Page 17 of Behind Frenemy Lines
Charles
Was in the thick of drafting a complex piece of advice, three days before Loretta’s wedding, when the phone on my desk started ringing. Assumed it was a client: Everyone internal sends Teams messages when they want a call.
CG: “Hello, Charles Goh.”
Got a start when Loretta’s voice issued from the receiver: “Charles, are you avoiding me?”
Didn’t think Loretta would notice. Hayley arrived from the States last weekend.
Staying with us until the day before the wedding, when she and Loretta will be going over to spend a couple of nights at the hotel where it’s happening.
They’ve been floating about in a haze of romantic bliss, and I’ve been busy at work.
That’s my excuse, anyway. Been keeping away so Loretta won’t hassle me about bringing a date to the wedding. Only need to survive a few more days. Should have known Loretta would track me down.
CG: “I’m in the middle of something. Can we talk later?”
Loretta: “Who’s the girl you’re bringing to the wedding? Ma’s asking.”
I shot a surreptitious glance at Kriya, sat across me at her desk. She was working, of course, her eyes fixed on her monitor.
Lowered my voice, switching to Cantonese.
CG: “I’m not bringing any girl. I told you. Why’s your mother even asking?”
Loretta: “Why are you speaking Cantonese— oh. Kriya’s there, isn’t she? Have you asked her?”
CG: “No.”
Loretta: “Come on, Charles. You know what Ma’s like. She’s not on the plane yet. She could change her mind at any moment. I’m relying on her nosiness. She’s so curious about your new girlfriend, it’s the main reason she wants to come.”
CG: “You told her I have a new girlfriend?”
Loretta: “I had to lure her over somehow.”
CG: “I can’t ask Kri—my colleague to the wedding.” Looked over at Kriya again. She was absorbed in her screen, showing no sign she’d noticed I’d almost said her name. “It’s not the right time. She’s in a difficult situation.”
Loretta: “How so?”
Gave her a potted history. Left out the part where Arthur is convinced Kriya and I are dating, despite Kriya’s denials. Loretta would get too excited.
As it was, she was suitably appalled. “Shit. That’s so bad. Why doesn’t she report him to HR?”
Had reflected on this myself.
CG: “I think she’s hoping it will blow over.
My impression is her boss has been good to work with, till now.
If she speaks up, that’s the end of working with him.
Even if he left, and she got to keep her job, it would mean having to rebuild all her relationships.
Losing clients. Clients are hierarchical, they want a partner to talk to.
They’d probably stay with him, even if she’s the one doing the actual work.
And that’s if HR support her. They might not, if it’s her word against his.
You’d have to be sure reporting was the right thing to do. ”
There was silence on the line. Thought the call had dropped. “Hello?”
Loretta: “Wow. That’s the most words I’ve ever heard you say on a topic that wasn’t boring law stuff.”
CG: “The point is, I can’t ask her to your wedding. Bad enough the boss is chasing her. If I start trying it on, there’s nowhere for her to run. We share an office.”
Loretta: “Yeah, no. I see.”
CG: “You need to tell your mum I’m not bringing anybody to the wedding.”
Loretta sighed. “This is so sad. I can’t believe Fate put you in the same room and then made it so you can’t ask her out. You’d make her such a good boyfriend.”
Didn’t point out I was currently being exactly the boyfriend Kriya wanted, i.e., one in name only, to shield her from Arthur.
Spotted him earlier, wandering down the corridor to come speak to Kriya. I met his eyes through the glass and thought hard about how satisfying it would be to give him a kick. Arthur turned green and kept on walking.
Best thing he could do for her is leave her alone, in my opinion. Kriya’s already picked up a pro bono case with Farah.
CG: “I need to get back to work. Bye, Loretta.”
Put down receiver before she could say anything else. Turned back to my draft note of advice. Was about to start typing when Kriya cleared her throat.
She said: “Um. This is awkward, but I should probably have mentioned earlier, I understand Cantonese.”
I froze.