Hiding Within The Betrayal

Chapter Twenty Seven: Splash of milk, one sugar

There were plenty of occasions where I turned up late to the office. Often it was down to being out late the night before and waking up in some strangers bed: having to go home for a shower. I never left the house without being presentable. If like yesterday, I was staying in and expected no one then it was an exception to the rules. Staying in last night's loungewear when you are home alone is understandable. Today was no exception.

When I woke, there was a text to greet me.

From Patrick.

I felt a smile at my lips the moment I saw his name on my screen. My mood was instantly so much brighter then it would have otherwise been. I would often struggle to get to work for nine each morning, no matter the amount of sleep I'd had. Though he did return to work after seeing me yesterday afternoon, we called as soon as he left the office and spoke pretty much the entire night.

Since I was awake early, least of all on time, I opted to do my hair. My hair was naturally pretty straight and since it was just above the shoulders it looked like a roast chestnut blunt bob cut. Given the time, however, I decided to give some definition to it, using a hair wand to give myself beach waves. I barely ever had time to do something with my hair, when I got the opportunity, I never had a reason to bother. When I was done, I checked myself over in the mirror to make sure I didn't look like an idiot. I searched the top draw of the downstairs dresser and selected a coral lipstick; only a little riskier than my usual nude.

My drive to work was pleasant.

Few people on the roads and I didn't hit every traffic light for once. Maybe that's what it is to not be rushing around. I got through the office doors five minutes before nine. Should have taken a photo and framed it. There were a few members of staff dotted around as I had four members start at half eight and Tess who was paid from nine but always started fifteen minutes before. Paranoid that she wouldn't be able to get through the day's schedule otherwise.

Her head lifted from the desk at the sound of my heels. She was completely baffled by my appearance, "What happened to you?" She contemptuously remarked.

"Nice to see you too!" I huffed with a smile.

She sat up, unaware that she had accidentally knocked the phone off the hook. Checking the time, twice over she then examined my hair, "Myra, though you look nice, hair like a runway model and everything, this can't be you can it? Turning up to work not just on time but early?" A smile webbed from cheek to cheek, "I'll take whatever you've had."

Grinning, "That's either a backhanded compliment or you being a bitch. I can be on time Tess. Since I wasn't in a rush this morning, I thought that it would be a nice change to spruce it up a bit you know?"

She folded her arms and nodded sarcastically, "Yeah, yeah alright. Who are you trying to impress?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I don't need to impress anyone," I told her sternly.

Though I didn't need to, it didn't mean that I hadn't hoped to. From the corner of my eye, I tried to act as if I didn't see who had just made themselves a coffee. I didn't need to see it made to know what went in it, a splash of milk and one sugar. The only way that he would take his coffee. Detective Patrick Callaghan.

Heading over to the group I had assigned him to for the previous case. His attention was diverted from the members of staff as he noticed me there. I bit my lip feeling his presence on me. I couldn't help but feel amazing about the fact that he was fully checking me out.
"Myra?" Tess questioned, her eyes darting over the office.

"Yeah?" I stated sharply, making sure she had my full attention.

Her face turned from confusion to understanding, "Oh okay, I see." she grinned, gesturing me to turn around. He had realized Tess's attention and politely smiled to the pair of us before returning to his conversation trying to cover the fact that he had just been caught red-handed.

"Right well," I began to Tess, "time to get on with the case at hand. Is Brileigh in yet?"

Tess rolled her eyes, "Cut the crap. What's going on with Callaghan?"

"Nothing," I told her, "why?"

She kept her voice low, "Come on, the way he was gawking at you just now. The flirty looks you've been giving one another lately."

I decided to shrug it off, "Haven't noticed to be honest maybe your delusional."

She completely ignored me and continued her train of thought, "Dare I even ask why he needed to see you so urgently yesterday? You haven't kicked off at him in a while for pointless shit.

Where did all the hatred go to? Oh my god, have you shagged him?"

"Tess!" I warned, checking around to ensure that no one heard her.

She scrunched up her face, "What happened to, 'I don't get off with my staff' or whatever you said the other week?"

I bit my lip choosing to blank her, "when Brileigh gets in I'll have a coffee and I need to see the evidence folder that was worked on yesterday."

Realizing the phone was off the hook, she slid it back on. Giving up with trying to get information out of me, "Right sure. An Irish coffee yeah?"

"Yeah," I told her and turned away, "actually..." I turned back to her and shook my head, "Not today, no." I thought for a second about a way to avoid her questioning my decision, "Got a little bit hungover the night before last, put me off the thought yesterday. Had a hangover. I'll just have a regular coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar."

She nodded, "You seriously have a drinking problem, let's see how long you last without alcohol, I'll let her know when she starts."