-Violet-

Today is Monday and it's also the day we're finding out who we'll be shadowing for the rest of our time here. I already know it's not James and not his dad, so I'm interested in seeing whom he chose.

Gray parked the car in front of the building, but I didn't make any move to get out yet. "Still nervous?" He asked.

I hesitated, but nodded. "Just a little though. But I'll be fine."

"Okay, well I'm working late so Mom will probably pick you up."

"Gray, I can take the bus—"

"You know I don't like you taking the bus. Mom will be here when you get off, don't stress."

"Thank you." I muttered and opened the car door. After sending Gray a wave, I closed the door and walked up to the building.

When I entered, I did as I usually do. Get my badge, go through the opaque doors, and ride the elevator to the fifth floor. I signed in at the lobby front desk and proceeded to walk further into the office.

People were already crowded around the bulletin board and my heart sank. Here goes nothing.

Once I sat my bag down at my desk, I slowly walked over to the crowd as people were leaving. Some had smiles, others looked slightly confused. A few more people moved away from the board and I took a few steps closer until I was face to face with my fate for the rest of my time here.

My name was second on the list and right next to it was...Claire Roedan.

Oh, no.

His mom?

Why would he think that's a good idea? I'm relieved it's not his dad, but still. His mom. She owns half the company and has just as much pull as David. The three times I've actually talked to Claire have been nothing but pleasant, but I'd rather shadow Larry in the mail department. He doesn't make me nervous, but Claire gives a whole new meaning to nerves.

Someone cleared their throat from behind me and it made me jump. I twisted around to face the culprit.

Cristin. "Hi, Violet. I see you're going to be working with Claire the rest of the time here. Exciting, right?" She grinned.

My heart lodged itself in my throat and when I opened my mouth to speak, nothing came out, but a small squeak.

"It's okay, Honey." She patronized, "I know you probably wanted to work with James."

I shook my head and found my words. "I didn't. I'm fine with working with Ms. Roedan."

A grin was still perfectly placed on her cherry red painted lips. "Oh, so you don't want to work with James?"

"T-that's not w-what I said. I said I don't mind where I work as long as I get the experience I need. That's the point of an internship, Honey." Holy shit. Where did that just come from?

I didn't even stay around to gauge her reaction.

Walking away, I counted my steps until I reached James's open office doors. When he noticed me, he put his pen down and raised his head. "Your face is unusually red." He pointed to the doors, "Close them."

Confused, I obeyed and closed the doors before walking back up to his desk. "I'm...having trouble...breathing." I tried sucking in a breath, but my lungs felt like they weren't expanding enough to take a deep breath.

And that only made me panic.

James rose to his feet and moved around the desk. "Do you need water? Take a walk outside?"

I shook my head, placing my face in my hands. "I'm...fine." I breathed and dropped my hands. I kept my head lowered and my eyes closed.

James's hand on my back almost made me jolt.

"Breathe." He said softly, his hand moving around in soothing circles.

Finally, I was able to take in a deep breath and the slight pain in my chest seized. I straightened my spine and James slowly dropped his hand. He ducked his head a little, examining my face. "Want to talk about it?"

Realizing how close James was, I hesitantly took a step back. "Just overreacting." I breathed in deep again and exhaled slowly, "Your mom? Really?"

A grin slowly surfaced on his full lips. "I told you it was a no brainer. She already likes you and she's super easy to work with. I'm basically doing you a favor, Violet. I thought you'd be happy about it."

Okay, maybe I am being way over dramatic, but still. How would I know she's easy to work with? "I'm sorry." I mumbled and ran a hand across my forehead, "I just had a run in with your shadow and I wasn't exactly nice to her."

James's expression didn't change. "Your point?"

"That's not me." I shook my head and put my hands on my temples, "She did deserve it though."

"Exactly." He stepped closer and curled a finger under my chin. He tilted it slightly, his eyes gliding over my face. "Okay now?"

My breath hitched and all I could do was nod. Now my cheeks were burning again. "Thank you." I choked out.

James smiled and dropped his hand. "You're welcome. And I promise working with my mom will be great. She handles a few clients a day, has meetings, all the good stuff. She'll answer any questions and help with anything. Believe me, I know." He laughed lightly, "You'll do fine."

Something felt different.

Was it me? Or James?

I wasn't sure, but something felt different. And I couldn't decide if it was a good or bad different. "I'm honored you picked your mom for me. So thank you." I finally smiled.

"She's pretty excited to work with you if that makes you feel any better."

I bobbed my head. "It does." For safe measures, I took another deep breath and exhaled. "Should I go up there now?"

"Yeah, she's waiting for you."

"Okay, great. Thanks."

As I started to leave, James called me back.

