𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇 | 𝓙𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓟𝓮𝓷𝓪 |

~ 37 ~

The drive to the office was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. It had been a week since the big announcement, and today was my first day at Javier's agency. Sarah and Mark were also quitting their jobs to join me, and we had been in constant touch. I knew Mr. Baker wouldn't take it good, and it added another layer of anxiety.

As I arrived and began setting up my new office, I felt a mixture of anticipation and unease. Javier had come in earlier, leaving me to handle some personal errands. I hadn't seen him yet, so I assumed he was busy.

A knock on the door brought me out of my thoughts. It was Carla and Emma, each holding a Starbucks bag. They entered with welcoming smiles, officially greeting me to the agency and offering a coffee.

"Welcome officialy to the agency, Madison!" Carla said, handing me a coffee.

"Thanks, guys," I replied, taking the coffee gratefully. "I appreciate it. It's a bit overwhelming but exciting."

"Are you going to be working alone?" Emma asked.

"No, actually," I said, smiling. "Mark and Sarah will be joining next week. They’re tying up loose ends at their old job."

I started unpacking and organizing, sharing more about my past job and why I quit. Carla and Emma listened intently, nodding occasionally.

"So, what's the real reason you quit?" Carla asked, curiosity evident in her eyes.

I hesitated, then decided to give a simplified version. "It was just time for a change. The environment wasn't the best."

"And you came to Javier," Emma, with a teasing glint in her eye, brought up Javier. "You and Javier look so good together. Why don't you just go for it?"

I considered opening up to them but decided against it. "He's really nice, but it's just that," I deflected.

"Do you know if he's seeing anyone?" Carla asked.

Before I could respond, Javier entered the office with a huge pile of folders in his hands. "Hello, Emma, Carla. What are you doing here?" he asked pleasantly.

"We're just bringing some coffee to Madison," they replied, smiling.

"You never bring me coffee," he complained and I punched his shoulder.

They smiled knowing he was joking around, and stood next to the door. "We were about to go."

"No, stay, you can be helpful to Madison," he said placing the folders on the table.

I raised an eyebrow. "Those better not be for me," I said, half-joking.

Javier smiled, leaning closer. "What if they are?"

I laughed, trying to maintain my composure. "Then I'm going to kill you."

"Do it," Javier challenged playfully.

I pushed him gently, not wanting to make a scene in front of the girls, although they seemed entertained. Javier didn't mind, and the girls didn't comment.

"This contain all the information you need to know about the agency," he explained. "I was thinking of digitizing all these papers to make it easier."

I walked around the table, opening one of the folders. "This should have been done a long time ago. You're such an old man," I teased.

Javier tilted his head. "You're going to like what this old man does to you tonight," he whispered in my ear.

I lowered my voice. "Stop flirting when your employees are around," I admonished, glancing at the girls.

Javier grinned. "I like making you nervous." As I stepped on his foot, he moved away.

"And where am I supposed to upload this to? Do you have a cloud or something like that?," I asked reading the first papers.

We both turned and I laughed at the scene of Emma and Carla sipping their drinks, clearly amused. "Girls you stay here helping Madison. Maddie, they work in the IT Department so they know everything you may have questions with."

"This is going to take long," I assured looking at the pile.

Javier approached me again. "You are doing okay in your new office?," he asked softly.

"I'm doing great, plus I love the views," I assured him.

He checked his phone smiling when a notification popped in. "I booked a table to get dinner tonight. I'll wait for you in the parking lot so we can go to your house, you can change, and then we'll head to the restaurant," he said replying to the text

"This is gonna get all my time Javi," I pointed to the documents.

He lifted his gaze to me. "It's okay those aren't urgent, also you get off work earlier, I'll be waiting for you in my car at five," he left a kiss on my cheek. "See you later."

I nodded, watching him leave. I then turned to Emma and Carla, who cleared their throats.

"What the hell just happened?" they asked in unison.

I smiled. "Pick a folder and start working. No answers if no folder in hand," I said, diving into my new role with a sense of determination and excitement. "Now, where the hell do I have to upload this."

"Go to the iCloud," Emma said sitting in the chairs in front of me, with Carla.

[To be continued...]