Forbidden Fruit (gxg)

Part 2

For my fourth day of work, I was extremely conscious of not being on my phone at all. The only time I took it out was on my lunch break.

Along with Francine was another girl who was a part-time receptionist at Hollis, her name was Mackenna. She told me that she was 22 years old, and in her last year of college.

We seemed to hit it off right away, and she asked me, "Are you going to the work dinner tonight?"

I nodded, "Of course."

"You should sit with me and Destiny. She is an accountant, she's around your age. We've become friends."

I smiled at Mackenna, glad to have the invite, "I'd love to."

Maybe I'll actually make some friends at this job as well.

Even though Mackenna had extended the invite for me to sit with her and Destiny at the dinner, I was still apprehensive about going. It was my fourth day and I was already being thrown into a work event.

When I got home, I had to get changed quickly. Even though what I wore to work, a blazer and dress pants, could have been alright for the dinner, I wanted to wear something different.

I settled on a forest green dress that was form-fitting, but not too short. I took my long, dark chocolate brown hair out of its high ponytail and touched up on it with my curling iron.

I looked in the mirror before I left, "You've got this, Ashley. You'll be okay."

The dinner was being held at a local restaurant that I had frequented before called Harvest Restaurant and Wine Bar. Francine had mentioned that a private room was rented out. My company has around 85 people, so a large space was needed.

When I walked into the private room, my chest tightened. It was already full, and I was going to have to spot either Francine or Mackenna, if they had even arrived yet.

There was an open bar, appetizers set out, and multiple round tables for us to sit down at for the main courses.

Thankfully, I saw Mackenna right away by the table where all the appetizers were set out. She was next to a woman with dark brown skin and long, shiny black hair. I presumed that to be Destiny, as she said she was friends with her.

Mackenna smiled brightly and waved. She wore a cream-colored dress and her light blonde hair was pulled back into a French braid.

As I walked over to Mackenna, I caught a glimpse of a group talking by the bar. One of the people in that group was Jose, the head of HR, who was the person that interviewed me. Next to Jose was Kori Casden.

She looked, well, great. She wore a gray fitted pantsuit, and her hair was in a bun, like it was yesterday when she scolded me.

I studied her for a brief moment. She had to be older than me, maybe even ten years older.

Kori, who had a drink in hand, was nodding her head slowly at something Jose was saying.

Until she caught my eye.

I felt my face heat up, as she had spotted me looking at her. Our eyes met for a split second, and I then looked away and kept walking toward Mackenna.

She greeted me with a smile and a quick hug and then introduced me to Destiny.

"So nice to meet you, Ashley," Destiny smiled at me, "You're working alongside Mackenna?"

I nodded, "Yes, this is my first week."

"And you're already brave enough to come to the dinner party!" Destiny grinned, "I probably would've been too shy to come my first week. I admire that."