NO DOUBT [bwwm]

• 13 • The Human Resources

The fall breeze hit me as I stepped out of the warmth of my small car. It smelled like pumpkin and spice outside, though it could've just been the autumn spirit leading me astray. Newark and New York were such a sight in the fall, California could barely compete. The leaves turned a burnt shade of orange as they steadily fell to the ground, leaving a crispy-sounding carpet of red and brown. The tall trees around the Soave Giulia were now naked from the change of season, indicating the beginning of winter. I could only imagine how beautiful the scenery would look after the first snow. Haven't had experienced snow in my whole life, the idea of it made me especially giddy. I finally got to have a white Christmas.

The sound of a car approaching took me out of my daydreaming and reminded me of my original goal. Upon realizing what I was going to ask for, my heartbeat quickened and I could feel my hands sweat. You got this, Josie. You've been working for her for almost two months now. She shouldn't scare you. Oh, but she did.

I bit my lip nervously and took shy steps towards the grand doors of the restaurant. Unfortunately, time passes by fast when you don't want it to, and as I reached the office's door inside the restaurant, I damned the laws of physics. However, something was on my side as I heard the voices of Giulia and Stefano, speaking indistinguishably in what I could only assume was Italian. I waited for their obviously heated argument to tune down as I heard steps coming my direction. I didn't think much of it, as the restaurant was relatively busy that morning, but I should've, since it was the most handsomest creature I've encountered in my short life who was approaching.

"Josie," I turned to Orlando who was sending me a small smirk. As he did, it showed off a dimple I had failed to notice before. It only added to his charm, though he didn't need any bonus. Just dressed in all black except for his white shirt, he looked straight out of a James Bond movie and with his attractive features, one could easily mistake him for a Hollywood actor. Still, he held this spark in his eyes often hooded by his constant frown and this humility that confirmed his beauty wasn't just a façade.

"Orlando, hi," I grinned up at him, as he stood at his tall height. I was a solid 5'8 and a half, and I didn't shy away from heels as I was wearing 4-inch high heeled boots, but Orlando was still a few inches taller than me.

I had chosen to forgive him for his acts and to return to how I previously was with him after he had helped me out in the club, two weeks before. He drove me back to my apartment while lightly scolding me for my careless alcohol intake. I thought it was adorable how he placed my bonnet on my head like I indicated him to after tucking me in before leaving. He even left a cute note and an aspirin with a water bottle on my nightstand. Orlando was a genuinely good person, I couldn't possibly stay mad at him.

His stare was intense as I greeted him, so I looked away facing the door again. A feeling of déjà-vu hit me as I mentally took in the current moment.

I chuckled lightly, "We need to stop meeting like this."

He chuckled too, "Would you rather we meet with your face up in a trashcan?"