, kissing my lips before placing another kiss on my forehead. "Later, love you."

My stomach flutters.

Aw.

"Love you too."

"That nuh sound too convincing eno," he teases.

I wave him off, and as the door shuts, the quiet fills the house again.

Now it's just me and my work, and that endless to-do list staring me down. I sink back into my chair, staring at my screen, but my brain feels foggy. I'm supposed to also write three product reviews today, but after the morning I've had, inspiration is nowhere to be found.

Yippee.

Just as I'm contemplating a second mug of coffee, my phone buzzes with a message from Marcus.

Hussy💋: You've got this! 💪 Sending you all the productive vibes!

I can't help but smile.

Half an hour later, I'm deep into my first post when I hear a soft chime. Reaching across the counter for my phone, I look at the notification bar seeing it's a text from Marcus that came in.

My heart leaps.

Awah now?

As I'm about to open it, the phone starts ringing.

Also Marcus.

"Yeah?"

"Babe, sorry fi disrupt yuh, but yuh daughter just a make mi know say she forgot her drawing for show-and-tell."

Seriously?

Dragging my hand over my face, I exhale. "Weh yuh deh now?"

"Just a leff up a di school." He coughs. "Sorry. See she just see her classmate dem wid theirs and remember hers. Jah know..."

"Damn it, Ria..." I sigh, but I can't even be mad. I thought I packed it in her things. "Alright, I'll get it, and drop it off on my way to run errands."

"That ago be before she need it?" he asks above the blaring of horns. "Or, mi fi just swing back and come fa?"

"If you do that, you'll be late for your meeting. Remember the traffic is hectic up that side eno."

"All a that too."

"Yeah. So I'll just leave now and take it to her. Just let her teacher know, please."

"Alright, m'ago call her 'cause mi drive out already. Hope mi nuh mess up yuh plans wid this though."

I hum. It is what it is.

"Sorry 'bout that yawh, babes."

"That's fine."

"Ah. Later then. Love you."

"Love you too."

The call cuts off, and I know my plans to focus today just went out the window.

I close my laptop and stand with a stretch, toss the empty mug into the sink and march upstairs, chuckling to myself.

The perks of being a mother: being everybody's hero but yours.

°°°

MARCUS

ᥫ᭡

I get to the office just after nine.

"Morning," I call to the receptionist, Zoe, as I walk past her station.

She beams. "Morning, Mr Blackwell."

I head for the elevator, step inside and press the button for the second floor.

I'm hoping for a quiet start to the day--something to ease me in. I need it after the work-week I've had.

But that hope shatters the moment I get upstairs and walk into the main hall. The shift in the room's atmosphere is undeniable when my eyes find Tamara.

I catch sight of her through the open door to the conference room, seated with a few others, casually leaning back in her chair, talking to one of our junior analysts. She doesn't look my way, but the tension between us crackles in the air like a whip, and I know I'm not imagining it.

Grinding my teeth, I continue to walk.

I'm barely through the door to the main office when I hear her laugh...a little too loudly. I ignore the knot that tightens in my stomach.

I head toward my office, hoping to avoid any direct contact until I can gather my thoughts. We've been avoiding each other since the other night, and I'd rather not make a scene today. The fewer waves, the better.

The office is quieter than usual when I step in, which should be a good thing. But today, it just makes everything feel a little off.

Or is it just me?

"Morning, morning," I greet the few people I pass at their cubicles.

"Morning, sir," a chorus of replies come my way.

I settle into my desk, pull out my laptop, power it on, and begin scrolling through emails, trying to drown out the nagging feeling which settles over me still.

Less than five minutes later, there's a knock at my door.

I glance up, and it's Larry, leaning against the doorframe with his left hand in his pocket, his usual laid-back expression in place.

He steps in without waiting for an invitation, closing the door behind him. His eyes flick over me in that casual way he does when he's assessing more than he lets on.

"Yo, yuh alright, man?" he asks, taking a seat across from me, taking a sip from the coffee mug in his hand. "You look like you've been through it."

Yuh fuck fi know.

Literally.

