Melissa: Swallow your pride for once and accept it. You need something to focus on.
Staring at the screen, I considered what Melissa wrote. It would be a way to redeem myself in his eyes—not that I cared what he thought of me. I was no angel but I also wasn’t the hot-tempered girl he probably thought I was. I could be civil and courteous. I wasn’t a wild animal. But mostly, I needed a focal point. Idling wasn’t good for me. Before I could talk myself out of it, I replied to the email guaranteeing I’d be there and on time.
Erica: Yay! Welcome to adult life.
Christina: Housewife, you haven’t reached that point. David pays your bills.
Erica: I hope you get hit by a bus tomorrow.
Christina: Not happening.
Melissa: Have you apologized???
Christina: I’ll do it tomorrow.
Erica: You won’t last a day.
Christina: How much of Dave’s money you wanna bet?
The more I thought about the offer, the more it felt like a challenge. My sole purpose was proving to Ezra that I was able to share an environment with other humans while being professional and well-mannered. I wasn’t crazy.
Bright and early I got to the office. Ezra was the first to arrive after me and unlocked the doors without an acknowledgment. I trailed along behind him. He went about as though I wasn’t there, settled behind his computer and began working on his computer.
I stood immobile, by a table on the other side of the room, not knowing what to do or say, watching his back. The only sound made was the stroke of his fingers on the keyboard.
I could have started with an apology. That was my plan. However, upon seeing his childlike behavior, I decided he didn’t deserve the apology I had prepared anymore.
“What an ass.” I couldn’t be entirely sure that I didn’t say the words out loud.
“Hey, you,” Stacie cheered, walking in, holding Frank’s hand. I noticed the engagement ring on her finger. Frank kissed her temple, waved to me with that sexy smile of his and continued to his desk. “I was surprised when Ezra informed us that you were coming in today.” She sniggered. “I mean can you blame me?”
My face and ears flushed and I shifted on weight embarrassed.
“Here, let me help you get settled,” she said, offering a smile meant to say, “Relax. We’re good.” I followed Stacie as she gave me a tour of the premises.
“The bathrooms are down the hall.” Stacie pointed forward. “We share this floor with other offices but the bathrooms are always clean.” She showed me to a room across from the office. “This is the breakroom—it’s strictly ours—you can use whatever is in there. Food in the fridge is labeled. If there’s no label, it’s up for grabs. That’s the rule. And that’s it.”
At the end of the tour, I met Vinnie, the actual boss. He was friendly and said that if Ezra picked me, he was confident his nephew made the right choice.
We sauntered back into the office. Ezra hadn’t moved. He was deeply engrossed with work and perhaps didn’t notice when I passed by him and took a seat behind the desk opposite to his. We were separated by a thin, blue divider. Sienna was next to me and I didn’t like the vibe she was throwing off. She kept peeking at me from the corner of her eye. I looked at the computer screen and there was a blue note stuck to it.
Good morning Miss Garza,
Hans is the name of the account you’ll be working on.
There is a file on the computer with the same name
and check your email to see what Mr. Hans requires.
If you have any questions, ask Stacie for help.
—Ezra
I rolled my eyes. I searched for supplies and wrote out a response on a yellow sticky notepad I found and stuck the note to his side of the wall.
Good morning Mr. E. Collin,
Noted!
—Christina
“New girl,” Vinnie called. “Bring me coffee, please.”
Everyone except Ezra chuckled.
“Yes, sir,” I said, leaping out of my seat but halfway to the door, I froze. “Stacie, how does he take his coffee?”
She shrugged. “Ask Ezra, he’s the one who used to do that till yesterday.”
I sensed she knew and elected not to tell me. Probably her way of encouraging me to talk to Ezra. I wasn’t going to fall for her trap. I ran to my desk and wrote another note.
How does he take his coffee?
I stuck it on his side and drummed my fingers on the desk waiting for an answer. A hand finally appeared from the other side and stuck a note on my wall.
Black.
Chapter Seven
Ezra
One week completed and no outbursts. During that time, not a single word was exchanged between us. I even stopped making my morning announcements to avoid saying her name. Christina was sharp and shrewd with her work. Vinnie was warming up to her and Stacie already loved her.
She was nice to everyone except me. Occasionally, when our eyes met, she glared and I snapped my gaze away. It was funny how we’d known each other for years without actually knowing one another.
This morning I arrived before anyone else to print and file documents. The printer zoomed reproducing the digital documents into the paper tray. The door office door ticked open and after a second it was shut, the sound of heels clinking made me look over my shoulder. Of course, it had to be her.
She took off her coat showcasing yet another stunning outfit. It was a white dress with a thin purple belt around the waist. Everything she wore was office appropriate, and attention-grabbing because of her goddamn curves.
Our gaze locked. She didn’t make a face this time. She merely looked back with a neutral expression. No smile. No frown either. I looked away and fixed the papers into a stack as more documents were being ejected from the printer. She moved around the office, her shoes telegraphing every step she took, and then I heard the sound of a chair sliding against the tiles.
The printer beeped declaring the end of the task. I took the remaining papers and added them to the pile. I spun, moving towards the filing cabinets only to have my steps stutter to a halt. I anticipated she’d be sitting at her desk, however, I was wrong.
She was standing against the wall. One leg outstretched on top of the chair by her desk, effectively blocking my passage.
To get from where I was to the other side, I had to go through her. The gap between the wall and cubicles was narrow and with her standing there it was impossible to get through. Christina extended her hand, examining the pink polish coating her nails as if unmindful of her actions.
Was this her stupid way of forcing me to acknowledge her? Well, she had another thing coming. Things were perfect the way they were.
Straightening my posture, I took five steps forward. When I stretched my leg to leap over hers, she swiftly pulled away—back pressed to the wall. I went on, pushing past her.
Our bodies touched and our eyes met. I stopped, taking in her perfume. I’d smelled it before, just never as close. The fragrance wasn’t sweet or fruity, it was fresh and made me think of ice. I kept my gaze on hers and for the first time, I noticed how pretty she was. She was wearing makeup but it wasn’t overt. I saw a few freckles dispersed around her nose. Her eyes were deep cocoa and captivating. Not because of the color or the sparkle in them but because of the unspoken words that swirled within them.