The Art of Secrets

Chapter Three

My thoughts wouldn't shut up. Standing over my mothers coffin was painful, it was closed and I couldn't see her for the last time to say goodbye. The seven short years I lived with her weren't enough. They'd never be. -NN 

***** 

"Why are you so late Lettum?" 

"Why are you so noesy Valencia?" I respond in a mocking voice as I walk down the hall to my office.

"I'm not nosey, I'm just interested. Besides, you are in big trouble with Ms. Dame. She was looking for you this morning but I told her you weren't here yet." She says as she follows me. 

"Oh yeah? And what did she want?" I say dismissing the fact that she pointed out to Olivia  I was late. 

"She told me that as soon as I saw you to send you to her office. She wants a word with you."

I stop walking and turn to face her, "Ok, I'll go as soon as you answer this question for me, why are you such a tatle-tailing bitc-" 

"Lettum, my office. Now." Olivia says in a stern voice as she walks towards Valencia and I.  

"Ms. Dame, I was just telling her how you told me to tell her that you wanted a word with her in your office." Valencia says.

"Thanks Valencia, you may go back to work now, I'll take care of Lettum from here." 

Valencia nods and starts to leave but not before she gives me a killer glare. I glare back but its too late she's already facing the opposite way. When I turn back to Olivia she looks furious and I don't blame her. This is the sixth time I've been late this month. 

"My office now." She instructs. 

"Yup." Is all I say before I start following her up to her office. I notice that as I'm passing other people's offices all the doors are closed. Not a single one open. When we reach Olivia's office the smell of cinnamon and raisins hits me and reminds me that all I had for breakfast today was tea. I need something to eat. 

"Close the door and sit down. I need to talk to you." Olivia says as she heads towards her desk to sit down. 

"About what?" I ask even though I know what. My tardiness. I go sit down across from her desk where she sits. 

"You do know that this is about your sixth of seventh time coming late this month right? 

"Yes, it's my sixth exactly." I respond. 

"Oh great! You keep track of how many times you've come in late! Do you know how many times you came in late last month? And the month before that?" 

"umm... eight times last month and the month before that was te-" 

"I don't really want an answer Lettum! I have records that tell me that, I just want to know whats the excuse today? Actually you know what I don't really care. You! Out of all my employees and the history of employees I've had, you, have the record for most tardies. How do you think that looks on your record?!" She's half yelling now. 

"Ok, first of all, if you are going to ask a question and you don't want me to answer then don't ask it at all. Second of all, my excuse today is I visited a friend who's in the hospital, and third of all, screw my record, you think I give a shit about it? HA! Yeah right." I say ignoring the part about how I'm the most tardy in all her history of employees.  

"You know that the only reason you still have this job is because you are family. If you were any other Jackass working for me, your ass would be fired." 

"Fire me then if I'm such a burden on your company. Even without this job I have more money than I know what to do with. I only took your offer for this job to keep myself occupied during the day." I spit. 

"I don't want to fire you Lettum, I just want you to give it even the smallest amount of effort. Thats all I ask for. You are my cousin Lettum and I want to help you any way I can even though you and I aren't the biggest fans of one another." 

"Ok, I'll try more but I also don't want to feel like I am being watched on the job, I feel like you are always hovering over me. Just give me space, I know you think I'll mess up but I went to collage and majored in Art for a reason. Ok?" 

"Okay, fine." She huffs.

"Okay, now if you excuse me I have to go show the new intern around." I say as I get up and walk toward the door.  

"And hey Lettum?" She says before I walk through the door. 

"Yes?" 

"Leave Valencia alone, I know you guys don't like each other but try to be nice to her even if she isn't  to you." 

"I'll try." I say with a fake smile. If Valencia thinks that she can get Olivia to think she's the good guy and I'm the bad guy, well...... That bitch has got another thing coming for her. 

***** 

When I arrive at my office I set my bag down and head to the Lobby where I'm sure the new intern is waiting for me to show him/her around. As I pass the break room I spot donuts sitting on a table and my stomach grumbles, I hurry in and grab one glazed with chocolate before I head downstairs. When I get to the lobby I'm already done with my donut and as I look around I see a man sitting in the arm chair of the lobby facing the other way so I don't see his face. He seems tall and has dirty blonde hair, but thats all I can make out from his back. As I walk closer to him he turns around and smiles at me. Damn.... He is hot. He has the most prominent blue eyes I have ever seen, His hair hangs a little bit in his face but it suits him, he has rosy cheeks and a full set of lips.... He is lean and definitely tall, And his smile is to melt for.  

I speak up first, "Hello, you must be the new intern, my name is Lettum." I smile and stick out my hand.  

"Hello Lettum, my name is Kyle Romth." He smiles in return and takes my hand. 

Ooo.... this is gonna be fun...