Song: landslide - Stevie Nicks
__________________________________

I parked my car in the parking lot and took in a deep breath. I got the call from
Mrs Ian on friday telling me that I had been selected for the job. After days of despair and misery I finally felt happy. For the first time since I came back I was relaxed and started to look forward to the days ahead.

Checking myself in the mirror and making sure my hair weren't sticking out like they were dancing, I stepped out of the car.

Today Mrs Ian was going to introduce the team members to each other, show us our offices and explain us the basis of what we were going to do. I hoped that everyone I was going to work with was nice and hardworking.

As I shut the door and locked it, I spotted a man standing on the other side of my car smoking. He was wearing a denim jacket and had curly blond hair, from his face he looked about the same age as me. He had a backpack slung over his shoulders and gave a very off vibe.

I didn't realize I was staring until he turned his face towards me and raised an eyebrow, a smirk on his face. 

I looked away and turned around to walk towards the building entrance, silently praying he wasn't a car thief. I checked my watch and realized I was fifteen minutes earlier.

I stepped inside the building and walked towards the same receptionist as on the day of my interview. She wore the same exact expression she did that day.

"Hi um...I was hired by Mrs Ian to be part of the magazine team....there is suppose to be a meeting at 10?"

"What is your name?" She asked, staring at her computer.

"Eva Evans"

She typed in my name and nodded her head.

"3rd floor is assigned for the magazine team, you can get your ID and other necessary stuff from the receptionist on that floor."

I thanked her and walked towards the elevator. 3rd floor was more spacious than the ground one and had a sleek look to it. People were walking around doing there work, it looked just like any other office.

The receptionist was sitting on the right side, wearing a red dress, her eyes focused on the screen infront of her. She looked up when she saw me approaching and smiled at me.

"Welcome, how can I help you?"

After telling her why I was there she handed ma a folder which contained the my ID card and the other necessary things I needed.

"You're department is on the right side down the hallway and your station will have your name plate on it. Welcome to our publishing company" she said.

"You're welcome" I replied with a smile.

Cluching my folder tightly I walked down the hallway on the right containing offices. The hallway ended with two glass doors. I pushed open the door and entered the workspace where I was going to work.

I looked around and instantly liked the place. The interior was airy and filled with work stations, one of which will be mine. The side opposite to the door was made of floor to ceiling glass, showing the sky outside, in the middle end of which there was an office with wooden doors that I assumed would be Mrs Ian's. A few people were inside already, some in their cubicles others chatting.

After taking another look I started searching for my station and found it at the left, third one down the row.

My cubicle like the rest was vacant except for a laptop, few pens and a notebook. I placed my bag and folder on the desk and took out my card to take a look at it. From behind I could hear some of the employees talking and decided to join them.

As I turned I saw the man from before walking up the row I was standing in. He stopped at the station next to mine and placed his backpack on the desk.

"You stare at everyone or just me?" He said in a strong raspy voice. The smell of mint hanging in the air.

I jerked a little and straighten up, cursing myself.

"I'm...sorry" I replied.

What was he doing here? Why was he placing his backpack next to my station? I looked over to his desk and saw the name 'Blake' written. Was he going to work here too? He didn't look like someone who would work in an office, he looked like someone who would steal a car.

"Are you going to work here too?" I asked.

"Why else would I be here?" he replied

Before I could reply to him the entrance door opened and Mrs Ian walked in followed by Kaisey.

A gasp escaped my lips and my eyes doubled in size upon seeing her. What was she doing here?

She was wearing a black dress (the office kind, not the casual kind) and pearls around her neck. Her hair caught in a small clip and flowing down her back. She looked beautiful like always.

"God I hope she works here with us" I heard Blake say next to me.

"Okay guys, gather up" said Mrs Ian, standing in the front of the main office, Kaisey standing on her right, smiling at the employees.

Blake passed by me to go towards Mrs Ian like everyone else but I remained rooted on the spot. My mind wasn't processing or was processing too much. The question why was Kaisey here? Circulating through my head.

"I think she meant you too?" I heard blake say, I turned to look at him and saw he was already standing at the start of the row.

Nodding I finally started moving towards Mrs Ian. All of my excitement from before was fizzing out now and I wanted to kick myself for letting Kaisey affect me to that extend.

Me and Blake were the last one to join the group surrounding Mrs Ian and Kaisey.

"And those are Eva Evans and Blake Jackson" introduced Mrs Ian.

Kaisey looked up at me and a surprised look surfaced on her face too which was soon replaced by a smile.

"Hi Eva, its nice to see you here." She said.

"You too" I replied shortly, hoping my smile looked as normal as it could.

"Wait- do you know Miss Eva?" Asked Mrs Ian facing Kaisey.