I stopped short of the doors and turned back around. "Yeah?"

"Meet me back here at lunch. There's something I'd like to talk to you about."

I sent another smile and left his office.

Cristin was standing right outside of his office with her hands on her hips and an un-amused look on her face. Without even stopping to say a word, I strolled to my old desk to collect my things. I'd definitely be missing this office, but probably only because James is right there, not going to lie.

None of the interns talk to me and I don't talk to them. The only social butterfly around here is Cristin and she takes this internship as a joke. So far I haven't seen her take anything seriously and it's very unnerving.

That's the plus about working on the tenth floor now. I won't have to see Cristin unless I cross her at lunch, which I hope I don't. I couldn't care less if I never saw her again if I'm being honest.

I placed my bag across my body and walked to the elevator. It was empty when I got on and that was surprising. The doors closed and I pressed the button for the tenth floor.

Working for Claire was ideal, but still a bit nerve wracking. If I do something wrong, I'll never leave my room again. Probably never see the light of day.

The elevator opened up on the tenth floor and I held my breath for a few seconds as I walked. It wasn't quiet, that's for sure. People were bustling around, sitting at desks and talking on phones. I walked around the desks, passing by several smaller offices on my way to Claire's.

Everyone I walked by smiled at me and waved. At least I felt more welcome here than on the fifth floor. Only James really made me feel welcome.

The doors to Claire's office looked exactly like David's. I barely remember because I was only on that floor once, but I remember his name plastered on the doors. Her name was subtler than his and not so harsh.

I kept my breathing technique and took in another deep breath and exhaled slowly before knocking on her office door.

"Come in!" She called.

This is it.

I pushed on the long handle so her door opened and I stepped inside. She looked up, a smile surfacing. "Oh, great. You're here." She stood up and walked around her desk to greet me, "I couldn't remember what time you were supposed to be getting here." She wrapped an arm around my shoulders, "How are you today?"

"Good, you?"

"Couldn't be any better." She steered my to a desk to the side of hers, facing in her direction, "This will be your desk for the next six weeks. You'll basically follow me everywhere, except for the bathroom." She laughed and I relaxed. "There's a meeting with a new client in about an hour. Would you like me to show you around before we go?"

"Sounds good." I answered.

She dropped her arm and I put my bag down beside my new desk.

We walked back out into the busy office space and she started taking me around, introducing me to people and showing me different rooms. She stopped in front of one of the smaller offices and opened the door to peek inside. "This is Tom." She moved out of the way to let me in. Tom stood from his desk to greet me with a handshake. "He's head of graphics and the creative aspect of our advertising. His job is almost as big as mine." She joked with a small laugh.

"Almost." He replied with a smile, "If you have any questions, Violet, I'll be happy to answer them."

"Thank you." I smiled.

We left Tom's office and walked back down the row of offices. She pointed out the people that work with Tom, people that deal with filing, and others who deal with going over new client applications. This floor isn't so bad. It wasn't quiet, but I could get used to it. My house isn't quiet, so I could definitely get used to the noise.

After the small tour, I followed her down another long hallway until she came to a stop in front of another meeting room. "This is usually where it all happens if David's not handling any new clients. Lately he hasn't been handling as many because he has other duties to attend to, so I've basically taken over that aspect of the company." She smiled, "I've already drawn up the paperwork, but on Thursday, we have three client meetings and you'll get the more in depth experience."

I nodded with a smile. "Sounds great, Ms. Roedan."

About fifteen minutes later, the client showed up. And older man dressed in a nice suit and a giant smile. He had his beautiful wife with him too.

Claire supplied me with a notebook to take a little bit of notes.

So far, so good.

* * *

Claire dismissed me for lunch around noon.

I was going to head to the café, but then remembered James wanted to talk to me about something. So I ignored the impending growling in my stomach and took the elevator back to the fifth floor.

What would he possibly want to talk to me about anyway? All I could think about is something work related.

Yeah, work related.

The elevator came to a stop and the doors glided open onto the fifth floor. There was no one here, except James. His office doors were closed as I approached so I knocked softly.

"It's open." His voice carried through.

I pushed on the handle to let myself in. Once I slipped inside, the door quietly closed behind me. James was still writing, but soon lifted his head to glance at me and back down at the papers. "One second." He muttered.

After signing another paper, he closed the folder and sat it aside. He rose from his desk and met me halfway. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks." I smiled a little, "I do like working with your mom."

His smile echoed mine. "I told you. Better than working with me, right?"

"Oh, yeah. Definitely." I said sarcastically, "You said you wanted to talk about something?"

He raked a hand through his tousled hair and nodded. "Uh, yeah. Let's go for a walk outside."

