"Here's the file for the Sunshine Offices' project." I smile and hand Marilyn a thick bundle of paper. It's nearing 5pm and I can't wait for a break. Ed hasn't emerged out of his office all day.

Okay, fine, I was deliberately looking for it. I'm just...worried. Usually, he will come out and give us compliments and cheers like, "Let's do it, Team Dazzle!" It's cheezy and all but we secretly like it because Raymond-the-fat-cow- never does anything like that. Ed bothers. It's just the type of guy he is.

'Geez, more work." She rolls her eyes. "Looks like we'll have to do OT like again." She flicks her golden blonde locks and grimace. I'm guessing she has a date on tonight.

"Well, I can't fuck Kevin tonight already. I'm totally desperate for sex. Like really," Marilyn continues, oblivious to some people's stares. Derek glares at us but Marily refuses to back down and glares back before he turns away his head. Only Marilyn can admonish Derek.

 "I'm an heiress, for goodness sake! I don't have to give up sex for work or money. That just ruins my reputation. Do you know what Daddy will say to this? Maybe I should have listened to him and just stay at home." She leans against my cubicle, showing off her skinny pale legs.

I secretly envy Marilyn's confidence and figure. She has the guts, demeanor and attitude to stand up to everything. Me? Na-ah. I prefer to stick my head into the sand like an ostrich. Of course, real life often comes kicking my butt when I least expect it.

"Yea," I mumble, typing hastily on the computer.

"Man, Chloe, can you stop working for just 1 second?" she snaps.

"Sorry, can't do. I've to get this report in before Derek buries me in the woods." I stuck out my tongue.

"Who cares about Derek? Let's just quit this fucking job," she growls.

"I don't have a trust fund like you."

"Babe. I can fund you. Just say the word."

"No thanks. I like this job. Things are looking better now that Ed- I mean, er, Mr Hardy is on board." I smile privately.

"He's so hot. I just..want to get into his pants," Marilyn says. "Do you know I tried to seduce him the other day?"

"No kidding," I play along. "Did he fall for it?"

"No! I was wearing spandex. What kind of normal man refuses a woman in spandex?" she sighs. "I think he might be gay. It's just too bad for all the woman on this earth. Why're good-looking guys always gay?"

"Yea." I pretend to frown though I'm secretly amused. "Guess you're not his type after all."

"Damn. I bought all those sexy underwear for nothing," Marilyn moans like a banshee. "I need to get laid. Like. Right now."

Derek comes over and glares at me. "Have you done the report for the designing ideas yet? We didn't hire you to chit-chat and have tea," he says angrily.

I hand him the neatly bundled papers and can't help a smirk as he flips through them. That will show him, that idiotic cow.

"I need you to redo this." He throws it back at me and I catch it swiftly.

"Why?" I widen my eyes. I had spent my entire morning on the report.

"The concept needs to be redone. The team and I reviewed it just a moment ago." Derek smirks.

"You could have told me!" I'm enraged. How can he do this to me? That...that low-class slime ball of shit. I could have kicked his balls if not for the fact that I'm wearing my favourite high heels and I didn't want them to be going anywhere near his privates.

"Do it, Chloe," he snarls and throws a piercing glare at Marilyn.

"Bastard."

"Don't get your knickers into a twist," Marilyn advises. "It's not worth it."

"I'm going to go ask Mr Hardy about this," I growl and stomp to his office.

"Knock, knock, Mr Hardy," I say sarcastically and push open the door.

I stop short. What the hell.....?

There are papers literally everywhere. It's not Ed's habit to be this untidy.

"Whoever it is, get the fuck out of here," Ed growls. He's sitting at his desk with a frustrated look, scribbling something without looking up.

"Ed?" I ask.

He looks up, registers my presence and his face instantly softens though I still see the hard lines etched around his forehead. "Chloe? Forgive me. Can you shut the door behind you?" he says wearily.

I walk over to his desk and he instantly covers up whatever he's doing. He looks tired. What changed?

