Page 2 of The Sweetmate (Check-In #2)

“Relationships in general are tiresome. I don’t have the time. And again, I enjoy my solitude. It’s peaceful after a long day at work.”

That’s only partially true. Though I don’t mind being alone, it wouldn’t be terrible to have a companion.

It doesn’t have to be an intimate relationship.

It’s hard for me to open up, and it’s even harder for me to find time for building friendships.

I’d like to have someone whom I could just share a meal with.

That secret, however, I’ll keep to myself.

If I told my mother, she’d have me matched up with someone before we ended the call.

As a typical extrovert, it’s hard for her to imagine anyone not wanting to be constantly surrounded by people. She means well. Still, no thank you.

If not for me looking like an exact replica of her younger self, people would question if I’m her biological child.

While she’s always in bright colors and sparkling with her wild costume jewelry, I’m in neutral colors and zero accessories.

She wears the latest makeup trends, whereas I’m minimalistic—the poster child for simple and…

boring. We both share long, shiny dark hair, gray eyes, olive skin, and more often than not, we’re the shortest one in the room.

I hear her sigh and her voice turns soothing. “And it’s perfectly fine if you want to be a loner.”

But is it, mother? The tone of her voice says she doesn’t believe that.

“Mom, I appreciate your concern. I really do. But I’m in the parking garage and need to get back to the office. Can we possibly discuss this another time?” As in never.

“Real quick.” She rushes her words out. “Dad and I had been hoping that when you moved there, you might spend time with Hadassah. She’s your cousin.

I spoke to her – we had a lovely chat. And she’d love to go out for coffee with you.

Or drinks. Girls’ nights…” When I remain silent, she adds, “Would you at least give her a call or shoot her a text message?”

“It’s already weird having her husband as my superior.”

“Superior. He’s not your superior.”

“That’s what you call the person over you. He’s my boss.”

“But he’s not the boss. He’s just been there longer than you.”

Nice try, Mother. I let her have it and move on. “I’m not going to have anyone accusing me of trying to butter anyone up or trying to get favors.”

I want to add that if I haven’t called or texted in the years I’ve been here, what makes her think I would now?

My cousin Hadassah and I are not close. It’s strictly a coincidence that I ended up at the same company as her husband, Kourt Pharms. It was a college professor who directed me toward this company, and a recommendation from where I interned that landed me there.

It wasn’t until the one promotion I finally received after two years that I was moved to his department.

I didn’t even know he worked there until I discovered he was going to be my new boss.

Terrified that he had some part in my being hired, I thoroughly investigated it, because I’d quit if I thought I hadn’t gained employment by my own merit. It’s all an unfortunate coincidence.

“That’s silly. Nobody is going to think that.”

“Really?”

Mom sighs and then tries explaining again. “You’re family. You need to spend time together. And who is going to know?”

“I’m busy.”

“You always say that.” Cue another sigh. “Slow down and enjoy life while you’re still young, my darling.”

Ah, the ticking clock. I get reminded of how fleeting time is at least every other week.

“Yes, Mom.” I don’t want to be rude to my mother, but it’s time to wrap this conversation up.

I lock my car and hurry into the building.

I press the elevator call button, and then speak into the phone.

“Hey, Mom, I’m about to get on the elevator so the call might get dropped.

But listen, you’re right. I will.” I don’t clarify that I will try to slow down, but I’m still not calling my cousin.

“Okay, baby. I love you, darling.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

“Talk soon?”

“Of course. Bye, Mom.”

“Bye, baby.”

The elevator arrives right as I hit the end call button.

I step on and sigh up at the ceiling. There’s no use in telling my mom that while Hadassah has been pleasant, the few conversations we’ve had have felt forced.

Of course, that could be on me. I don’t want to be around her at all because of her husband, Kourt.

When I first started working in his department, Kourt was pleasant—borderline overly friendly even.

But this last year, he has become rude. It’s gotten to the point that I made a grid to gauge whether I should report him to human resources.

My conclusion was that the outcome would result in unnecessary drama and more conflict than I was comfortable dealing with, so I’ve chosen to ignore and rise above.

Luckily, I only see him once or twice throughout the day.

It looks like we’re starting off early today.

