Scorpion

Chapter 1: New Beginnings

I glanced at my watch as I rushed into the coffee shop. Don’t want to be late on my first day. I hurried over to the counter to see my friend smiling at me as she set a coffee cup down. Her long red hair swaying lightly every time she turned her head got most of the male occupants to blink twice. “Thanks, Kate. I owe you,” I said as I grabbed the cup.

            She laughed and replied, “I don’t want you to be late on your very first day now, do I?”

            I grinned and commented on her fans. “Sure got a big crowd this morning.” She shooed me away and I felt my phone buzz. One hand on my cup and the other on my phone, I kept my head down reading the text my cousin from the other side of the country texted me. I didn’t see him coming.

            I first felt the coffee splash on my new suit jacket. I felt the burn go down my stomach and on to my legs. I bent down to pick it up and so did he. “I am so sorry,” I apologized. I’ll yell at my cousin later.

            “It’s my fault,” he said, and that’s when I really noticed him for the first time. We had eye contact that lasted about a second, and then we both got up.

            “Thanks,” I nodded to him tossing the cup away.

            “Hey, it’s seriously my fault,” he insisted. “Let me buy you another cup of coffee.”

            Immediately, my skills went into focus. His calm and natural coolness. His expensive suit and thousand dollar watch. His pupils dilating. Crap. “It’s ok,” I lied. No, it was not, but I was afraid what this conversation was going to turn into. “I have to go.”

            “Please,” he almost begged. “If not now, how about dinner?” Wow. Someone doesn’t like beating around the bush. I looked at him again and tried to find words that would tell him no. Hot, rich, and a really handsome guy who happens to be attracted to me doesn’t happen every day. He must have took my silence as a yes. “Good. It’s settled.” He’s definitely not shy.

            After a brief chat, I found out his name was Roshan Verma. I really needed to go so I happen to have gotten a date with Ritchie Rich. After I tell him my profession, I’d probably send him running for the hills.

            Whatever. Now, I was walking inside the building that I always dreamed of walking into. I was previously working in a field office, not the actual headquarters. This was definitely going to be exciting. Especially since they didn’t tell me what unit they transferred me into. “Classified,” is what they told me. Apparently I’m not allowed to know my own job. I seriously don’t, though. I figured my skill was probably important.

            I was given an order to go the sixth floor. As I walked into the elevator, there was a big, muscular, intimidating man already there. Saying he was tall would be an understatement. I was going to hit the button that said “six” but he beat me to it. Immediately, I felt unsettled. I also realized that no other button was lit up so he was just riding the elevator for no reason. But how did he know what floor I needed to go to? I hope I don’t work in some kind of paranormal unit. Next thing I know, I’d probably have to relocate to Nevada.

            The doors open, and I took a step out. The doors closed and Steroids didn’t come out with me. I tried not to think about him too much. I just listened to my orders and made my way to the bullpen area. As I was walking, I looked around. Professional looking people were hustling around, with serious looks on their faces. A woman in her late thirties was yelling at a man half her age for doing something wrong. Some Mexican was speaking fast in Spanish to a careful listener who was barely catching up.