(FR) Office Love - Part 1 - Chapter 07

prose: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/203197/7/office-love/part-1---chapter-7-an-unexpected-visitor

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>The nagging feeling makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
>You turn around quickly and come nose to nose with a light brown mare with stunning emerald eyes.
>Autumn jumps back in mild shock.
>"Oh... I'm sorry! I just saw you in the park on my walk and I thought I would say hi, but I got nervous and saw you were reading, but I didn't want to bother you, but I was interested where you were in the book-"
>She begins to speak quickly, stammering over her words while pressing her hooves together.
>You take a relaxed breath.
>All those years of fetish attempts and rape got you on edge.
>Calm down big guy.
>Fluttershy wouldn't pull anything.
>She's a changed mare.
>You hope for both of your sakes anyway.
"Hey there. How's it going!"
>A smile curls on her face.
>"Um. Good. Pretty good. Um.. I-I got your text.. I was just waiting until I wasn't busy... but then I saw you and thought that maybe you would want some company..."
>You smile and close your book.
"Of course." you warmly say to her, patting the empty spot on the bench.
>She meekly takes a seat next to you.
"Do you go on walks every day at lunch? I've just recently started coming to the park."
>Autumn nods to you.
>"I try to do it every day. My friend says I should try to get out of the library more often."
>You turn to her, prepared with an easy question.
"Oh? Do you work at the library? Makes sense since you love books so much."
>A light sparks in her eyes as she turns to you.
>"Ohmygoodness. Yes! Ever since I was a filly I wanted to work in a library. They take you on such an adventure and you can do anything in them! They help you forget everything that is bothering you and-"
>She stops and her face fills with a deep blush.
>"Sorry, I got a little excited there."
>You chuckle to yourself.
"It's no big deal. I thought it was cute. Reminds me of a friend of mine from Ponyville."
>She looks away and hair falls gently in front of her face.
>"You think I'm cute?" she mutters out loud.
"Of course. Why else would we have a date tomorrow?"
>She looks back at you with those beautiful eyes and a light blush paints her cheeks.
>"You're right... I'm pretty excited."
>Your heart leaps for a moment, but guilt also racks your brain.
>What would Fluttershy say if she saw this?
>You scan the park, worried if she followed you here.
>All you see is other ponies eating lunch and some children playing.
>The coast seems to be clear.
>You have to tell her.
>She deserves to know.
>You can't get her hopes too high...
>She's working so hard for you.
>But you have to love her because YOU love her, not because she's working for you.
>"Umm... You said you had friends in Ponyville?"
>You snap out of your reverie.
"Oh. Yeah. I have a bunch of friends in Ponyville. Have you been there? It's quite a cozy little town."
>Her bashful demeanor flips like a light switch to a sullen, vacant expression.
>Clearly you hit a nerve.
>"Yeah... I grew up there, but I wasn't there very long. Only until I was around 4 or 5."
"Why's that? Family move to a different city?"
>"It's k-kind of a long story... and it's a little sensitive to me. I'm s-sorry. I'll tell you someday... but I need some time. I haven't even told my closest friend."
"Alright then, I won't press. Tell me about your friend."
>Her mood seems to get a little better.
>"She's so nice. Much prettier than me too. She works at a school not too far from here. She tries so hard to make sure all of the students have everything they need."
"You know, her name wouldn't happen to be Mulberry would it"
>Autumn looks up to you and beams.
>"You know Mulberry?" she asks excitedly.
"Yeah! She's my next door neighbor. I helped her a few weeks ago when she had some personal problems."
>"Oh! That must be so nice. I only see Mulberry at the library. She talks about her kids so much and how helpful I am to her... I feel like I'm kind of helping the little ones out too."
>Her feet sway a little bit on the bench and a light breeze catches her hair and pulls it to the side.
>Giving you just a bit of a glimpse of Fluttershy standing off in the distance, watching you.
>Her face is... unreadable.
