Chapter One

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As always, I'm heading into work early. That's always been me. I will rather be an hour early, than an hour late. I don't care if I have to wait for the doors of the building to open. I'll wait, I'll look like an idiot, but I'll wait.

I see Luke, the building's security walking towards the main doors. He smiles at me and shakes his head slowly. That's the reaction I always get from him. He unlocks the door and motions me inside.

"Up early today?" He questions as he locks the door back up again.

"You can say that." I wait for him to turn around so we can walk together back to his office.

"Are you hungry?"

"Starving." I smile. I didn't have time to have breakfast since I was busy getting ready.

"You're in luck, I stopped by Jack In The Box. " he holds open his office door for me.

"That's why you're my favorite security guard."

"I'm the only one that you see on a daily basis." He motions me to sit down.

"I know, I ask you this all the time, but why do you always get here so early?" He takes out two breakfast sandwiches, and hash browns.

I shrug. "I don't really know. I guess I just don't like being late for work."

"But why get here so early?" He starts to unwrap his sandwich.

"So I'm not late? Luke can we talk about something else?" I then unwrap my sandwich. My mouth begins to water at the sight of ham, bacon, cheese, and egg. I quickly take a bite, forgetting to even put ketchup on it.

"How was your weekend?" Luke asks as I swallow my bite.

"Well as you know I turned 24 last week, so I went out and had a couple of drinks. Oh and I also gambled a bit." I take another bite of my sandwich.

"Did you get drunk?" He smiles.

"Come on, of course, I did! I had a good amount of margaritas." I get my orange juice and take a sip.

"Next time you should invite me out with you." He suggests, and I nod. I look down at my watch, and it's getting closer to my clock in time.

I finish my sandwich and drink the rest of my orange juice. He looks at me and flashes me a smile.

"You're leaving?"

"Yup, I have to clock in soon. Plus I have to set up for a meeting."

"Remind me again why are you even an assistant?" He gets up to escort me up to the fifteenth floor.

"Because that's what I'm qualified for." I shyly smile.

"I'm sure you're qualified to run the whole company." Is he being serious?

"Not quite yet, but maybe soon." I wink.

"When you run the company, can I be promoted or something?" He pokes at my side.

"Maybe? It depends on what you can do."

"Well I can a make a mean cup of coffee, also I can type pretty fast. I can sometimes be a good listener, I'm certified as a computer tech." I whistle softly. I didn't know Luke was so... how can you say... well so much more than a security guard.

"Why are you security? You could work up there with me?" I don't understand how he was overlooked by John? He has everything he would want for the tech department.

"I like keeping people safe." He shrugs.

He drops me off in front of my desk, then leaves back down to his office.

Time flies by, and I'm called into my boss's office. I don't think I'm in trouble. The meeting went well. Nothing was misplaced, the deal was sealed, and the coffee for the investors was perfect.

"Astrid, I'm going to need to have lunch in my office today. Please go down to China Poblano, and get me three lobster tacos, with chips and salsa." I take a mental note and nod. That means I'm going to have to drive all the way to the damn strip. The traffic. Oh god! "Oh and whatever else you want, just charge it on the company card." I thank him and head out of his office, then to my desk. Now my long drive to The Cosmopolitan.

I quickly park my car in the first open parking space I see. I should've called in the order, but they don't do that here. Why does my boss always do this, order from super busy restaurants?

The elevator door closes just as I reach it, and groan. Damn. I reach to press the call button, but another person beats me to it. I jerk my hand away and hold my purse closer to me. Not that I'm doing because there is a person next to me. Ok maybe. But does that make me a bad person?

"Are you in a rush?" The man speaks up.

"Yes." My tone is clipped.

"Don't worry about, I'm sure the elevator is on it's way back up now." I nod and just wait. I eye the stairs, but in these pumps, there is no way in hell I'm going down them.

The elevator rings, and the doors open. I mentally thank god.

"Are you headed down to the casino too?" I turn to look at him, and I freeze.

"Astrid?" He questions.

"Sebastian." I smile.


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