Late Last Night

One

"Monica!" I heard my boss call out, barely sounding muffled behind the spotless glass doors of her office. I looked over to my co-worker that worked across from my cubical and I rolled my eyes as he gave me a reassuring smile. His name was Harry and he was quite the charmer.

"Jesus, what could she want now?" I mumble under my breath, removing myself from my comfortable desk chair. I enter her office, a fake smile pulling on the corners of my mouth, wanting to be doing anything but smiling.

"What can I do for you Carol?" I say in the perkiest tone I could muster up. She looked up to me, pushing her cat-eye framed lenses to the tip of her nose.
"I need you to give me a copy of your new article before you leave work today." She says pushing her frames back up and continuing the work she had been doing before she so joyfully disturbed my peace at my quint cubicle. Her words soon hit me like a thousand pounds. My eyes widen.

"Wait, The same article that you told me didn't need to be completed until Thursday? The article I've been completely unable to do research for? The one I haven't even began to sum up words for? That article?" My eyes were bugging out of my head. I was going on a miniature tangent in the most possible calm way I could. Carol looked me up and down and took a deep sigh before coldly saying "yes." If I was in my seat I would be at the edge of it.

"Carol, with all due respect, I don't think that's possible. I've had absolutely no time to even think of what I've wanted to write about and you just want me to come up with something on the spot? Just like that?" I was subconsciously picking at my already stubby fingernails. Carol pursed her lips and removed the glasses from her round face, looking me dead in the eyes.

"Deadlines change. If you can't handle it, well....maybe this is the career path for you." She deadpanned in the iciest tone. If it wasn't clear to you yet, I work for one of the highest rated fashion magazine companies called 'Finesse' in New York City. My main goal was to replace Carol and become chief editor of the company. Since I had only began this job about 5 months ago, I don't think that will be happening in the near future, but hey, a girl can dream.

"Yes, but--"

"No buts, Monica. I told you what needed to be done now do it it." As her demeanor changed from cold to demanding, I knew I had no option but to just suck it up and do the work that so desperately needed to be done. I finally say "Yes, Carol, it'll get done." I turn on my heals and walk out of her office making sure to close to door on my way out. I roll my eyes walking back to my desk.

As I plopped down on my chair, taking in a deep breath, Harry piped up.
"So I obviously heard everything," I glared at him. "And if you would like, after you write the article, you could come to the bar down the street with me and some of my friends. I know coming up with an entire new story on the spot like that can be stressful, trust me I've done it, and having a couple drinks could really help." I gave my seemingly attractive acquaintance and half smile.

"I would love to, but if I wanna get this done before I leave the office, I'll have to be here later than usual." I retort

"Oh that's fine. We're not heading over until about 8 pm so you have plenty of time."

I absorbed the words he was telling me and I obliged to the offer he gave me. "Okay...I'll be there. But you're paying." I say, only half kidding. He smiles at me and I nearly melt. This is the first time since we've been at the company together that we've agreed to meet up after work. Although he was very good looking, I had no real idea of what he was like outside of a work environment. He could be a total jackass for all I know. My mind was running in circles at this point. Between having to write an entire piece for tomorrow's print out that I hadn't been planning on at all and now setting up a "date" but not really a date with Harry; I was totally out of focus.

As the day droned on, I remembered that Fashion Week was beginning on Wednesday. Since it was Monday and the print would be out Tuesday, I figured it would be a nice idea to reminisce about last years Fashion Week. As I looked up last years best and worst dressed, words and ideas flooded my mind with what article could possibly be about. Because I was so passionate about the topic, the words flowed out of me like vomit. Thankfully I was able to finish it 30 minutes before it was time for me to go home. It was 5:15 pm on the dot. I printed out my piece and marched into Carol's pristine office. I slammed the paper onto her glass desk, feeling accomplished and she stared at it.

"Here you go Carol. All done and printed. Just like you wanted." I say with victory coursing through my veins. She looks up at the clock and then back at me. She removed the paper from her desk and read it over while twirling slightly in her chair.

"That'll be all." she says placing the crisp paper back on her desk. I stand there for a second not knowing what to say. I figure it would be better to bite my tongue and just walk out.

"What did she say?" Harry asked as I started to collect my purse and my jacket. "Well...she didn't really say anything. She kinda just went," I began to mock her, "'that'll be all.' No thank you what so ever. Not even a 'Good job, Monica! I knew you could do it!" I say throwing my thumbs up. Harry laughed and said "What were you expecting? A gold star?" I just shrugged at his question and returned my gaze back to my computer screen.

"Oh, come on." Harry said. "It's Carol we're talking about here. She probably doesn't even hug her own children let alone praise an employee."

I huffed at his statement. It was true. Carol was an extremely cold woman. Although, she was an excellent writer. I wasn't even sure if passion coursed through her while she was pursuing an article. She always seemed so solid, so guarded. It was something that I was never used to. As a child, I was lucky enough to grow up with a loving family in a good neighborhood. Granted, no one inside said neighborhood ever minded their own business, they were pretty harmless. That was of course because of the day drinking, but then again, who was I to judge. Whatever gets you through the day is what I always say.

Growing up in a good family came with a lot of praise from my parents. Being a good student also came with praise from my teachers. When I got this job, I knew I would be a good employee, and I've proven myself to be true to fact, so why wouldn't I receive that same praise from my boss? Different world I guess.

I shook my head from my daydream and shut down my computer. I slung my coat around me and threw my phone in my bag. As I tossed my purse on my shoulder I bid Harry a "see you later" and a wave. I pressed the elevator button and headed down to the cold city night air. Because it was the beginning of December, it got dark fairly early. when I got to the edge of the curb I hailed a taxi and headed back to small little apartment in Soho. Even though it was small, due to the fact I lived in Soho, rent was a bitch. But I loved it.

As I walked up the stairs up to my apartment I began thinking of what I was going to wear to meet up with Harry and his friends later. Since it wasn't really a date, I didn't want to wear anything too dressy. I'm sure by the look of something fancy would scare him because that would mean that I thought that the invitation was, in fact, a date. I decided on a black camisole a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. I paired the outfit with light makeup and some black flats. As the clock neared 8 pm I headed out of my building, preparing myself not to drink too much at the bar. drinking too much meant I would embarrass myself. that was the last thing I wanted to do in front of my co-worker who I had the slightest crush on.

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A/N

Hey guys I hope you like this book so far and I hope you'll continue to read it. I'll update it as much as possible, probably weekly. Please comment and vote. I appreciate you all!!!!