>Guilt fills your stomach.
>There is no choice.
>You have to explain things now.
>Especially before you help her move in tonight.
>How are you going to explain this?
>"She also talks about having a really bad coltfriend... which I can understand. I've had a really bad experience with a stallion too."
"Really?"
>"Yeah. It's also sorta sensitive though... I'm sorry."
"No really, it's fine."
>You look down at your watch and you see you are nearly late.
"But, I think I should probably head back to work."
>Autumn nods to you.
>"Yeah... me too. I'll text you. I promise!"
>She catches you by surprise and wraps you up in a tight hug.
>Her fur feels warm against your skin and warms the inside of your chest
>You wrap an arm around her and notice that she smells like fall time.
"Sounds good... I'll see ya around."
>She breaks away and trots off.
>"Bye-bye Anon!"
>You watch her head out of the park with a wide smile, but you can't help but look around.
>Fluttershy is nowhere to be seen.
>With a heavy sigh and a bad feeling in your stomach, you head back to work.
>At least you are nearly done with the book... and it won't be as weird when you mention you knew she worked in a library.
>You wonder if she found out what happened to Mulberry a few weeks ago.
>None of that is even close to the big question though.
>How much did Fluttershy see?
>What did she hear?
>How is she going to react?
>And you are going to help her pick out a pet tonight.
>This has potential to hurt everything that you had been working towards with her.
>A large part of you felt guilty for still entertaining the possibility of going out with Autumn.
>Great Job Anon.
>Love struck between two different ponies.
>What are you going to do next?
>You have to judge how you tackle the situation by how Fluttershy is acting this afternoon.
>Setting your hand on the entrance to the glass building, you step inside.
>As you step inside the elevator, you look at the shorter ponies riding it with you.
>Are their lives just as hard as yours?
>Sometimes it seems like all of life's drama gets attracted to you like flies to an open flame.
>The elevator stops at your floor.
>Guess you wouldn't know unless you asked.
>Stepping onto your floor, you head towards your office, keeping a close eye out for your assistant.
>"Hey Anon!"
>The voice behind you makes you jump.
>Spinning around, you find your boss Brand.
"Oh. Hey. How's it going? You seem awful chipper."
>"Oh yeah. Things are great. I met a new stallion last night, all my meetings were cleared out this morning, and the cherry on top is that I've got a date tonight!"
"That's awesome man. Good job! "
>"Yeah!, well I won't keep ya busy." says Brand in a tone that infers that HE is the one who actually wants to go.
"Oh, alright. Well thanks. I'll see ya around."
>"See ya." he says, turning towards the elevators.
>You head back towards your office, your brain full of fu-
>"Oh, one last thing."
>Turning back to Brand, you do your best not to seem irritated by the constant interruptions today.
"Whassup."
>"Your secretary seemed down in the dumps when I saw her. Everything alright?"
>The plunging feeling in your stomach returns.
"Yeah. I think so. I was about to go talk to her."
>"Alright then. Just remember that one of the most important parts of being professional is knowing when it's inappropriate to be professional."
>You nod your head.
>"Take care Anon."
"You too."
>Turning back to your original destination, you step into your office and slouch down in your chair.
>"Uhm. Sir?"
>You look up reflexively at the door, which is part way open with Fluttershy peering in.
"Hey, I just got back. How are you?"
>She looks away, but carries in a few stacks of papers.
>"I, um. Finished these a little bit ago. I wanted... wanted to know if you would like to look at them."
>Her sad tone shoots daggers into your soul as you feel numbness replacing guilt.
"Yeah. Sure."
>She drops the papers on your desk with a thud, then turns to leave.
"Hey Flutters, sit down for a second. I think we should talk about something."
>She turns to you, her face covered by her mane, replacing the look that she prepared this morning with such care in your bathroom.
>After pausing for a moment, she closes the door quietly and sits in front of your desk.
>"H-have I done something wrong?"
"No. I have."
