Mission Love (Completed)

Eighteen

Recap: I won’t fall for Ryan! Never!

I staggered toward my desk, determined to shut out the chaotic world around me.

Today was doomed from the start. First, I stubbed my toe on the nightstand—classic. Then I watched my toast morph into charcoal, and my sunny-side-up egg became scrambled chaos. To top it off, the cab missed my office, forcing me to double back.

It felt like bad luck had signed a long-term lease in my life.

God, I’m tired already.

Just as I was about to sink into my chair, my eyes landed on a single, dreadful piece of paper waiting on my desk. Right. Today’s my big day—the presentation with Mr. Yadav on the Buxton project.

"Don't look at me when you get anxious in front of the client—"

I groaned, shutting my eyes as if that could mute the Ryan in my head. Today was already teetering on the edge; I didn’t need his commentary.

Taking a deep breath, I reached for the file in my drawer—only to find it…gone.

What? No. That’s impossible.

I checked under the stacks of papers, rummaged through my bag, searched every possible crevice. Nowhere.

My stomach dropped. The realisation hit me like an arctic wind— the file! It’s gone!

Crap! crap!

I- I remember it very well—When Ryan gave me that file yesterday,  I came and placed it neatly beside my computer and my notepad. Before leaving, I even secured it in my drawer, which was a grave mistake. Should’ve taken it home!
I- It was here. But now.. it's not. F*ck.

I scanned the whole office floor, in desperation silently hoping—praying—that someone had moved it by accident. Everyone else was deep into their work, blissfully unaware of my mental meltdown.

Of all days, this mess happens before my big presentation.

I'm done!
I. Am. Done!

If Ryan found out, he’d freak out—probably in a nuclear-level freak-out. The thought alone made me want to call my parents, saying, "You know what? Let’s just pick a guy, any guy, and get me married."
At least I'd still have my head attached to my neck.

My palms started sweating.
Nope, nope, nope.

I was not about to stroll up to Ryan and casually drop, "Hey, remember that important file? Well, poof! It’s vanished."

Oh, he would definitely chop my head off. Today.

I took a shaky breath, trying to keep it together. This can’t be happening! Ryan's gonna eat my brain. Thankfully, he was running late today—a miracle, really.
I just hope he’d hit every possible red light that lasts forever, or until I find the file.

Wait! I could ask Serena. She’d been here all day yesterday. Maybe she’d seen it—or better yet, maybe Ryan had taken it for last-minute paperwork.