The Affair

Chapter 5.2

Friday, May 27, 2022, 2:28pm

By 1:00pm, the email regarding the impromptu firm happy hour had gone out and had the firm talking amongst themselves about who would and who would not be in attendance. The firm had become a lively place, bumbling with coworkers mingling at each other's desks, and taking advantage of the lax environment. Amy was one of them, and Fallon could hear her chatting with Colin over at her side of the desk about their group going to the bar. Eaves dropping on their discussion, Fallon ascertains that there would be a decent crowd going to Charlie's Pub.

Fallon sighs, feeling a bit disappointed that she would not be alone with Mr. Reiner for the celebratory evening. She is finished with her work for the week but unlike Amy, she does not have any friends to visit in the office. Not wanting to sit by herself feeling like a loser any longer, Fallon rises with the intent on heading to William's office. At least there she would have someone to talk to. But as she attempts to walk away, three others round the corner, each one a friend of Amy.

"Oh, sorry!" she says, stepping back into the cubicle to give the others space to enter.

"Hey, Little Fallon, where're you trying to run off to? Everyone here is finished with their work for the week, so we are just goofing off until four hits," Amy says, looking like a queen on her throne with loyal subjects at her side. "Stay here with us! Dylan here has been dying to talk to you since you started..."

Amy's jest triggers a round of laughter from the group, including Dylan. Feeling nervous at being the subject of her ridicule, Fallon looks away in an attempt to hide her discomfort.

"N-no, that's ok. I'll just leave you with your friends. Someone can use m-my chair..." she mutters, desperate to retreat to William's office.

As Fallon turns to walk away, she feels a gentle hand on her wrist keeping her from leaving.

"Hey, Fallon, wait..."

Flinching slightly from his sudden touch, Fallon turns and faces Dylan. Fixed with a warm smile and gentle eyes that assure her of his harmless approach, Dylan releases her wrist.

Dylan is a handsome young man, though somewhat rugged in presentation courtesy of his stubbly black beard and thick, wavy brown hair that often falls over his eyes like some kind of burly outdoorsman. His eyes are visually black, with hints of deep amber that shine only with light as if they were two gemstones hidden by nature. Though shorter than William, he still stands at least two or three inches taller than Fallon in her heels. His larger stature is exacerbated further by his big chest and chiseled arms stretching the fabric of his polo shirt, suggesting that he was keen on lifting weights.

Fallon had noticed him around the office many times but never had she spoke to him. Dylan was a part of the Office Services team, which had him running back and forth around the office delivering mail and files or even performing more menial tasks from refilling the paper trays of the copiers to building desks and other types of fixtures.While not 100 percent certain, Fallon assumes that he is the youngest in the office.

"Please, stay and chill with us. Don't listen to Amy, she just enjoys making things awkward," he says with a chuckle before fumbling his confidence, "Erm, but that's not to say that I didn't want to talk to you, you know? I mean... I did want to talk to you... Ahh, I mean I still do... Ah-alright, I'll shut up now."

The group starts to laugh again, this time at Dylan's expense which made Fallon feel that they were not just teasing her. Seeing Dylan blush with embarrassment sets her at ease, and she finally breaks a meek smile.

"Really? You want me to stay?" she asks.

"Y-Yeah, definitely!" he answers, recovering from his initial embarrassment.