It Doesn't Work That Way

2

"Mr. De Luca! So nice of you to make time in your busy schedule for this meeting. Please do come in and sit wherever you like." I hear the overly excited voice of Harrison greet our guests and brace myself for the meeting ahead I start to stand when I hear Harrison make my introduction for me.

"Mr. De Luca, as requested, I was able to secure a spot in Miss Hayes' day to make an appearance."

I turned around expecting to see the scrawny kid that followed me all through high school and was met with a deep voice responding to Harrison,

"Thank you, Mr. Rogers, that will be all."

I faltered in my step as I was turning around and gave an incredulous look to Harrison, he raised his hands in surrender and made the money gesture with his fingers before giving a slight nod to Adriano before leaving the conference room. I took a breath before raising my eyes and meeting the face that had haunted me all through college.

"Adriano," I addressed grabbing the binder in front of me to use as a shield against him.

"Coco." He murmured almost like a sigh of relief, I watched as the nickname he had called me since I could remember flowed off his lips like a wisp of smoke, for a second I doubted he had even responded before he took a step closer to me.

"It's been a while, if I didn't know better I would assume you were trying to avoid me." He was too close now, I could smell his cologne, the one that he used even back then just way more subtle now. A cart being pushed against the glass of the conference room wall, woke me out of my daze only for me to hold my binder closer to my chest, my knuckles turning white with anxiety.

"Me? Avoid you? I would never! It's absurd for you to even suggest—" His hand caressed my cheek cutting of the ramble that we both know was going nowhere. I almost allowed myself to melt into his touch, as I had so many times before. I suddenly realized how long it had been since I saw him and snapped myself back to reality. The next thing I knew my hand was flying in the air and connecting with his cheek harshly while I took a much needed few steps back. He clutched his jaw the same place his hand had been on mine only seconds before, before laughing.

"You think this is a bloody joke, D? You nor any other man is not permitted to do things like that in the workplace, or.. or or ever! For that matter!" My breath was getting harsher as all the memories we shared came up from out of nowhere. Well, it wasn't from nowhere it all came rushing up like vomit the second this asshole's name had been brought up by Harrison this morning.

"Sworn yourself off of men have you, Coco? That sure is a shame" He clenched his jaw still rubbing it, damn straight it should still hurt, "I'm surprised you still have the strength in you you're a lot smaller now than you were in high school, I thought you would've forgotten everything I taught you."

I rolled my eyes my defenses coming down slightly, "As if. I had more bruises from fighting with you that summer than I've ever had in my life." A chuckle escaped my lips before I could catch myself, "Wait, you jerk, I'm supposed to be mad at you. What the hell was that?"

"What. You think I could hold myself back after not having seen you for... What's it been? 5 years now?"

"Well, I remember you showed up for at least one of my graduations," I scoff with a pointed look, "but whatever. Congrats on this company! Seems like you're doing well for yourself."

We both start to relax more once business was more the subject of our conversation, "Yes Pharaoh was an idea that Dimitri and I had, you remember Dimitri, right?" He raised his eyebrow towards me taking a seat to my left gesturing for me to do the same. I rolled my eyes and moved two seats away from him just for good measure. He cleared his throat and continued, "Well towards the end of Sophmore year, he dropped out to pursue it while I changed majors and graduated with an associate's degree in Business. All part of our plan of course." I rolled my eyes as he puffed up his chest, "And it took off quite a lot quicker than Dimitri had thought. I, of course, knew that our idea would take off. After all, I was the one that came up with it." He grinned cheekily, the old Adriano I grew up with peaking through the cocky mask he had on.

"Well damn, D, good for you guys!" I exclaimed setting down the binder I had been using as a shield. "Well I'd love to continue catching up, but seeing as we only have the conference room for less than an hour, we should get started"

He allowed Harrison to come back in after I threatened to end the meeting right then and there if he didn't and we spend the next 40 minutes discussing the plans he wanted my company to help him with. Pharaoh Co. was a security company specializing in bodyguards for software items and digital intelligence protection. I wasn't surprised that Adriano was doing something in the software industry, the security aspect of it surprised me, especially when he described how many bodyguards he has for hire and the measures they go to make sure things get transported safely. He had worked with multiple government agencies transporting information as well as informants and snitches for high powered criminal organizations. What he wanted with our product, I had no clue.

We didn't deal with the government, our product was mainly used by firms and museums that wanted to maintain the security of their buildings. Siza Inc. was more an architect firm than a software company, but adding the security to the buildings we were designing was an extra paycheck that got me promoted to Head Engineer. A job title that if you had asked me 5 years ago if I would have, I would've laughed in your face.

"—and if Caroline wouldn't mind we could continue this meeting over cocktails, tonight?"

I zoned back in as Adriano used my full name, not letting Harrison know that we know each other from before? That's strange. I hummed to myself and was about to answer before Harrison beat me to the punch.

"Sorry, Mr. De Luca, but Coco doesn't take her work out of the office. She's a showoff like that, having an actual work-life balance." A chuckle came from his lips, as Adriano's face fell seeming to remember the exact reason why I would never take my work home with me. But the look was gone as quickly as it came and in its place a forced smile and an emotion I couldn't quite place. Anger? No, never anger from little D. I smiled to myself as I remembered the nickname that had embarrassed him so much growing up.

"My apologies Mr. De Luca, but as Harrison said, I don't take work out of the office, and I really do try to leave before 9 O'Clock each evening. If you have any more questions you can always reach out to Harrison, I'm sure he'd be more than happy to answer them better than I could."

I start to pack up as I say those closing words, having looked at my watch and saw the time was nearing 12:30. My attempt to end the meeting slowed with Harrison saying,

"Well you could always contact, Coco on her personal—Ah!"

I quickly kicked him under the table giving him my best death glare,

"—Ahem Email.. her personal email if you have any software type questions." He gave Adriano a pained smile, trying to stop himself from rubbing his leg where I kicked him.

Adriano gave me an inquisitive look knowing what had happened, I could only hope he had deleted my number years ago or thought I changed it.

I quickly stood, gathering my things. "Gentlemen" I nodded in Adriano's direction before walking out of the room like my ass was on fire.

Please god, let him not have my number anymore.