What I See In You

No time for office romance

Okay. Let's get it over with.
I mutter while typing furiously on my laptop. It was supposed to be just an analysis of the annual report. Why have I been dictated to "compare it with the last 7 years of records, and report deviations, if any"? And that too when I've already submitted the company's comparative statement along with my "additional comments".

Because I bumped into him. Accidentally.
Okay. I might've thrown hot coffee on his shoes. Not-so-accidentally.

Ryanna: 1   Boss: 0

Hah!

And now, someone is pissed.

"Pissed" doesn't exactly sum it up. He's clearly vengeful. Even the receptionist down the hall knows this. So does everyone who knows about our headlock ever since I joined this company. Anyway, so this is why you see, I'm here in a coffee shop on my precious weekend. But this time not because I need a good coffee break but to finish the task in hand, cursing at his attempt of punishing me. C'mon! I'm not letting that SOB getting the satisfaction of finally finding an excuse to fire me. He might be the boss but I've got the efficiency and potential this job requires. Maybe more than just that. But who cares?

Why is this taking so long? I need to sleep. And eat. And breathe.

Alright, I messed up and big time at that. But can you blame me? What would you have done if your boss was anything like the one I have? A narcissistic manipulative jerk. But a genius regardless..

"You look like you are about to fire up. That is if you don't get fired before."
I give him a look while he's pulling a chair beside me.

"I have also been told I look like Lilly Collins."

He snorts but looks at me, his eyes full of concern. "You also look like you need a cup of hot coffee."

No more hot coffee, please! I've screwed up enough, thanks!

"No thanks, I've already had three. And I messed up with one yesterday. You go on."

He smirks knowing all too well about the coffee incident.
"I don't think my heart needs anymore racing now that I've seen you today."

Cringe alert!

"Okay, why don't you leave before you get a heart attack then"?

"Hey, I came here thinking to help you but you're-

"RYANNA- OVER HERE!!!" A holler breaks us from our banter. We turn our heads to look over and there she is. A woman in her 20s with beautiful rare green eyes and light brown tresses longer than the last time I had seen her, is waving at me. My best friend, Ashley. In an instant, we rush towards each other and hug tightly. I mean, we all have that one friend we love hugging because they hug you back tighter. I'm not much of a hugger but I have made an exception for her. I'm about to ask her a million questions but someone beats me to the first one.

"And who might that be"?
Ashley glances over my shoulder and raises an eyebrow at the cocky guy I was sharing the table with.

"You got yourself a boyfriend?!" She all but looks at me incredulously.

"No Ley, I got standards."

"I'm sitting right here, y' know."

I roll my eyes at him. "Ashley, this is Devin. My colleague at KA Global. Devin, meet my partner in crime -Ashley."

"I thought we were best friends. And, well hello, beautiful." Devin chirps.

"He's also a big flirt," I add helpfully. Ashley breaks into a laugh at that. Seriously, what was so funny?

"Hi, Mr. Flirt. Nice to meet you." We both laugh now at his expense.

Soon, I start on with my pending work again as Ashley and Devin talk about her visit to Germany from which she just came back. When I'm done it's almost time for lunch and Devin has his own plans so he leaves before us. Ashley and I too, leave for my apartment since she'll be staying over at mine. I punch the code on the lock screen before entering the apartment.

"So, that Devin guy is cute." Ashley wiggles her eyes at me.

"So are you, Ley. Does that have to suggest something else?"

She grins at my retort. "I'm open to all options."

"Ley?"

"Yeah Ray?" She gazes at me expectantly.

"Shut up! Devin has rubbed off on you." I say unfazed.

"By the way, you look tired. Why were you working on a weekend?"

"You don't wanna know."
And this is how I end up telling her everything that has happened over the last year. And the worst of it all, about my boss.

"We can kidnap him." She suggests. "Seriously, we can take him down. Or we can just- She stops after seeing the look in my eyes.

"You care about him."

"Of course Ley, he's my boss and I do care about my paycheque."

But as I start to make it towards kitchen she adds, "He's not the one for you, Ray. Don't let him or your emotions fool you into something else."

"I know. And Ley?" I ask her.

"Hmm?"

"Don't worry about me. I've got enough bills to pay to keep me up on my feet. I have no time for office romance."

I leave the room before I can hear her reply. I need to get out of here. I'm starving. I need to make lunch.