| Fan Fiction |
by kglove
“I was hoping I'm not disturbing you.”
“No, you’re not.” Kim motioned for him to sit down. “What are you doing here? Isn’t it your rest day today?” He nodded. “You should be out with your friends having fun.”
Jeremy shrugged. “I don’t really mind, to tell you the truth. Besides they are going clubbing and I don’t drink anymore. I guess I'm not missing anything at all.”
Kim stared at him for a moment, trying to measure his honesty. “You don’t drink?”
“Uh-uh. Not anymore. I used to, but I have been sober ever since I graduated college.”
“Wow, I never saw you as someone who is living a clean life.”
“I got tired of it. I started drinking young, with the help of a fake ID.” Jeremy chuckled. “I got drunk almost every night, especially when I was in high school. I’d even miss out some important classes just because I'm so wasted from the previous night. Thankfully, I was able to graduate and that was when I told myself that I have to be focused if I want to be successful.”
“You must be very proud of yourself. Not everyone can do that.”
“I am. I mean, right now that is the only thing I was able to do on my own. Everything else was handed to me in a silver platter. If you must know, I came from a well to do family. I didn’t have to work two jobs or take up loans just to finish college.”
“Well, I guess every other kid goes through a rebellious phase in their lives. What’s important is how you manage to rise above it, right?”
“Exactly. Anyway, what time do you get off from work?”
Kim glanced at the clock. “In less than an hour. I finished my reports already so I'm just waiting for the time. Why?”
“I was thinking of inviting you for dinner, if you don’t mind.” Jeremy’s hesitation was evident in his voice.
Before Kim was able to give him an answer, Gerald came into view. Kim saw him look at her and then to Jeremy then was about to walk away when Kim called him.
“Hi Kim. Mr. Wade, how are you doing, sir?”
“Oh, hey. Gerald Anderson, right?” he stood up and reached out his hands to Gerald. “Just call me Jeremy.”
“Okay, Jeremy. Sorry if I interrupted you. Maybe I should just come back later.” He looked at Kim.
“No, Gerald, it’s okay. Jeremy and I are just talking.”
“Yeah, Gerald, sit down. I was just inviting Kim to have dinner with me. You could join us if you’re free.”
Gerald squirmed on his seat but smiled nonetheless. “Oh no, I’m sorry I can’t.”
“Are you sure? I would love to get to know you better as an individual and not just as my co-employee.”
“Well, we can do that next time I guess. I have some things to attend to.” Gerald stood up. “I have to go. Thanks for the offer, Jeremy.”
“No problem, Gerald. Next time you have to come with us, alright?”
Gerald nodded and smiled before he walked out. He felt Kim’s gaze behind his back but decided not to look back. He was afraid that Kim will see the distress on his eyes.
“So Kim.” Jeremy’s voice broke the thoughts running in Kim’s mind. “What do you think about my offer?”
“I guess I can go with you.”
“Awesome! Do you mind if I wait for you here in your office?”
Kim smiled. “No, I don’t mind.” She was distracted when she heard her phone beep. It was a text message and it was from Gerald. As soon as she finished reading the message, she stood up. “Excuse me, Jeremy. I’ll just go to the ladies room.”
Jeremy rose from his seat. “No problem.” He waited for Kim to exit the office before he took his seat again.
Kim saw Gerald waiting at the hallway. “What’s up?”
Gerald looked at Kim and smiled. “Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you. I didn’t know you were with Jeremy so I want to apologize.”
“Gerald, are you okay? You seem sad.”
“No, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess.”
Kim stroked his arms gently. “Go home and get some rest, okay? I’ll see you tomorrow.” Kim began to walk back to her office.
“Kim.” Kim looked back at him. “Be careful, okay? If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. I'm always here for you.”
She stared at him, confused, but nodded anyway. “Thanks, Gerald. So am I.” finally turning around and went back to her office.
***
Jeremy would always drop by Kim’s office after that. They went out several times and everybody in the office started to tease them about it. A couple other clients even told Kim that she and Jeremy look good together. Because of that, Gerald dreads the time that they have to go on meeting with the clients because Jeremy is now sitting beside Kim. He noticed the glow on Kim’s face every time she’s talking to Jeremy. He knows that Jeremy likes her and he knows her too well to see that she’s enjoying Jeremy’s company. She is always smiling and laughing at something that he says.
One time that he passed by Kim’s office, he saw Jeremy giving Kim a bouquet of flowers. He retreated immediately upon seeing that Jeremy kissed Kim on the cheeks and she blushed. He walked back to his office and waited for Jeremy to leave before he went to her office.
Kim noticed that someone was standing at the door and smiled when she saw it as Gerald. “Gerald, what are you doing there? Sit down.”
He slowly walked towards the chair and sat down. “Nice flowers. From Jeremy?” he tried to make his voice sound calm.
“Yeah, he just gave it to me. I told him don’t bother but he doesn’t listen.”
Gerald sighed. “Looks like you are getting closer everyday.”
Kim sensed the tremble in his voice. “Gerald…”
“Kim, I didn’t mean anything by it. I can see that you’re happy and that’s all that I want you to be.”
“Gerald, I don’t want things to get weird for you and me. We’ve been making progress as friends and I don’t want that to change.”
“Like I said, I'm always here for you even if you don’t get to see me more often anymore. Always, Kim.” Gerald took a deep breath and left.