I force a small chuckle. "Just one of those mornings."

And to think I left home in a good mood this morning.

"Mi fi tell yuh 'bout it," he says, looking way too amused too early in the morning. "Whole office feels like somebody just called a meeting we didn't get invited to."

I give a noncommittal shrug. "Anything is possible," I say, avoiding his eyes.

"How that sound so?"

I glance his way, my brows quirking at his question. "How?"

He pauses as if taken aback. Then blinks. "Yuh sure yuh good, dawg?"

"Golden."

Larry and I go way back; he doesn't buy it.

"Right," he drawls, sitting up and setting the mug down on the coaster on my desk.

He clears his throat. Then smirks. "Saw Tamara come in a little..."charged" this morning. Now, you a act stuck the fuck up. I don't suppose there's a correlation between the two?"

I laugh under my breath. "Nuh know wah yawh talk 'bout, Larry."

"Really now. So mi supposed to believe that, Marco Dean?" He calls me by his nickname for me, before leaning forward. "So, it's all a big coincidence say the two a uno choose the same day fi act like uno deh pon uno period? The whole office can literally smell the tension."

I simply hum, highlighting a few emails and moving them to the trash.

Larry reclines in his seat. "Ah. So wah yawh try say, you and Tamara good then?"

Clicking reply on an email from one of our principals, I start typing out a response. "You could say that."

Larry smirks, shaking his head. "Eeh? Coulda fool me..."

Chuckling dryly, I shake my head and glance in his direction in time to see him frown and pick up a pen, aiming it at my head.

I dodge it. "Fuck off nuh, dawg, and come outta mi space!"

"Stop tell mi fuckry, dawg! To how the woman walk in this morning, I thought she was gonna put a hole through your office wall with her glare. She was good Monday, nuh show up Tuesday, and today, Wednesday, she out fi shoot daggers outta her pussyclaat yeye. Yuh cyaa tell mi say sum'n nuh go dung..."

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. "Look, Larry, it's nothing I can't handle. Just... complicated, yuzeet. But everything good."

"See, so mi right then! Sum'n gwaan..."

"As mi say, it's complicated."

He nods slowly, picking up on the weight behind the word. "Complicated, huh? It's funny, ain't it? The way things get complicated the closer people get. And you two, working as close as you do..."

I look away, knowing where he's going with this before he goes there. "Trust me, I get it. It look a way but ano noth'n fi nobody worry about, yuh get mi."

He studies me for a second, waiting for me to continue, but I don't. "Yuh sure? Wah 'bout Nadine?"

There it is--the question I was trying to avoid. "No, yo, nothing like that. Tamara and I are just--look, we've always worked well together. You know that. Strictly work-related."

"There you go again wid di fuckry. Marcus, mi and yuh a bredrin. Long time too. From school days 'til now. We party together, go pon endz together, we crash a each other place. Mi did a yuh bestman a yuh fucking wedding, bredda. Now we a business partners. If anybody know yuh, a mi. So stop try go' round mi head."

He hisses, before I can say anything, then adds, "You know say you and Tamara a fuck. Tamara know say you and her a fuck. Me know say you and the girl a fuck. So don't bullshit mi."

"Mi think mi have every right fi know, as yuh best chargie. And as yuh partner, especially if it ago affect the work environment."

"Wah yuh think mi ago do? Judge yuh? Yuh figot say mi been there, done that?"

I sigh, loosening the noose of my tie around my neck. "Fine. Maybe a likkle sum'n go dung between mi and har. But we did good, Dawg. Everything did good. A just lately...she's been pushing some boundaries weh she nuffi a push, yuzeet."

"Ahh," he says, drawing out the word, understanding settling into his eyes. "Yuh tell her how yuh feel?"

I nod. "Weh night. She claims she doesn't see the problem. Told me I was overreacting and shit."

Larry lets out a low hiss. "Overreacting? So she do sum'n?"

My jaw tightens. "Yeah. She nuh barge een pon mi and Nadine the other day like she waa prove a point. Not just any day, either. It was one of those rare times Nadine was actually here. You know how it goes with her schedule and the kids. We finally get a quiet moment, and Tamara just...the t'ing bun mi yuh fuck."

