Toothpaste

Sometimes our feelings for someone are so intense that we can't draw the line between "love" and "hate."

Heidi Fissle, a hardworking and well-meaning young woman, is set on success in her new copywriting career. Alexander Santos, Heidi's polar opposite, is set on acquiring the top position in his field, no matter the lengths he must go to. When these coworkers meet, they can't stand each other. As anger and jealousy surface between them, another passionate emotion slips through the cracks.

**

Heidi closed her folder and made a note of her next meeting. She caught a glimpse of dark red from the corner of her left eye. She turned in that direction and saw Alexander clinking his wine glass with his comrades. He took a drink and looked in her direction. She turned her head and pretended to text. He made his way towards her.

"Hey," he said. "I liked your commercial idea. It was very-captivating. Just thought you should know." The superciliousness in his voice rattled her.

"You think toothpaste is captivating?" Heidi asked in a mocking tone.

He chuckled, the dimples on the ends of his lips becoming more prominent. "You're funny. I enjoyed our first advertising spar."

"And it'll be our last because my idea for the next floss commercial will blow yours out of the water."

"I love the ambition, but unfortunately, it's not up to you who acquires the next win."

"But it's up to you, isn't it?" She spat, every fiber in her body scathing.

"Whatever do you mean?"

She lowered her voice. "I saw you flirting with the company manager. That was such an obvious ploy to get her to choose your idea."

His innocent smile turned into a carny smirk. "Wow, you're very perceptive. I'm impressed."

"Do you actually think it's appropriate to make those kinds of advances on your superior?"

"No, of course not." Alexander shrugged. "But if it gets me closer to the top position, it's worth it."