EVERETTI rush back to my office quickly, pick up the file and convert the document on my computer into a PDF file to send to his email. Then I print out the copies from the PDF file while putting my recommendations behind the back of the papers in the file as an additional document, and then break into a run to sprint back to the elevators.After pressing the buttons on the operating panel with shaky fingers, I fish out my phone from my pocket to check the time on my phone and realise that there's barely a minute left in his so-called 'I have six minutes before I head out for that meeting.'While I hold my breath for another minute, the doors slide open, and his muscular back comes into view. His silhouette almost feels sad, and I thwart the feeling of wanting to hug him to comfort him.Where did that feeling come from, again?"Mr Thorne?" My voice is soft. "Here's the file you needed, and I've put my personal recommendations in the back of the file. I think you might need them." The
WAYLONI stare at her from the corner of my eye as I drive the car to the expensive lounge for the business lunch meeting. She doesn't look at me as she stares out of the car's window, focusing her gaze on the passing trees nearby. My mind jumps from one thing to another. I try to concentrate again on the bullet points in my head till I can't anymore.Then a thought registers itself in my mind.Did I really make Ms Fischer uncomfortable by asking her to accompany me?When I clear my throat, she doesn't even bat an eyelash. It's like I don't even exist for her at this moment.Fine.I'll let her be.After driving my car through a steep street, we finally arrive at the lane in front of the restaurant building. I halt the car on the long street path facing the restaurant, and a valet quickly emerges to take care of the parking.I slide out of the driver's seat and bring my briefcase with the new reports in my hands. I softly cuss under my breath because Finn has chosen a fine day like tod
EVERETTMr Thorne stands next to me in the elevator and then backs off from the conversation for the second time since I've decided to keep him company. He seems detached from me and his surroundings. The sole reason I'm here with him is that he proposed the idea, and he wanted me to come. I made the mistake of complying with it. Blowing out a sigh as my eyes flit from his face to the metal doors, I wonder why he is behaving like I'm some imposition when he was practically the one who asked me to tag along.I can't believe he's ignoring me.And he's not even trying to hide his condescension.Well, what did I think?That he would actually care enough to be honest with me?Why won't he acknowledge that having me around sets him off for some reason?And the fact he didn't want my help in the first place was because he thought I was incompetent.He forced himself to request my help because of extenuating circumstances.The sole reason he came to me with the offer to create and complete th
WAYLONI loosen the tie around my neck after the client leaves, and I sit back on the seat, exhaling a huge sigh. I need a few seconds to recoup before I put out another fire or maybe check in with Finn about what other fires he had been putting out today to stand me up for the meeting."Well, that was quite stressful." Ms Fischer's voice comes out in waves. "For a minute there, I thought we'll lose him, but with good grace, he accepted the new proposal I put forth at the last minute. It all passed quickly."With a small smile playing on my lips, I nod."Thankfully, we managed to do what we set out to do, and now I think we should head back for the office."Ms Fischer blinks at me, tipping her chin towards me to run a finger over her lower lip. "You're probably right. We should head back. I still have a bit of work to catch up on."Raising the glass of cold water to my lips, I gulp down the liquid and then rise from my seat. I pivot to take lofty strides towards the bar's entrance af
EVERETTWe'll fix it somehow.His words reverberate in my head. Tears spill from my eyes as if someone has turned on a faucet behind my eyes.Why am I even crying so much in front of a stranger?But is Mr Thorne a stranger?He has to be.Seeing he doesn't want anything to do with me.For some strange reason, I can't seem to make up my mind. I can't even think straight, so I keep my eyes focused on the road. Neither Mr Thorne speaks after my admissions nor I. We quietly tag along for the long ride.Until my phone rings again.I pull it out of my pocket and receive the call after it shows who's calling me."Yeah, Juan. I'm still on for the shift tonight." I sigh as I hear his question. "Saturday late night? I think I can make it." I scratch the tip of my ear. "Also, I might be late for tonight's shift. I will try my best to get there on time, though."Juan's concerned voice on the static comforts me a little bit."Oh, yeah, right. It's Cody. I'm going to his school. Something has come u
EVERETT "You have to put yourself in my shoes, Everett. I can't offer special treatment to Cody all the time. It's unbecoming." Then Mrs Williams lowers her voice. "Parents will complain if I don't get this under control." Then she runs a tired hand over her chin. "You have no idea the kind of pressure I'm under this week with the annual disciplinary reviews coming up to be done by the school board." "I get that." I fix some loose strands of hair behind my ear. "I will try my best to talk to Cody and see what comes out of it." Exhaling a harsh breath, I situate my gaze on her elegant shirt. "You have to understand that he won't do anything that wasn't unwarranted. He won't just do something to get back at his peers. It's just that he happens to be overwhelmed often." "That's understandable. But still, I have to ask you to help Cody understand how his actions affect others around him. We are trying our best to support him in this academic environment, and we will continue to do so, b
EVERETT"Thank you for backing me up in the meeting with Mrs Williams." Exhaling another long sigh, I peer out from the passenger's side car window. "I can't believe I hadn't stood up to her in such a long time, but having you there definitely gave me the strength to do that." Pivoting my head to face Mr Thorne, I offer him a small smile. "I can't thank you enough. It was nice to have someone on my side and speaking for Cody and my family."Mr Thorne steals a glance at me, taking in my facial features."I'm glad you thought it was a friendly gesture." He puts his eyes back on the road. "Somewhere in my head, I thought I might be offending you." Then he swallows hard, and the bump on his throat visibly bobs up and down. "I'm sorry about calling myself your boyfriend in there. Really sorry about that."He coughs breathlessly to hide his embarrassment."You weren't doing that at all." I chuckle awkwardly. "I mean, you weren't offending me." Running a hand through my hair, I shake my head
EVERETT"Are you not going home yet?" I knock on the door softly with the back of my knuckles as I stand with a foot inside the office room's threshold. His eyes stop at the file in my hands. "This was another document I prepared alongside the annual budgeting reports. It'll come in handy to cover the press release that should go out with the announcement of the new collaboration. Maybe it'll help the copywriting team with their article." I run a hand through my hair. "It was just that we left in such a hurry to the meeting that I forgot to bring it to you.""That's no problem," Mr Thorne muses, his eyes warming under the glow of the cool white hanging lamps. "I'll go through it when I have the time."In a way, through his words, he decides to alienate me. I put my hands behind my back as I stare at him expectantly, looking for an opening, maybe something that reinstates our earlier moment of intimacy. But his chilly exterior thwarts any prospects of an emotional exchange.I don't und