Rolex Romance

Bad Blood

Marius apologized for deserting me and he bought him and myself lunch. He was a great boss, but I was still disappointed that I was working under him. The day after I interviewed Javier he was to return to the office to read over the rough draft and approve it. After that he was getting pictures done for an advertisement. Unfortunately Marius asked me to chaperone his day.

I waited at my desk while my boss worked inside on a column with Hank Henry. I didn't understand why since he was his brother's opponent, but I did not want to seem stupid for asking. My task was to make sure the two were separated and had no chance of crossing paths. Obviously there was bad blood between the two which is not surprising since they are rivals. All morning I pulled at the same skirt I had worn on my first day and felt exposed in the beige long sleeved shirt. My hair was actually down for once and it made me nervous.

When the floor made a signature click I held my breath. My mind screamed to look, but I couldn't if I didn't want to make eye contact. As the steps got clothes my face grew cherry red.

One, two, one, two

"Karenina ?" The faceless voice asked. I bit the inside of my cheek to gain control of myself. Thankfully my hair was in my face as I was 'examining' a file.

"Hello......Mr Chavez." My eyes were wide as if I had been caught off guard. I was sweating bullets in my long shirt.

"Is my Marius in ?"

"Yes sir." My knees were weak as I stood in my heels. As my hand connected with the door I remembered Hank Henry was inside. I slipped in between the crack of the door in the midst of their conversation. Mr Henry was currently bashing the funding of community tree planting when I interrupted. At the click of the door their attention turned to me. It felt as if I were to melt.

"Yes Miss Espanova ?" Marius asked with a frozen frown.

"I just wanted to tell you I was going on my lunch." I widened my eyes and tilted my head to outside the door. After a few seconds his eyes lit up with understanding.

"Yes, pick me up as sandwich with the money I gave you this morning. Thank you. There's a great restaurant down the street." I thanked both men and exited as Hank was complaining on me leaving for lunch at ten-thirty in the morning. Javier stood close to the steel door as I blindly backed out.

"Mr Alvarez is on call and asked if you'd attend brunch before we reviewed any work." I grabbed my bag from under my chair and my phone off of my desk.

"I suppose." He nodded and waited for me. I dreaded being completely alone outside of the building with him. Against my own comfort he hovered next to me and walked in sync down the hall with my heels. We were both quiet as we left the building heading down the street to the only lunch based restaurant open this early.

The Chinese Palace was empty except for us. It made things worse as we'd have to make conversation. After we were both seated inside the onion filled booth, he spoke up.

"You didn't have to pretend Marius was on call. I saw Hank enter the building and I could smell his cheap cologne from a mile away."

"He said you two were bitter."

"Yeah, because he's a Yankees fan !" He laughed and I missed the joke. Hopefully it was one.

The waiter took our order and left us again. I pretended to be interested with my phone but he broke me away from it.

"Texting on our hot date ? As long as it's not my brother, that'd be a strange love triangle." His southern charm was ever so present.

"Not funny." I retorted annoyed. This bull is not in my job description.