The Arrangement

Chapter 5

Alessandra
After I get the bee off the newbie, she immediately jumps into my arms, which completely caught me off guard and my muscles tense up. I awkwardly pat her back, not knowing what to do in these kind of situations. She breathes heavily and seems terrified of a mere insect, I would find it pathetic if it were someone else and if she wasn't trembling. She feels so soft and small in my arms, like something in me wants to protect her from all the badness in the world.

What. The. F*ck!

Before I could let my thoughts go any further I clear my throat and pull her off me. Her face flushes red and realization hit her. She backs away and apologizes repeatedly before rushing to the bathroom.

———————————————————————————
3 weeks later

I have avoided leaving my office whatsoever for the last few weeks. Yes previously I would occasionally go downstairs for a short walk around the building. However, since the situation with the newbie, I only ever leave when it's time to go home.

That annoying stupid thought I had while she was in my arms, made me instinctively back away as far as possible and avoid even being in her vicinity.

It's a Sunday morning and Victoria and I are at a breakfast place we usually go to. The sun's shining bright but there's a cool breeze making it feel colder than it actually is. The streets are bustling with people, tourists and locals combined.

As we wait for our order, we sit near the window that overlooks the streets. I stare outside, people watching. Victoria replies to a few of her messages and emails, before looking up as the bell on top of the door rings, signaling a new customer. Her eyes linger on the customer/customers who just entered, behind me and a huge smile adorns her face.

Ugh I wonder who it is, I have no energy to deal with anyone right now until I've had another coffee. I hear footsteps walking our way and Victoria waves over for them to come.

I scoff internally as a familiar brunette stands awkwardly near our table, of course it's her. Next to her is an overly friendly looking blonde.

"Isabella darling! Heyy wasn't expecting you to be here." Victoria says enthusiastically. I have no idea what's up with her and pet names, she always uses them to get people worked up and flustered. Most of the time it works. Not on me though I find them cringy.

"I could say the same." The brunette chuckles awkwardly, fiddling with her fingers. Before Victoria could ask who the blonde is, she speaks up in a cheery tone. "Hii I'm Emily, Isa's best friend! I'm guessing you're her new mentor Victoria right?."

Victoria seems slightly taken aback by her energy, which is incredibly rare since she's never surprised. "Yes I am Victoria, it's lovely to meet you Emily!"

I am yet to say a word, I simply observe the three of them. The waiter comes over with Victoria and I's breakfast placing it on the table.

"It was nice seeing you Victoria but we'll leave you to it. Enjoy your breakfast" newbie says as she spares me a glance.

"Nonsense! Why don't you both join us?" Victoria says, gesturing to the two conveniently empty seats at our table.

"Oh uh no that's fine really."

"Oh come on I insist, as your boss", she says pulling rank even though we're not at the office right now.

"What she means is yes, of course we'll join you, the more the merrier right?" Emily says enthusiastically.

Before her best friend can protest, Emily sits down next to Victoria, leaving her friend no option but to sit next to me. Of-f*cking-course.

"This is Alessandra, my friend and also the CEO of Romano & Co Ltd", Victoria introduces Emily to me.

"Oh my gosh you're Alessandra Romano? Isa's scary new boss!" Emily says in a shocked tone. The brunette beside me shoots her friend a glare and visibly tenses up. I give her a brief nod, my expression not giving off the amusement I feel. So she talked about me. Cute.

As Emily and isa get up to order, me and Victoria eat our breakfast. "She's cute isn't she? Isabella's friend" Victoria speaks up.

"She's basically a kid Tori, along with the newbie." I state, not knowing why my idiotic friend wants to associate herself with girls a decade younger than her.

At the till I can see Emily teasing her friend, nudging her and snickering. I scoff, how childish. They both come back after ordering and sit down. Emily and Victoria talk away, like long lost friends while newbie and I sit in silence. She fiddles with her fingers and I eat my breakfast.

"Thanks... for the other day." She says lowly as she turns her head to look at me. I put my mug down and spare her a look, "mhm it's fine" I say unenthusiastically.

Their orders come, Emily has an iced latte and pancakes in front of her whereas her friend just has a mug of coffee. I look at it then at Victoria who has a concerned look on her face.

"Are you not going to eat anything sweetheart?" Tori asks her. "Uh no I'm not really hungry, I'm fine with my coffee." She smiles softly. Emily gives her friend an understanding look, like they're communicating with their eyes.

Hm, weird. Perhaps my assumption was right but I can't tell, either way it's none of my business really.
As we all continue having our breakfasts, someone's phone rings, the brunette next to me. She fishes out her phone from her pocket and looks at the name.

"Who's it?" Emily asks curiously. "It's Toni, I haven't talked to him since he left for Spain, I should probably answer it." Emily rolls her eyes, showing a visible dislike for this boy named Toni. Who the hell even names their kid Toni?

She answers it while still sitting at the table. "Hey Toni, what's up?" She goes on talking to this guy, from the sounds of it, I'm guessing he's her boyfriend? A few minutes later she cuts the call after telling him . I love you. I scoff internally, how pathetic, stupid young love. It's all a bunch of bullshit.

A.N- notice how she's hasn't even said her name so far lol, it's always newbie or brunette lol. Anyways this was a short one. Hope you liked it!
Don't forget to comment and vote!