>Standing up from your chair, you move around to the front of the desk and sit on it.
"I've been trying to find a good time to tell you, but I haven't... and I couldn't. After I saw that you followed me to the park. I think I should tell you now."
>She looks down and stares at the carpet.
>Fluttershy mumbles something under her breath.
"What?"
>"I-I'm sorry I followed you..."
"No. That's fine. Well, I mean. Maybe a bit excessive, but that's not what I want to talk about."
>She looks up at you and you see the redness to her eyes.
>Why didn't you just tell her Anon?
"Fluttershy, before I knew you were coming here... I met somepony."
>The little pegasus breaks into tears and places her hooves over her face.
>"I knew it... I knew all of this has been too good to be true. I knew something was wrong."
"No Shy, that isn't what I'm saying."
>"Then what could it possibly be?" she cries exasperatedly.
>You kneel down on a knee to get on eye level with her tear-stained, makeup smeared face.
"That first night was when everything changed. I couldn't have imagined that in twenty four hours, that what we could have would mean so much to me."
>She smiles a little, just for a second.
"Now... I don't know. I haven't had to make this hard of a decision before. Before... it would have been a no brainer, but today, everything is completely different."
>She sniffs and looks up at you.
>"Did the two of you..."
"No. We only exchanged numbers and made a date."
>"When is it?"
"Tomorrow."
>She looks down at the floor and mumbles something under her breath.
"What's that?"
>She looks up at you and gulps.
>"Please don't go."
>The question catches you off guard and the internal conflict renews itself.
>Of course Fluttershy, anything for you.
>Are you taking orders from your rapist Anon?
"I don't know if I can do that... It would feel like I led her on Shy."
>"If you go... aren't you leading me on?"
>You gulp, hearing your words heard against you.
>How can you possibly remedy this?
>You can't lie to her.
>That wouldn't be remotely fair.
>Yet, how can you possibly choose between two people you met within twenty four hours of each other?
>Shy is trying really hard and everything, but what if she relapses?
>Then again, what if denying her this causes her to relapse.
>A shiver runs down your spine.
>One date with Autumn and one with Fluttershy.
>Then you decide.
"I owe her one date Shy. One date. After that, I'll let her down easy. I promise. She isn't that bad of a person. She's Mulberry's friend that she talked about this morning."
>"I knew there was a reason you wanted to avoid the library..." she sighs to herself.
>You hold her hooves and bring her face to face.
"One date, then it's all over. I'm all yours."
>She looks into your eyes and you see the hurt, vulnerable filly inside of her screaming, crying... begging.
>"O-okay. One date."
>You wrap you arms around her.
"Thank you."
>"But I want a date too."
>"Done. Anywhere you want. Any time."
>You break the hug and she seems to be a little happier.
>Taking a box of tissues off your desk, you wipe off some of the smeared makeup from your shirt as she checks herself in a mirror.
>"I look terrible."
"It's not that bad. I'm sure you could fix it up in a jiffy." you reply to the filly whose mascara has run past her cheeks and down her neck.
>"You are a horrible liar Anon." she half-heartedly giggles.
>She fixes the worst of it with a small compact and takes a deep breath.
"Better?"
>"Better."
"Really?"
>She look up at you, then casts her gaze aside.
>"For now."
"I'll grab ya when we are done for today. We aren't going to find Perry the Parakeet in an office building."
>Fluttershy giggles and nods.
"I won't keep ya here then."
>"Oh, I don't mind..."
>She catches herself with a blush.
"Back to professionalism, Miss Fluttershy."
>"Right, sir. Uhm. Would you mind if I recheck that? I rushed through the last few pages."
>You open the files she set on your desk, and browse them quickly.
>The last page is visibly stained with tears and has numerous glaring issues.
"Of course."
>"Thank you sir." She says, heading back to her desk.
>What are you going to do with her?

>The rest of the afternoon goes by fairly quickly.
>At one point, Brand popped in to mention how better Fluttershy seemed.
