Not everything in life goes the way we plan and Lena knows that more than most, but maybe it's time her luck changed.
Unfortunately for her, the new boss isn't as easily forgiving as the last and it seems like all he wants to do is make her life ha...
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I stormed into the office five minutes late after a wonderful train breakdown left me stuck for over twenty minutes. It wasn't even the first mishap of the day. Broken coffee machine, snapped heel of my favourite shoes, harassed by a church congregation.
"Hey Lena! How's—"
I held up a hand and stalked to the break room. Mel knew that look all too well and followed, keeping silent until at least three mouthfuls had passed my lips.
"Is satan's little helper feeling better now?" She chuckled, leaning against the counter.
"Much. You won't believe the morning I've had."
"Does it include coming to work in mismatched heels?" She stifled a laugh with her hand as I looked down to find one burgundy and one brown shoe, not even the same style. I cursed under my breath and pinched my brow.
"I swear to god, no, not god. I've heard enough about him to last me a life time. Mel, I need professional help." I groaned and banged my head against the cupboard.
"Good morning ladies. Mel, could I have a quick word with Lena?" Oh great, Mr Punctuality-is-important to brighten my day.
"Of course Mr Walker. I'd be careful with this one, she hasn't finished her coffee yet. Good luck." She added with a whisper before leaving us alone.
"Uh, Lena?"
I removed my head from the cupboard and forced my sweetest smile. "What can I do for you today, Mr Walker?"
"I noticed you were a few minutes late this morning and I—"
"I'm going to stop you right there, Mr Walker. If you continue I'm afraid I will say something that won't end well for either of us. I'll make up your precious five minutes at the end of the day and the world will be put right."
He cocked his head and smirked. "Are you finished?"
"No, while we're on the subject, you still haven't given me the list of new authors to sort through and I've been waiting since Friday. Now I'm done." I continued to drink my coffee as he stood with his arms now crossed, torn between amusement and shock.
"Well, I was coming to check if you'd received the email about being shortlisted for the Dean Harper Awards in case you hadn't had chance to check but no bother."
And he walked out, leaving me feeling like the world's biggest asshole as I drowned my woes in coffee.
—
"You did not say all that to the boss?!" Mel squealed and I hissed at her to be quiet.
"Do you want everyone to hear?! Ugh, what am I gonna do? He was actually trying to be nice for once." My head hit the desk with a thud.
"You have to apologise."
"Thanks captain obvious. Always so helpful."
So I got on with my latest read through and spent the rest of the day trying to work up the courage to apologise, I even did the extra five minutes like promised. And when the last loitering colleagues had filed into the elevator I dragged my mismatched heels to Luke's office.
I knocked twice and he looked up briefly before waving me in. He put down his pen, giving me his undivided attention. "Is there a problem, Lena?"
"I just wanted to apologise for this morning. It isn't an excuse but my coffee machine broke and apparently I'm somewhat of a demon without it. Plus the train broke down and my shoes don't match. Overall not great morning. So, sorry."
His lips curved and he leant further back in the chair, looking more arrogant than ever. "Is that so?" I saw his eyes drop to my shoes and my cheeks flushed. "I suppose I accept your apology, don't be late again." And there it was. I could tell he enjoyed pissing me off by the widening grin that spread across his face, clearly I hadn't been rude enough.
"I'm not a train controller so I can't promise such things. Still haven't received that list either, perhaps you're not allocating your own time wisely?" Sarcasm dripped from my words but he broke my fiery glare as he crossed the room, paper in hand.
"I apologise it's late, there was a few additional leads to follow up." His eyes were brown, I noticed. He was far too close and it was throwing off my ability to hold onto the anger.
"I'll be sure to correct your mistakes and get it back to you." I think I stopped breathing, I don't know. The world was fuzzy right now as he stood in my personal space and I really, really wanted to taste his frustratingly delicious looking lips.
He seemed to notice the growing tension and cleared his throat, "No rush." He stepped back and my fantasies were crushed. I turned on my heel and tried not to run to the elevator, hiding the disappointment on my face. God, I really needed to get laid.
