Lucky Coincidence // Stuart Twombly

XXII

"Terrific." Graham clapped his hands as he was obviously optimistic about this person, even though he could've had no idea who this guy actually was.

"Graham, I'd like you to meet Mr Anderson," Lara said, diplomatically straightening her posture.

"You know this guy?" Billy asked her.

"In fact, I do. Andrew and I have been friends for a couple of years now and..." She paused, turning to Graham. "He is the Head of Search, a rather important position here at Google."

"It's-It's an honour," Graham muttered as Andrew stood mere inches from his face.

"Look at you, Headphones. A little mystery behind the boy," Billy goofily chimed.

"H-How do you know him?" Graham questioned.

"Billy just reached out to experienced Googlers. Pretty simple, not a big mystery," Nick shrugged. 

"To reach out to other Googlers, not just kiss their asses," Andrew clarified as he stared Graham down. "You see, these interns are smart, collaborative, pretty, and just weird enough to make them interesting. Also, they came together as a team to do something here. Their Googliness is truly off the charts." 

"Enough with the Googliness. Like, what does that even mean?" Graham groaned, pressing his fingers against his eyes. 

"The fact that you don't know what it means is why you'll never work here," Andrew stated. "Also," He said, stepping even closer to Graham and he lowered his voice. "You just made me use a bunch of words in front of all these people, look at me. And you're a real dick for doing that. Look at me again." Graham hesitantly did what he was told. "And I know you're accent is bullshit, because I've heard what a real British accent is." He nodded toward Lara, who sent him a cock of her eyebrow. "Whaaaat...?" Andrew mocked before he walked off. 

The silence in the room was unbearable, so Lara decided to break it. "So," She stated, turning to her favourite team. With a proud grin, she said, "Welcome to Google!" 

Deafening applause erupted as the team broke out in cheers. Stuart sprinted over to her and wrapped his arms around her waist, twirling around once before putting her down. "I love you so much," he grinned, pressing his lips to hers. She felt him smile, which caused her cheeks to flush. She pulled back and engulfed him in a hug. 

"I'm so proud of you," She said. Another set of arms was wrapped around the pair and Lara looked up to find Billy hugging them tightly. Soon, Nick, Yo-Yo, Neha, and Lyle joined in. 

"I have a job!" Yo-Yo cheered. 

It was almost impossible to wipe the smile from Lara's face, but it kind of did as she heard Graham calling for attention. "I should be the winner!" He whined, reminding Lara of a toddler that lost at a board game. Lara escaped from the hug and walked over, but stopped as she heard him speak to his team. "Well, I hope you're all happy. What were you all thinking? Maybe, if I had a team of equals who contributed every once in a while, this wouldn't have happened." He turned to Zach, the chubby boy Graham loved to pick on. "What about you? What do you have to say for yourself." 

"I think it's time to fake an injury," Lara heard Zach say and she frowned, but what happened next fulfilled all her impulses toward Graham. Zach thrust his fist forward, landing it perfectly in Graham's family jewels. He let out a grunt and fell to the floor. 

Zach looked over with a slight shock in his face when he saw Lara standing a few feet from him, but when she smiled and sent him a thumbs-up, he grinned happily. 

She walked off to find Chetty. "End of the summer, huh? Any plans for the rest of the year?" She asked him. 

"I'm taking a very long holiday. I don't want to babysit for the rest of the year," He said. 

She giggled. "Sounds good. Any idea where you're headed?" 

"The Bahamas? Or maybe Brazil," He shrugged. "I'm very proud of you, Lara. Sebastian was truly right about you, and you deserved this more than anyone. The promotion is yours, if you still want it, of course." 

"More than anything. Thank you so much for mentoring me, I've learned so much," Lara smiled. 

"You needed no mentor. All you needed was a little guidance now and then, but you were perfectly fine on your own. I mean, you brought together a team of amazing new employees that will contribute greatly to this company," Chetty pointed out. "And I'm happy to welcome you back next year." 

Lara nodded. "I'm more than happy to return next year."

"Alright. I will see you seen." Chetty held out his hand and she shook it. 

"See you next year. Enjoy your holiday," She smiled before he walked off to talk to someone else. 

"Lara!" She heard behind her and she turned around, seeing Nick and Billy walking toward her. 

"Thanks for having our backs back there. I know you and Chetty weren't so fond of us at the beginning," Billy said. 

"No problem," She said with a smile. "But can I tell you a secret?" They nodded. "Chetty was the one who's been voting for you guys from the beginning. He was the deciding vote on the intern committee." 

"You're joking," Nick said. 

"I'm not. He told me he recognised himself in you two so he took a chance. You tested our patience a couple of times, but I'm glad you proved yourselves," She said with a proud smile. 

"Thanks for believing in us, Lara," Nick smiled, patting her shoulder before walking off. Lara followed him with her eyes and saw he was walking straight towards her Australian friend. 

"I'm gonna find Chetty. I have to get some kind of confirmation," Billy told Lara and she nodded. 

"Don't tell him you've got it from me," She winked and he grinned.

"I won't. See you around," He said before he took off. 

She felt two arms wrap around her from behind. "There you are," She chimed, nuzzling into Stuart's chest. 

"Guess we'll be seeing a lot more of each other," He told her and she turned around in his arms. 

"I guess we are, huh?" She grinned. "Have I told you I'm proud of you, yet?" 

He chuckled. "I can remember you telling me, but you haven't really shown me, though," He told her in a low voice, sending shivers all over her body. 

"How about I show you when we get home? I've got some ideas," She said, booping his nose with her index finger. 

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I think we can make that work." 

She giggled. "I love you." 

"Love you too." He pressed a short kiss to her lips. 

***

I'll be uploading the final chapter next week so make sure you're ready!