>Of course, you buttered him up, saying it was due to his amazing advice and council.
>He just ate it up.
>You and Fluttershy work like a seamless machine.
>She reviews your work and you review hers.
>Every single thing comes out perfect and the box of work seems to get smaller for once.
>It's really amazing how good of a team the two of you make.
>She even made you some of that liquid delight that keeps you alive.
>Something about her coffee just perks your entire day.
>When you finally get a moment to look at the clock, it's already time to go.
>A light knock on your open office door signals the sign of the beaming yellow pegasus.
>"Ready Anon?"
"Yep. I think we've put a big enough dent in this for today. Let's get outta here."
>After closing and locking your office, you follow the yellow pegasus out of the building and out into the early evening air.
>The two of you walk side by side on the side walk, relishing the benefits of a hard day's work.
"So, what's the plan for tonight."
>"Uhm. Well I need to grab some of my things from your apartment, but otherwise I think we should settle the place, then find a cute little critter."
"Sounds good to me. To my place it is. I'd sure love to get out of these clothes."
>Fluttershy looks up at you in disbelief, her face painted the color of a fresh strawberry.
"Into more casual clothes Shy. Mind out of the gutter."
>"O-oh. Right." she says in a slightly defeated tone.
"Long day?"
>"Y-yeah... it's just really hard-"
"I know Shy. I'm proud of you. I know it must take a lot."
>She nods, probably more to herself than to your comment.
"Have you been thinking of what critter you want?"
>Fluttershy's eyes light up and she leaps into the air, her wings keeping her aloft.
>"Oh, how could I possibly decide without getting to know all of them. What if I can't decide Anon? How could I possibly take only one home? What if they all like me? I don't want to hurt any of their feelings Anon... I don't know."
>You lightly snicker.
"Sounds like I'll have to keep you in line so you don't walk out with half the store."
>"Mhm." She answers in affirmation.
>Your stomach grumbles as the two of you near your destination.
"Oh man. What do you wanna eat? I'm not sure if we will have enough time to cook up something fresh."
>The yellow pegasus ponders to herself.
>"I don't know. Is there something quick? Like sandwiches?"
"I'm pretty sure there is a shop near your place that delivers. We could try it out."
>"You would know better than I would Anon." she says with a smile.
>As you approach your apartment building, you hold the door open for your guest and hop in the elevator to your floor.
>You wonder how Mulberry might be doing.
>While Fluttershy grabs her things, maybe you should check up on her.
>Just to make sure things are okay.
>The door opens and the two of you exit the metal box.
>The yellow mare hums a happy tune as she follows you to your apartment.
>She doesn't fail to notice your glance towards Mulberry's door.
>"Do you think she is okay?" she asks curiously.
"Yeah. I think so. Should I check up on her."
>She seems hesitant, but looks up to you and nods.
"Alright. I'll see how she's doing after I change."
>You unlock the door to your apartment and step inside the cool sanctum of home.
>With a great stretch, you already feel more relaxed.
>"Uhm. Do you mind if I take a quick shower Anon?"
>You untuck your shirt and head towards your room.
"Nah. What's mine is yours."
>"Thanks Anon!"
>You step into your room and quickly change out of your work clothes and into something more comfortable.
>T-shirt and jeans should be fine.
>Getting ready to head back out into the hallway, you move to the bathroom door to tell Fluttershy that you are going to check out Mulberry.
>"Umf~" you hear just beyond the other side of the door, blended in with the running water from the shower head.
>You do a one-eighty and decide to see your neighbor.
>She'll figure it out when you aren't around.
>Leaving the door unlocked, you walk to Mulberry's door and knock lightly.
>"Oh! Lemme get that." you hear from inside.
>She has a guest?
>Maybe you shouldn't-
>The door swings open and a bright eyed and perky Mulberry stands on the other side of the door.
>"Anon! How are you? Ooh! Ooh! You have to come in, I haaave to introduce you to my friend!"