He shakes his head. "Eeeh? So wah Nads say?"

"That's the thing. She never say noth'n, at the time, but mi coulda see it inna her face, bredda. Then wah night when mi and har go out go nyam some food, she start ask mi bare fuckry question, yo. 'Bout if we good, and if mi regret married to har and having the kids young, and some whole heap a fuckry! Maybe a mi paranoia, but nobody cyaa tell mi say ano a vibe shi pick up mek she a ask dem thing deh, yuzimi."

"Jah Jah! Sounds like yuh allow Tamara fi get too comfortable, chargie. Happens sometimes--people start thinking they own more than they are entitled to." He leans forward, looking me dead in the eye. "You set her straight though?"

"I tried. Told her it wasn't appropriate, that it crossed a line. And mek she know nuffi pass her place dem way again."

Larry chuckles, the sound dry. "And I'm guessing she didn't want to hear that? Because how wi reach yasso now?"

"Not in the slightest." I can feel the frustration building again. "All deh pon her mind affi paint the picture like I was the one with the problem."

I hiss my teeth then add, "But a my fault still."

He lets out a sigh, rubbing his jaw. "Marcus, I'll say this. As a bredrin to a bredrin, if you don't shut this down clean and fast, you're setting yourself up for more than just uncomfortable mornings. You know that, right?"

I nod, swallowing the bitter taste in my mouth.

"I've been there, man. I've let things slide, thought it'd blow over, and then--well, you know how those stories go."

He's right, and we both know it. Larry's been through his share of workplace dramas, the kind that stick around long after they should've died down. I don't want that here. And more than that, I don't want anything messing with what Nadine and I have managed to build, nor what we have going right now; especially not after we're just working to reignite that flame that had gone out.

"And," he adds, "Nadine a mi fren, dawg. Mi nuh wah see she get hurt certain way..."

"Plus, sooner or later, things ago start spread inna the office, if uno continue at the rate weh uno a go now. And we nuh want that. Zeen."

"You're right," I say finally. "Ago set things straight wid such girl."

"Good," he says, giving me a firm nod. "You've got a family to think about, Marcus. Don't let a fleety fuck start blurring your lines. Not worth it. Trust me."

He pauses, looking like he's about to say something else, then shakes his head. "Anyway, you ready for the meeting at ten?"

"Yeah," I say, grateful for the change of subject. "Just need to go over a few last-minute details in the proposal."

"Alright, good." He gives me a nod, then says, almost as an afterthought, "Look, whatever's going on...just don't let it get in the way, alright? We've both seen how things can get in this place."

And a that mi waa avoid.

I meet his gaze, sensing the warning in his tone. "I hear you, Larry."

He stands, giving me a final look before patting me on the shoulder and heading to his office, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I lean back in my chair and stare at the door, watching his retreating back.

My mind drifts to Tamara when I hear her voice just outside my door.

It's crazy how quickly things went sideways with her.

A few months ago, she was just a colleague, a reliable part of the team. But somewhere along the line, boundaries got blurred, and now, it's like I'm constantly dodging some invisible bullets she keeps aiming my way.

Larry's words play over in my mind: it's not worth it.

True.

Affi put a stop to this, but, since mi cyaa fire her, if we affi work together in a the same office space, mi affi at least set myself clear with her.

Jah Jah.

. . .

I get through the morning mostly undisturbed, tackling emails and project notes. The meeting with Larry and the new project heads goes smoothly, and I'm back at my desk milling over paperwork.

Finally, around lunchtime, I grab my keys and head down to the little deli around the corner, hoping to clear my head. The minute I step outside, I feel like I can breathe again.

As I'm walking back to my car, with my food in hand, my phone buzzes. It's Nadine.

Nads: Hope your day's going okay. Your kids want pizza for dinner tonight. Is that alright?

I smile, feeling a little of the tension ease. Just the thought of going home tonight, having a quiet evening with my wife and kids, after a fucked up day, sounds exactly like what I need.

