153Please respect copyright.PENANAmsNYJ7GZZd
"Lucy, you're working too hard again."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAiwjeP1z0UV
A voice from behind startled me. I jerked in my seat, my chin slipping from my palm where my elbow and hand held my head straight as I napped.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAryVcorRUEn
"Elliot," I grumbled, rubbing my puffy eyes as my panic-induced heart hammered fearfully in my chest. "Don't sneak up on me like that!" I whined, shooting one disgruntled glare before turning back to the stack of paperwork on the desk before me.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA5nEsdyLelg
"If I'm not mistaken," Elliot grinned wickedly as he pulled a chair up beside mine. "Sleeping on the job is a major no-no."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAcZZ3a7PqYv
"If I'm not mistaken, you're a major butt-head." I snapped, my eyes scanning the paperwork that sifted through my fingers.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAmpeZa81q1Z
"How long have you been here?" He sobered, his tone taking that parental edge I hated so much.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA1WDmHNr8Hp
"I don't know." I muttered petulantly, my eyes freezing on an underlined date on one of the contracts.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAlucsrGIbns
Lifting a highlighter from my pencil-cup, I uncapped the yellow marker and highlighted the incorrect date with a stern squeak across the paper.
153Please respect copyright.PENANACsJjU6vsi7
"Lucy—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAwpHXHz8J0Z
"Elliot, I don't have a choice!" I argued, desperate to cut him off before the lecture began.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAGFw7PYJ8I7
"You could ask me for help." He reasoned.
153Please respect copyright.PENANArAALh4tcv9
"You're not in my department.” I hissed. “President fart-breath would never allow it." My eyes darted up to the office with the glass walls where my boss stalked back and forth while arguing with someone on the Bluetooth in his ear.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA86oBQWZyLC
"You're right. I'll go talk to him about cutting your hours." Elliot stood, his eyes dancing with mirth. In three long strides he was nearly out of arm's reach.
Overcome by adrenaline, encouraged by my panic, I launched myself from my seat and tackled the back of his legs.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAJXNeYoeXWy
It wasn't my intention to bring the attention of the whole office down on our noisy clash of bodies, and floor, and Stupid Susan's trash-bin whose neighboring desk stood too closely to mine. But that's exactly what we did.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAxYxxgub99j
"Shit." I hissed, scrambling to my feet beside a frantic Elliot who rose just as quickly— if not quicker— muttering obscenities under his breath while swearing to shave my head after work for drawing the attention of fart-breath boss-man on our unprofessional ruckus.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAUMUESxr3Xd
"Lucy, you've really done it this time. Look he's glaring daggers at us, and— no, don't you dare sit down like you didn't do anything wrong! I'm going to pummel you after— shit, he's coming! Hide, hide, hi—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAA86JnlclqG
"Elliot, a moment please."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAThmA6iLvbX
I heard that deep voice, bearing its constant tone of disapproval that he attacked everyone with, and a shiver raked uncomfortably down my spine. I peeked over my computer just in time to see a fidgety Elliot following behind a ridged fart-breath boss-man.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA3DSxqs0DgF
Ugh, that man, I thought to myself, pressing my fingers into my eyes as I groaned inwardly.
153Please respect copyright.PENANABqlInLdX2c
Dearest Reader, I've painted a gruesome picture of our antagonist, haven't I? Are you imagining a short, stout, overweight, balding middle-aged man with low jowls that vibrate every time he speaks? And whose jelly eyes pop out of their sockets every time he shakes his head vehemently at someone he thoroughly dislikes/disapproves of (which is everybody, by the way)?
153Please respect copyright.PENANAWkgUOQDRRA
Well done, Reader! I suggest you keep that portrait in mind, because the real view is much worse.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAfFOHWRmjeE
Raising my head ever so slightly, I can watch the scolding Elliot receives from behind the glass walls of that frigid office. It's like watching a silent movie; lips moving, but not a voice heard.
153Please respect copyright.PENANApOaH4RFdvq
Those eyes like black coal scorched into my friend’s bowed head, and my knees quaked, and my heart thundered.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAa9WMu30gpi
Because the truth is, my ever-faithful reader, this grotesque monster you've imagined is wildly, unequivocally beautiful.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAI3t5gqO6JC
Mr. Tom Banner, my terrible cross-to-bear Monday through Friday, eight AM to five PM, with his charcoal eyes, his nearly-black hair, his looming height of hey-how's-the-weather-up-there, and that stern set of his jaw that always bristled just a little five O' clock shadow.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAg5KiRWLxQw
From his head to his hands that thumped long agitated fingers when dealing with incompetent employees, to his long, muscular legs, and then down to his massive feet, always dressed in shiny, black or worn brown dress-shoes—
153Please respect copyright.PENANAbbM1Yk4Zv1
What was that, Reader? I'm drooling a little from the corner of my mouth?
