[pussluver]

Ep 3


6.10pm

I was about to pack up when my phone rang. It was an unfamiliar number and I answered the call.

Giselle: Are you still around the office area?

Me: yes.

Giselle: we need to talk.

Me: yes. where are you? I'll pick you up.

The location that she gave me was a side road. It led to a dead end and none of our colleagues would drive into this lane.

I knew she must have planned to meet me.

I got into my car and drove to the pickup place.

My ex-wife was wearing a white shirt with a black A line skirt today. She had left the top button undone, showing off her sexy neck line. I could not deny that she still looked very pretty and desirable.

She recognized my car and got in swiftly. I started to drive.

Giselle: how have you been?

Me: not too bad. what about you?

Silence.

Me: where do you want to go?

Giselle: Just drive along. I'll ask you to drop me when it's convenient.

Silence

Giselle: I didn't know you were working here.

Me: It's the same job since 1 year ago.

Silence again but she started to fidget her fingers.

I knew that she was neither feeling nervous nor awkward to be talking to me. She was just rehearsing her words in her mind first before she say them out loud. It was the same for me and I understood that we basically did not want to say anything sensitive and get into an unwanted argument.

Giselle: I know it's a bit unreasonable to request but can you keep our relationship a secret?

Me: why?

Giselle: since our marriage was annulled, I had told the HR that I am single and not a divorcee.

There was a longer period of silence and she seemed nervous now.

I had known her for some time and knew that she would explain herself. I waited.

Giselle: The employment contract state that if I lied, I will be sacked. There's a huge penalty I need to pay back for wasting the company's time to hire me.....
Giselle: Some people will not be able to differentiate between annulled and divorce... and if anyone find out that I used to be "married", I will get into trouble.

Me: ok. I'll do that.

Giselle: you sure?

Me: yes. Promise....

She exhaled and looked obviously relieved.

Me: but why are you working in this company and not your dad's company?

Her dad was running his own business when we parted. Her family was not extremely rich but well to do and that was why they could pay the downpayment for our condo.

Giselle: He went bankrupt because his partner ran away with the money... the company got into cashflow issues and ceased operations. I should have informed you that I had to sell the condo to help to pay off his debts.....

Me: There's no need to. it's your place afterall.... do you need any help with the debts?.....

Giselle: I can still manage as long as I am working....

I was thinking if I should tell her about Arthur.

Giselle: anyway, how's your parents?...

Me: oh they are also fine.... thanks

Giselle: hey, you can drop me here....

She suddenly pointed to a busstop 10 meters in front of us.

Me: here?!

Giselle: yes...

Me: I can't stop here.... see there's the bus lane...

Giselle: there's no bus behind and if I missed this bus stop, I have to walk a long distance back....

Me: where are you staying? I'll drop you home...

She shook her head.

Giselle: no... there's no need to... just drop me here....

Me: I just told you that I can't.... I might get a fine....

Giselle: Even after so many months, why you can't just accomodate to my request for once?....

Me: har?! please be reasonable... I don't want to risk getting fined.... and it's not that I am not offering you a lift home....

Giselle: you never change.... nevermind.... fine!...

I had stopped due to the red light at a crossing a few meters after the bus stop.

She unbuckled the seatbelt, turned around to make sure that there are no incoming vehicle and opened the door. She got out and hurried across the road.

The lights turned green and I had to move on.

She had claimed that I had not change but she was also the same. She was still the same headstrong woman that I knew her.

Our short correspondence had once again left a bitter taste in my mouth.



3rd May 2023
Wednesday

Giselle's attitude had turned even colder towards me.

At the pantry, she would walk out if I entered.

When Jason arrived back to our sales area, she would smile and speak to him. When I returned, she did not even look at me.

Jason noticed this and asked me about it when Giselle was not around.

Jason: bruh, wah, you are really not talking to her?

Me: nah... I told you that I'm not interested in her....

Jason: sibei steady lah.... but don't forget, you promised to help me with her....

Me: yah.... yah.... yah....

I still did not speak to her.