Cymbeline's POV:
"So, let's talk about that date."
It was 5:30pm, the end of the work day and Bradley met me at Giselle's desk. He wasn't wearing his blazer, letting me see the way his button up tightened when he leaned forward to speak to me.
His sleeves were rolled to his elbows and I had to admit, it was really, really attractive. I narrowed my eyes at him and let him do the talking.
"I'm thinking dinner, somewhere to buy you all those french fries I promised. Later, walk around the city, maybe a party if you're not too drunk on potato grease," he grinned flirtatiously.
Hm. He was cute. But he was nothing compared to Rafael. Rafael had the cutest smile. His eyes always lit up. And his laugh, oh what I would do to hear it again.
I couldn't do that to Bradley. He was such a nice gentleman. There was no way I could go on a date with him when I had Rafael on my mind.
"Bradley..." I started and watched as his grin washed away slowly.
"Oh come on, Cymbeline. One date. Please. I promise I'm not as douchey as I act," he pleaded. He thought it was his fault.
"No, it's not that. It's just that I recently got out of a relationship and I don't want to lead you on or hurt you or whatever," I rested my hand on his arm.
He was silent for a moment. Quiet and keeping to his thoughts.
"Well, what if it wasn't a date then? How about we hang out as friends? Timothy and your friend can join us. As many people as you want," he offered with a small smile. A glint in his eyes told me that he was not completely telling the truth.
"Fine. When?" I asked.
"Hey guys," Remington passed by and joined the conversation.
"What's up, Rem?" Bradley smiled and they did some sort of handshake.
"Warming up to my assistant already, Bradley?" he joked but the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
"What can I say? She's a cutie," he glanced my way and winked.
"Right. Well, I'm going to head home," he murmured and met my eyes. A silence enveloped us for a moment, with Remington and I just looking at each other.
He was waiting for something. He wanted me to do something. When I didn't, he turned away and headed for the elevators. Bradley was saying something, but my mind couldn't comprehend as I stared at Remington's back.
Ugh, curse the little demon inside me.
"I think I'll walk Remington down. I am his assistant, after all," I cut him off from whatever he was saying and sidled up next to my boss.
"Oh, hello. Aren't you busy planning your date with a pair of dark eyes and smooth words?" Remington asked as we walked into the elevator together.
Dark eyes... smooth words... was he talking about Bradley or himself?
"Actually, I'm busy being the best assistant you have ever hired," I stood proudly and helped carry his things.
He grinned gratefully. He looked down at his shoes and took a breath.
"Today has been quite the day."
"Something wrong?"
He was silent.
"Nothing that I can't handle."
We exited the elevator and I immediately spotted Raquelle arguing with the lady from before.
"Cymbeline! Thank god. I've been here for almost an hour just trying to tell this lady that I'm here to see you. But apparently, you take no visitors," Raquelle ranted to me. I glanced at the lady behind the desk and watched as she looked Remington over.
"Raquelle, this is my boss, Remington Mars," I ignored her rant and motioned to the tall, dark man beside me.
"Ohhh," she dragged the word out and didn't hide the fact that she was looking him up and down like he was a piece of meat.
"Raquelle Shi, a pleasure, Mr. Mars," she placed her hand in his and grinned when he bent down to kiss her knuckles.
"Cute and a gentleman. You really know how to pick them," she murmured and jabbed my side.
Remington met my eyes and chuckled at her words. How embarrassing. It's like she didn't even know what whispering was.
"I never said any of that, but thanks," I rolled my eyes.
"I best be on my leave. I have important matters to attend," he announced and turned to leave.
"You just got done with work though," I called after.
"Business doesn't stop for time," was all he said before he exited through the revolving door at the front of the building.
"So, tell me what happened," Raquelle looped her arm through mine and stayed quiet as I told her all about my day. She laughed at my mentioning about Timothy and Bradley.
When we got home, the first thing we did was video chat Dominique. She had landed in LA and was staying at a hotel.
So far, she was loving the city. She loved everything. I didn't bother telling her about my day. And when she didn't ask for it, it made it easier to avoid talking about.
The rest of the night, Raquelle and I stayed up watching movies and talking about boys. Oh, boys.
Bradley.
"Hey, would you mind if we all hung out on the weekend or something?" I asked her as Bradley and my previous conversation popped in my head.
"Whose 'we?'" Raquelle gnawed at a piece of chocolate.
"Me, you, Bradley... and Timothy, probably," I hesitated at the mention of his name. She rolled her eyes immediately.
"So, a double date?"
"No, not at all! Just as friends," I explained.
"I'm not telling you I don't want to, but you're asking me to spend a day with Timothy, who will most likely be a complete and utter dork trying to get in my pants. It's not exactly appealing," she rose an eyebrow and watched as my expression turned to one of amusement.
"You laugh, but seriously. We barely know the guys. And from the experience we've had with them, I can't say they will be much fun," Raquelle continued.
"You never know if you don't try," I tell her. The look on her face dropped and turned to one of thought. She was considering it. That was a start.
"Fine. We'll see how it goes," she sighed and sat back, taking her eyes back to Legally Blonde.
I grinned triumphantly. It was about time we actually went out to do something fun.
To: Bradley
Raquelle said she's down. When and where?
-Cymbeline
He texted back almost instantly.
Excellent. Timothy said he's good to hang out too. I'm thinking something like bowling or mini golf or ice skating? Something we can all do together.
-Bradley
Hm. What did I want to do? What would the group most likely enjoy?
How about the beach? It's been a while since we've gone, plus Summer is ending. Need to go at least once more before it does. :)
-Cymbeline
I loved the beach. It was one of my favorite places to go ever. I couldn't understand how some people didn't like it.
That works! How about this Saturday? Timothy and I can pick you guys up.
-Bradley
Saturday, that was two days from now.
Deal
-Cymbeline
As I sent the message, a smile graced my lips. I was excited to see them and hang out. I was only hoping that for one day, at the very least, I would not think about Rafael.
YOU ARE READING
Finding Hope in Blue
Teen Fiction"One day, maybe when I have settled down and had kids and own a house or something, I'll think about him and wonder. Wonder what we would have been like together, how drastically changed our lives could have been, if I would still be the same person...
