Voilà

3. Office Face-Off

 STACEY’S PERSPECTIVE

          As I entered my workplace, a cool blast of air conditioning hit me. It had been a hectic week at work as everything was not going right, strangely. Everyone was under a lot of pressure, lately. Maybe that was just my way of thinking, after all who was voted as Miss. Workaholic for Life in the office polls? Me.

          When I reached the lobby, I stared around in awe, as usual. Inspired by the French, the lobby’s roof and walls sported French frescoes and art. Even though I have been working in Voilà for over a year now, this lobby always held my stare. It reminded me of something, someone, whom I loved and missed dearly.

           “I am so glad Joe’s is not shut down. It’s the best pub around. What did Michael do?” Ashley asked me.

          “You’ll know soon,” I said glancing at Blake, who was standing near the receptionist’s desk and was looking at Michael like he was going to pull his hair out. Michael, who had just entered the lobby, was surrounded by (as usual), the anorexic models of Voilà . Their stomachs were so flat, that if they swallowed a pill, you would probably see an outline of it when it landed inside. Michael was staring intently at one of them.

MICHAEL’S PERSPECTIVE

          Check it out. She’s totally anorexic. I can bet on it. Pale-complexioned model: Check. Tight jeans: Check (she would have to probably sit on the floor and roll them down while removing them). Off-shoulder top: Check. Can I hoot? Defying physics, it did not slip off, though most men waited patiently. Oh God! There’s Blake, glaring at me, obviously waiting to give me a third degree on last night, which was pretty impressive. I’ll tackle it, as usual, but can we skip it please? We’re way over that topic.

ASHLEY’S PERSPECTIVE

          Damn it! I forgot to get popcorn. It’s okay, I’ll manage. Alert the Pentagon! Michael VanHalen versus Blake Acre face off! Shift to Def Con One! Hmmm… Blake’s looking hot today. His sleeves were rolled up and those biceps of his… Okay, focus!

          “Bye girls,” Michael said in a flirtatious tone and turning to us he said, “Morning everyone!” cheerfully and headed towards the receptionist’s desk. Stacey, Annabeth and I steadied ourselves and prepared for what was going to happen.

         “Look, here comes the charmer of the Iranian beauty!” Blake said, sarcastically.

         “FYI, she’s not Iranian, boggle head.” Michael, The Brainy’s statement.

         “Iranian or Indian. I don’t care. You ruined the party for the rest of us,”

         “Did he?” Annabeth asked innocently. No one answered her but June’s voice piped in.

         “Shut the barn door,” she said mildly to us. “You’re letting the flies in.” We snapped our mouths shut and brought our attention back to the brawl. Fine, fine not a brawl.

         “That is a heavy line for a guy who is a social reject,” Michael said with a smirk.

          “Mind your tongue,” saying this, Blake lunged forward menacingly at Michael.

          “Whoa! Tiger, it’s a bright, sunny morning. Back off!” Michael said moving forward and rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

          “Watch it!” A new and final voice interfered. It was Lucas Scott, the Editor-In-Chief. He caught Blake by his arm and said, “This happens to be a workplace, not a downtown bar.” Turning to us he went, “Girls? According to my belief, don’t you have some work to do?”