Ricochet (COMPLETED)

Chapter 1

Unbeta'd work, my apologies for any grammar lapses or typos.

Monday is never her favorite day.  Today, she nearly forgot her wallet and just now she was nearly side-swiped by a car, who, probably like her, is rushing to work like a crazed lunatic. All these and it's not even eight in the morning.

She needs to be at the office earlier than usual.  It's her new boss' first day and she's nervous as hell.  Her previous boss of three years was a sweetheart and they just bid him goodbye last week during his retirement party.  He turned over the business to his only son, who, she heard, wants nothing to do with his father's empire.  Perfect!

She stayed for at least half an hour after church that Sunday to pray some more.  She's worried and uncomfortable about the notion of having someone she needs get to know again, establish a relationship with, starting at the bottom again.  She loves her job, especially working for Mr. F who treated her like his own daughter.  But change is coming and change is always good, right? 

Maine is an enigma to her colleagues.  No one knows anything about her.  She's friendly enough but never allowed anyone to get close.  Even the people who she usually have lunch with.  Whenever a guy tries to be friendly, you can easily see her walls going up. 

She quickly made her way to the Executive Floor where the CEO's office is located.  She gave the room a quick once over to make sure everything's in place.  She makes sure everything is in order, all supplies are there, warm coffee in the pantry.  She went to the pantry to get the flowers she ordered for the office.

When everything looked perfect, she gave a sigh of relief and headed to her desk, a few meters from the boss' door.  Since she has a few minutes to spare, she quickly ran to the washroom to freshen up after her near-death Monday scramble before reaching the office.  She's wearing her best dress to make a good impression to the new boss.  Her head began to throb when she noticed how snug the fit is.  Jeez, I want to give a good impression, not seduce my boss!  She quickly tied her hair in a ponytail so as not to look vampy.

She quickly returned to her desk only to notice the door to the boss' office is ajar.  Oh no!  He's here and I was not at my desk. Holy mashed potato! She slowly went inside the office while wiping her now damp and cold hands at the side of her skirt.

He's standing in front of the floor-to- ceiling glass window and she can only see his silhouette.  He's tall and lean with broad shoulders.  He's wearing a dark blue suit, and judging by his stance, he looks like he will pounce on anyone in his way.

She cleared her throat daintily, making him stand up straighter before he turned around.  There was instant recognition in both their eyes.  Maine saw her life flash before her very eyes, then it was all black.