Work-Life Balance

Between romance and routines, a man barely finds time to sleep

Jonas looked at his tired reflection in the bathroom mirror and splashed cold water on his face.

He'd been burning the candle at both ends. A forbidden office romance kept him busy both at work and at home. He tried not to look directly at his lover during the day, passing him so quickly one would think they were angry at each other instead of secret lovers. Not that anyone did or could know they were lovers.

Jonas walked back to his desk and flopped in his chair.

"What's wrong with you lately, Jonas?" Brenda asked. "Are you sick?"

Jonas turned to her. I'm sick on love, sweetheart. "No, I've just been burning the midnight oil."

"Certainly not here! I've been covering for you these last few days, but you gotta start pulling your weight, or I'll have to go to management. And you know what a hard boss Lamont can be."

Jonas looked at her, alarmed. I'm going to get fired for this after all, he thought. "I— I'm sorry. I'll get back on track; I promise."

But ten minutes Brenda dug her elbow into his ribs. "You're snoring!! Go home. I'll cover for you one last time. Get. Some. Sleep!"

Jonas shuffled past the cubicles of his coworkers, hoping a certain set of eyes wouldn't linger on him too long.

When he got home, he laid down and immediately fell asleep. In his dreams, he kept crying: "I'm going to get fired for this!"

He woke to gentle shaking. He opened his eyes to a man sitting on the edge of the couch, smiling.

"You were talking in your sleep, baby. You're not going to get fired. Promise"

Jonas smiled an exhausted, exalted smile. "Well I'm talking awake now: have I told you I love you today, Lamont?"

NOTES: ▶︎

Word Count: 300
Submitted for "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt: Use the phrase "I'm going to get fired for this"