Angel

Chapter 2:

Mattie

"Where is the Franklin file, Matilda?" Trish hollered as she rushed into the room, her heels making a clomping sound as she paced. I looked up in confusion. "Well," she screamed.

"Trish, I gave you the file yesterday. Did you return it after I left for the day?" I asked calmly.

Her face turned red, "You most definitely did not give me that file. You gave me the Newsome files, but not the Franklin ones." She slammed her hand on my desk, making Violet's picture fall to the floor. I cringed when I heard the glass break.

I searched my desk and grabbed a packet, then pushed it toward her. "This is the Newsome file, Trish. The file I gave you last night was the Franklin one. Perhaps you got them confused. I'd be happy to help you look for them."

Every head in the room was trained on us. "I can't believe you fucked this up for me, Matilda. You are absolutely worthless. Just wait until Mr. Henshaw hears about this," she spat and stormed off with the files in her hand.

The room remained frozen for a moment, then heads lowered in the hopes of avoiding the fallout that was certain to come. I let out a shaky breath and bent down to pick up the shattered frame. "Shit," I muttered as I sliced my fingertip. Wrapping a tissue around it, I headed to the breakroom to run water over my hand and find some bandaids.

I searched three drawers before finding the first aid kit. My hands were so shaky I couldn't get the wrapper off and slumped onto the small bench quietly sobbing. What was I going to do? I can't afford to lose this job. For fucks sake, I didn't even do anything wrong, but that's not how Trish will make it sound. She does it to everyone. Damn, I really dislike that woman. I was so lost in my own anxiety that I didn't hear the door open.

"Miss, are you okay?" a warm voice asked. I sensed him kneeling before me and looked up to see brilliant blue eyes.

"I, um, yes, sorry," I stammered, "I cut my hand and apparently bandaid wrappers are tricky."

He grinned at my lame joke. "Maybe I can be of assistance," he said, taking the package out of my trembling fingers. "Let's get it cleaned and dried first." I nodded and followed him to the sink. I stood silently watching him as he ran my hand under the faucet, then patted it dry with a soft cloth. He looked at the cut. "How did you cut it?"

"Oh, a picture frame fell off my desk and I was trying to collect the glass shards so no one got hurt."

"Well that didn't go as planned," he smirked. I giggled softly, then winced as he put on antiseptic before wrapping the bandage around my finger. "There, you have survived your first workplace injury. Hopefully, we can avoid any worker's compensation lawsuits, yeah?"

I giggled again. This guy was silly and damn gorgeous. "Thank you," I said. "It's nice to find a friendly face. I'm Matilda," I held out my hand.

He flashed a panty-dropping smile and took my hand, but instead of shaking it, he kissed the back of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Matilda. Tell me, what department are you in?"

"Contracts. I started a couple of months ago," I answered. He was still holding my hand.

"Ahh, the thrilling world of contracts," he smirked. Leaning in, he whispered in a conspiratorial tone, "I have to admit, I've fallen asleep in contract negotiations a few times. Don't tell." He gave me a wink.

"Your secret is safe with me," I said, winking back. "Um, I should probably get back to work before my supervisor tells the boss I'm slacking off."

I swear his grin doubled. "Don't worry, Matilda, I'll put in a good word for you," he said, and releasing my hand, he headed for the door. "Keep the cut clean."

I stared at the door, then slapped my forehead. I never got his name.

Brandon

I closed the file after reading it for the fifth time. My brain felt like it was going to explode. I need coffee. Pushing the file away, I headed down the hall and paused outside the break room door when I heard soft sobbing. I pushed the door open to find a small woman sitting on the bench with the first aid kit next to her sobbing. Her pale hair hung forward, hiding her face.

"Miss, are you okay?" I asked as I knelt before her.

"I, um, yes, sorry, I cut my hand and apparently bandaid wrappers are tricky," she stuttered. Even with tear-stained cheeks, she was breathtaking and witty.

I grinned at her joke. "Maybe I can be of assistance," I said. Her fingers were shaking as I took the package from her. "Let's get it cleaned and dried first." She followed me to the sink, quietly watching me as I cleaned and dried her hand. "How did you cut it?"

"Oh, a picture frame fell off my desk and I was trying to collect the glass shards so no one got hurt." She said quickly.

"Well that didn't go as planned," I smirked. The most beautiful sound met my ears as she giggled softly. I wanted to kick myself when she winced as I put on antiseptic before wrapping the bandage around her finger. "There, you have survived your first workplace injury. Hopefully, we can avoid any worker's compensation lawsuits, yeah?" I know I was being a bit cheesy, but I wanted to hear that laugh again and quickly received my reward.

Giggling again, she thanked me, then said, "It's nice to find a friendly face. I'm Matilda," and held out her non-bandaged hand.

I flashed her a smile and lifted her hand, kissing the back of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Matilda. Tell me, what department are you in?"

"Contracts. I started a couple of months ago," she answered.

"Ahh, the thrilling world of contracts," I smirked. Leaning in, I whispered, "I have to admit, I've fallen asleep in contract negotiations a few times. Don't tell," then gave her a wink.

"Your secret is safe with me," Matilda said, winking back. "Um, I should probably get back to work before my supervisor tells the boss I'm slacking off."

Did I hear her right? Does she really not know who I am? I grinned at the thought and said, "Don't worry, Matilda, I'll put in a good word for you." Just before I walked out the door I reminded her, "Keep the cut clean." 

Author's Notes:  As you can tell, the guys aren't kids anymore.

Sorry for the delay in posting, had a missed flight in Dallas, and then an entire freaking adventure ensued with lots of drama...UGH!