Seithe by Poppet

wall.
    SEITHER: Hmm. I like the mounting to the wall idea.
    PHOEBESMILES: HA HA. Very Funny!
    SEITHER: Oooh my darling sarcastic spitfire. I am so relieved you're back to your confrontational self.
    PHOEBESMILES: Answer me truthfully...
    SEITHER: Anything
    PHOEBESMILES: Did you drug me with that purple shit?
    SEITHER: No. It takes time to get used to it. It's a strong sedative if you've never been exposed to it before. When you get accustomed to it, it has the opposite effect.
    PHOEBESMILES: Why me?
    SEITHER: Why not you?
    PHOEBESMILES: I'm too tired for games.
    SEITHER: Then go to sleep.
    PHOEBESMILES: Were you here?
    SEITHER: I will be if you want me to be.
    Now that's a trick question. Tap, tap, tap nail.
    PHOEBESMILES: I hate you.
    SEITHER: Wow, nice one.
    PHOEBESMILES: I can't get you out of my head.
    SEITHER: Good. Now get some rest. You are going to need it if I'm expected to mount you to the wall.
    PHOEBESMILES: You are such a tease!
    SEITHER: I have some things to expose you to first. So when am I going to get your slender legs back in my pad so I can get to the mounting part?
    PHOEBESMILES: Will you let me hurt you?
    SEITHER: You can try.
    PHOEBESMILES: Without fighting back with fucking pressure points!
    SEITHER: There are fucking - pressure points? I do love experimentation. Will you teach me those?
    Laughter bursts out of me.
    PHOEBESMILES: Why are you so bloody irresistible?
    SEITHER: God made me that way.
    PHOEBESMILES: I have work tomorrow.
    SEITHER: And after work?
    PHOEBESMILES: Maybe. I'll have to think about it.
    SEITHER: You know how to find me. I'm almost always here.
    PHOEBESMILES: Okay.
    SEITHER: Good night minxy.
    PHOEBESMILES: Good night.
    I am unaware that I'm smiling indulgently as I close the programs and switch my phone and laptop off. Oddly content, I burrow back under the covers, slipping unresisting into REM.
     

 
    Chapter 14: Day
     
     
    It's pouring with rain, yet again! Late spring is always weather-moody like this in Cape Town. Huffing with displeasure, I take the elevator up to the fourteenth floor where I work as executive personal assistant, absently trailing my dripping brolly behind me so I don't get my shoes wet. It's like playing Froggo out there, avoiding puddles.
    Work is situated just off Western Boulevard in a new office complex adjacent to the V&A Waterfront. Our unit overlooks the cosmopolitan hubbub of the waterfront, the harbour with cargo carriers and luxury yachts; and on the other side, gives a great view of Table Mountain. All depending on where you are in the building.
    I spend far too many lunch hours perusing the stores at the Waterfront. I'm totally addicted to the flea market, and find the nearby Two Oceans Aquarium a serene place to de-stress on hectic days.
    Smiling now, this reminds me of the amazing sunfish they had a while back. Such an unusual specimen. A bit like Seithe, simply unique and a one of a kind creation, probably one of God's better creation moments. It goes without saying that I eat fish and chips for lunch frequently. Sometimes I glimpse the excitement of the sea rescue team leaving the waterfront to rescue someone in distress.
    I leave my umbrella in the deliberately placed container inside the reception doors before clicking my way over black marble tiles to my desk. I've taken a lot of time to cover the hickeys with make-up. Pressing my black skirted derriere into the typist's chair, I drop my bag into a drawer, switch on my Apple Macintosh, then absently stand in black suede heels, smoothing my white blouse in the process.
    Coffee. Stat!
    As I'm pouring strong black coffee into my *I hate Mondays* mug, Bella walks in. For the ignorant, that would be the boss I answer to.
    "Rough weekend, Phoebe?"
    Lordy, is it that obvious?
    "You could say that."
    "Want to share?"
    I observe her putting in four sugars. Yuck.
    "I broke up with Brian."
    "Oh honey! I'm so sorry."
    I shrug and examine her richly deep green Hendrik Vermeulen suit. He's one of