Slightly confused, I just nodded and said okay.

James walked out of his office first and I followed.

Five minutes later, we emerged out the front building doors and into the afternoon fall air. A breeze fluttered across my face and the smell of fall enveloped me. Fall and winter are the best times of the year to me. Well, from October to December are the best months of the year.

January just reminds of a new year.

James walked by my side and he was quiet.

"You can talk now." I teased, looking over at him.

We walked a little further until we found a bench. James gestured for me to sit down and I did. He sat next to me and kept his gaze focused on the building across the street. "There was something I wanted to ask you."

"It must be serious." I kept my eyes trained on his profile.

He looked at me for a moment before looking straight ahead again. "Not really. Just kind of need a favor." Then he looked at me.

His pale blue gaze was heavy. "And what kind of favor exactly?"

"Are...are you busy next Saturday?"

A warm wave of chills moved through my arms, my chest, and down to my toes. "No." I choked out because I didn't trust my voice at the moment.

"Would you want to go with me to my dad's wedding? As friends of course."

More warm chills covered me. "You want me to go? Why?"

"It'll be more fun with you there." He said honestly, "You don't have to go, but just thought I'd ask anyway."

"Is that a good idea though?"

James shrugged a shoulder. "I don't see why not."

"I thought you'd be in the wedding." I smoothed my palms over the fabric of my jeans and sighed.

He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "He didn't ask and I didn't either. It wouldn't feel right to me."

"That's understandable." I murmured.

"What do you say? Will you go with me?" He gave me a smile that warmed my heart.

"As long as it doesn't make anything weird." I laughed lightly, "I'll go."

"Thank you. And I swear we don't stay any longer than we have to."

I playfully nudged him with my elbow. "It wouldn't bother me. What color dress should I wear?" Which will be a problem. I don't know if I'll have enough to buy a new dress.

"The wedding is red and white. The men are wearing white, the women are wearing red."

My mom could possibly have a red dress so there's hope. "I can manage a red dress." I smiled.

He returned the smile. "Good. Thank you again for going."

I nodded. "You're welcome."

* * *

When I got home, I fell on the couch beside Blue, sighing loudly. He looked down at me, his brown eyes widening. "You look horrible."

I laughed and poked the tip of his nose. "I'm feeling the love." He resumed his position on the other end of the couch and I stood up to find my mom.

She was in her bathroom getting ready for work at Mark's. "Hey, Sweets." She smiled at me before going back to her make-up.

"Can I ask you something?" I sat on the closed toiler and leaned over the side of her counter.

She glanced at me with raised brows. "Sure. What's up?"

"James...he, uh...he invited me to his dad's wedding this weekend."

She dropped the tube of mascara in her hand and it tumbled into the sink. The reaction made me jump a little and then laugh. "Sorry." She grumbled and picked the tube up, "He asked you to his fathers wedding? As a date?"

I shook my head. "No, as a friend. He said it would be more fun with me there. Not sure what that means, but okay."

"He's a nice boy." She applied the mascara to one eye as she spoke, "What's the question?"

"Well first, can I go? And second, do you happen to have a red dress?"

She finished the other eye and capped it back up. "First, of course you can go. And second, I may happen to have a red dress. But if I don't, it's not a big deal. We'll find you one." Her lips curved into a smile when she looked at me. "Who'd you get placed with today?"

I snorted. "You'll probably laugh. James assigned me to work with his mom. At first I was a little weary, but she's actually pretty awesome to work with. So far I haven't had any problems. And it gets me away from Cristin." I shivered at the mention of her name.

"I'm glad you like it. And from what you've told me about Cristin, I'm glad you don't have to deal with her as well."

I nodded in agreement. "Anyway, how's Mark doing?"

"Good." She said simply, "He invited us over for dinner Friday like old times."

I eyed her. "Interesting."

All of a sudden, Blue shouted my name. "Coming!" I stood up, but didn't leave yet. "Oh, and don't mention this wedding thing to Gray. At least not yet."

"Sure thing. Is he still mad over when James picked you up from school?"

"Unfortunately. But he'll get over it. He just needs to back off a little."

She smiled sadly. "He's just looking out for you, Vi."

"I know. But how can I learn from my mistakes if I can't make any?"

Blue called for me again.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning." I walked out of the bathroom and into the living room where Blue was waiting to show me something on TV.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter! I'm so pumped for you guys to read the upcoming chapters. (I just started 17). The next chapter though is my favorite because of reasons, lol. I'll either post it tomorrow or Friday, but we'll see!

I'd like to know what you guys think of the story so far! And your votes have been so amazing, thank you so much! <3

Song: Stomach Tied In Knots by Sleeping With Sirens