"No, not really. We met just once but I look forward to working with her"

"Oh okay, anyways, everyone this is Kaisey blue. She will be the head of the magazine department and you all will work under her. She is a one of the most talented, diligent and nicest person I have met and I can assure you that she will be a great boss. I hope you will listen to her and work to your fullest potential with her."

My breath got hitched in my throat. Kaisey was going to be my boss? I was going to work under her? I wanted to scream out of frustration at that moment. This job was suppose to be my escape from everything that is happening and now I felt like it was going to be another thing that I dread.

"Thankyou Kelly for such a sweet introduction. Hello everyone, I hope you are doing well. I look forward to working with all of you and together we are going to make the best magazine this city would have ever seen."

Everyone cheered at what she said, excited and eager to work. I on the other hand, didn't feel excited anymore.

"I already love the enthusiasm of this place" said Kaisey with a laugh.

As she was about say something there was a knock at the front door. A delivery man holding a bouquet of flowers was standing outside. Mrs Ian motioned him inside.

"Delivery for Kaisey Blue from Carter William" said the man upon entering inside.

I felt a discomfort in my heart.

"Oh, thankyou very much" said Kaisey walking towards the man and taking hold of the flowers.

"I'm sorry for the interruption everyone, my boyfriend knew today was my first day at this job so he I guess wanted to send something to support me. He's sweet like that"

"She has a boyfriend, Dammit-" said Blake from beside me.

I already knew who my least favourite colleague will be.
.......................................

"Okay, Blake and Eva.....just give me a second please. " said Kaisey fiddling with a file infront of her.

We were standing inside the only seperate office situated in the middle end of our workplace, office that belonged to Kaisey. It was elegant and appealing inside, a large wooden desk was placed in the middle with two chairs facing it, me and Blake were right now sitting in these chairs. On the left side was a wooden bookcase that had a few books and files resting on it. There was a couch on the right accompanied by a small table. The flowers Carter sent resting on it.

"Okay so you two will be working together."

A silent groan escaped me and Blake at the same time. Kaisey didn't seem to have noticed it as she shut the file and looked up.

"Blake you are the photographer of the magazine and Eva you will be writing the section about the different sites in the city. Their history, importance and purpose."

I nodded at what she said, my mind instantly thinking about what locations of the city I could write about.

"You will together decide which site you want to write about. It will have to go through me first, I will approve if I think its interesting enough to be put in the magazine. You will visit the places, Blake you will take photographs to be put in the magazine and Eva you can learn about the place to help you write it later. You will edit the final piece together and submit it to me on every Thursday. Any questions?"

I shook my head no cause I didn't have any question. I have done this before, I know how things go around in a work like this. Plus I wanted to get away from her as soon as possible, if I had anything to ask I could again.

"No" voiced Blake as I remained quite.

"Okay then I will let you two go" replied Kaisey.

Me and Blake both stood up and walked towards the door.

"Eva? Can I talk to you for a second?" Came Kaisey's voice and I stopped in my tracks.

As Blake left the office I heard Kaisey approaching me. Turning around and was faced with her smiling face.

"Sorry for holding you back, I just wanted to talk about us....." she said.

"Us?" I questioned, pretending I didn't know what she was talking about.

"I wanted to say that you and me, we are here to work, this will remain a professional space between us. I don't want us to feel awkward around each other. And even though I am in a superior position, I would never exploit it."

"I know that. You can't exploit because you can't do that, because that would be wrong" I replied, an undertone challenge in my voice.

I didn't know if she was threatening me or telling me in a way that she has the upper hand or if she was really just being nice like she was at Ally's house that day.

"Yea..yes, exactly. I meant to say that I look forward to having a good working relation with you. I am glad to have you in my team" she said with that smile again, that genuine pretty smile.

"Me too" I replied, trying to stretch my mouth into a smile too.

"Okay! I should let you get back to work now."

I walked back to my station and sat down on my chair.

"You don't really like the boss do you?" I heard Blake say next to me.

I snapped my head towards him, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

"What?"

"You don't like her because your jealous of her looks and status or because there is a personal beef" he said facing me completely, his face covered with a smirk.

"You're talking absolute nonsense, why would I not like the boss? And there is no need for me to be jealous. Besides I'm here just to work and I would appreciate it if you do the same and not ask me stupid questions again" I replied, being firm and stern. Hoping to draw a line that he would not cross.

"Yea, whatever" said Blake moving back towards his desk.

Thinking he has backed off and was going to leave me alone, I sinked back in my chair, closing my eyes. After a few seconds I felt someone grab my hand. I instantly sat up and looked over at Blake who was holding my arm and writing something on it.

"What the hell are you doing?" I asked pulling my hand away.

