21 Weeks of High

Remember part II: Working Late

At 6 was when the entire office was completely empty and serene. All the rush and hectic motion was replaced with complete silence that made me realize how much I got used to it. I stayed a little later to finish up my homework for class tomorrow so I could just relax at home. My body couldn't wait to just get home and lie in bath, reading then sleeping early. I felt my eyes closed in content...right before that horrendous ring tone filled my ears. I rolled my eyes before answering to the unfamiliar number. "Hello?"

"Melanie, it's Sebastian."

Oh shit, please no. Not tonight. I should've just let it go to voicemail. I face palmed before replying, "Hey Sebastian..." I tried not to sound too annoyed.

"I need you." He said almost too seriously. My heart raced in panic, what could be wrong?

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Huh? Oh nothing I just need you to assist me on one of the pieces of art. Ha ha did I scare you?"

This dude had the audacity to laugh. "Currently deciding whether or not working here is worth the damage my eyes are starting to get. I'm literally dead tired Sebastian."

"But you owe me, remember?" He said hopefully. I was stuck. At the end of the day I had to help him, whether I wanted to or not. He was my boss after all... "Fine text me an address and I'll leave my house in an hour. I need to go home and shower." I said grimly. "Alright, see you then." I could hear his smile through the phone. Groaning in agony, i dropped my head on the desk, dreading the fact that I had to work this late at night.

After showering at home and dressing into something more casual, (jeans and a cotton hoodie), I texted Lisa that I would be late tonight and to not stay up. I know this is something she would definitely disapprove of seeing as though she thinks I'm already overworked. The driver pulled up to a luxurious condo west of France. It was modern, yet still had that classic European feel. Walking towards the concerige desk, I realized I was already on the verge of getting cranky from my lack of sleep. Leading me towards a second set of elevators, the concierge wished me a good night, before picking up his phone. The elevator ride seemed too long and I was slowly regretting working where I did. Rubbing my face and tying my hair back once again, I blew out a large sigh. The large penthouse doors didn't even impress me. I knocked and within a moment, Sebastian opened the door. Looking oddly normal, he was dressed in ripped light wash jeans, and a white t-shirt. His hair was tousled and he had paint all over him. We were now walking across his lavish expensive apartment, while he was thanking me and apologizing at the same time. I had no patience to listen to what he was saying, but I knew this was getting a bit too friendly. I wasn't used to him like this, so...normal. It made him look a lot younger than I thought he was. He could even pass for my age. Okay I lied, not that young.

"Melanie?" he called.

"Yeah?"

"Have you been listening to me?"

"No, sorry." I said ashamed.

He gave me the most youthful and delighted grin I've ever seen on him before, and it worried me.

His smile was rather pretentious in that it was so beautiful, that it was showing off to ever put it on display.

"I needed help with my painting." he nodded behind me.

Turning around, I was graced with a massive canvas, that was not only bigger than me, but made me feel small compared to it. He looked at me expectantly. "This is way beyond what I'm supposed to be doing sir, with all due respect I shouldn't even be here right now and frankly, you've wasted my time." I turned to make an exit to respond to my crying muscles.