Me: Sounds perfect. I'll bring dessert. Cake or ice cream?

Nads: Icecream. 😋

Me: Ah. Nuh say a word.

Nads: Great. Enjoy the rest of your day. And don't work too hard 😉

I chuckle, tucking my phone back into my pocket, a strange mix of relief and guilt washing over me.

Nadine really is too good for me.

With that thought, I get into my car and wheel out of the plaza.

By the time I get back to my desk, I've made up my mind. After lunch, I'm calling Tamara in, setting things straight.

For everyone's sake.

🔸🔸🔸

I glance at my phone, the lock screen, which is a pic of Nadine and I on our wedding day, glaring at me.

Clearing my throat, I pick up the landline's receiver and start dialling Tamara's extension.

I hesitate, thumb hovering over the last digit.

What the fuck am I even planning to say?

My eyes lift to the glass partition, settling on Tamara who's sitting at her desk, her head down and eyes buried in her phone.

We've been working closely together for the past two years--she knows my routines, the way I think. That's part of the problem. Somewhere along the line, she seemed to think that gave her more leeway than she actually has.

Before I can overthink it, I press the button, sending through the call. It only rings twice.

"Mr Blackwell?" Her voice is smooth, almost neutral, like she was expecting my call.

"Hey, Tamara. Can I see you for a sec, in my office? I think we need to clear the air."

There's a pause. "Of course," she replies, but there's an edge in her tone that tells me this won't be as easy as I'd appreciate.

I hear her heels before I see her.

A few seconds later, she steps into my office, closing the door behind her. She's got that same calm exterior as always, but there's something in her expression that's a little too guarded. I stay seated, gesturing for her to take the chair across from me.

"I wanted to talk about what happened the other day," I start, as soon as she's seated, keeping my tone firm but even. "About you coming in here while Nadine was visiting."

Tamara's face barely shifts, but I catch the flicker in her eyes. "This again? I thought we already hashed this out."

"I just want to clear the air. I noticed that there's a tension between us that I don't think is conducive to the level of professionalism we hope to achieve in the office."

Yuh sure a that alone?

I burry the thought.

"Like I said, sir, I apologize for making you and your wife uncomfortable. I didn't realize it was such a problem, in the moment. I was just checking in on a project deadline, that's all."

"And I appreciate that, Tamara." I sigh and sit straighter, deciding not to beat around the bush. "Look, I know we've worked together, over these past months, really well, I might add, but I'm still your boss and boundaries are boundaries.

"I need you to respect my space, especially when Nadine's here." I lean forward, meeting her gaze. "It's not just about work, Tamara. I feel like we're... crossing other lines here. You know what lines. And I'm wrong for not nipping it in the bud when it happened the first time. Sad to say it has been over a month now. That can't keep happening."

For a moment, she sits silently, then her mouth twists into a slight smile, though it doesn't reach her eyes. "Interesting. After everything, that's how you see it?"

Her tone is almost daring, and I feel my patience fraying.

"It's not about how I see it," I reply evenly. "It's how it is. This is work, not... something else." I pause, choosing my words carefully. "I need to keep things professional here. You of all people should understand."

She looks at me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she nods. "I hear you, Marcus. If you think that's what's best for...everyone, then fine. I agree."

The way she says "everyone" makes me bristle, but I hold back. "Thanks, Tamara. I just wanted to make things clear."

She hums, her voice controlled, her expression void of emotions when she says, "Is that it?"

I simply nod.

She stands, straightening her blouse and pulling her skirt over her hips. "Consider it noted." Her tone is clipped, but she doesn't press further. With one last, unreadable look, she heads for the door, and I'm left alone in the silence of my office, feeling both relieved and uneasy.

I pick up my cellphone again, and for a second, I think about calling Nadine, just to hear her voice.

But it's the middle of the workday, and she's probably busy with the kids. Or still running errands.

Besides, maybe I need to sit with this a little longer, let everything sink in before I get too excited.

Larry swings by just as Tamara is out of sight. "Everything good?"

"Yeah," I say, nodding a little too quickly. "All handled."

