COFFEE BEANS AND SPILLS.

CHARLOTTE’S POINT OF VIEW.

I pushed my phone deep inside my pocket for the third time in five minutes, my chest clenching and tightening in anger at the sight of the name on my screen. My boyfriend Lucas was ever so persistent…too bad, he didn’t know how to apply the same stalkerish behaviour to treat me like a decent human being.

Every time I thought of his name, my mind was plagued with the sight I walked in on not even twelve hours ago. I thought I could rush home, tell my parents I’d finally gotten the job, and I could be an intern at Thornewood PR!

  My phone rings again just as I rush into the elevator, trying to balance the tray of coffee in my hands. I focused on the rising numbers on the top, climbing higher and higher until it would stop at the 44th floor. 

I didn’t want to look at myself in the reflective walls of the elevator, not see my reddened eyes, cold water couldn’t get rid of, or the dryness of my lips. My brows furrowed at the sight of it, and I pulled out my balm, applied it, and took several deep breaths. 

‘It’s going to be okay, Char….you’re okay.’ Just then, the elevator doors pushed open to reveal the scowling face of my team lead, Maria. Her blonde hair nearly whips past my face as she turns around, high-heeled legs clinking on the marble floors, supermodel body swishing stylishly. “You’re late, intern.: she hissed, her condescending eyes glaring at my outfit.

I had on a plain shirt and a pantsuit, barely having time to pack up from home because of what I saw, so I dashed into the nearest store, picked the cheapest stuff out, and rushed to work this morning. 

“I….there was some traffic.” I started, but stopped, pausing, the words in my throat as she turned to stare at me abruptly,…well, glare actually.

“Listen, this company, Thornewood PR, has no place for interns who give excuses or cannot make themselves available before we even ask for them. If you know something as little as traffic, or a clear heartbreak will prevent you from doing your job, let me know now so I can take this from your hands before we walk into the conference room.”

 I gulped and choked out. “It won't happen again, ma’am.”

“Oh, please, Charlotte…call me Maria.” She smiles now, the act genuine before it falls quicker than I can even see it, and turns around to continue her strut. We stopped at a grand door, and she turned to stare at me again, her expression suddenly as serious as a graveyard.

“Listen, Charlotte…you’re new here, so I’ll be kind enough to let you know. The room we’re about to enter is more like a shark’s lair. You do not look anyone in the eyes, speak to anyone, breathe, or even seem present enough for them to notice you.

And you can leave either, not without them dismissing you.

The man in the highest chair? Don’t you dare stay five feet close to him….I’m serious, count your steps, and make sure you’re exactly five steps behind, understood?

Please…for your sake.” She nearly winces at me, and all I can do is nod, because I don’t know what to say…

With that, the knocks softly, the sound barely audible, but a few seconds after, someone pushes it open from inside, giving us a chance to walk inside. The moment we stepped in, the air in the conference room slapped my face. It was freezing, so freezing, I had to fight the urge to shiver, but my body could barely take it, so I did; however, it seems someone noticed me… because the moment I walked in, I felt heavy eyes digging into the side of my face.

 Shrugging the feeling off, I followed behind Maria, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. She stops in front of someone, probably the boss, because to the side of her, I can see the top of the chair, and how high it is compared to that of others.

It is then that I notice that we are five steps behind….

“Mr. Thornewood, the intern has brought your coffee, just as you specified in the memo this morning, sir.” For a moment, the entire room is silent, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Then, with the wave of a hand, someone speaks…finally.

“She can go ahead and serve, Miss Bridges.” And with that, Maria turns to me, giving me a curt nod, her eyes narrowing at me to not screw up. I gulped, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart before I started serving everyone. Placing the coffee on each table, I made my way past each of them while they conversed as if I didn’t exist.

I kept my head down, as low as possible, while trying to remain invisible as Maria ordered. Then, I served the last person before the highest chair. Without saying a word, I stood exactly five steps away, my hand stretching the coffee towards whoever would collect it.

Then, the conversation suddenly stopped. I felt everyone now staring at me….making me feel like the earth would gobble me up. “Miss Venus….place the coffee in the waiting hands of Mr. Richards, right now,” Maria ordered, her words through gritted teeth. The thing is, I wanted to do it; however, my head was down,  as were my eyes, meaning I couldn’t see anyone or anything other than the damn floor.

“Miss Venus, Mr Thornewood has ordered that you may step forward….at least eight steps forward, and look up.” I heard someone say, and I stifled the urge to release a sigh of relief.

Just as I did as was ordered, the worst thing happened…..

 One, someone stuck a leg out, sending me to the floor, spilling hot coffee all over the floor, and onto the slacks of Mr. Thornewood!

Then, to cap it all off, my pants, the ones I bought this morning? I heard a loud rip the second I fell, and felt the fabric literally tear apart in the crotch area. 

 Finally, in my mortification, I looked up without meaning to, only to meet the icy green eyes of the one man I loathe more than anything in the world;

My boyfriend’s older brother, Adonis Thornewood….my CEO.