What she left Behind | ONGOING

CHAPTER 20

───── Derek ─────

I won't lie, when I woke up from my nap, I didn't even know what year it was. I don't think it was even a nap, it seemed more like I was induced in a coma. So I don't know how, but I managed to open my eyes and get up from the couch. Surprisingly enough, it's a very comfy couch—good enough to take a decent nap.

I pull out my phone to check the time, my mouth nearly drops when I see it. Almost 8:30 pm. No wonder I felt like I was in a coma; I'd never slept that many hours before. Ever. I truly don't know how to feel about it. I've always been someone who doesn't like to waste time—contrary to popular belief. I like being productive, especially when I'm at work, and even more knowing that my dad would be a pain in the ass if I'm not. The only thing in this world that motivates me to do a good job in this company, is to not listen to my dad's annoying lecture about how I should be responsible and blah, blah, blah.

I get out of the room and rub the sleepiness out of my eyes. I see some people packing up, ready to leave. Meanwhile, others are still logged into their computers, probably finishing the last touch-ups of a project. Chloe's area is already gone, and it makes me remember that they were very far ahead so maybe they had some time off—that would explain why she texted me when reading the manuscript. I never see her using her phone during work hours. But at the time I received her message I didn't think about that, since to me the room was spinning uncontrollably.

I wonder if she finished already or perhaps read as much as she could and then called it a day.

I was about to send her a text to ask her about that when someone walking towards me caught my attention. I look up from my phone and see Josh.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" he asks, casually placing one hand inside his right pocket and his other hand holding his dark navy blue suit over his shoulder.

"Why are you still here?" I ask, completely ignoring his question.

He doesn't seem too affected by it and proceeds to offer a smile. I find him quite weird, to be honest. I don't have to talk to him that much to know that he seems like an odd person. Or maybe he's just overly friendly and that just makes me feel out of place.

Either way, he's strange, no doubt.

"It's my first day, remember? Apparently, that means Mr. Holloway is allowed to have no mercy on me."

I nod knowingly. That sounds about right. My dad is someone who doesn't care about anything other than getting things done. That could be a good thing, but also the worst thing possible—especially if it's your first day.

"So, I shouldn't bother to ask how was your first day, because we both know it was shitty, then."

He chuckles under his breath and then looks back at me, amused I suppose. "Not really. Actually, it was a great first day."

I scoff, "Doubt it."

I've decided to text Chloe when I get home, I want to leave as soon as possible and stop talking to this strange guy in the middle of the corridor. I'm about to leave without even saying goodbye when his voice makes me stop and stay in the same spot.

"You hungry?" he asks, randomly. His question makes me furrow my eyebrows in confusion.

"Why?"

I don't want him to offer to hang out. God, please.

"I know where they sell the best hamburgers. Would you like to go?"

"Why?" I ask again, confused as to why he would like to hang out with me.