"That's my number, call me if you have any idea about the article. And call me only for work"

And with that Blake was out of his chair and then out of the room.

...................................

I parked my car in the driveway and got out. We were officially going to start working from tomorrow, today was just an introduction which didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. Not only was Carter's girlfriend my boss, an annoying man was going to be my partner.

I stared at the inner part of my arm where his number was still written albeit a little smudged. I had saved it in my phones but didn't plan on calling him.

It was still 3 o' clock in the afternoon, I still had more than half a day to laze around. Contemplating if I should watch a movie or sleep I walked over to the front door. Before I could open it, the door opened on its own and Ally stepped out.

I stopped in my tracks and stared at her. What was she doing here?

"Oh hey" said Ally walking towards me.

"Hi" I replied as she stood infront of me.

"I just came to visit but you weren't here, your mom told me you got a job. Thats great to hear."

"Yea, thankyou. Should we go inside?" I asked carefully, not sure if she wanted to stay.

"Yes" replied Ally nodding her head.

We stepped inside the house together ans I guided her to the living room.

"I'll bring something for us to eat and drink"

"Oh no need, I just had tea and biscuits with your mom" replied Ally sitting down on one of the couches.

I sat down beside her not sure what to say? How to act. It was still a shock that she was here.

"Your mom looks weak" said Ally.

"Yeah, that's because she is"

"What does the doctor says?"

"She's going to have a surgery next Friday to remove the tumor." I replied.

"It will be successful, don't worry too much. Your mom is a strong women."

I nodded to what she said, hoping that she was right.

"So what's your job about?" Asked Ally.

I looked at her and saw the worn out look first. It looked like she hasn't slept in weeks.

"Its....um....I'm part of a team which will publish a local magazine for the city. It will accompany Sunday newspaper every week."

"Oh that sounds fun, what will you be doing?"

"I will be writing an article about the city" I hesitated for a moment and then added. "Kaisey....is the head..."

"Oh really?" Said Ally surprised.

"I was thinking that it sounded familiar to what Kaisey told me about her new job. She is good at managing things, her work is like a supervisor. She'll be your boss right?"

I nodded, an unpleasant feeling washing over me everytime I thought of her as my boss. I couldn't believe I was letting her get to me to this extent.

"Are you okay with that? I mean are you fine with working with her?" Asked Ally carefully.

"Why won't I be okay? I'm there just for work and Kaisey is just another boss."  I replied sharply.

"That's great. Besides Kaisey is really nice and friendly. You both will get along really well"

I didn't reply to what she said cause I didn't think me and Kaisey will get along fine, I did not want to be Kaisey's friend. She was a part of Carter's world, an important one and I wanted to stay away from everything Carter related.

Ally didn't wait for my reply, she got up and walked towards the large window in the living room. Watching the garden outside.

"You know you were right" she said after a few minutes.

I looked at her confused, not getting what she was saying.

"Marriage is not like dating, its a big commitment, a huge decision that we should think it through."

She turned and faced me, a small smile gracing her face as a few strands of her hair fell over her forehead.

"Remember when you said you don't know what love is Ally? And I lashed out at you? You were right, I still don't know what love is"

I stood up and walked over to her.

"Is everything okay between you and Drake?" I dared to ask.

"Yea, yes! Everything is fine. Its just marriage is harder than I thought it will be" she answered, shaking her head a little as if to get rid of something or trying to get a hold of herself.

I didn't press her more, if she wasn't ready to tell me something then I wasn't going to force her to tell me. But deep down I knew something was wrong.

"By the way, how did you know where I live?" I asked, changing the subject.

She was silent for a second before saying:

"Carter told me"

"Oh yea, he dropped me off" I mumbled more to myself.

"He dropped you off?" Asked Ally, her body fully facing me now. Confusion written on her face.

"Yea, the other day my car broke down and he happened to pass by." I replied.

"Oh okay, he didn't mention that. He just wanted me to check up on you..."

I looked up at Ally weirdly after hearing that. Carter wanted her to check up on me? But why? A sudden change went over Ally's face, as if she said something she wasn't suppose to.

"Anyways, I'm sorry I haven't been there for you since you cam back. Its surely a hard time for you but you'll get through this. Take care of yourself and know that I am always here if you need me"

"Thankyou and same for you, I am always here if you need me" I replied with a small smile.
.......................................

Hi everyone!! Hope you all are safe and healthy. This was a very hard and frustrated chapter to write, I have no idea how offices work so if this sounds weird apologise for that.
I know Carter isn't in this but this is a very important chapter that will make the story move forward. Besides you dont need to worry too much since he will be present in the next one.
Until then comment and vote and stay safe.

Love,
S. Maham Fatima

PS: This is second chapter in a row with more than 3000 words. That makes me really proud and happy. Hope you like it :)