Ironically, Marian felt okay with leaving Robert out there talking to her father. Her father had expressed liking Robert in the past; even when he was a snotty little bastard with his stupid jokes and sarcastic ‘humor’. ‘He’s an honorable young man.’ Her father would say, ‘With a good heart, it’s down there. Maybe hidden by unneeded comments and actions but really, I can tell he’s a good person.’ Maybe her father was right and she didn’t give Robert the credit he deserved but… with their conflict, finding the ‘brighter side’ wasn’t exactly easy. 

But now was different and as Marian dozed off to sleep she was surprised to find herself thinking about the fact that she had a decent time with Robert. Maybe, just maybe, they could get along and be friends. If he wasn’t pulling a fast one on her tonight; it seemed possible… but why did she go out again?

Waking up to her alarm clock wasn’t the most pleasurable thing in the world. She wanted to stay curled up in her warm bed but alas, it was another day of work. Getting up and dressed in a pair of tan slacks and a white button up shirt, the blonde proceeded with her morning routine and hurried out the door. Today, she found herself eating her donut alone, a cup of coffee with matching donut sitting next to her one the steps of the building as she looked out for her homeless friend. He never showed up and she carried her friend’s semi-cold office and brown paper bagged donut into the building with her. He was old though… hopefully he was okay.

She let out a small sigh as she unlocked her office door and stepped inside. Unknown to her a massive fluid of woman piled into her office as soon as she got to her desk and questions began to fly. “Are you dating Robert?” “I thought you were dating Edward?” “Are you and Edward not together?” “Does that mean Edward is single?”  “Are you and Robert an item?” “I thought you two hated each other.” “Did you forget how much of a jerk he was to you?” “Marian you can’t have both, you need to pick one!” Question after question flew at the blonde and she held her hands up in surprise as she backed away slowly from her desk as the crowd of nearly ten women hung over her desk and in her office demanding answers. 

“Look!” She said loud enough to finally get the group of hyenas’ attention. “I am not dating either one of them. And I’d rather not go into my personal life here at work.”

“But you told Edward you were going out on a date with Robert and he didn’t believe you.” “You shouldn’t be playing with Edward’s emotions like that.” “Robert’s better then Edward.” “Edward’s better then Robert.” “Edward’s got that muscly build.” “But Robert’s tall and toned and handsome.” “Edward’s got a charming smile.” “Robert’s got a sharp wit.” “Marian, who’s the better kisser?” Apparently that question was enough to break the arguing between the female of who was the better man and they all looked at her, half glaring half wondering what her response would be.

Marian held up her hands higher. “Listen!” She shouted, “I haven’t kissed either one of them so asking that question out of all of them is completely unanswerable! Now leave my office and let me work in peace. I’m not dating either one of them so they’re still free on the market so go… go,” She waved her hands at them, “Go play fetch with the boys and try to win them over.” The girls looked at each other, their competitive nature seemed lost among them when they realized that the massive group couldn’t target their feelings towards just one person. 

Nearly single file, the girls left her office, the last one leaving the door open behind them and Marian fell into her chair propping her elbow up on her arm rest and placing her right hand over her face. “Bunch of man hungry hyenas…” She muttered under her breath, “How did I get caught in the middle of that?!” With that she let out a long sigh and lowered her hand, looking at the donut and coffee sitting on her desk; her thoughts drifted back to her old beggar friend in hopes he was alright.