MUD

Chapter 6~ As Hard As They Come

Tori's POV 🦋

I scrunch my nose up at the tickling sensation and try not to sneeze. Mentally cursing my allergies, I kick my 4 inch black shoes off under the desk, slowly wriggling my toes to ease the tension. I look at all the paperwork on my desk and slump in defeat.

A broad shouldered figure strides into my office door after a knock and I squint through watery eyes to make the form out. I wipe my face with the back of my hand and almost shoot out of the seat trying to straighten my slouch when I realize Mr. X is inside my office. Or so I call him in my mind.

"Hello Victoria, " a raspy low voice addresses me.
"Mr. Archer!" I say a little too loud but giving myself a mental high five for not stuttering. He looks awesome today, and I can't help but wonder what brings him to my office.

"Are you well?" The question comes after he takes a quick sweep over the condition of the office.
"Wha-? Ohh yes I'm fine I had an encounter with lilies this morning. My friend asked me to give them to his love. It was a surprise and they were beautiful but they didn't do me well. I can't stop sneezing and.." suddenly I realize I'm rambling. God. Attractions are the worst.
X rocks back on his heel for a moment then sturdies his stance again and I couldn't feel more awkward.
"Ohhkay... that was unfortunate," he says. For a moment I'm not sure if he's talking about the allergy or hearing about it.
" I need the filing for the Harrison/Dargis case, could you help me out?"

I nod and stand, straightening my skirt in the process. He moves away to give me room to pass between him and the table. For a brief moment the ocean blue eyes seem to overpower me, even though they seem faraway with thought. I hold down my head as I pass, only raising it to search the shelf for the file he requested.
Flipping through a few portfolios with initials on them I pray I don't become Clumsy Jill and scatter them all over the floor.
"I've got it, " I say, quickly turning around to face the extraterrestrial creature in the room. His dark hair is slicked back into a ponytail and I wonder what the length is. Soon I realize that when X reaches for the file he's not looking at it but his gaze is directed towards the ground.

I'm mortified and I'm sure a pale mess when I realize I'm barefooted otherwise from my sheer stockings, my imperfect toes peeking out.
"Thanks Victoria."
The man remains calm, with just a hint of a smirk at the corner of the most dangerous mouth, and I am sure he's laughing at me. What's worse, a sneeze bellows out that I am unable to control.
"I think you should sit down" is the only remark he makes.

Without another word I'm in my seat, watching in embarrassment as he flips through the paper. He asks me if there's anything that should be added to it and I let him know some results are supposed to come from lab.
"Ok I'll ask Mellissa to pick it up," he says matter-of-factly, "If anyone asks for the portfolio apart from her tell them to come to me."

"Sure, isn't she here now? You shouldn't have had to come all the way down the hall to get it when she is next door why didn't you phone her?" the question flies out of my mouth. It would have saved my dooming intimidation.

"Because, Victoria...I wanted to see you."
The words fall off his lips coolly, and he's gone.
I feel my pores open up to release little beads of sweat in the cool surroundings. Its one thing to be embarrassed in front of Mr. X. But it's another when he jokes around saying words you wish were real.