It's currently 7:16am as I contemplate on going to work. I've used up my 2 weeks worth of holidays and I can't let my boss knock my pay.
I groan as I finish drinking my tea and shove my low heels on. With hesitation, I grab my car keys as I head out the apartment. I lock the door with minimal effort and head down to my car. After unlocking it, I climb in and immediately turn the engine on.
I hear my phone ring which automatically connects to the car speakers. I rest my head back against the headrest as I mumbles a low 'fuck'.
I press a simple button on the car which answers the phone.
"Mai, thank the lord you answered. My daughters been throwing up since early this morning. Could you tell Collin I can't come in. I've tried ringing but his phone is off." He explains, I grab the steering wheel with anger.
"Barry, you have a meeting with a magazine company at like 8." I say, shaking my head.
I hear him sigh down the phone. "I know, I need you to do it for me." He says. I laugh and shake my head.
"No. I haven't prepared anything. I'm not looking like a fool." I pull my mirror down and put some gloss on. I begin to hear a baby cry in the background. I shut the flap and turn my indicator on, heading onto the road.
"I have notes Ma- shit." I hear him say. I hear him fumbling around as I make my way to the office. "Please Mai. She's all sweaty and full of sick. Claire is at work but she's a key worker-" I cut him off.
"Fine. You owe my ass." I end the call and continue driving until i reach the parking lot. I grab my card and scan it to allow access onto the parking lot. I quickly reverse park and climb out before locking the car.
As I walk towards the office door, I hear Collin shout me.
"Looking fancy. Who are you trying to impress?" He winks jokingly. I see him adjust the tie of his suit and catch up with me.
"No one," I force a smile. "Barry has his daughter at home, she's been throwing up." I explain, scanning my identity into the system and walking through the reception doors.
"He has a meeting with Beau magazine in 15 minutes!" He raises his voice. I bring my hair forward, adjusting the curls. I turn to him as we head into the elevator.
"Which is why I need the notes that he's prepared. I'm covering for him, not by choice." I sarcastically smile, hitting the 2nd floor button. I hear him sigh with relief as the elevator goes up. When the doors finally open, I follow Collin out.
"I'll get them now for you." He says, rushing to his desk. I follow behind as he grabs the master key which is amongst many others.
We walk to Barry's office as Collin finds the key. He quickly unlocks the office door and grabs the notes off his desk, handing them to me before locking his door behind us.
"Thank you." He rests his hands on my shoulder. "Let me buy you a drink tonight? Or at least throw some money behind the bar for you to have a drink?" He suggests. I look through the documents.
"Just because you own the company Collin, doesn't mean you can throw money everywhere." I look up at him. He gives me a nervous smile as he looks over my shoulder.
I narrow my eyebrows and turn around to see the publishers of Beau magazine head towards us. "Just put some money on my desk." I whisper back to him as I head to the publishers.
"Hi, you must be Nathan and Delilah?" I ask, sticking my hand out. They both nod, shaking my hand.
"Good morning," I smile. "Barry has had to stay home this morning due to a family emergency so i'll be discussing on Barry's behalf." I refer to the documents in my hand. They both nod and enter the room towards the right of us.
I've never enjoyed this room. The walls are literally glass. Everyone can see what you're doing which makes the job more stressful.
I look at the door to see Collin come in with a trolley full of refreshments. "Help yourself." I simply say as I set up the board for the PowerPoint. They both stay sat in their seats, watching my every move.
This is going to be a long morning.
-
I see Collin take Nathan and Delilah down to reception which gives me time to clean up. I sigh in relief.
I've never seen such stuck up people in all my life.
I gather all the documents and disconnect everything from the projection board. I neatly sort the wires out and shuffle the trolley out the room to make immediate contact with Collin.
"You did amazing." He whisper shouts with his hands in fists. Her turns to all the open desks in the middle of the building before cheering, "Beau have decided to do a 4 month partnership with us!" Everyone begins to clap. I clap along before moving the trolley out the room.
"Gosh, Barry would have never pulled it off." He smiles. "The money is on your desk. Very well deserved." He taps my shoulder before taking the trolley off me.
I head to my office which was down the opposite side of the floor. I unlock it to see and envelope on the desk. I shut the door and sit on the chair which moves slightly.
I open the envelope to see he had forcefully shoved £50 in. Very unexpected. I narrow my eyebrows before shrugging it off.
I log into my computer before I hear a knock at the door. I pause as i see someone walking in. I look up and smile. "Hey Frank, what's up?" He shows me a little sheet before resting against the door frame.
"Coffee run. Toffee latte?" He asks.
"Large." I smile. "Thank you." He nods before shutting the door behind him.
I close the envelope and put the money in my bag before shoving it under my desk, I open my emails to see I have 56 unread.
I rub my head slightly before opening the earliest email.
--
"It's Wednesday tomorrow. I'm off." I smirk down the phone to my best friend.
"Lucky you. I start at 9." She sighs. I frown.
"Come on Lucy." I groan. "Come downtown." I giggle, walking to my room. I look in my wardrobe at the dresses.
"Mai, I have no money." She sighs again, down the phone. I place my empty mug into the hot soapy water I had prepared.
"I'll pay? I got an extra 50 of my boss." I hear the line go silent before I finish off, "Don't ask." I laugh. She laughs back before replying.
"Fine. You're also paying for cab home." I hear the smile in her voice.
"If you don't stay elsewhere." I smirks. I put the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I wash my cup. I place it on the drainer before drying my hands with a towel.
"Hush you." She giggles. "Meet me at 9." And with that, she ends the call. I smile to myself as I move the phone from my ear. While grabbing my speaker from the kitchen side, I make my way to the bathroom, preparing for a shower.
a/n - I'm new to all this, don't @ me.
please vote and comment :) It'll help me decide whether to upload the next chapter or not :) x
