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LAURA
I had spent a solid fifteen minutes trying to locate the elevator around the place but it was as confusing as trying to find north in a maze. Corridors after corridors were clustered all over, my pace quickening with every flustered step. Even my symbiote was finding it hard to navigate.
With the front page crumpled into my hand, I tried to blend into the surroundings and being as nonchalant as possible. I smiled randomly every now and then, speeding up my pace when I spotted the elevator. Finally.
'A trainee, huh?'
My heart stopped, thinking that I was caught in the act. I jerked with surprise. Swinging my head to the sound of the voice as I pressed the down button, I found a tall young man as the source. He had a thin stack of folders tucked under his arm and piping cup of coffee being stirred slowly.
'Yes,' I answered as suavely as possible. Being an efficient reporter, I faced no struggle in maintaining my calm. A wore a professional smile. 'I'm shadowing Mr. Brock for a while.'
The elevator dinged upon its arrival. I prayed that he would be going up but my karma took a toll and he was going down as well. And just my luck, he was going to the third basement which was way ahead of me. The mystery dude continued the conversation.
'Eddie?' His face colored with shock. 'He came around with the freshies? He never takes in interns.'
'Maybe I was just that persuasive,' I laughed. It took me a while to realize what I'd just said. I closed my eyes in a still prayer, shaking my head sorrowfully. Absolutely disgusting.
There are more things to regret in life, Laura. This man is just a hindrance.
Sin was right. I should've ignored it but his reactions kept provoking me. His shoulders shook with silent laughter as he sipped from his cup. I dropped my shoulders and addressed the situation.
'Not the physical persuasion - not that I would use it! But I was being effective with my words and gestures,' I explained with a wave of my hands. I had sneakily pushed my stolen script into my coat pockets.
'Oh yeah,' he drawled. 'Gestures always do the trick.'
He was mocking me. And, that got me riled up the wrong way. 'Listen dude-from-the-elevator, I was in a rush and didn't speculate into my words so if you'd excuse me, I really I have to get going.'
The elevator whirred to the lobby and the doors rolled open. Before I could step out, he said in a really clear and loud voice, 'Maybe you could use your persuasion on me? Over a cup of coffee?'
Over my dead body.
Sin always being the protective one. Of course what this man was insinuating, was literally a coffee date and that would most obviously upset my boss/boyfriend: Eddie himself.
