The other woman

Nicholas needs alcohol

I missed my lunch time, looks like I'm gonna have to go without lunch today. "Excuse me Ms. De Santiago" I looked up from my laptop ready to help whoever said that but saw Arlo standing there with a stupid smile on his face. 

"Shut up Arlo" I replied with an annoyed tone in my voice. 

"Wow your customer service skills are a bit rusty there bestie" Arlo said as he pulled up a chair and sat next to me behind my desk, "Do you have any snacks?" he asked as he started going through my drawers. 

"Yes but I'll only share with you if you stop being a nosy brat" I said as I pulled out some gummy worms from one of my drawers. "Deal" he said and snatched the bag. 

"Can I even be back here?" He asked as he looked around the office. 

"Technically, no. Just don't look at any files and mind your business" I said as I finished up the last document Alvaro needed. Once I finished I turned to look at Arlo. 

"Why are you here? I'm assuming the meeting is over? Don't you need to go back to work?" I asked looking at him with a questioning look. 

"Because I missed you. Yes and it was boring we discussed what I already know. And technically, no." He replied while shoving 5 gummy worms in his mouth at the same time. I rolled my eyes at his childish attics. 

"If I pay for your lunch will you go out and get us something to eat and bring it back here?" I asked him while giving him my full attention. 

"Sure, what would you like to eat?" He asked while getting ready to head out.

"Surprise me, but make it good" I said and handed him my debit card. 

"My pin is 28-" , "I remember it!" he said as he grabbed it and walked out the office. 

"I feel like I should be concerned that he knows my pin when I don't even remember giving it to him" I mumbled to myself as I watched him walk out. 

I looked at my watch and saw that it was 1:20, looking at Nicholas' schedule he is currently on a conference call so I'll wait to take the finished document to him. 

While I waited for Arlo I got busy with the other tasks I needed to finish by the end of the day. The following 25 minutes I went unbothered and managed to finish more than I thought I would, mostly because I got all the easy work out of the way and left the hard stuff for later. I will definitely regret doing that but that's a problem for later. 

"Hey I got us chipotle!" Arlo came in with a huge carry out bag from chipotle. 

"Nice!, give me" I replied stretching out my hand towards him. 

"Here you go, and you're welcome" He said with a slight smirk 

"What do you mean 'you're welcome' I paid" I replied with an amused look on my face and he just laughed. 

The following 30 minutes were spent with Arlo and I eating, stealing food from each other, and gossiping. He lives to gossip. We were gossiping over something our mutual friend had told us when Nicholas had walked into the office. The gossip was so good neither of us noticed Nicholas standing there, that was until he cleared his throat very loudly. 

"Oh Nicholas I didn't see you there, I finished the last document you needed. Here you go" I said as I grabbed the file and handed it to him. I had my arm stretched out with the file in my hand towards Nicholas and he just looked at me with a very stern look. I slowly lowered my arm back down and placed the file on my desk. 

"Bring it to my office when you're done" He replied and swiftly left the office. 

"Whoaa that guy needs like 6 shots, atleast" Arlo said as we both stared at Nicholas as he walked away. 

"Honestly, I'd say like 10" I mumbled back, Arlo turned to look at me and started collecting his belongings. 

"We'll I'm going to leave, I will see you back at your apartment. Good luck with Mr. grouchy pants" I rolled my eyes at his nickname for Nicholas. 

"Sounds good, stop by for some wine?" I asked him as he started walking towards the door. 

"Will do!" He called out as he left. 

As soon as Arlo left I looked down at the file that I need to take to Nicholas, I thought back to how he reacted earlier and came to the conclusion that he is in a bad mood. Instead of going straight to his office I made a little detour to the snack room, I want a chocolate bar before I die or get yelled at. 

After getting my chocolate bar I went back to my office while eating it. I stopped by in front of my desk to grab the file I needed to take to Nicholas. I started walking towards Nicholas' office and as soon as I reached his office door I took a deep breath before knocking on his. I waited for a reply and as soon as I heard a soft and stern "come in" i opened his door and proceeded with caution. 

"Hey Nicholas, whats up?" I said with an awkward smile on my face, Nicholas just looked at me with a blank look on his face. 

"Right well I have your file right here" I said while raising the file slightly, he still just sat on his chair giving me a blank look . 

"Okay I'm just going to go ahead and place it on your desk, let me know if there's anything else I can help you with" And with that I turned around and made a haste exit towards the door, before I could actually leave Nicholas finally spoke up. 

"Hold on one minute Ms. De Santiago" He said with a tone I've never heard him use. I turned to look at him and nodded slightly and sat down on an empty chair in his office and turned to look at him giving him my undivided attention. Nicholas got up from his chair and walked towards the front of his desk and leaned against it then turned to look at me. 

"I want to discuss something with you Ms. De Santiago" He said looking intensely into my eyes, I instantly got nervous. I didn't trust my voice so I just nodded as to say to continue. 

Before he could continue his phone started ringing, he sighed as he pulled out his phone and looked at it before holding out a finger signaling me to wait " I have to take this I'm sorry" he stood up and stepped out of his office. 

I let go of my breath that I didn't even realise I was holding in, I was suddenly hyper aware of how nervous I actually was. 

I'm sure it's nothing too serious. 

~

Faceclaim for Arlo! Matthew Daddario