A Kiss For Every Lifetime

Chapter 8: The pleasure of hangovers

The next day, I spent my morning groaning and crawling in the ground. My head was killing me, it was as if there are two masons piling up bricks inside my head.

When I reached the kitchen, Jodie was  in no good condition like I was, probably worse than me since she drank more than I did. After I ate breakfast, I drag myself up to where I was staying and took a long warm bath, easing my aching muscles.

I dried myself up and wore a black pencil skirt and a gray turtle neck. I fixed my hair up into a loose ponytail before wearing my flats and marching down the stairs.

I checked on Jodie before I left and I saw her snoring in the table. Another throb in my head made me groan again and I trudge out of the house. I hailed a cab once I was out and gave him the address, not bothering to check if he was decent or not, I have trust issues.

By 6:51, I was inside the lift with my head leaning on the cool walls. The elevator took stops occasionally and I ignored the ones who entered when they gave me the stink eye, it probably had to do with either the footwear I was wearing or the smudge of my lipstick that I got when I dozed off in the cab and did not bother to wipe it off.

Penelope was waiting for me by the door when I entered the office. She grimaced at me and snatched her clipboard on her desk. "You are two seconds late, this will be deducted on your wages,"

I want to deduct your face. I flashed her a forced smile and sat on her seat behind the desk. "What are you doing?" She hissed at me and tried to push me out of the seat, "Resting, what do you suppose I'm doing?" I replied groggily and she rolled her eyes at me.

"Mr. Moriarty is waiting for you inside his office and for God's sake, make yourself presentable," she threw me a pack of wet wipes and I snatch it at her desk. I headed towards the bathroom at the corner and did what she told me to do.

After I was sure I was ready, I headed back to Penelope and threw her pack of wipes back to her. She glared at me which I returned. "His office is in that hall, down to the right," she pointed her finger at the hallway in her left. I nodded.

Mr. Moriarty's office was easy to find, well obviously, it was the only room that I can find in the hall. I knocked on the door and a muffled 'come in' reached my ears. I push the door open and blink my eyes repeatedly, trying to adjust in the dim room.

"You're late,"

I crinkled my nose in annoyance, I guess being strick with the time runs in the family, what's up with this boss and secretary? "My apologies Mr. Moriarty, I had a, uh...headache," I replied and hung my head a bit to hide my scowl.

"You'll find your desk beside mine and you might want to take an aspirin for your hangover, I can't risk for any distractions in this company,"

I was startled, really I was. I walked blindly towards his desk. The only light we had was a wall sconce situated behind an empty desk which I presume was mine. Beside the desk was another desk but it was bigger.

I couldn't see Mr. Moriarty's face since he had his laptop facing a bit down so the light didn't flash in his face. I could make out his suit in the dim light but not his face. I was pretty sure though that he was tall and muscular just by looking at how he towered over the desk and how lean and broad his shoulders were.

I sat on my seat and faced my empty table in curiosity. What am I suppose to do here? I cleared my throat and peeked at my shoulder, looking over my boss who was hidden in the shadows. I saw his shoulder shift and I knew he was looking at me.

"What are you staring at?" His voice was familiar and smooth like silk. "I was just wondering what am I suppose to do, sir?" I replied and he bend over to his right and started rummaging through his drawer, his back facing me.