#Chapter 30-Foot in Mouth

Well, it’s happened. “Esme, please come into my office for a quick conversation.” I can’t avoid him any longer. Part of me is relieved that I don’t have to keep running around acting like I’m not ignoring him. The other part of me is painfully nervous for what he might say. I take a deep breath outside his door, wipe my sweaty hands on my hips, and knock. “Come on in, Esme,” he responds. Entering his office is like a new world for me today. Derek is sitting at his desk in front of his computer like usual. However, his often friendly demeanor is replaced with a flat line where his smile tends to sit. “Please close the door. Have a seat.” His tone is straightforward, but thankfully, I don’t think he’ll be asking me about when he last saw me in his own home. “Esme,” he starts off, his fingers coming together and his hands resting on his desk. “I wanted to ask you about one of the projects you’re working on.”