My computer is just coming to life as I watch him approaching from across the room.

Kourt towers over all the cubicle walls as he walks with confidence—which is impressive in itself, as the beige suit he’s wearing is absolutely hideous.

I love natural and earthy tones, but the color is too bland, even by my standards.

“Simpleton.” He gives me a cocky grin.

I loathe that nickname. He started calling me that after he determined I was a ‘simple girl.’ However apt the name is since I dress and live a simple life, I still find it insulting.

There’s nothing wrong with the fact that I get overstimulated by clutter and outfits with too many patterns.

One might argue that instead of being simple, it’s called being a minimalist. Jerk.

“Good morning, Mr. Pharms,” I say cheerily, as though he didn’t just offend me.

“Why do you insist on calling me Mr. Pharms? We’re family.”

How could I forget? This is today’s second reminder.

“We’re at work,” I tell him with a strained smile.

“You know, at first I was into it, the whole Mr. Pharms thing, but now I realize you say it in an… almost condescending manner. It’s too formal. It’s like you’re fucking ashamed to know me.”

My eyebrows pull together as I try to find the logic in what he’s saying.

He’s completely misunderstood me and I can’t grasp where he’s even coming from with these accusations.

The whole being into me calling him by his last name is even more confusing, because that’s being respectful and a completely normal thing to do in the workplace.

“It’d be inappropriate to call you by your first name.”

Kind of like how inappropriate it is that he calls me Simpleton and uses foul language at work.

“Inappropriate,” he murmurs.

I try to appease him. “Disrespectful to your position as manager.”

His body relaxes and a smile tugs at the corner of his lips.

I want to snarl and ask him who’s the simpleton now.

All it took to calm him down was feeding his ego.

I’ve yet to understand why he’s fixated on us having a friendly relationship.

It’s not as though we come from a close family.

I barely know Hadassah, so why form a bond with her husband? Did Mom call him, too?

He crosses his arms and leans forward on the partition of my cubicle. “You are so determined not to step outside of your little box. But it’d only benefit you. In multiple ways.”

“Pardon me?”

“You’re so smart yet so dense.” He shakes his head and scoffs. “Such a simpleton,” he says before he strolls away.

I settle in for another dull morning of responding to emails when Sterling, the guy whose cubicle I share a partition with, pops his head over.

“This is painful, and I can’t take another day of you being oblivious.”

I’m not bothering anyone, why is everyone determined to insult my intelligence today? “Pardon?”

“He’s trying to sleep with you.”

“Ew. No. You’re mistaken. He’s…” I don’t want to say I’m connected to the manager in any way, but I don’t want salacious rumors spreading. “He’s married to my cousin.”

Heat spreads across my face as he looks at me with sympathy—or is that pity?

“Wow. You’re precious. But be as that may, he still wants to have sex with you, married or not.

Kourt has slept with plenty of people in this office.

He’s not going to promote you until he’s slept with you.

You’ve only made this more fun for him. That man loves a challenge. ”

“What makes you think that?”

“I listen to conversations in the break room. I can give you a list of the ones who got their promotions and how. Being related to his wife and an employee, you’re doubly forbidden.

Plus, you’ve resisted him for longer than anyone else ever has.

Congratulations, you’ve become his greatest challenge. ”

Kourt has being having affairs? That’s not my business. Like I said, we’re not close. But standing in the way of my promotion? No. No, no, no. This can’t be true. I’m his in-law. This is an abuse of authority. Betrayal to the family. Nobody is that disgusting and manipulative.

My chair rolls back as I stand up. “Well, that’s not how I’m going to get my promotion.”

Sterling shrugs but doesn’t look convinced.

“I’ll quit before that,” I tell him. “Worst case, I’ll see about getting a transfer to a different department.”

Sterling raises his eyebrows and looks at me like I’m a five-year-old who just told him I’m going to do a trick. “Good luck. Kourt Pharms has been here a long time and holds a lot of influence.”

I hurry down the corridor to Kourt’s office. It’s not in my nature to be rude, but I storm past his secretary without even casting her a glance. I barge into his office and stand in front of his desk with my hands clasped in front of me.

Kourt glances up from his laptop and arches a brow. “Lisa? Thinking about our previous conversation.”