RC.

Ch2 . A

In the elevator, I feel like a bomb about to explode! It's crazy! There must be some sort of mistake!

As the doors open onto Mr. Carter's floor, I hurry up to the reception desk in order to sort this misunderstanding out!

The secretary isn't the same stuck-up Madam that I saw the other day but she doesn't seem any nicer.

I watch as she types zealously on her keyboard. I feel as important as the plant pot in the hall. She doesn't look at me once.

T:"Hello... Excuse me... I'd like to speak to Mr. Carter..."

She raises a dubious eyebrow and sighs, exasperated then just continues typing.

(Have the secretaries on this floor been instructed to be unpleasant?)

I just stand there, waiting for her to give me the time of day... I always tend to feel uncomfortable when faced with this kind of person.

I always feel like I'm bothering, that I'm less important than they are...

After a few seconds, the secretary deigns to acknowledge me.

Secretary:"And you are?"

T:"Miss White. I was asked to come up here, but..."

Secretary:"Follow me."

Without giving me the time to think, she stands from her desk, as gracefully as a prima ballerina and motions for me to follow.

Her suit is perfectly cut and her walk is confident which tends to annoy me as well as impress me. Her hair and makeup are impeccable. She looks like she's come straight out of a magazine.

(How long does this chick take to get ready every morning?)

An hour...

Her voice snaps me out of my highly existential questioning as we stop before a little door.

Secretary:"After you."

She ushers me inside whilst keeping an eye on her little table, I hold my breath.

Psychologically preparing myself
to face Mr. Intense look!

◇◇◇

I walk nervously into the room, but... nobody! Just a big desk placed next to a large bay window, on looking the city.

It's rather pleasant as an office! Even if I would have expected something else for a boss, but...

I look dubiously at the secretary.

Secretary:"Mr. Carter shouldn't be long. Meanwhile, you can settle into your office... Coffee?"

I wonder if I heard correctly.

T:"Sorry?...."

She looks at me almost with pity in her eyes.

Secretary:"Would you like a coffee?"

T:"No, I mean to say... "My" office?"

She looks at me an instant, in silence. Obviously, wondering what planet I come from.

Secretary:" I'll leave you now.
Mr. Carter shouldn't be long?"

As she closes the door, I stare at the office around me.

I can't believe it! I haven't accepted the goddamn post yet and I've already got an office?!

I sigh before taking a look around. The room is pleasant, light. You can hear distant sound of the waking city.

I slowly walk over to the desk and touch the leather seat.

I let myself drop into it, resting my arms on its armrest.

I twist the chair around from right to left, my eyes fixed on the computer screen.

Suddenly, the door opens. I freeze as two grey eyes meet with mine.