The Princess and the Prawn

Bob's Gift of Tea

(One of the office desks above)

Fun Fact: My girlfriend and I are both avid tea connoisseurs. 

***

"We encourage our staff to decorate their desks and space in a way that allows them to work efficiently and have less stress. Pretty much anything is allowed, except for candles and incense." I was gawking, fully gawking. Like mouth open, eyes wide, felt like I was floating as I followed Rick around the office, gawking. I had not previously come to the office that I would be working at, all the interviews had been held in a conference room on the first floor. I felt like a child in a toy store. One desk was piled high with novels, another surrounded by plants. Was that a ball pit? In my hands was the box of stuff I brought to decorate my space, which now seemed small and inadequate. As far as I could see every desk in the office had some kind of extravagant theme. Only two desks were not decorated, one that was immaculately clean and minimalist which we passed at the entrance of the room. Which had an equally immaculate and minimalist person seated behind it. The other was an empty desk, where we were currently standing.

"Damn, I told them to bring up the computer last night before I left," Rick scratched his chin, a habit I had started to associate with him being frustrated or irritated, "I'll have to run down there and get it from them, for now you can set up your space, maybe acquaint yourself with the staff?" He looked at me expectantly after he spoke, waiting for, something. I did have something to ask him, I wanted to know where that woman from yesterday night was. What department she worked at, and how to avoid her. However, not remembering the person's name was not something I was willing to explain to Rick. He stood there for a few more seconds, before informing, well more like telling, me to call him if I thought of anything. Also reminded me that I could ask someone around the office.

I set my box down, along with my bag and held back a yawn. This morning I had slept through my alarm, so I did not get the chance to make my morning tea. Between brushing my hair and teeth or drinking a whole kettle of tea, I hoped I made the right choice.

"Hey," I flinched and turned to look at the masculine voice behind me. There stood a tall, dark, and handsome fellow, hands in his pockets and the top two buttons of his shirt undone. He smirked at my reaction, I merely forced a smile to my lips.

"Hi," my response was met with a moment of awkward silence. Perhaps it was my clipped tone that threw him off, or perhaps the fact that my eyes didn't seem interested in wondering anywhere besides his messy brown hair. I wondered if he used gel to make it look that way.

"By setting your stuff down at Jordan's old desk, and by how Rick led your gawking face in here, I must conclude that you are the prince's replacement." I didn't respond to him, only glanced around the office. Was that a giant teddy bear? "My name is Lester, my desk is right here," He gestured directly behind him, my eyes widened at what I saw, "Pleasure to meet you-"

"Tea." Behind him, on his desk, was a collection of tea that I could get lost in. How I didn't notice the heaven of a desk when Rick walked me over here, I had no idea. Multiple tea sets, cast iron in an assortment of colors, small and large tins, labelled in a messy scrawl. A water boiler, with a built-in thermometer for getting the perfect water temperature for the perfect tea. Coffee cups hung from the underside of the desk, and on a small bookshelf sat an assortment of sugars, honey, and snacks. My mouth salivated at the sight, oh sweet Bob, thank you for being in a good mood today. My daze was broken by the deep voice of Lester speaking.

"T? Is that short for something?" His hand waved in front of my face, before he followed my stare to his heavenly stocked desk, "Oh, would you like to come over to mine?" My eyes flew to his face, in my elation I managed to ignore his smirk and suggestive comment.