I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝔀𝓸

𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

I made it to work a little too early. Thirty minutes early to be exact. This gives me time to set up a few things that I brought to make my office feel a little more at home. I set down a framed family photo on my desk and admire it. It has my mom, dad, my two older brothers, and our family dog, Rocky. I left everything I knew back home in Oregon- all for this. It makes my drive to succeed that much stronger.

I had a phone call with my mom last night. She wants to fly my family out to New York so that I can show them around- and to visit me of course. She plans on making that happen within the next few weeks. Sure I'm happy, but I'm worried that it'll make my homesickness worse. When I first got out here, I distanced myself pretty badly from my friends and family. It's not been easy picking up and navigating this on my own.

"Florence?" I hear through my closed office door. I can see Mr. Armani on the other side through the glass.

"Come in," I say, excitedly.

"You're already here? Why?" He asks curiously. His brows are furrowed. He doesn't look annoyed, just confused.

"Honestly-I was terrified of being late again. You can't predict the traffic or how long it'll take to get through the massive crowds of people." I laugh.

"While that's true, I hate to see you stressing like this. Do you take a taxi to get here?" He asks.

"Yeah." I sigh. I assume he drives a fancy car to work- maybe a Rolls-Royce or a McLaren- or maybe a Bugatti. Now I really wonder.

"Well, you can kiss those taxi rides goodbye." He smiles.

For a second I think he's going to offer to loan me a company car- or even buy me one. Not that I'd accept it. The excitement was short-lived. Very short-lived.

"Landon is now assigned to pick you up in the mornings. I glanced at your file and couldn't help but notice that you two live relatively close to each other."

Assigned? You've got to be kidding?

"Oh- no that's okay! Really, I'm fine with taking a taxi." I smile, hoping he will drop it and give up.

"I insist! It's no trouble!"

"To make things easier for you, I can even have him pick you up for the cocktail party tonight. He knows where it's located, it'll make it a lot easier on you." He says, completely ignoring what I'd just said.

Easier? I don't think so. Nope. I'm not going now. I'll just say I have the flu- maybe food poisoning. Also, the persistence this man has is crazy. I just know he's used to getting his way.

"Mr. Armani- Sir, I can assure you I'm fine with taking a taxi! Truly!"

"Florence, please accept the help. I insist!"

"Mr. Armani, please, I can find my own way to work."

"At least give it a chance. It'll save you money and you won't have to worry about being late."

"Fine- I'll give it a try..." I say reluctantly. Why did I give in? I already know I'm going to regret this.

I can hear footsteps echoing down the hall and getting closer. Everything is so much louder when there are not very many people here.

"We were just talking about you!" Mr. Armani says, pointing at someone out of my view. He's still standing outside of the doorway. I know he's talking to Landon.

"Talking about me? Why?" Landon asks annoyance lanced in his tone. "Oh- it's you." He adds coming into view.

'Oh- it's you' I mimic in my head. What an ass.