How Do You Like Me Now?

Chapter 2

I'm an addict.

I am and I am not afraid to admit it.

I first became addicted to the sweet, warm, liquid that is coffee in college. I spent so many nights sitting in front of my textbooks, notebooks, and laptop that it would be easy for anyone to get addicted. And over the past four years that addiction has only grown, and is now the only reason that I am going to be able to put up with Mr. Westin O'Bryan so bright and early in the morning.

Yesterday had been one of the longest days of my life. After our introduction, Mr. Christianson gave us a formal tour of the building and specifically the entire eighth floor because that is where our department was based. Westin so gracefully decided to walk alongside me for the complete tour, continually brushing into me and I'm pretty sure he attempted to trip me up a couple of times. How mature of him.

I, choosing to be the bigger person in the scenario, decided that rolling my eyes and taking a couple of paces ahead of him would be better than letting him fool around and make an embarrassment out of me.

When we had finally finished the tour, we were led back to Mr. Christianson's office where we both took a seat and he formally discussed the projects we would be working on throughout our time here, including a business trip and gala for one of the more high profile clients. Then he practically dropped a bomb on me.

I would have to share an office with Westin. Just the two of us.

Bringing us to now, why I am turning to my drug of choice, in order to get me through these troubling times.

I grip my coffee cup tightly in one hand and my purse sits comfortably in the crook of my arm as I walk into the building. The same bustle of people from yesterday is scurrying around as I briefly stop by Melanie's desk to greet her.

"Good morning!" I give her a small wave and she looks up and smiles back at me. She seemed taken off guard by my greeting and I think she is used to being ignored by everyone passing by in a hurry.

"Good morning, Miss Kingsley!"

"You don't have to call me that," I assure her, "Aerin is fine."

She lets out a small chuckle and gives me a thumbs-up before answering the phone as I head to the elevators. She seems nice, maybe I should actually make friends for once. It's never been something I was good at and it drove me crazy because no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it. I always became awkward and suddenly conscious of everything I was doing. Maybe I just need to be friends with someone as awkward as I am. Then I wouldn't feel so bad when I fell short on the friend-making scale.

The elevator dings letting me know that it's arrived and I take a step in before I hear his stupid voice call out again telling me to hold the elevator. I was nice yesterday but today I decided to spam the door close button in hopes he would have to catch the next one. He, unfortunately, made it in time.

Like yesterday, his black hair is styled back and he is wearing a nicely fitted suit that looks like it was painted on him. It clung to his form showing off his broad shoulders and muscled arms.

"Morning Rinnie," he glances over at me as I press the number eight, "thanks for saving it for me, again."

I take a sip from my coffee before saying anything, "I was hoping they would slam in your face but I could never be so lucky."

"You wound me," he deadpans and I am saved by the bell when the doors open and I am able to get out. We both make our way to Mr. Christianson's office so he can take us to the room we'll be forced to work in for the next few months of our lives.

After greeting us, he leads us down the hall to a smaller office at the end of the hall, in the corner and we follow him inside. The office is small but not suffocating. It has the same decorating as the rest of the building, with two black desks facing each other in the middle of the room, high ceilings, and white walls. A big window takes up the wall across from the door and each desk has its own computer.