"What happened?" I ask instantly.

"Nothing."

I know he's lying instantly. His eyes are wary. There can't just be...nothing. Something must have happened and he's not telling me openly. Seeing his wretched face, I put my arms around his neck and leans it close to his body.

"Just relax," I say.

I don't know what possessed me to do that but I know that he needs comfort and human touch. He needs to know someone does care that he's having a bad day. I'm doing it just as a friend. It helps that he smells so nice with his scenty lemon peppermint scent which I happen to know it's because of his hair shampoo. (Don't ask. I just got into a heated debate with him during the dinner date on which brand of shampoo was the best. Don't judge. It was an intellectual debate.)

"Hmmm." He closes his eyes and buries himself into my skin. "You smell so nice...of lavendar and strawberries. You're so soft." His fingers start circling my wrist and I flush at the contact but I don't pull away. I can't bear to.

"So...have you changed your mind about dating me?" he asks.

I cough. "Not quite. I mean, no."

"I detect a hint of hesitation," he says playfully, his eyes still closed.

"Give me some time to think."

"I'm  handsome, cool and awesome. What do you not like about me? I'm quite a good catch if I dare say so myself. Women like Marily would have thrown themselves to me a long time ago."

"I'm not Marilyn," I say agitatedly A picture of her wearing a spandex dress floats in my mind. She's right. Why did Ed reject sexy Marilyn and go for a pale, plain girl like me? Is he really gay?

"You're not gay, aren't you?" I ask,  a desperate look flitting across my face. Please, no....

His eyes flash open and he sits up to look at me in the face and exclaims, "No! What made you think of that?" He looks so mortified I almost want to laugh.

"No men can resist a woman in a spandex dress," I say embarrassedly. It's the truth, isn't it?

"Oh. You mean Marilyn. Rest assure, I'm as man as the next man, possibly even more," he laughs.

"Sorry, just double-checking." I should shut my big mouth soon.

"Of course. You're right. I can't resist a woman in spandex," Ed smiles and he strokes my skin idly. "It depends who's wearing the spandex dress of course. If it were you....I would have just ravished you there and then."

I gape at him. Oh...gosh...Wait, was that a sexual innuendo? What should I do? I'm freaking out. It has been such a long time since a non-weirdo has hinted to me about sex. Should I go forward? Or pretend not to hear it? And it's so strange to see Ed in his turned on state. It's kind of sexy.

"Well...I...uhm..." I cough suggestively. "I don't have a spandex dress, so..."

"I can buy one for you." I know. I know. With your silver American Express Card.

"Besides it's inappropriate to go out with my boss."

"Do you ever get tired of resisting me?" Ed chuckles and I can't help but smile.

He leans his face towards me and presses his lips against mine. I don't resist and allow myself to be consumed by his touch......

"Ed?" A knock on the door sent me barrelling out of Ed's arms. His face instantly darknens, as if he recognizes the voice.

"Shit," he mutters under his breath.

I smoothen my blouse and say efficiently, "Thank-you, Mr Hardy for your opinons."

"You're welcome, Miss Manson. Take your time to re-think about your decision." He nods.  

I go out of the door and a lady walks in. She looks out-of-place with her shiny bob and her beige, flowery suit. I reckon she might be in her late twenties.

Right before I walk off and the door closes, I hear Ed say, "What the fuck are you doing here, Hannah?"

Huh? I turn around to see what's going on with Ed and the woman but the door's already closed.

Hang on. Did she just call Ed by his name? This means that they know each other. Who's she and what has she got to do with Ed?

"Babe! What did hottie boss say?" Marilyn tottles towards me.

"Erm, nothing. I've to redo the thing." Shit. I was too distracted by Ed's playfulness to ask him about Derek.

"He doesn't play favourites. Well, that's his fault," Marilyn sniffs, clearly sore after her lack of conquest of Ed. "Want to go to the bar after work? A bunch of us are heading to the new one across the strete."

I vaguely nod and walk over to my desk in a daze.

Who's Hannah?