50 Shades of Drake 1 and 2

50SOD II: Chapter Thirty-Two

    Once Destiny got back to work, the hours flew by. Co-workers stopped by on their way out to tell her goodbye. Several of them had also stayed late; they just hadn't stayed as late as she was planning to. A running instant message with Aubrey remained minimized on her desktop. He had told her that staying late wasn't necessary, but she felt differently.

    "If you're staying late, then so am I," he'd messaged when he realized he wasn't going to change her mind.

    She printed up important articles and ran them over to Brian, who seemed a bit more subdued than usual. He was always appreciative when she stopped by, but his trademark playful nature was definitely a lot more toned down than usual.

    Aubrey stopped by her office to visit her just as the sun was giving up for the day. "Everything going okay?" he asked, strolling into her office and coming to stand beside her.

    "Yeah, but there is definitely a lot to sift through."

    He leaned down and kissed the top of her head. "I appreciate you being willing to stay late. Everyone has really banded together and fought to make sure the company is represented in a positive light. It has been amazing to witness."

    "I can tell how much everyone loves working here," she told him. "They act more like a family than a company sometimes."

    "Most times," he said with a smile. "And each employee is like family to me."

    "I love that you think that way," she said, beaming at him.

    He kissed the top of her head again. "I'm going to put in maybe another half an hour here. Then I'm going to head home and cook dinner for us."

    "Can we invite Carlos?" she asked him. "I texted him I wouldn't be able to hang out tonight since I'm staying late. I feel horrible."

    "Sure, you can invite him," he replied, already moving towards the door. "How much longer do you think you're staying?"

    She shrugged. "Maybe another hour?"

    "How come I have a feeling that hour will turn into two?" he asked, arching a glance at her over his shoulder once he reached the door.

    She smiled sheepishly. "An hour and a half, tops."

    "Text me when you leave the office," he told her.

    "I will."

    He left, but a moment later, she heard him speaking to Brian.

    She returned to work. When she was in the process of researching, she tended to get wrapped up in it. Poring over words and words, on this website and that website, cross-referencing quotes and pulling up profiles on reporters or other politicians that she wasn't familiar with.

    "Fuck!"

    She nearly jumped out of her chair. The exclamation was that loud. With her nerves rattled, she stood out of her seat and walked out of her office. The main floor was dark; the lights were turned off to reserve energy. All of the cubicles she passed were empty. The EXIT signs that were strategically placed around the office cast a soft red glow over the room. Timidly, she walked to Brian's office and raised a closed fist to knock on the door.

    "Yeah?" His voice was taut. Tense.

    "Can I come in?"

    He hesitated before answering. He hesitated for so long that she thought he wasn't going to answer. She was nearly to the point of turning and returning to her own office when he said, "Yeah."