Larry gives me a look. "Good to hear. But remember, Marcus, some things you can't just file away. Be careful with this one."

He knocks on the wood of the doorframe, a hint of seriousness in his usually casual tone, before turning on his heels.

I watch him walk away, and that lingering unease settles back in.

I sit in the silence, Larry's words hanging in the air. It's funny--he doesn't know the full story, but he knows enough. Maybe he's seen it play out before in his own life. Or...maybe he just knows me too well.

I exhale.

Trying to refocus, I pull a file toward me and skim the details. I've got deadlines, clients to follow up with, and projects to review. It's the kind of work that usually grounds me, lets me shut out everything else. But now? The office feels different. My own frustration seemingly woven into the air, like a low feeling I can't shake.

An hour later, I'm deep into a spreadsheet when my phone buzzes, drawing my attention to it. It's a message from Nadine. Just a quick, simple check-in.

Nads: Hey, big head. How's your day going? Soon leave? Mind just run pon u.

For a second, I feel the weight ease off my shoulders. I type back: "Good. Busy. Miss you. And yeah, probably in the next hour or so."

It's short, and it doesn't give much away, but not a complete lie.

Just then, there's another knock on my door. I glance up, half-expecting to see Larry again, but it's one of the interns. He's holding a stack of folders, looking unsure as he steps inside.

"Excuse me, Mr Blackwell? These are the latest reports for the Weston project. Tamara asked me to bring them in," he says, his voice steady but careful. There's a subtlety to his tone, like he's aware he's walking into something more than just an exchange of paperwork.

"Thanks, Chris," I say, taking the stack from him. I nod at him, doing my best to project some normalcy, and keep the edge out of my voice when I say, "How are things going? Settling in alright?"

He nods, managing a small smile. "Yeah. It's been great so far. Learning a lot. Sir."

"Good. You're in good hands so I expect no less. But, if you need any extra pointers, my door's always open."

Chris nods, looking grateful before slipping back out.

I stare at the report, in the file in my hand, barely registering the words on the page.

My mind drifts back to Tamara.

It's strange how I remember when she was the one in Chris' shoes: young, fresh out of college, eager. There was a time when she was strictly professional, cooperative. But over time, as she got more comfortable, she started acting differently.

At first, I thought maybe it was just my imagination. Then, the glances lingered a little too long, the "check-ins" felt a little too frequent. Soon, the look on Tamara's face, everytime she saw me, told me everything I needed to know. And I should have put a stop to it long before it got to this point.

Instead, I basked in the attention she gave.

I felt seen. Especially at a time when my home life wasn't the best. The mistake I made was fucking her. And telling her the things I told her.

Now...I sigh, burying the thought before it can further drain my mood.

It'll finally stop now. I've said my piece. I just hope that's enough.

It better fucking be.

Another text buzzes, cutting through the silence. This time, it's a photo. Ria and Jaden are sitting on the living room floor, Ria holding up a drawing she made of "Mommy and Daddy."

I chuckle, feeling a sudden warmth spread through me as I stare at it. The stick figures she drew have oversized heads, but she has even included the little details-my tie, my briefcase, and Nadine's heels.

'We can't wait for you to come home!' babe adds in the caption, followed by a heart emoji.

I can't help but smile.

I look at the time. Minutes to get-the-fuck-up-out-of-here o'clock.

Me: On my way.

Feeling a little lighter, I push aside the folders with the reports and power off my machine.

Today has been long enough, and I've got what I need to finish up from home. I grab my keys and my attache case, and lock up.

As I do so, I feel someone boring a hole into the back of my head.

I know who it is without even making eye contact.

With the door closed, I turn to leave just as my eyes make four with Tamara's.

She immediately looks away.

Making me chuckle below my breath.

Jah Jah yute...

"Inna the morrows eno, Larry," I hail him as I go past his office.

"Ah. Travel good pon di gravel eno."

Always.

With a controlled breath, I fix my blazer and head out, leaving the tension of the office behind.

Too much a one thing fi the day.

Tomorrow's another day.