>That's weird.
>This doesn't resemble the calm, somber mare that you met this morning.
>Not that it's a bad thing.
>She grabs you by the shirt and pulls you in.
"Berry, have you been drinking?"
>"Only a few glasses because I have company. Autumn! Autumn! I want to introduce you to my neighbor!"
>The pit of your stomach drops.
>"Alright. Alright." says the familiar quiet voice as you see her brown hair round a corner.
>When Autumn locks her eyes onto you, her face is filled with surprise.
>"Autumn this is Anon. Anon, this is Autumn, my friend that works at the library."
"Uh. Hi there." you chuckle.
>"Hey." she says with a cute smile.
>"Can you believe that this tall stallion helped take care of me two weeks ago when all that happened? He didn't even want anything in return. He's suuch a gentlecolt."
>Autumn blushes.
>"Oh really?"
>"But what you really have to see to believe is his COOKING! Oh my Celestia. It was amazing. Every single little bite was-"
"Well. Uh. I don't mean to interrupt girl time, but I prolly should go."
>"Nonsense!" says Mulberry, "We got a ton to drink, why don't you stick around?"
"Well I promised I'd help out Fluttershy tonight."
>Autumn looks at you curiously with a little worry, but keeps her mouth closed.
>A knock at the door breaks the conversation and Mulberry answers it.
>You look down to Autumn who looks up at you with visible concern.
>"Fluttershy! Anon was just talking about you!"
>"O-oh. Hi Mulberry. I thought I could find Anon here."
>She steps into the apartment and walks up beside you, until she notices the fall colored pony next to you.
>Fluttershy takes a step back in nervousness.
>"Oh. Uhm. Hi."
>"Hello." replies Autumn, looking from you, back to Fluttershy and then back to you again.
"Uhm. Autumn. This is Fluttershy, a close friend from Ponyville. Fluttershy. This is Autumn. Mulberry's friend from the library."
>Fluttershy instantly straightens up and eyes the mare from head to hoof.
>"Oh. I've heard a bit about you." The yellow pony says to her.
>"Really?" Autumn asks curiously. "Like what?"
>This is bad.
>You can't let this happen.
"Well, uhm. We better get started Fluttershy or we won't be able to get you moved in."
>"Oh. Right." she answers, not taking her eyes off your date for tomorrow. "I suppose we will have to talk some other time. You work at the library right?"
>"That's right."
>"Okay, we will have to have coffee or something."
>"Sounds nice." answers Autumn.
>Mulberry stands on the sidelines, not eating up the tense atmosphere, but stares at the wall behind you in a tipsy daze.
>Or is she staring at you?
>There is too much tension in this room.
>You decide it's now or never.
"Alright, well I'll see you all around!"

>Anon takes his 'friend' out of Mulberry's apartment with a wave goodbye.
>At least, you hope she's just a friend.
>She was being so protective...
>Does she know about your date with him?
>"Bye Bye Anon!" yells Mulberry out of her apartment.
>She sighs and closes the door behind her.
>"Isn't he dreamy Autumn?"
"Yeah." you answer truthfully. "He is."
>"Just think... a male like that could have any mare he wanted... I would do anything if that mare could be me."
"Maybe you should wait a little bit before you jump back in the stallion game?"
>"Oh Autumn, just because you and I both had a bad experience doesn't mean we should quit!"
"I suppose." You say while grabbing your glass of wine, looking at your reflection in the red liquid.
>"Plus you said you had that date coming up!" the tipsy mare teases.
"That's different. I waited a long time after him. And seeing that some stallion did that to you too... I think you should wait too."
>"Oh Autumn, you've never even met him, and thank goodness for that. I wouldn't wish that stallion on anypony. I'm happy that they took him downtown."
"That's good."
>What are you going to tell her?
>That you have a date with her crush?
>And what are you supposed to think about this yellow pegasus?
>You take a deep gulp of your wine and get out your phone.
>Maybe you should text him...