Hope looked down at the millions of people walking by. They looked like ants, she thought. Stepping away from the large glass wall, she sighed and sat at her desk. She put her left foot over her right, while settling in for another long night of working. A yawn escaped her lips.
"Ms. Mikaelson, you're working too hard. Don't you think it's a little late to continue working?"
Hope glanced at the digital clock next to her computer. It read 10:45 pm. It was late and she was caught yet again in her office, working.
"I guess it is, but if I don't work on these cases, who will?"
Her assistant gave her a quick nod, and walked towards the door, lingering on the frame.
"Well, if you need something Ms. Mikaelson, I'm just a call away."
Hope gave her a small toothless smile and continued staring at her computer. She sat hunched over her desk, eyes bleary and mind numb from hours of stressing over legal briefs and contracts. She rubbed her tired eyes with one hand, her other, absently reaching for her coffee cup, only to find it empty. With a sigh, she stepped away from her desk and made her way towards the lounge area, hoping to find some caffeine to keep her going.
But as she poured herself a fresh cup of coffee, she couldn't help but feels a sense of weariness settle over her. She had been working non-stop for what felt like days, with no end in sight.
With a heavy heart, she trudged back to her beautiful glass office, bracing herself for another long night at the office. As she sat on her desk, she came across an old picture of herself. In it, her mother and father hugged her, and a small brunette girl. Looking at her child-self and the ice cream dripping from her hands, she smiled.
She took the frame in her hands and gently ran her thumb over the girl's face. A small laugh escaped her lips.
"What are you laughing at?" her best friend said while walking in with a nice tuxedo and new cologne.
"What is that new cologne?" Hope said as she took a deep breath and grimaced.
"It's my new musk. You like?"
"No, in fact. I hate. What are you doing here Jed?"
Jed walked towards the desk and took away a few files off Hope's desk. "What are you doing Jed, give those back."
"You need to take a break; you work too hard."
"If you do not hand over those files right now, I will cut off your hand and feed it to you." Hope said as she reached for the manila folders.
"I'd like to see you try," Jed said while dangling them over her head.
"In your hands you hold 20 million dollars. Drop them. Now." Hope said as she leaned on her the billiards table in her office.
Jed almost immediately dropped the folders and walked towards Hope's desk. He quickly turned off her computer and gave her the big fur coat she had in her coat rack. "For your sake, I hope you saved my files."
"I did, now come on," Jed said as she yanked Hope's hand. "We live in New York City. When was the last time you went out?"
Hope thought for a second before responding.
"If you have to think, it's been too long. Don't complain and let's have a fun night out."
Hope groaned as she left her office dragged by the man child that was her best friend. "Do you only think with your dick, or do you actually have a brain back there?"
"Well don't forget where we met. I'd be hurt if you did."
"Just because we met at Harvard doesn't mean you're smart."
"You know Hope, your insults don't affect me so stop trying to make me feel bad and let's go." Jed said as they stepped into the elevator.
"Fine, let's play a game. If you win, I go. If I win, I go back to work."
"Let's get at it Mikaelson."
"The game is as follows. If someone stops the elevator during the 70 stories we have left, I win. If nobody stops us while we go down, you win. Deal?"
"You're on."
The elevator's numbers went from 70 floors to 60 and continued dropping. Nobody was stopping the elevator. She was about to lose, there were only 20 floors left. Soon enough, the elevator reached the lobby and as expected, there was nobody there.
"Well, seems like you lost. Are you ready?"
Hope rolled her eyes at the buffoon and groaned. "Where are we going exactly?"
"Club Brava."
Jed held his hand out waiting for Hope's keys. "If you put a dent in my car, I'll put a dent in you," Hope said while dropping her car keys unto her friend's palm.
"I don't get it, why do you have a sick car if you don't even show it off?"
Hope sighed. "My money, my hard work, my decision."
"Do you ever plan on giving this Audi to me?"
"It never hurts to dream, does it?" Hope said as they finally exited the huge building's parking lot.
Jed rolled his eyes and continued driving towards the club.
After a while, they arrived at the club where Jed immediately threw Hope's car keys at the manager and ran inside. What a fucking idiot, Hope thought.
When Hope walked inside, she saw the huge glowing pillars with hundreds of people across the dance floor. In the corner, she observed as Jed took shots with people she'd never seen before. "Jed you might want to slow down, I don't want you throwing up on my new leather seats."
"Relax Hope, and take a shot with us," Jed said as she downed another small shot with a woman at his arms.
Shaking her head, the auburn-haired woman walked over to some clients she spotted when she entered.
"Well Ms. Mikaelson, fancy seeing you here."
"I could say the same thing Mr. Ridgewood," Hope said while giving a quick smile.
"Have I ever thanked you for saving our company?"
"A few times yes," Hope said while letting out a courteous laugh.
"Well, to you Mikaelson," Ridgewood said while lifting two glasses of what seemed to look like a clear substance. Hope hesitated for a second before lifting the glass to her lips and swallowing it all.
Dazed and confused, Hope thanked the client for the drink and made her way back to the bar where Jed was currently flirting with a blonde woman she had never seen before. While slurring a few of her words, Hope sort of told Jed she was going to the bathroom.
When she arrived in the restroom, her stomach gave up and she was unable to contain herself. Hope's clothes were suddenly ruined, and there was vomit all over her. Fortunately for her, the sweet girl there held her hair and ran her hand across her back as she threw up all of her alcohol.
"It's okay, I've got you."
After her stomach settled for a while, Hope passed out and the rest of the night was forgotten in her memory.
"Hey, please wake up." The girl said while gently shaking Hope.
The brunette looked at the girl with care. She couldn't just leave her there alone. She could be used; too many things could happen.
What if I take her with me? Would that be a crazy thing to do?
The brunette checked Hope's pockets and found her wallet with her driver's license.
Lucky Day, she thought as she memorized the address and considered her options. I could take her to her house, but that would be weird and an invasion of her privacy. What if I take her to my apartment, what would Lizzie think?
And so, the brunette, there on the bathroom floor, thought about what to do with the beautiful, drunk girl. Should she take her with her and make sure she's safe? Or should she call her a cab that will take her home?
So many options, yet not a clear answer.
a/n: something new?
