The Boss is Always Right

After Hours

5.00p.m. Sunday

'Bye Laurey' I yell as I lock the café door behind me, we close at 5 on Sunday rather than 7 so I was on the last shift. Laurey lives in the apartment above her café so she just has me lock up when I leave. I head to Peak for an hour, but unfortunately I don't see Maxie or David so I just run on the treadmill by myself. After I have a short shower and head out.

I start walking in the direction of my studio and I start looking around and the people surrounding me. I like to capture peoples movement in my mind and try and put that into the sculptures I make.

I start to think about Marcus as I'm walking. Its crazy how much he is on my mind, and I barely know him! The date was perfect. After dinner he walked home and straight to my door.

*flashback

'Cas, I really like you I hope you know that' he said.

I smiled at him and said that I really like him too.

'Well this is me' I said and pointed at the door leading up to my flat.

'I'll walk you up' he replied.

'You don't have to do that' I said

'I want to' he replied, he got this look in his eye saying that he usually get his way, so I gestured for him to come up when I unlocked the door.

We walked up the stairs and I stopped outside my door.

'Thank you for dinner, I think this was the best date I've ever had' I say.

'Me too, I feel like I've known you forever' he replied.

Ever so slowly his face comes towards mine and then his soft, firm lips are pressed against mine. Before it can get anymore intense, he pulls away gently.

'I'll call you tomorrow okay?' he said.

I nod and he smiles at me, his eyes are hooded slighted because he is looking down at me and it gives him this beautiful, sensual smoulder.

He quickly kissed my cheek and said goodnight before walking back down the stairs.

I unlocked my door and went inside before I caved into my urges to call him back.

*end of flashback

Stepping into my studio, I breathe in the familiar smell of chemicals and paint. The light from the big window is still good so I go over to my station without turning on the lights. I prefer to work in natural light as much as possible because of the shadows that is casts. I start working on the same piece I have been working on for the last week; the tools feeling natural in my hands.

RING! RING! RING!

My phone goes off scaring me a little bit, but I quickly wipe my hands and pick up.

C: Hey

M: Hello Cas, how are you today

C: I'm good thanks, I'm in my studio at the moment working on some new stuff, what about you

M: I was busy with meetings all day, apparently our supplier got our orders mixed up with someone else's so I had to sort that out as well. That's why I couldn't call you until now, I'm sorry

C: Don't apologise I understand. Umm. I was wondering if maybe you would want to come and see my studio. We spoke about it last night but you don't have to if you don't want t-

M: I would love to come

C: Awesome are you free now?

M: Yes, actually, I just finished so I am

C: Okay ill see you in a bit then

M: I'll be 20 minutes

C: Okay bye!

M: Bye

Oh my god! Marcus is coming here! I have to clean up, he can't see the studio in this state! For the next 20 minutes I run around and try and clean up as much as possible but before I know it I here a knock on the door.

I put the cloth I'm holding and rush over and quickly open the door.

'Hey' I say breathlessly.

'Hello, Cas' he replies

'Come in, come in' I say and gesture him inside.

He walks in and turns to face me, 'you've got something just here' he said and licks is thumb and gently strokes my cheek. My face heats up and I look down. Before he can say anything I compose myself and say 'Um do you want to look around?'

'Yeah, why don't you give me the tour, I have a few friends who love art so they always talk to me about it, so I have learnt a few things.'

'Really? That cool, only my best friend Max is interested in art, I don't really know anyone else. We went to art school together and he shares this studio with me. That is his work over there' I point to his work, he has a large canvas out that is partly done.

'That's amazing, he is definitely very talented' he says, stepping closer to look.

'Yeah he's great he work is so expressive and abstract, its so different to what I do, which is why I love it so much. I specialise more is realism' I say. I uncover the piece that I am working on at the moment (I cover up all my work, I don't like the last piece I did to influence what I do next) and I hear a faint gasp.

I look away from the figure and up at Marcus. He has a look of awe in his eyes that cannot be faked. I love his eyes they show me exactly what he is feeling.

'This is beautiful Cas.' He said simply.

'Uh its not finished yet, I still have to do the arm' I say awkwardly. I was not expecting this reaction.

'Do you exhibit your work?' he asks

'No, I haven't found anywhere that would yet' I say.

'Well I don't know what they were seeing but this is amazing. You have a gift. Can I see some more?' he asks

I walk over to the table on the side and uncover a row of figures. It is a line of individual women around 1ft tall each. Each figure is in a different position and one figure's position flows to the other creating a dance sequence.

Marcus walks over to them and he goes to touch one of the figures but stops just before like he is afraid that it will break.

'I know some people that might like to display these in their exhibitions if you are interested' he says.

'Oh I couldn't use you like that Marcus' I say but on the inside all I want to do is accept. But I don't want him to think that I'm just interested in his money.

He turns to me sharply.

'I know you aren't Cas. I'm offering to introduce to some people this is all. I will not determine what will happen after that. Don't ever say that again' he says firmly.

I look down, I feel like I was just told off for doing something wrong.

Marcus gently grabs my shoulders and I look up.

'I'm sorry I didn't mean to sound so harsh, I just didn't want you thinking negative things about yourself' he says in a much softer tone.

I nod my head in understanding even though I'm not entirely sure how he can go from being calm to so abrupt in such a short amount of time. Maybe he is stressed; he did say he was having problems at work.

'That's okay' I say

'Maybe I can make it up to you, would you like to go for dinner?' he said.

'I would love to' I say

'Great then lets go' he puts his hand on the small of my back and guides me towards the door.