Friday (pt 1)

That morning was the first time in two weeks Lillian didn't want to get out of bed. Even when she was dead tired and stressed out the weekend prior, she was able to roll out of bed after snoozing her alarm a couple times. Today, however, she was already on her fifth snooze, mentally calculating how long she could stay in bed until needing to get ready at the last minute.

Her new mattress and duvet, courtesy of Andrew's sister, were the most comfortable she'd ever slept on and she finally began to feel a little at peace living in her new home.

Lillian was trying to make the best out her new situation and convinced herself to ignore the contractual marriage aspect of their arrangement. Rather, she liked to think of their relationship as new roommates, considering how interactions between them were purely platonic, if even that.

Andrew Geldan was surprisingly easy to live with based on her interactions with him these last two days. In general, he kept to himself, was quite tidy, didn't make loud noises, and allowed her to do what she wants. She had been a bit concerned since he could be overbearing at work, but since signing the contract it seemed that aspect of their relationship had softened significantly. Though, he was still his usual cold and stone-like self most of the time.

She turned over in bed after having pressed snooze for the sixth time, and started drifting back off into dreamland.

---

This time it was Lillian's turn to be rushing into work this morning. Jacky watched amusedly as she came in through the automatic sliding glass doors, panting heavily as she slowed her jog into a quick walk and made her way over to their desk.

"Sorry I'm late. I overslept this morning," Lillian caught her chair's arms and sat down to catch her breath.

"Don't worry. You're still technically 5 minutes early. I don't think I've ever seen you late to work, and the first days you missed were earlier this week."

"Also, don't get me wrong, of course you always look stunning. But, I'm happy to see you looking better. Did you finally get some decent sleep? I think this is the first time I've seen you without bags under your eyes since last Friday."

Lillian let out an embarrassed laugh and responded, "Did I really look that tired?"

Jacky nodded back, looking at Lillian with caring eyes then got up to make herself a cup of instant coffee. That was when Lillian noticed her medical boot was off.

*Gasp* "Jacky! Your leg! Is it all healed up now?" She watched as her coworker twirled around on her toes and shot her a playful wink.

"Yeah. My leg was freed yesterday. The doctor said I recovered faster than expected, but I still need to be careful for a few more weeks. No skateboarding until springtime. It's perfect timing though, since now I'll be able to dance the night away at the club tonight!" She boogied her way toward Lillian and grabbed her hands to pull her up from her seat.

They had fun dancing for a moment, until the building's front doors opened, and they abruptly had to return to work as other employees began to arrive for the day. They gave each other a sneaky look and giggled quietly as Jacky went back to making her coffee and Lillian checked the day's schedule.

Jacky returned with a coffee for Lillian as well and opened up the emails on her computer, continuing their conversation while simultaneously responding to time sensitive emails.

"Are you gonna come out with us tonight? You know it's gonna be fun!" She pulled up her phone and texted Lillian a link with the details.

"It starts at nine, right? I think I should be able to come. I'll just give my roommate a heads up about being late tonight."

"Why don't you invite your roommate out as well? I'd love to meet them."

"Haha, I don't think clubbing is quite their scene..." The idea of Andrew in a club seemed impossible to Lillian. Aside from his unamused demeanor, she could imagine how much he'd stand out like a sore thumb wearing any of the 3 piece suits she saw in his closet the day prior.

---

Lillian looked down at her phone as she shivered waiting in the cold at the bus stop outside their apartment. Going clubbing in the winter was hard because one had to balance fashion and practicality. Plus, it was going to be much warmer in the club than it was outside.

That evening, Lillian went home and ate dinner after work before changing into her go to outfit of tight black jeans and a thinly strapped crop top.

She hadn't seen Andrew once today. He was gone before her that morning and still had yet to return home. Since she couldn't talk to him in person, she decided to send him a text that she'd be out late tonight. It felt a little strange to be messaging her CEO that, but she figured it'd be polite to let her roommate know.

It had been almost an hour since Lillian sent that text, yet there was still no response. She debated trying to call him, but the bus had just arrived. She put her phone away and got on, riding to her destination.