Chapter 2 (Glad to see you again)

"Morning"

That's it? That's all she can say to me? I must have entered the wrong room. She thought still wondering what to say next.

The lady was flipping through few pages in her hand and Jasmine couldn't help feeling uneasy. Managers are supposed to look friendly and communicative but that wasn't the case with Sandra.

"You can go and start your work. Alice will be your guide for today," she said after taking all the time on Earth.

"Okay ma'am. Thank you! Have a good day ma'am," Jasmine left the room without uttering anything more than required.

Is this the office I've to work in? Work under someone who seems like she's never smiled in her lifetime. Good luck to me... 

She walked into her department and looked around observing her new work place when she was warmly greeted by a lady who looked similar to her age.

"Hi I'm Alice. I'm appointed as your guide for today", she softly said and hugged Jazz.

"I'm..." before she could say anything further Alice spoke.

"Jasmine Reyes. I know that", she smiled.

"Yeah but I'd like you to call me Jazz, I'm more used to my nickname than my real one", she said maintaining the smile.

"Okay then Jazz, come I'll show you around. Follow me," she said leading the way.

She took her time as she saw her new department. It was huge just as its name and reputation. She figured that Alice was also an intern there.

"When did you start your internship?" Jazz asked her breaking the silence that was there for 2 whole minutes.

"A week ago", she replied.

That rang a bell in her head. A person appeared in her mind that she'd forgotten about for a while now, Stefen. He said he also started his internship a week ago. She doubted if they knew each other since Alice was also from the management department and she was appointed in Accounts section for the time being. Though she was curious she thought asking Alice would make her look like an idiot who suddenly got interested in a handsome guy whom she'd met only twice so far and spoken only once. Then another bell rang in her head when she suddenly remembered what he'd said before parting their ways this morning.

"I'll see you at lunch", that strong yet soft voice of his roamed around her head like a cupid.

"Lunch", she uttered softly before even thinking.

"Oh well lunch is at 12:30" Alice answered to the question that wasn't exactly a question. 

"That's cool", she said not wanting to make Alice suspect her.

***

Glad to see you again Jazz. He smirked walking towards his department as he left her outside the manager's office.

She's turned out to be a beautiful lady, more beautiful than she was as a child but with the same tongue. He thought and let out an involuntary sweet smile .

He heard her every time she spoke without thinking but he pretended that he didn't so she need not be embarrassed.

I swear it was hard to control my laughter. He recalled their encounter and chuckled. 

A smile was fixed on his face and he didn't even know about it until he was brought back to reality by his friend.

"Are you okay buddy?" Jack said with a surprised face. Jack was Stefen's bestfriend and also an intern there. They joined the company together. He's the best... sometimes.

"Yeah, I'm good. What about you? When did you arrive?" Stefen questioned.

"I arrived just few minutes ago and you have no idea whom I was stuck with in the lift." He said in an annoyed tone.

"As far as it wasn't a dinosaur or any of your EXs, I guess it is okay?" he laughed annoying him even more.

"I was in the lift with Sandra; our so called manager." Jack let out a long sigh. "I mean would the sky fall if she talks in a polite way or would it hurt her cheeks to stretch a bit and smile? Someone needs to give her a lesson on how to relax." He said in a small tone, well aware that if someone hears him saying that he'll be in a situation that is termed as 'trouble' in the English Dictionary.

"Don't be so mean. It's not her choice to be rude; her position demands her to be strict or else no one would take her seriously and they'd try to take advantage of her." he tried to put some sense in his head. "By the way thanks for occupying the lift today." he smiled as he remembered his meeting with Jazz this morning.

"Yeah buddy, no problem..."Jack replied in seconds. "Wait what? THANKS FOR OCCUPYING THE LIFT, what does that mean?" he yelled at him. "You're thanking me because I was stuck in that lift with Sandra? Do you have any idea what she told me? She said that she's been noticing how I leave early for lunch-break and she was about to call me in her office today to talk about it or more like WARN me," he said in an annoyed tone.

"But that's true."

"Seriously, you too are taking her side." He said faking pain in his voice.

"I'm saying what the truth is Jack."

"Then, what am I supposed to do? The canteen gets crowded so soon during lunch-break. Should I skip my favorite spaghetti because our lady manager is MISS PUNCTUAL", he emphasized the last two words.

The thought of lunch-break brought back in Stefen's smile. He remembered the plan of having lunch with Jazz though he didn't hear her answer but he thought it wasn't needed. She was new there which means she won't be having many or any friends and no one wants to sit alone and have lunch right? 

I'm going to be there for her. I won't let her go, at least not before I confess, at least not this time.He thought being a little upset but immediately had a smile on his face with the thought of meeting her again in his life.

"You know what man I know you're undoubtedly very handsome but it's kind of creepy when you smile so often without any specific reason," Jack said being a little scared or pretending to be scared.

"Yeah, right" he replied and threw a file on his face in a way to end the topic.

"But seriously, what is wrong with you? Did your dog find his bride or something? I mean I've been noticing you since the time you arrived. You've been smiling more than a normal person should be on working hours," he said raising his one eyebrow.

"Nothing, I feel like today's a very good day and I hope to spend it well" he replied not wanting to reveal anything about Jazz.

Jack was a bit playboy kind of guy. Therefore, he didn't want him to know about Jazz... not yet.

She's mine to take care of until she accepts it or refuses it. Either way is okay with me.