Roses From the Devil

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"Izzy!" a voice yelled from behind me.

I turned just in time to avoid bumping into Jessica - one of my coworkers - who seemed to have been running towards me at full speed. Her blonde hair was a tangled mess atop her head, her hands flat against her knees as she struggled to catch her breath.

"What's up?" I asked, sending one final message to Jack's school before shutting my phone and stuffing it into my back pocket.

I watched in amusement as Jessica put a hand to her chest, her breathing hard and ragged as she held up a stack of papers in her other. "I just printed copies of your article," she spoke hastily between each hard inhale and exhale. "I think it's ready for publishing. I just - damn it woman, why do you walk so fast? And why did I have to wear heels today?"

I burst into laughter at Jessica's whining and took the copies from her hand.

"Thanks, Jess," I said, laughter subsiding as I looked over the copies. "You're a life saver. I've been late to pick up Jack all week and I think his school hates me now."

Jessica snorted. "You tell those motherfuckers that you're a busy, single mom and if they even so much as look at you or your son wrong again, call me and I'll beat the everlasting shit out of them!"

"As much as I appreciate the concern, I don't think Jack'll like the idea of moving to another school. He has trouble readjusting and I've caused enough problems for him as it is," I sighed, frowning.

Jessica pouted. "Ugh. Life sucks. I wish I could help you."

"You've done enough for me, Jess. Don't go getting anymore ideas," I warned teasingly, handing her back the copies of my article as she rolled her eyes. "Please leave these at my desk. I'll take care of them tomorrow, okay?"

Jessica nodded, raising her hand to salute me. "Aye, aye, Cap'n. Don't stress yourself. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow," I replied, winking at her as I turned.

Readjusting my purse on my shoulder, I continued walking towards the elevator, the sound of my shoes the only thing in the empty hallway. I pulled my phone back out at the sound of a text message, opening it to find another message from the school. Sighing, I made to type out a reply just as the elevator doors slid open, a man appearing at my side to board the elevator with me.

I only caught a brief glance at him just as we stepped inside - black sweatshirt, the hoodie pulled over his head, hiding his features. His hands were shoved into the pockets of his dark jeans. I didn't pay much attention as I reached out to press the button that would get me to the ground level of the building.

But when I felt the whisper of fingers on my arm, I whipped my head towards the man, my phone still in my hands.

"Sorry," the guy said, his voice husky. The chuckle that followed after his words seemed eerily familiar, and when I finally met his eyes - a green color that seemed to remind me so much of...of...

Curving my lips into a smile, I laughed nervously and took a step away from him. "You're fine," I said, shifting on my feet and leaning my side against the elevator as I looked back down at my phone.

The elevator doors slid open and I stepped out. I could've sworn I heard him whisper something inaudible right before the doors shut. Halting, I frowned, spinning around, only now realizing he didn't press a button to any of the floors.

Shrugging it off, I rushed towards the counter to clock out before allowing myself to submerge in the bustling crowds of New York outside. The process of standing awkwardly in the street, trying to catch the attention of a taxi while people shoved and pushed against me was a familiar one.