One Journey, the Final

Chapter 6:

             "You kissed in a tree?!" Lyla laughed through the phone.

             "Yes I kissed in a tree! And I wouldn't have traded it for anything," I said, gnawing on a cucumber slice.

              "I suppose it could be worse. At least it didn't happen at a gas station or something like that," Lyla gushed.

             "Um, yeah, no," I smiled. The slightly slimey cucumber was swishing around in my mouth. I was pretty sure Lyla was disgusted with me on the other line, as she usually is with me on the phone. I don't hold back.

            "Stop that chewing. I can hear the saliva smacking against whatever you're eating. You're going to make me bulimic with all of gross noises I hear over the phone from you," Lyla said flatly. I stopped. Ironic that of all people, she's the one cracking jokes about eating disorders. "And I'm assuming that you finally told him that you love him." I rolled my eyes.

           "Don't you have some casting to go to?" I asked as I was pulling on a pair of glossy red peep toes.

           "And aren't you late for work?" Lyla teased.

          "I'm halfway out the door," I said as I turned the key.

          "Love you. Have a great day! Build something!" Lyla said encouragingly.

          "Love you too."

                                                                         - - -

          "And if we expand this lot, it will allow for a stronger economical growth and popularity for Mr. Byrns and this top of the line business!" Dave, our ideas guy said, pointing to a huge and color coordinated chart. I was paying half attention, swirling my spoon in my murky colored tea. Dave is Mr. Byrns' son, a starting and upcoming businessman, and will someday own the company. He has some great ideas, but other than that, he's just a fresh out of college, flirtatious, and tie-wearing guy.

         "Sounds like a great idea Dave," Mr. Bryns said, patting him on the back. Oh phew, the presentation was over.

          "Thanks dad!" Dave said, picking up his work. I took a sip of my tea, instantly regretted it, and dumped it in the trashcan as I walked out. Whatever Dave's idea had been, it wasn't going to help. I walked to the water cooler to get the taste of the tea out of my mouth. I bent down to flip the handle, and just as I was about to stop it, I felt two hands tickle my sides.

          "Ah!" I screamed, tossing the cup out of my hand, sending water flying everywhere. I turned around to see a now drenched Dave. What a pervert.

         "Dave!" I cried. It had no doubtedly been him. He had a sly smile on his face. I thought he might back me up into a wall. I walked around him and nearly ran to my desk. I could feel him on my heels. Sitting down in my seat, I looked up to meet his hungry eyes.

         "Excuse me, Annabel, may I have a word with you," he said casually. I narrowed my eyes.

         "You've got five minutes."

        "Great," he started. He stood behind me, and started again. "See I've been thinking. After Rosewood is done, I'll be starting a new project. Father's going to let me lead the whole thing. I'll be needing someone to help me. Someone...special, and extremely talented," his hands were on my shoulders now, holding me down. "And I can't help but think, Anna, it's you. I want you to be my...assistant. How does that sound?" Suddenly I felt his lips press against my chin, his kiss like a poisonous bite. He was quickly moving down, but I sat up out of my seat, ripping his hands off of me.