153Please respect copyright.PENANAUj5ie3gKKE
Yep, the Greek God I just described was my boss. And I hated him. Why, you ask? Well, obviously, because he's such an up-tight, stiff, impossible to please, rolling in dough, look-but-don't-touch, beautiful specimen of pure muscle and man!
153Please respect copyright.PENANAmbM11zC2m6
Oh, woe is me, I grouched, shaking such unwanted thoughts from my head as I watched like a deer caught in the headlights when my beautiful Greek God of a boss flicked those burning eyes to mine.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAP6DtYIhesA
I ducked.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAWoRoGEnNyR
Elliot ratted me out! No way! That slimy, two-faced, son of a—
153Please respect copyright.PENANAwW6702uA7O
"Lucia, could you join us, please?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAvhndKaoDYw
"Yes, sir." Frowning miserably, I rose to my feet, smooth my wrinkled skirt with trembling hands, and on unsteady feet, I passed my sympathetic desk-mates (except for stupid Susan who just smirked cruely from behind her stupid glasses.)
153Please respect copyright.PENANABg2U7RxMje
Entering the frigid office with its squeaky-clean glass walls, I clasped my hands nervously in front of me, awaiting further instruction as Mr. Tom Banner closed the door behind me.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA4brvd08bH9
"Please sit."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAnD7n4Ezu5c
I do as I'm told, silently sitting in the empty chair beside Elliot, glaring at his absolute betrayal.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAaotjDNaCzg
"Traitor." I hissed. I folded my hands professionally in my lap before giving Mr. Boss Man my undivided attention.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAEeuAyeDSG5
"Ms. Lucia," Mr. Tom Banner, God of all things good-looking and delicious, took a seat behind the large oak desk standing proudly opposite Elliot and I. Intertwining his fingers, he rest his hands on the desk, leaning forward, his stern stare penetrating mine until I shivered beneath the intensity of his gaze.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAmdX86sRky9
"Mr. Lawerence," He waved a hand at Elliot. "Has informed me that your hours are taking a rather fatiguing toll on you."
153Please respect copyright.PENANANxPMDZE0i1
Gasping, my hair whipped around my face at the absolute velocity at which I turned my head to gape incredulously at Elliot.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAgcB6GCK7TB
"It's not!" I turned my attention back to Mr. Boss Man. "It's not." I repeated myself, controlling my temper until I had a private opportunity to slug the traitor who dared rat me out!
153Please respect copyright.PENANA6udrir6i0N
"I'm fine." I continued firmly. "I like the hours. I get paid more for overtime."
153Please respect copyright.PENANA99aINW851z
"I'm aware. I sign your paychecks." He answered with a quirk of one black eyebrow, and I blushed feverishly while maintaining my confident, unblinking stare.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAXLHOmP36A5
"Please, take no offense, Ms. Lucia..."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAhRlaSLlfMo
Argh, I hate the way he speaks to me, the way he says my name, like I'm an endearing child who must be addressed gently. My ancestors were descendants of Vikings! Vikings, I say!
153Please respect copyright.PENANAJjChIeC1eQ
"...but if you're falling asleep at your desk, falling from your chair, and tripping your passing co-workers..."
153Please respect copyright.PENANALuwpyq0RZI
My head whipped back towards Elliot, and I couldn’t contain the hissing expletives that spilled from my mouth. "You lying, traitorous sack of—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANASQ2ekYnRgx
"Ms. Lucia!" Mr. Tom Banner's voice rose as he disapprovingly snapped my name. I jumped in my seat, my guilty eyes sweeping from Elliot's to the stern, daring eyes of my wicked boss. "I'd advise you to keep a professional tone about yourself while you're in this office."
153Please respect copyright.PENANADosrAEMAKo
I fumed.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAOORTobLXy7
"Yes, sir." I growled, lowering my smoldering glower to the white knuckles that clenched fiercely in my lap.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAksKtcFS5F3
"Good." He nodded once, firmly, before continuing. "Now, I will not adjust your hours." Surprised, my head snapped up. "I will, instead, allow you to open interviews for an assistant. You can narrow your candidates down to three, and then I will interview, and we can discuss and decide together who will be your number two. I expect," he continued firmly, "your hours to drop with the help of another in your department. There will be no excuse for overtime, is that clear?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANA6OpMKFJ4wI
"Yes, sir." I answered softly, nodding ever-so-slightly to show my understanding. I sounded so... So... Little.
