Drunk (On Jealousy) - Chapter 4

Ellen's POV 

It's already 4 pm and Portia hadn't sent me any text whatsoever, let alone called. 

I had been trying to reach her but she didn't answer. I was started to get worried. 

"Calm yourself down, DeGeneres. She's at work. What is the worst possibility?" I talked to myself, like I always do whenever I get stressed out. 

"Hey, we're gonna have to hold one last meeting today. You're expected there," Lauren stood in front of my office's room with her arms full of papers. 

"Oh yeah yeah, let's go," I rubbed my face for a second before walking out, offering my help to Lauren which she accepted happily. 

"So what is it?" Lauren suddenly raised her voice while we walked to the meeting room. 

"Huh?" 

"What is it? I know something's off. What bugs you today?" she explained and asked again. 

I was pretty amazed by her skill of sensing that something's wrong. Did she know me that well or was it just too obvious? 

"Oh... that," I mumbled. 

"It has something to do with Portia, I bet," Lauren laughed a little. 

"More or less, well, yeah," I sighed. "She can't come with me today because there's a script reading for a new show," 

"Wow, isn't that great? She's going to play in a new show!" 

"Of course it is. I am as excited as you are, but you know, before she left I told her to text me but she hasn't. She didn't even answer my calls," I rambled to Lauren. 

"Okay. But, I believe that is not the main problem. What is it, Ellen? I have known you for a while and I know these kind of things won't bother you this way. What's behind all this?" Lauren stopped at her track and looked at me. 

As I said, I was surprised that she knew me this well. 

And as a very close friend, I knew that she's trustworthy. So I finally decided to tell her about what happened at the pub.

About Lima Dyer. 

Lauren just listened and nodded most of the time while I spilled all of the story to her. I had to say that kind of lessened my anxiety today. It felt good to tell a close friend what bothers you. 

"I see. So you fear that this Lima Dyer might still want to get close and be around Portia and you're afraid that Portia will leave you?" Lauren looked at me in the eyes with a dead serious look. 

"Yep, exactly..." I nodded slowly. 

There were 3 seconds of silence and then Lauren laughed so hard that I jumped a little. 

"Gosh, Ellen! Did I just make you jump?" she asked while fighting to stop her laugh. 

I pouted. "Hey, why're you laughing? What's so funny?!" 

"You! You are ridiculous!" she finally managed to stop her laugh and caught some air to breathe. 

"What? What's that supposed to mean?" I was seriously confused. 

"Let me tell you something, boss. Your wife, Portia de Rossi, will never leave you. Why? First, you're the mighty Ellen DeGeneres. Second, she loves you. Third, you love her. Am I being clear?" 

I blinked my eyes several times before answering, "yes, m'am,". 

Lauren patted my shoulder with a fake formal look on her face. 

"Good. Now, let's get to the meeting so we can wrap this day and you can make out with your beloved wife,".

Portia's POV

I sat there completely stunned and still. Lima Dyer put her bag on the nearest table and stood right in front of me.

"That's okay. The traffic seems to profoundly hate us today," Jamie nodded and brushed his hand in the air towards the empty seat, signalling Lima to sit down. 

Lima sat and flashed a wide smile to everybody on the room. I could barely return the smile, though. 

Some crazy things started to run through my little head. 

Why's she here? Was she one of the casts? But, how? Did she plan this? Why didn't I find this out earlier? Should I tell Ellen? 

Oh my god, I just remembered about my wife. How would I ever give her the news? 

"Hi, babe. Turns out I'm working very closely with a girl that you've been keeping me from for weeks. That's fine, right?"

I shook my head a little to get rid of the silly thoughts. No, I couldn't do that to her. 

"Portia, are you alright? You seem a bit pale," Zack's voice snapped me out of my trance. 

My mouth hung open for a while, trying to find usable words. 

"Erm... Yeah, yeah. I'm okay. Nothing to worry about," I forced a smile and thank goodness they seemed to buy it. 

I stole a glance at Lima and she winked at me. I pretended that I didn't notice that. 

"Okay, let's get down to the business. We've wasted some precious time," Jamie asked for the attention as he handed each of the casts the script papers.

"Well, Portia and Lima, you guys get the very first scene of the show..." Jamie pointed at me and Lima. 

"What scene would that be?" Lima asked. 

"Please read the paper. It's a kissing scene," Jamie answered calmly as he raised his paper. 

I froze.