When The Wrong One Loves You Right 1: A New Life

Chapter 31: Problems at Work

I woke up very early this morning and I didn't sleep much. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom trying to hide the bags under my eyes. I'm sure Dean will be disappointed that I skipped the spa. As I walk I wonder how the days going to go, it's almost frightening to have to face Mark at work.

As I arrive in our cubicle Mark is already here and he stands quickly to face me.

"Hi." He says, his voice is very sad.

"Hi, Mark."

He steps forward to hug me. I know that I can't take too much proximity without succumbing to it. As his skin touches mine my whole body reacts, and my heart is smashed against the floor again. It hurts me to hug him. I begin to cry once I am in his arms. I know he felt me sob but I spin around quickly and take my stuff out of my bag, not wanting him to see me trying to hide my tears. All of my work on my make up this morning was for nothing.

"Dean wants us to go see him in his office to talk about a file." Mark said.

"Ok, I just need a minute."

I hate myself for being cold to him. I would love to be more talkative, but I don't know what to say or how to act. I can't talk to him like nothing happened and we are just colleagues. I clean myself up a little and grab a notebook. We make our way towards Dean's office. As soon as we get into Dean's office he smiles at me.

"Good morning! Are you feeling better Ana?"

I feel Mark tense beside me. I know he probably feels guilty on one hand and on the other he doesn't like the fact that Dean is concerned with my emotional state.

"Good morning Dean. A little bit better." I answer.

I give Mark I cold look, so he fully understands who is responsible for me looking like death warmed over. I look back over to Dean and force a smile.

"Good. Have a seat." Dean says.

We sit down opposite him at his desk.

"About the files I gave you yesterday, I do need them to be finished by the end of the week. I'd like you both to make double efforts. This client could help us catch an even bigger fish if they are satisfied with the work that's done. I'm counting on you to make this happen."

"The deadline is pretty short." Mark says.

"I think you can make it." Dean smiles at us.

He basically told us we didn't have a choice. I feel a little bit trapped by my raise and all the attention from upper management recently, I can't really agree with Mark.

"I don't see a problem with the deadline, I feel like will make it." I say staring into Dean's eyes. I clutch my notebook and don't dare look at Mark.

"It's impossible. We have to do research, put the project forward, wait for a decision on the final version. It's gonna be difficult to get done by the end of the week. Am I really the only want to realize this?" I can hear the frustration in Mark's voice.

I still can't believe he's talking to our boss like this. Obviously, he didn't get much sleep last night either.

"Four days may not seem like enough time, but we don't really have a choice. We have to get it done. If Dean thinks we can do it, then we can. I already started doing research last night because I didn't have anything better to do. And if we need another pair of hands Eric is sharing our cubicle right now. We can do this."

"Ok, if you think so then I guess there is no problem." Mark says. "I'm skeptical, but I guess we do have another pair of hands."

Dean stares at us. Our exchange is lively and there's tension in the air.