153Please respect copyright.PENANASfIkCHnHuU
Argh. Damn this man.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAnI75f2zUFR
"Elliot," He turned his attention to my former-friend. "I appreciate your attention towards our youngest team-member. You may go back to your desk."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAoBL9CcVBZL
"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir." Elliot rose, buttoned his work-blazer, and left the cold office, closing the door behind him.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAdjEtgNScBQ
"Lucy?" My eyes found Mr. Tom Banner's, and I couldn't hide the gentle surprise that marred my features at the sound of my less-formal first name on his lips.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA4z282or7Ut
It sounded quite... Nice.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA9jxt6VujPc
Jerk.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAslI7a4ctVV
"Please take no offense when I remind you that you are very young." His voice gentled. It lost the stern edge of bossy professionalism now that Elliot had left the room, and I felt my stiff shoulders relax ever-so-slightly. "I think most youngsters assume that being young is a blessing— allowing you the opportunity to "bounce back."" He shook his head with a kind smile. "On the contrary, Lucy— being young means you still need your rest. You need to eat well, sleep well, and take care of yourself. And from the looks of it, that doesn't sound like what you're doing. Does it?" He quirked that damn eyebrow again and I felt my control slipping.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAbOkQY6gW9S
"No, sir." My little reply, barely audible to my own ears, sounded breathy and… Young.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA7UI8Oz6Lwe
How did he do that?
153Please respect copyright.PENANAVDI4tP6Z06
"How old are you, Lucy?" He asked as if he could read my thoughts.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAa82952eX4K
"Twenty-four."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAP36hFAsUZB
"Straight out of college?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAdsOmMvswfU
"Yes, sir."
153Please respect copyright.PENANACgbqJ1g3Tg
"Right." He nodded. "Take care of yourself. Start interviewing tomorrow." He nodded again, a final gesture that silently ordered me out of the office. I stood, and moved to the door. When he spoke again, my hand froze on the handle.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAVoaZYTgxkG
"And, Lucy?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAwvrEDXJMRZ
I turned.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAwQGTZ8yIlo
"Please come to me if you're in need of anything." He smiled, and I nodded numbly before removing myself from the glass fortress that looked less intimidating now, closing the door softly behind me.
153Please respect copyright.PENANATaHm983lEN
Dear Reader, what the hell just happened?
153Please respect copyright.PENANAGUxKPuKsDi
There's only one possible explanation. I obviously hit my head when I crashed to the floor with Elliot, and was suffering from a post-pass-out hallucination.
153Please respect copyright.PENANABDKDKXjpsi
I would wake at any moment with Mr. Banner hovering over me while strong hands and coal-black eyes gazed into mine, concerned, sweetly asking me if I was okay...
153Please respect copyright.PENANAcoC8AajPlp
Gah!
153Please respect copyright.PENANAbqRbyMejMV
I gripped my head once I found my desk, and dropped my forehead into the cold, brown wood.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAYVRfsZSb4E
This man is going to be the bane of my existence.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAMSioleIL99
Well, at least two weeks passed since my meeting with Mr. Banner, and managing my hours was a dream. And by "dream" I mean that Mr. Boss Man's plan to alleviate some of my overtime, didn't work.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAcddJm2lzPo
I didn't receive that many applicants for the position of number two in the sales department of my exhausting job, and the ones I did receive were under qualified, too young, too old (uh oh, here comes an ageist law-suit) or too...blech.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAi3s7cAWJgM
Don't be so quick to judge, my Ever-Patient Reader. I was perfectly allowed to be picky in my hiring process. You see, I was technically a wedding coordinator, while also maintaining the position of Sales Director. My job was to sign new clients, before passing them to the wedding coordinator (which was me.)
153Please respect copyright.PENANANN8FKCTb8l
Whoever I hired would take the load of long wedding days, bitchy brides, and flower disasters, etc. and there needs to be a reasonable amount of experience in that. Whether they studied Hospitality and Tourism in college, or worked in sales, or perhaps they're tech-savvy, which means they would pick up on our software quicker than someone who isn’t...
153Please respect copyright.PENANAZR2gQvdN2Z
"Ms. Lucia, a moment." Mr. Tom Banner's voice snapped my head from the stack of resumes that cluttered my desk. His mouth was set in a firm line, and my stomach did a little flip as I stood and followed him back to his glass-fortress of doom.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAjpIYhteWIV
Did I do something wrong? He certainly looked more displeased than usual. There was the little something about my hiring an assistant by now, but surely...
