1 Why did I come back?

My car entered through the entrance smoothly, and I tried to find the closest parking to the door. As I got out of my Mercedes, I gazed up at the building. It looked the same, to be honest. The grey, dull walls and the six windows Dexter obviously hasn't cleaned since last year made me feel like I never even left. I lifted my sunglasses up and started walking towards the glass doors just before my heel had gotten gum stuck on it. "Damn it", I said. It's like no one has any respect for the floor anymore. I don't know why I was so mad though, I mean, it was just gum. Anyway, I managed to take the filthy gum off with a toothpick I got from my purse and made my way into the building.

Hank was sleeping, of course; I don't think I've seen him do anything but sleep. I made my way onto the elevator and as the doors closed I started feeling sick again. Why was I so anxious? I just didn't get it. I mean Jimothy isn't gonna be there, neither is Pam so what's there to worry about. Michael is offering me a really good job and the salary is way better than what I was getting last year so yeah. It's going to be a fresh new start for me. I took a deep breath and calmed myself as I walked through the office doors. Where was everyone? All the chairs were empty and even Michael wasn't in his office. "Can I help you?" came a voice from reception. "Ah yes I have an appointment with Michael Scott at 12:30". "Sure take a seat he'll be with you in a minute". I sat down before catching another glimpse at Jimothy 's ex desk. Good thing he's gone. I'm happy for him and Pam, they deserve each other. I looked at my watch. It was 1:00 pm and Michael was late but what confused me, even more, was where the hell was everybody. Just then I heard laughing coming in from the conference room. Of course, they're all in there and I was thinking they were all at a party. Funny I'd never imagined being the only one not in the conference room. It feels weird. What was even weirder was the receptionist who was constantly staring at me. I tried to stare back but then I got uncomfortable staring at her. She was starting to piss me off. Was there something on my face or my dress? I didn't know about her but I could feel the tension. I tried to fix my hair and makeup and even uncreased my dress but with her staring at me I was starting to feel like I made the wrong choice coming here. Just as I decided to stand up the conference door opened and everyone rushed out of there like chicken wanting to run loose from the farmer. The first to see me was Andy and Kelly. I tried not to make it awkward by smiling but if I was there looking at myself I'd say I was probably looking like an idiot. "Tamawa your back," Andy said in his annoying baby voice. "Yes, I am". I tried to say enthusiastically. He wrapped his hands around me and I froze. The last thing I want in this office is Andy hugging my boobs... I didn't know what to do so I just stayed there like a statue for a legit 5 seconds. "Tamara how come your back?" Kelly said smiling sarcastically. "Michael wanted to see me". "Oh I see so you're not here to steal our jobs," she said laughing smugly. "You mean the one where you online shop all day instead of work". After Andy let me go, I saw everyone huddling around me like they were worshipping me or something anyway it was weird. Everyone was there; Oslo, Ryan, Karl, Angel, Creed, Mer, Toby, Stan, Phyllis. Ryan was the first one to ask me how Barbados was and I said" it was great the beaches were fantastic". "I bet they were" he laughed. Kelly slapped his shoulder. "Did you meet anyone?" Meredith asked. "Umm not really". "So what did you do there?" Kevin said annoyingly. "I didn't get laid Kevin if that's what you're asking". Kevin's smile faded away. "Did you get anything for us?" Creed asked. "No, because I left remember" Creed left the discussion. "I hear the art in Barbados is just magical Tamara" Oscar smirked. "Yeah it really is Oscar you would love it". For the first time in a long time, I was relieved. There was just a sense of peace and joy in me which I can't really describe. I mean I wasn't afraid or scared and the best part was Jimothy wasn't there UNTIL.

He came out of the conference room holding Pam's hand. He turned towards me. That sick feeling in my stomach came back once again. His eyes bulged and his cheeks went red as he stared at me. I stared back at him motionless. He let go of Pam's hand and tried to come forward but all I could feel was pain and suffering. I tried to leave the circle that was built around me and as I looked back he was coming closer. I needed to leave before something horrible would happen. Just then Michael shouted, "everybody shut up". Jimothy stopped moving but his eyes were still fixed at me. My mouth was open like a blowfish. "Now, Tamara is here to meet with me, not you boring people, so get back to work". Everyone started moving away but Jimothy didn't move. I could see Pam behind him glaring at me like she wanted to rip my head off but it isn't my fault. I would have never come back if I knew these two were still working here. "Tamara if you'd like to step into my palace" Michael bowed. I rushed into his office closing the door behind me.

