I stared at him dumbfounded. I didn't think I'd see him again, much less at my office. He hadn't registered my presence yet, but the red-head seated beside him seemed to, because she got up as I walked toward them."Are you from Miranda's office?" she asked me.I looked at him again. This time, his eyes met mine and I watched as his face moved in recognition. So, he remembered me. I had made up excuses for him in my head. Maybe he didn't show up because he was too drunk to remember, maybe he didn't remember what I looked like.Except, from the look on his face, he remembered alright. I could see the guilt in his eyes as he quickly avoided eye contact with me.But what was he doing here? Who's the redhead, and why were they looking for Miranda?Then it clicked. Samuel? Samuelson Inc? Could he be? No, he can't be. That was too far fetched. There's no way I met the CEO of an exclusive fashion brand at a club. That's impossible."Could she be the reason he didn't show up that night?"
The rest of my day passed by in a flurry. I tried so hard to focus on my work, but I couldn't stop myself from throwing longing glances at Miranda's office, secretly hoping that I could see him before he left. However, I had made my stand. If he was going to apologize, it was going to be on my terms.He couldn't just say sorry and everything would be okay, especially when I had started to open myself to other possibilities. My mind was a tangled web, and I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to untangle it.I avoided Mike for the rest of the day, unsure of my feelings for him. I didn't want to confuse him with any mindless flirtation or sultry glances. I hid in my corner like a coward, and I slithered home smoothly."Nice work Leah," I thought to myself.When I got home, I tossed my bag aside and I laid on the floor, my legs splayed out beneath me."Tough day?" Marcella asked, coming in from the kitchen with a tall glass of iced tea."The toughest. You would not believe what happ
I woke up on Thursday morning with mixed feelings. There was the excitement to see Declan again, anxious to see how the day turned out, and a bit of anger still lingering from last week. Declan had chosen the coffee shop a few minutes away from the office; the same coffee shop Mike asked me out to."What are you doing, Leah?" I thought to myself as I did my makeup. I picked up the red lipstick from that night. I eyed it before running it across my lips as a test for Declan.I had to be strategic about my outfit today. It needed to be said that Leah Garcia is sexy, independent, classy and unbothered by the schemes of the opposite sex. I smiled as I ran my hands across my royal blue silk dress.I guess denim would have to wait today, because this was the one.I put it on, loving how it stopped just above my knee, and how the color complimented my brown eyes. With a smile, I tied my hair up, and put on my black stiletto heels."Are you ready?" Marcella called out.I joined her in th
I stared at the note from Mike, suddenly realizing how complicated things had gotten. I had agreed to go on a date with Mike and Declan on the same day. Even though I was mad at Declan for not showing up, I believed he had a reasonable explanation and I wanted to give him a chance to explain.That meant that I had to cancel on Mike; a task I wasn't looking forward to, especially after he had sent this note. I sighed in frustration. The excitement from my meeting/date with Declan was wearing off. I had to let Mike know today, but how?"I know that face," Tracy said, coming up behind me.I stared at her innocently. "What face?""Furrowed eyebrows, that 'woe is me' sigh? Spill!" Kevin chimed in, standing at the other side of my desk."I don't think I should," I said, unsure about sharing.Tracy nudged my shoulder playfully. "Come on, Leah. We've traded so much gossip to feature in a sh*tty reality show.""Office gossip," I corrected.Kevin eyed me suspiciously. "And this isn't?"
My week was a rollercoaster. It had a perfect balance of good, bad and downright shocking days. Still, I was glad that I was ending it on a good note. Besides, what was better than a Friday night dinner with the newest CEO and most eligible bachelor in town?I couldn't think of anything else at the moment.I successfully avoided Mike for most of the day, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't escape the occasional check-ins accompanied with a complimentary coffee and bagel to 'help me feel better.' I smiled weakly every time he turned up at my desk, perfectly hiding the excitement I felt for tonight's upcoming event.When I finished for the day, I was out of the office at the speed of light. I snuck out like the coward I truly was."You're leaving early," I heard Mike say, looking delicious as always in a green corduroy shirt and jeans.It seems I'm not very good at sneaking out because I always get caught. Playing the sick card again, I placed a hand on my forehead. "I just n
Declan made small talk, expertly avoiding the elephant in the room. I cooperated, because well… food. He seemed more comfortable the moment the topic of that night had been dropped.Postponed, not dropped. I was definitely getting my answers.The food, however, was phenomenal. I moaned internally every time I took a bite. At least I knew that where food was concerned, I could trust him.He seemed satisfied with himself as he watched me eat, but I didn't want him to think the way to my heart was through my stomach. That was partly true, but still.I was filled with a strange sense of loss when the waiter cleared the table. Declan seemed to notice. "You're enjoying yourself, aren't you?""The food was great. Give my thanks to Tony.""He'll be glad to hear it.""Are you done playing hide and seek?""What do you mean?""You know what I mean.""Alright," he sighed and raised his hands up. "What do you want to know?""The same question I've been asking all week. I don't think I ha
I was sweating and my heart was pounding as I tried to process what just happened. Nothing made sense right now. What did she mean by bringing his secret to her? How was I going to do that anyways?I took three breaths in an attempt to collect myself before responding calmly. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean.""I want an exposé on Declan Samuelson. I want you to cover him. Do your research, find what he's hiding and write the piece. Sound simple enough?"Why was she convinced he was hiding something? And why me? "But that's not my department," I voiced out."I decide who gets to work on what in this place, and I decided that I want you to work on this," she paused. "You don't want to work on this?"I stared at her, conflicted. I couldn't tell my boss no, and there was no way I could write an expose on Declan. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.We had just ironed things out between us, and now this?"But he wouldn't tell me anything if he knows nothing good would come o
For the past week, I'd been overly excited to see Declan, ecstatic even. Today, however, was a different story. I dreaded it.The meeting with Declan was by 9am, so Miranda asked me to go right there and not bother going to the office first. That was just what I needed, because I didn't need to see her smug, evil face again telling me, do this Leah, do that Leah, follow Declan around Leah. I was sick of it.I pulled out a black pant suit, wanting to look cold and distant, a look Miranda perfected. I guess I was becoming her after all. The low bun suited my mood perfectly, and I'd decided to not wear any makeup.The cab ride to Declan's company was slow and long. I wished it was longer, but eventually, we slowed to a stop, and it was time for me to face him.I walked in like a lamb for slaughter, wondering how I'd approach him, speak to him, or even look at him. It was so hard, because the last time I saw him, things were so good and he would be expecting THAT Leah. Unfortunately, M