153Please respect copyright.PENANAB0AIvBLvrm
"Ms. Lucia," I cringed. So we were back to formalities. "I'm growing impatient. You've had two weeks to interview and narrow your candidates down for me, and while I understand your busy work-load, I cannot shake the incessant feeling that you're being stubborn in your decision making."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAJSg6q9VXYb
I sucked my lower lip into my mouth and chewed on it nervously. When his coal-black eyes flashed to my mouth, his expression darkened, and I slowly, clumsily released the hold my teeth held on my bottom lip.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA9wplkbH7AQ
Surely my delay in hiring an assistant wasn't the reason behind his foul mood. That seemed like such a minor thing in the whole messy empire he had to run daily.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAcyB4iDUyjS
"Well," my voice escaped in a nervous squeak— damn this man for making me feel so small— and I watched his eyes gentle as he patiently waited for my explanation. "I just don't think I've found the right one yet, sir. I'm not receiving the right kind of applicants. If I were to hire any of the applicants on my desk today, I would be training them for several weeks, if not more before they could possibly work on their own, and I know that I won't have time to do that." I finished in a desperate plea, trying my hardest to convey my genuine effort in getting this done, but being without the proper tools to do so.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAnIHmNUCjJN
Mr. Tom Banner stared at me for one achingly long moment, his eyes scanning over my profile. I blushed beneath his scrutiny, knowing he was taking in my wrinkled blouse, frazzled hair, and dark circles beneath my eyes.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA86Hz1IL5ZY
"And are you taking better care of yourself, Lucy?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAaXV4cWGksl
My heart did an excited little flip at the sound of my desired-name on his lips.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAwWjkCuh0VH
Traitorous heart.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAY4Stl4f23R
"Well, I—I—" I fidgeted in my seat, my hands nervously clutched in my lap. "I thought that wouldn't be entirely obtainable until I had the opportunity to find someone—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAsUoPRfHjbF
"Lucy, that was never the agreement." He interrupted, shaking his head disapprovingly as that damned mouth set back into its firm line. "I know for certain that you do not spend every waking moment of your time here. So, when you are home, I imagine you have time to properly eat? And rest? And..." his gaze drifted to my hair. "...bathe?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANA1CbANDJrez
"Well, I am here a lot, but to an extent, yes—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANALYWCBid8hA
"And, if I'm not mistaken, you don't bring lunch with you, hmm?" He quirked an eyebrow.
153Please respect copyright.PENANA6pNuoaug2T
"Uhm," Little Lucy's voice made another unwanted appearance.
153Please respect copyright.PENANANiSzOBBU7y
"And when your coworkers leave for lunch at mid-day, you do not accompany them."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAm6Xdpk9zA7
"Well, I—"
153Please respect copyright.PENANA5lNm4u7Iwq
"Lucy, I want you to listen carefully to me." Mr. Tom Banner leaned forward in his seat, and clasped his hands on the massive desk that stood between us. "While I cannot monitor your well-being at home, I can when you're here, under my surveillance from 8AM to 5PM, and I insist you take better care of yourself. Starting tomorrow, you will bring lunch to work, and you will take an hour to yourself in the middle of the day, is that understood?"
153Please respect copyright.PENANAUBa21spAn8
I nodded, stunned, before immediately shifting my nod to a nervous shake of my head. His eyebrows raised so I hastily explained: "I have a wedding tomorrow— I'll be at Harcourt Square all day."
153Please respect copyright.PENANANaPKa8c0Ey
"Then you'll find a quiet moment to stop, and see to your own needs."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAFODvRc9gvo
Dearest Reader, how do I tell my stubborn boss that THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A QUIET MOMENT ON A WEDDING DAY.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAPd1141nLbl
I nodded my head, and murmured a contrite: "yes sir."
153Please respect copyright.PENANAWODyP6flGo
"Thank you." His voice gentled and the corners of his mouth quirked in a slight smile. I stilled in my seat and forgot how to breathe.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAbe9aezdRcJ
At that moment, I looked into the future to find an opportunity to stop and feed myself tomorrow. I wanted to give him what he wanted, which was that I take care of myself. I wanted to say yes again, and again, and again, just to receive that rare smile he bestowed upon me.
153Please respect copyright.PENANAulXEWFoRYu
"Now, for the time being, I would like you to snag somebody from another department— preferably accounting or HR, as we have an abundance of those employees— to help you until you've decided on an applicant."
153Please respect copyright.PENANALSQkDF92f4
A wicked glint shimmered in my eyes as I smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, sir. I know just who to ask."
ns 172.70.126.195da2