Coleson |Book 3|

02

The next day I made sure to wake up an hour early to get ready and make sure that I made it to work 10 minutes early like Mr Key ordered. I also wanted to make sure that I looked half way decent and at least have both heels intact when I got there.

"What is considered business casual?" I asked as I sat down at the dining table with my cup of tea. Max did a 180 to face me, looking at me as if I'd grown 2 heads.

"What are you doing up so early, you nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Don't be ridiculous, it's only an hour earlier than usual. Now answer the question, what is business casual? I want to look nice but Mr Key had said something yesterday about going out and doing research, so I don't want to be in a dress." I said and pondered my options of wardrobe.

"You can wear your pantsuit." He suggested and sat down across from me with his coffee.

"That makes me feel old when I wear it." Max glanced at his watch and his eyes widened. He chugged his coffee and rushed up out of the chair.

"I have a client at 7. I have to go."

"What about business casual?" I called to him as he ran to the door.

"Go with the skirt, nothing could go wrong in skirt. Right?" He paused at the door, looking to me for confirmation. I shrugged and then watched as he bolted out the door. I sighed and grabbed his empty mug, taking it to the sink.

I do have the one black pencil skirt from my high school days. I walked to my closet and dug through to the back, finding all of my high school clothes. I laughed when I pulled out all my band shirts. I was half tempted to just wear one of those, but I refrained and settled for just the black skirt.

I pulled out a black dress shirt, too and got dressed. For Mr Key, I would be there 20 minutes early. When I was about to do my hair, I checked the clock to see that I wouldn't make it even 20 minutes early if I curled it so I pulled into a top knot and slipped on my heels.

So I didn't show up 20 minutes early like planned, so I settled for 10. I made it, not breaking my heel this time, and walked up the front steps of Pearson and Hamilton. The name always have a familiar feel, though I just could put my finger on it.

Mr Key wasn't even here yet when I reached his office and then I was left to stand there. I didn't know the password for the door, so I waited and waited for him to show, but he didn't. I pulled out my phone and checked the time. He was 30 minutes late. Maybe something was wrong.

Just then I heard his deep voice resonate through the white halls. "Good morning, Emilia."

"Good morning to you, too, Melvin. Trouble with the kids this morning?" Her cheery tone warming me to the bone.

"You have no idea. Jazmin through a fit about not getting to drive. Again. I swear sometimes she acts exactly like her mother. It feels as if she's still here." His tone turning somber.

His wife was dead? Maybe divorce? What if she's missing? I shook the thoughts from my head. I was too inquisitive.

Mr Key rounded the corner with his black bag over his shoulder. He had his nose in a folder so he didn't notice me until he pulled the folder away to put in the passcode for the door. He looked kind of shocked for a moment.

"Oh, it's you. I forgot that you were going to be here." He said and pushed the door open after it unlocked.

"I've been here for half an hour." I said and followed in after him.

"Why were you so early?" He asked and sat down at his desk, pulling files out from his bag.

"Because you told me to. Yesterday. Because I was late."