The events of last night kept replaying in my mind, like a broken record. I almost got into an accident-my lane was on red, but instead of stopping, I kept driving. If the other driver hadn't been quick to hit the brakes, I'd probably be a goner.

Now, I'm in the elevator, talking to myself, when I fail to notice the ding of the doors or the person stepping in.

"Good morning, Eva." greets Amy from Human Resources. I mumble a reply in return.

We don't talk much-or at all, really. The only reason I even know her name is because, when I first started working here, a senior told me to ask Amy if I needed to know anything or anyone.

Amy is the office gossip queen. She knows all the latest news, and if she doesn't, it probably hasn't happened yet.

Silence fills the elevator after our brief exchange until Amy breaks it. "Do you know why Zephyr left the office early yesterday?"

Zephyr? Did she just call Mr. Lane by his first name? Okay, not my business, but why is she asking me? He probably left to meet his girlfriend-oops, ex-girlfriend. Little did he know he'd end up heartbroken.

"No," I reply shortly, hoping to end the conversation, while wondering why it's taking so long to reach my floor.

"Hmm, I just thought to ask you because you work in the department he visits the most. But of course, if I don't know something about Zephyr, how could anyone else?"

Did I forget to mention that Amy is obsessed with Mr. Lane? It's common knowledge around the office. If Mr. Lane hadn't kept his relationship so private, she probably would've moved on to Mr. Thane, his billionaire best friend who often visits. Mr. Thane, by the way, makes me feel ashamed for using "busy" as an excuse to skip family gatherings, considering he juggles running a multimillion-dollar business.

Amy is still rambling when the elevator doors finally open. Not wasting a moment, I step out-only to bump into something solid. Brick-wall solid.

Since I'm certain there isn't a wall this close to the elevator, I glance up, only to hear Amy stammer, "G-good morning, Mr. Lane."

Oh no.

It's him.

I freeze, my eyes glued to the floor. Mimicking Amy, I stutter a greeting and quickly move out of his path.

As I briskly walk away, I hear heels clicking behind me. Before I know it, Amy has linked her arm with mine.

"Oh my gosh, girl, did you see his eyes? They were red! Do you think it has anything to do with him leaving early? He's always the last one to leave the office. But, wow, he still looked hot-messy hair, no tie, the rough look, loving it! Like, when you bumped into him, how hard was his chest?"

I stopped listening after she started describing his appearance. I hadn't looked at him, so I didn't notice he looked terrible. Could it really be because of his ex? If so, he must've been deeply in love. But even after everything she did? That can't be normal in a relationship... right?

"Huh? So, how did it feel?"

I blink, not following. Her incessant chatter is starting to grate on my nerves. Without meaning to, I snap, "What?"

Amy stops dead, looking stunned. For once, her endless monologue halts as she stares at me, wide-eyed.

"So, you can talk? The silent treatment you've been giving made me think otherwise."

I sigh, feeling guilty. "I'm so sorry. I don't really like talking, or being around others, and I get annoyed by noise."

Yeah, the noise coming out of your mouth, I think but wisely don't say.

"So, you're like an introvert? You could've just told me!"

That's the thing-we don't like talking. This girl has made me use more words in one elevator ride and walk to my office than I usually use in an entire week.

I decide not to reply, and she thankfully doesn't press for more responses. She keeps hold of my arm until we reach my office, where she finally lets go.

As I enter, I let out a loud sigh. Amy isn't that bad when she doesn't expect input, but I'd still prefer her silence. Her endless chatter could make anyone's ears fall off.

Stuart, my coworker, looks up from his desk. "What's got you sighing this early in the morning?"

"I met Amy this morning," I reply.

"Amy who?"

It takes me a moment to remember her full name. "Phillips."

"Ah, the infamous Queen Amy. I'm surprised you made it back in one piece," he says, smirking.

I shoot him a look. "So am I, buddy."

I plop down on the couch. Yes, there's a couch in here. Our programming department is divided into six groups, and each group gets its own room with perks: a couch, free snacks, an espresso machine, and one special item we all agree on. We asked to allow pets-turns out we're all cat lovers.

Stuart and I joined the company at the same time and became close since our third team member was a senior. Now that we have a new member, we're still tight.

"You look terrible," Stuart comments.

"I know. I didn't sleep well last night."

Before he can make a joke, I cut him off. "And no dirty jokes."

He smirks knowingly while I grimace.

"Word on the street is that the devil left hell early yesterday."

The "devil" is our nickname for Mr. Lane. But hearing Stuart say it makes my stomach churn. I feel guilty. News of Mr. Lane leaving early must've spread fast.

"Yeah, I heard from Amy. Also heard a lot about people I didn't even know existed," I mutter.

"That's what happens when you meet Amy."

"Why do you think Mr. Lane hasn't assigned our group a new project yet?" Stuart asks.

Good question. We finished our last project yesterday. Normally, we'd have been assigned something new last night. Now, it's almost noon, and there's still nothing.

Sure, he overworks us, but the pay is excellent, and the projects are fun.

Hmm. Strange.

---

And that's a wrap people.

Just kidding, end of chapter two.

Chapters gonna get longer.

Edited.