"I can't say how good it is to have you back," Michael said. "Now let's talk business. You'll be having the sales manager position with the sales team and the accounting team working directly under you and the big bucks will be about-" I interrupted him. "Michael wait". His mouth was left open and he froze. I took a deep breath knowing that if I worked here I would ruin a happy marriage and my life. "Look Michael I'm sorry I can't work here". The expression on his face was unreadable. First, he shook his head then nodded his head then raised his eyebrows. "You see I thought I could work here but now I… It's really complicated Michael but I just want you to try to understand but I am really grateful you thought of me for the position. "No Tamara I don't understand". There was no way in hell I was going to spend 45 minutes trying to explain the history of me and Jimothy so I rubbed my forehead. "Is it because of me?" He said looking down. I looked up at him sad. I touched his hand. "Michael G Scott, you have and will always be the best boss I and Dunder Mifflin has ever and will ever have". He stared at me speechless. I got up and leaned my hand forward for him to shake. After that, I closed the door and said "bye everybody it was nice meeting all of you". No one really cared but at least they said goodbye. As I headed for the door Jimothy came up to me. "Tamara". I froze. Suddenly, there were goosebumps all over me and my heart started racing. I turned around calmly. "Can I talk to you for a minute?". What was I supposed to say ? Of Course he couldn't talk to me. If he would then… then something would go wrong. "Jimothy I really have to go". I didn't have to go through. I didn't need to go and I most certainly didn't want to go. God, He smelled so good. I always loved his cologne. It was something blue sea but it made him smell amazing. There was something about his blue eyes that would just want you to stare at them forever. He leaned closer until he came to my ear and said "I really really need to talk to you". My knees become weak and my heart started racing so loud I was afraid he was going to hear it. I didn't know what to do. I really didn't know what to do but then I did. I ran away.

I got off the stairs and started racing towards my car. I needed to leave now before I'd explode. But before I had a chance to get in something grabbed my hand. I didn't turn back, I knew it was Jimothy so I said "Jimothy let go" but as the hand let go I noticed it wasn't Jimothy, It was Michael.

"Michael," I said frantically. He took a long sigh. "That's why you're not working because of Jimothy". I didn't say anything. It was silent for about a good thirty seconds. "So you're still in love with him?". "No Michael I'm not". He raised his eyebrows. "Well, that's a bummer because he's still in love with you". I was shocked. Why would Michael say that? "Michael why would you say that about a married man?". Michael started laughing hysterically. I stepped back a bit confused. He put his hand over his mouth and tried to stop but it wasn't of any use as he burst out laughing again. "What's so funny Michael?". He tried to get himself together but ended up falling on the floor. I helped him up. He gasped for air trying to breathe. "Tamara Jimothy isn't married". My mind stopped. I couldn't think nor speak nor move. I can't explain the feeling but it was as if someone had lifted a 100-pound weight off my chest literally. I wasn't scared or worried or angry. I was lost. After a minute of Michael talking about everything, I stopped him. "Wait what". Michael sighed. "Why hasn't anyone told you about this Tamara I thought you would be the first to know". "Michael when did this happen?". "A year ago Tamara". A YEAR. it had been a year. "Look a week before the wedding Jimothy called it off, he said he wasn't ready and as heartbroken Pam was, she was committed towards it. They were still working together, of course, then after two or three months I think they started dating again and decided they were actually getting married for real in two months". The weight on my chest started coming back on top again but it was less so. "Tamara look, I'm not going to force you to work with us, hell I can't do that. But what I can say is that you are an extraordinary woman and I've seen your work in Dunder Mifflin for seven years. You deserve this position more than anyone else and I'm not just saying that. I'm trying to say that if the reason you're not going to work for a top position is because of some guy then I'll tell you straight away it's not worth it because this is your life, not his and you only get one shot kiddo". My eyes filled with tears and so did his. I came forward to hug him. "Thank you, Michael," I said. "I love you pipsqueak". I wiped my tears, got in my car then drove away.