***
Since that day that Gerald talked to Kim in her office, he has been trying to keep himself busy and distracted so he wouldn’t see how Kim and Jeremy’s friendship is progressing. It hurt him a lot to see that another guy is making her happy nowadays. Kim noticed that Gerald rarely visits and talks to her anymore and somehow it also upset her but she wants to respect his decision to stay away. She’s enjoying Jeremy’s company and she knows that he is a really good and sincere guy.
During meetings, Gerald would sit as far away as possible from Kim and his behavior didn’t go unnoticed.
“Gerald, I hope you don’t mind me asking but is there something wrong with you and Kim?” Michael asked him one day.
Gerald was surprised at his question. “Why, what makes you think that?”
“Well, I don’t see you two hanging out like you used to. I mean, before our clients arrived, you were always together.”
“Mike, there is nothing wrong with me and Kim. Maybe we’re both just busy that’s why you don’t see us together anymore. And besides, isn’t Kim always with Jeremy lately? I don’t want to get in the way of that.”
“You know that I am not only your boss but I'm your friend as well, right? Now, the way you look at her nowadays it doesn’t seem to me like you’re just two friends who are too busy to hang out.”
Gerald fell silent. He tried to dodge the question by trying to make himself busy but he can feel Michael’s stare behind his back. He heaved a sigh and faced him. “Okay, maybe it has something to do with the fact that Kim and Jeremy are now dating.”
“You don’t like Jeremy for Kim?”
“No, it’s not that. Jeremy is a very nice guy and I can see that he is taking care of Kim. Everybody thinks they make a good couple and I agree with them.”
“Well, you don’t seem happy about it if you are avoiding Kim.” Michael said.
“Mike, I should’ve told you this earlier and this might surprise you. But you have to know that I only hid it from you because I was trying to be professional.”
“Okay, what is it?”
Gerald fidgeted. “Kim and I, we used to be together.”
“Together, together?”
“Yes. In fact, when she first applied here, she’s already my girl friend then. We decided to keep it a secret so that we wouldn’t be tagged as unprofessional or something. I know that I should’ve told you this a long time ago but like I said, I was afraid our relationship might jeopardize Kim’s chances to be hired.”
“So now you are not together anymore, right?”
Gerald nodded. “We broke up couple of months ago.”
“Okay, so these past few weeks that I see you two always together, were you trying to…” Michael paused for a moment. “Trying to win her back?”
“Sort of. I was more on trying to be her friend and make her trust me again.”
“So how do you feel now that Jeremy is in the picture?”
Gerald bowed his head down. “To be honest, it hurts me to see that Kim is now dating someone else. But I don’t blame her. I made mistakes that hurt our relationship and it’s my entire fault. She deserves to be happy.”
Michael patted Gerald’s shoulder to comfort him. “My friend, maybe there’s still a chance for the two of you. You have something that Jeremy doesn’t have. You know her inside out having been together for years. Use that to your advantage. I know Jeremy is a really nice guy, but I'm rooting for the home team.” Michael winked at him.
“I don’t want to pressure Kim.”
“But you have to fight for her. I may not know the things that happened before but I know you well enough to say that you care for her. If you are that willing to let her go just because you see her happy, even if it is with someone else, then you really love her.”
“I’ll think about it. I don’t want to do something that will make Kim hate me. Thanks man.” Gerald smiled and turned to leave.
***
Couple of days later, Gerald was waiting for Kim in his car. He was hoping that she’s not with Jeremy so he could talk to her privately. Fortunately, Jeremy and the other clients have a meeting so he was excited to see Kim walking all by herself to her car. He went out and approached her.
“Kim, can I talk to you?”
Kim jumped in surprise upon hearing Gerald’s voice. “God, Gerald, you scared me.”
“Sorry.” He beamed at her.
“I thought you left hours ago. I saw you leave your office so I wasn’t expecting you to be here.”
“I was waiting for you.”
“Why, what’s up?”
“Well, I uh…” Gerald groped for words to say. “I was just hoping we could grab a bite to eat.”
Kim was quick to answer. “Sure! Where do you want to eat? I’ll meet you there.”
“Why don’t I follow you to your apartment so you can leave your car there and we can go together? Your place is not that far anyway.”
“Hmm okay. I’ll see you in a bit.” Kim was about to open the door but Gerald was quick to do that for her. She smiled as she sat in her car and Gerald closed the door for her. He waited for Kim to leave before he walked back to his car to follow her. He was excited to spend time with Kim which he hasn’t done in weeks.
Few minutes later, Gerald stopped at the front of Kim’s apartment building and Kim was already waiting for him. He went down and let Kim in his car. He was about to drive away when Kim’s phone rang.
“Hello?” Kim answered her phone. Gerald assumed whoever it was who called was speaking because Kim fell silent. “Now? Well, I just arrived home but I'm leaving again. I don’t know yet what time I will be back. Yes, I'm having dinner with Gerald. Don’t worry about it, I understand. See you tomorrow. Bye.” Kim ended the call and smiled apologetically at him. “That was Jeremy.”
“Do you have plans with him? We can cancel this if you want.”
“No, he’s still in a meeting. He wants to drop by my house after the meeting but I told him we’re going out.”
“Are you sure?”
“Gerald, just drive because I'm hungry, okay?”
Gerald smiled and pulled out of the parking lot. Deep inside, he is very happy because he has Kim all for himself tonight.