Chapter 1

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'How bad can it be?' I mimicked myself in my head. Clearly bad enough. I was already late for office and the searing pain in my head was not helping. The last thing I remember was being dragged away from my, thousandth shot maybe, by someone. The rest was all a blur. As I frantically looked around for my folder containing my article that I had to submit today the bell rang.

"Coming," I shouted. Straightening my messed up skirt I rushed to the door. Opening it, I saw Lucas standing.

"Hey!" I said delighted.

"Hey," he replied in a half hearted manner and walked in. Planting a kiss on my lips he dropped his jacket on the chair and approached the kitchen. Honestly I was disappointed. I know he isn't the kind of guy who rains down expensive gifts and elaborate cards for his girl, but I was not expecting being completely ignored.

"Where were you last night?" I asked. It was evident I was angry. I didn't want to make it evident but it was involuntary.

"I told you. Boss wanted me to stay over to discuss a few things," Lucas said avoiding eye contact.

"No, I know, I know. I mean why didn't you call? At twelve?" I said, in a desperate attempt to make him remember.

"Why would I call you at midnight? Weren't you sleeping?" It was clear he was oblivious to what I was talking about. I couldn't hide the flash of disappointment on my face.

"I have to go," I said trying to cover up. Lucas caught the tension.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked finally looking at me.

"Nothing," I said, suppressing all the different feelings boiling inside me. I am not exactly the kind of person who is up front with her feelings.

"Baby talk to me," he said. Lucas had known me long enough to understand my state of mind. He knew it when I was upset without being told, and he knew how to reach out to me. But this time it did not seem to work.

"I am getting late Luke," I said picking up my over coat and belongings. I knew if I faced him I wouldn't be able to control my anger and the last thing I wanted right now was to unleash my wrath on him. I walked out closing the door.

***

I plopped down on my chair after the meeting with Mr. Johnson. He was as expected furious for me being so late. After an incessant amount of apologizing he finally let me present my article to him. Honestly, I was really proud of this particular piece and hence was elated when Mr. Johnson approved of it. Well the day was getting better after all. I turned to the watch kept on my table. It was quarter to eleven and my schedule had pretty much cleared up. I looked around to find Sarah. Her desk was empty and she was nowhere around too. I spotted Sean approaching my direction. I waved to him.

"Where's Sarah?" I asked as he reached my desk.

"Where do you think?" he said in a matter-of-fact way. "You know my sister Em. You really thought she would show up in office after the night we had yesterday?"

Of course. How could I be so stupid? Sarah would not even dream of coming to office after a night at Mackenzie's. Which brought my attention back to the searing pain in my head which just grew worse with every passing minute.

"Speaking of yesterday. I never thought you could go so wild girl," Sean said with a sly grin.

"Oh please. There is nothing wild about a couple of drinks."

"A couple? Sure."

Before I could contemplate on what Sean had just said my phone buzzed on. It was a message from Adam.

"Hey. I hope you are not too hung-over from yesterday. Talk about getting wild. ;) ;) Anyway. You are having lunch with me at Mandarin Gourmet today. Be there by 1. Happy Birthday once again my favorite girl!!"

I had known Adam since third standard. We have been best friends ever since. He is one of the very few people I could trust my life with.

"Hey," I heard someone calling out from behind.

"Hey sweetie," Sean got off from my desk and approached the voice. I turned around to see it was Beth. They shared a kiss for a couple of minutes. Sean and Beth had been in a relationship longer than Lucas and I. And that is a lot. They had been together since high school. Same college, same job. They were really cute together.

"Hey," I said smiling.

"I got something for you," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. She took out a box studded with glass from her bag and presented it to me.

"This is really beautiful Beth," I said. "You really didn't have to."

"I did," she said. "Now open it."

The box contained a shimmering golden coloured watch sprinkled with gems. It was by far the prettiest thing I had ever owned. Not that I was surprised at all. Beth probably had thousands of pieces like these.

"Why doesn't some of your generousness rub off on me?" Sean said with a smirk.

"Don't worry Sean. I wasn't expecting anything anyway," I said.

"Ouch!" he said with a grin.

At that moment I felt a huge bang on my shoulder. The box fell off from my hand with the watch. "Watch it," I screamed. The muscular shoulder which banged on to mine moved away. I bend down immediately to pick up the watch. The glass had cracked and some of the jewels had come off.

"What the hell," I grumbled.

"I am sorry," a hoarse voice came from behind. I turned around to see it was a man of about 24. Tall and lean, clean shaven with dark brownish hair. He had a neat face cut, as if it was almost carved. But there was this softness to his eyes. They were genuinely apologetic.

"What's the hurry man?" Sean said from behind.

"I am really sorry. I didn't see you there, and was that expensive?" he fumbled.

"It was limited edition," Beth said. "Plus it was a present," frustration evident in her voice.

"Please let me fix it for you," he said looking at me.

"I don't think you can," I said irritated.

"I will. Lend it to me for a couple of days I'll repair it for you."

Chivalry was not dead after all. Honestly I was impressed. "It's okay really," I said.

"I insist. Look at this as my way of saying sorry," he said smiling.

"Just give it to him already Em," Sean said from behind. I gave him a glare.

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

"Confident," he replied, still smiling.

"Thank you," I said and handed him the watch.

"Happy Birthday, by the way," he said and held out his hand.

"Thank you," I said and shook his hand. "I didn't catch your name though?"

"Ethan," he said.

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Hey everyone! I know it has been something like two months and I am seriously out of excuses now. But I promise there will be regular updates now that my vacations have started. The chapter is horrifically short, I know, but I had to have it up by today or else I would be killed by certain somebodies. Anyhow. Enjoy and there is more to come up.

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