Clouds Cover the Sun Because they like the warmth

A New Opportunity

"He gave you his number?" Her mother shouted from the other side of the phone. "Manon dear I think he may be interested in you." Manon sighed. "Mom, I have my doubts. We only really had a conversation yesterday." Manon said as she heard her mother sigh. "Maybe that's the reason he gave you his number. He wants to get to know you before asking you out asking you out." Her mother said as Manon sighed. "I don't know mom, I'm not really sure if I want to get back into the dating pool after last time." Manon said as she slumped her shoulders. Memories clouding her head of a man she really should've thought about before getting into a relationship with. She shouldn't have ran to him the first moment she was single. It brought her thoughts back to the redhead she had dated prior. He had one her parents over a tiny bit. Yet she wasn't healthy for him. "I know sweetheart." Her mothers voice was sweet, and understanding. Like it had always been. It brought her a sense of comfort, and familiarity. "I'm sorry if I feel I've been pressuring you. Take your time. Heartaches don't heal very easily and I know Rody wasn't the best with money, but he was a good boyfriend. This man also seems to be a gentleman, and financially stable, but do take your time. I'll be here to support you in any way I can." Manon gave a smile upon hearing her mothers words. She had always been the supportive type. "Thanks mom." "You're welcome dear. Now go to bed, you have work tomorrow." Manon chuckled. Even being a whole ocean away her mother was still parenting her. "Goodnight mom." "Goodnight Manon." With that the two hung up. Manon turned out the lights. Walking over to her bed and getting in. Her mind was captivated by Norman. Was he really into her? And if so how would he react if she turned him down? Manon decided to shake that thought from her head. She didn't need to worry about it now. Perhaps she would just wait until she and Norman ran into each other again.

Three hard knocks called his attention away from the paperwork he was focusing on. "Come in." He said as the door opened. "Hey boss, I got that report down." A booming voice said as the door shut behind him. In stepped the man, the myth, the legend; Bryce Stryker. Probably the most known company employee as you couldn't miss him. Tall stature, big build, blonde hair, bright green eyes, and a booming voice that made it sound like he should be some kind of game show announcer. A large stack of papers hit his desk. "Thanks Bryce." He replied looking back down at his paperwork. "Woah. You're never this focused on work. What's going on?" Bryce teased as he sat down in one of the chairs across from Norman. Norman rolled his eyes. "Bryce just because you like to talk Mr. Nest's ears off doesn't mean you get to talk mine off. Besides, you have work to do." Norman replied, now looking up at his cousin. Bryce looked a little embarrassed by this. "Well since you know who I've been bothering, why don't you tell me what's bothering you?" Bryce said, likely trying to shift the subject back to him. Norman scoffed. "Nothing is wrong, and I don't know why you are even insinuating such a thing." Bryce let out a laugh. "Oh come on, I'm literally your cousin, and one of your coworkers. You are never this focus on work, and even when you are. You're never this serious about it. You're munching on whatever disgusting sweet you found, or your posture is more relaxed than this." Bryce said as Norman groaned. He really wasn't getting by. "If I tell you, you will get your ass back to work." Norman said as Bryce nodded. "I gave a woman my number." Bryce's jaw dropped as he sat up straight. Probably one of the few times his posture was straight. "You met a woman you like!?" Bryce shouted. "You don't need to shout, and by like no it's nothing more than a friendship." Norman replied as he looked back at his paper. "But this is huge. You haven't had a girlfriend in forever. Besides, it gives you an actual thing to do outside of just work, and more work." Bryce exclaimed as Norman rolled his eyes. "And she hasn't called me since. Besides If I don't see her often, nothing but a friendship can really only bloom from it." Norman explained as Bryce slumped back in his chair. Before seemingly getting a light bulb moment. Norman looked at him with a dead face. "What?" "What if you hire her?" Norman scoffed at the notion. "I can't just hire her because I hope to get to know her better. Besides, she doesn't have any experience in finance, nor an education outside of high school." Bryce scoffed at the notion. "And I say bullshit to that because you do need new hires. Remember the cafe Manuel convenience you to have in the break room. You can't just leave it unmanned. I mean how hard can brewing coffee, and baking things be." Norman thought about it. Bryce did have a point. After all, Madeline was already working in a cafe. She liked to bake. Perhaps if she no longer wanted to work where she was he could offer her a position. Norman sighed. "Bryce, you're a decent genius. Now get out." Norman said as Bryce gave him an all too familiar smile. "Go get her." Bryce said as Norman rolled his eyes. He really needed to shut up sometimes. As soon as Bryce left his phone began to ring. Norman's heart began to pound. Could it possibly be...? Norman scratched the thought from his head. This was his work phone. There was no way she would be calling him from that. Norman picked up the phone and brought it up to his ear. "Hello?" "Hello Mr. Stryker we have Blight's billboards on line one." Norman sighed. Today was going to be a busy day.