𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄(gxg)

Chapter 7

EMILY'S perspective

It was finally Thursday. The week had definitely drug itself out and the fact that it wasn't over yet was killing me.

All week I've been running around my new assistant making sure she doesn't mess up any of the work my team and I had done. She was a handful for sure and was never quite on time. It was obvious she was clueless on what was going on. But surprisingly her first week wasn't a complete disaster. As long as she did the work well and stayed out of my way, that was all I needed for a decent assistant.

She'll stay for now. But I don't know how long her stay will last.

As I turned around in my chair, I began to look at the Chicago skyline. Due to the late fall weather and cloudy sky you could just barely tell that the sun was setting. Nonetheless it was beautiful.

Not too long ago Rosalie had headed home rather early. She claimed she'd finished her work for today and just wanted to take a night for herself. It was all chicken shit, really. I'd much rather her tell me she's going to drink her stress away than lie. But who really knows? What she does outside of work isn't my business.

But considering the fact that half of my team left early today, the office was practically empty. And I did I have a date tonight. And first impressions meant everything.

I packed up my bags and proceeded to head out of the office, occasionally checking the time every few steps in the fear of being late.

My apartment was roughly 20 minutes away while Lombardi's was another 15. If I wanted to look my best I needed to hurry.

_

My leg bounced uncontrollably as I sat in my car. I was anxious. And my palms were starting to sweat from the obsessive overthinking I was doing.

Do I look alright?

Should I have done my hair differently?

I was a mess. I hadn't gone on an actual date in years and I was worrying if this was even a good idea. Part of me contemplated texting Rose and rescheduling while the other half of me was curious. I wanted to know who I'd been talking to for the last week. Just to see if my growing feelings towards her were even real.

But she was late (I swear, no one is on time these days) and although I didn't want to stress myself out about this small situation, I could feel myself beginning to panic.

Oh God. What if she hates me?

Or I hate her?

Now its been confirmed. This is a total mess.

I wiped my palms against my dress for the second time, leaning my head back into the seat as a sigh escaped my lips. I was forgetting who I was. Rose, was just a girl, who I happened to enjoy talking to, but she's still just a girl. And this is just a date. And at any time if I felt uncomfortable, I wouldn't hesitate to leave.

Why I was overreacting I couldn't tell you.

I grabbed my purse from the passenger side, figuring that maybe Rose was looking out for me in her own car while I was doing the same in mine. Whatever the case was I needed to leave this damn car before I started to hyperventilate.

I proceeded to the entrance of the restaurant, not yet walking in, but standing next to a nearby tree. Soon after I started to wrap myself up into my small leather jacket that provided me with very little warmth. I definitely underestimated tonight's forecast and somehow thought a midi dress would look good with a skimpy leather jacket.

It was freezing to say the least.

And if Rose didn't show in the next few minutes I'd have to force myself to wait inside where it was most likely warm. Out of boredom I began to play with a rock that sat at the tip of my shoe. Kicking it around and watching it roll to occupy my time.

But a tap on my shoulder interrupted me, and for a moment I froze. Just by that one touch her hand sent shivers down my spin, even through my layers of clothing. Swiftly I turned around, shocked at what I saw.

Before me was a beautiful women. But it wasn't Rose.

But rather my assistant.

"Oh gosh! Ms. Scott. I a-am sooo sorry. I-I thought you wer—" I looked at her with a scowl, causing her to stop her rambling. Almost immediately her head hung, seemingly embarrassed as she stared at the ground.

I scoffed. "Hello Rosalie."

She looked at me with small eyes, her curly hair falling in her face as she tried her best to seem as confident as she possibly could. How pathetic.

"I thought you were going home." I finished.

I watched her chew the inside of her cheek, "I-I was at home but I was supposed to be meeting someone here...you?

I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry about it. Point is I'm leaving." I adjusted my jacket before I checked my phone for any possible messages Rose could've left me.

I can't believe she stood me up.

I started to walk away in search of my car when I paused briefly. "Oh and Rosalie, whatever you do tonight don't be late tomorrow."

I looked back at her small figure still standing in the same spot. She nodded hesitantly before looking down at her phone with eager fingers.