The Promise

30) Aurora

I got the 100 points.

"Wow, Ro you did a good job there!" Zaira cheers for me.

"Thanks! You too!" me and her are the only ones who got close to the 100, she got 93, she's almost there as well.

I look at the intern progress screens and find 106 points, I can't control my happiness, I spin around heading to tell Di and Omer.

This excitement flies away at remembering what he made me do yesterday in the dancing class, my body already aches with each move, but looks like I'm stuck with him for a while.

"Congratulations, sweetie! I just saw the progress board, that's my bad bitch!" Dionne cheers when I enter the hall to Omer's office.

"I was just coming to tell you, thank you, Di!"

"Go, go I'll get out of your hair till you finish your tasks for today so, we can celebrate at night!"

"We will!"

I knock on his door and peek my head in "Are you free?" I ask then he looks up at me, "Always, dove come in"

I enter and close the door behind me "I got the 100 points, Omer! I'm so happy I reached the first goal. I didn't think I'll make it this far!" I say with excitement then stop to look at him.

"What?" I ask laughing at the smile on his face as he watches me babble, he looks like a proud father. God, my father never did that in the first place.

"I knew you'd do more than that, dove. I told you." He says rewarding me with his smile.

I smile and nod then frown.

"What's wrong?" he frowns at the look on my face.

"I remembered what you made me do yesterday." I say putting my hands on my waist.

He raises his brow "You deserved it and it wasn't that bad; you memorized the whole routine with the part that 'confused you'" he mimicked me at the end.

"Fine, I'll go now" I tell him after I smile.

"Wait."

"Yes?"

"I have an assignment for you, I'd like you to try something when you're at home" he says standing and opens a drawer to get a stack of papers.

"Here, those are some reports on the topics we discussed before, they have some questions; I'd like to see your response to them and your opinion too"

I nod as I take the papers from him, "I'll do it and get it tomorrow"

"Take all the time you need, I won't rush anything with you here because you need to adapt to everything and if any step we take feels too much, just tell me"

I nod again and remember my second job.

"Um, Sir can I tell you something else? I don't know if it's okay or not."

"First of, don't call me sir anymore or Mr." he says.

"But what about formalities, Sir" I smile.

"We're beyond formalities, dove; you already called me by my first name 2 minutes ago" he smirks.

"So, what should I call you?"

"You call me whatever you please"

"No, seriously"

He looks at me, his face unreadable, then he adds quietly; "Don't stop calling me by it"

"Which one?" I ask already aware of what he means, but my head just wants to be sure.

"My real name."

I don't know what does he mean by real, but I get that he means his first name. He's making me call him by the name he forbids people to call him with.

"What was it that you wanted to tell me, dove?" he interrupts my thoughts.

"I got another part time job, at a bookstore; it's nothing much and it's after my shifts here in the firm so, is that okay?"

"it's totally okay; it's a good step too"

"For real?"

He nods, "Of course, more work and interacting with people helps build personality and experience, plus it might help you let some steam off, you like books and reading."

I nod enthusiastically, "it will really help, you have no idea"

"Then, of course I'll approve; you didn't have to ask."

"I just wanted to let you know and I didn't know if it is with or against the company's policy"

"Don't ask anyone about doing something that'll make you feel good or help you, dove; anyone"

I nod and say "I got to go; hope you have a good day, Omer".

He smiles and says, "You too, dove."

I exit his office and overlook Dionne as she leans against her desk.

"Be home in 10 minutes and study well, we are partying today; I'm telling you" Dionne warns and I laugh.

"Fine, but I want to ask you for something"

"Sure!"

"Can I borrow your laptop? Omer assigned me to do something and it has to be done on a laptop- what's wrong with you?!"

I look at her face confused; she's opening her mouth wide open.

"Di, something will get inside if you didn't close your mouth"

"The Fuck!?"

"What!"

"You said... fuck I can't even say it! What if he hears you!"

"He knows I call him that" I deadpan.

"Fuck!?"

"I call Omer, Omer"

I wince as she squeals, "How?"

"Just like that?"

She fans herself, "No, you guys are weird, something is up"

"Why? Because he's letting me use his real name?" I mock.

"Because no one is allowed to use it. Ever"

"Now, someone is" I say smirking.

"Good God, what were you saying again?" she says.

"I need to borrow your laptop. Till I get one"

"Sure! But look for it; may be in the laundry room"

"Why would it be there?"

"Cause movies while doing the laundry makes it more fun?"

I shake my head, "Fine, I'm going home"

"Study till I come at night, sweetie!"

"I will!"