Harieth

Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock....

I let out a heavy sigh as I looked away from the clock that hung on the wall. Thirty minutes barely gone since I took my seat at my so-called desk attempting the impossible at my ridiculous job.

A scoff eluded my lips as I thought of Christian’s fine idea of making me an assistant. Obviously, it was his little stunt of mocking me. I could beat him at his own game and reject this job but for some reason, I somehow don’t want to. Why? What might I gain from this?

A chance at a step closer to him? Proving I can do it after all?

I shook my head in disagreement.

That’s insane. I’m Harieth Gryffin. I don’t care about someone’s approval or try to please anyone. I’m just me. So what if I’ve developed a little feeling for him, that doesn’t change who I am. I’ll always be me.

Therefore, I have to get up, make my way into her office and tell her to shove this job down her throat. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.

I stood straight on my feet and without sparing this uncomfortable environment one last glance, I made my way towards her office. One hand on the door knob and I pushed it open.

Mrs Carson looked up to me away from her laptop. After a moment of exchanging glances, a simple smile played out on her face.

“Can I help you with something Harieth?” She asked and the politeness in her voice irritated me to the core so I played out an equal smile on my face and stepped into the office, shutting the door behind me afterwards.

I spent a good minute taking a look at her little office. The space was small but she had done a good job with decorating it to her standards. It was neither much of the all white and gray sophistication nor the dark wood floors and brown leather furniture to seem a little vintage. It was purely simple, too plain and simple for my taste.

“Harieth.” She called and I’m forced to fixate my gaze back on her. This time, her eyes and brows did the questioning. Impatient, are we?

“I...” The rest of the words hung in my throat.

“...either you accept the position or you can forget working in this company.”

Forget working here? That means I won’t get to see him so often and his assumptions about me will be made certain.

“Harieth.” Mrs Carson’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I blinked a few times to redirect my attention back on her.

“It seems you have nothing to say to me. You should leave and next time, refrain from walking into my office without actually knocking.” She politely explained but something about that sentence felt like an insult.

“I do have something to say.” I spoke up almost right away before she could lower her eyes away from me.

Yes, I do. I refuse to work here and I don’t care what my husband thinks about my decision so in the nearest future, pray our paths never cross again.

Exactly. I’m not one to care about another so now, all I have to do is speak out those exact words then my nightmare will be over in a jiffy.

I stood tall and straight. My shoulders balanced and my head hung high as I stared down at her. My mouth opened to let out the words.

* * *

I stepped out onto the rooftop and the wild wind welcomed me. A regretful sigh escaped my lips as I shut my eyes for a brief moment.

I so hate myself right now.

I took steps forward to get a better view of the city. Once at the edge, a simple smile played out on my face.

This is surely one of the perks of being at one of the tallest buildings in the city. If only I could fly. I’ll be almost invisible.

The smile on my face broadened.

What a nice thought.

I felt the cold run deep into my bones and I wrapped my arms around myself to warm up. Summer’s nearly over and soon winter will be here.
The wind blew my hair and I looked away from the view as I pushed the strands behind my ear before returning my gaze.

A moment later, my brows narrowed a bit and my head tilted slightly as my face displayed confusion. In a matter of seconds, I turned my head away from the city and that’s when I saw him. He stood tall and straight as always but this time, had both hands buried in his pockets. I could see just his side but that was good enough for me to recognise him.

I hadn’t taken note of his presence and that was probably because he was quiet. I battled within me if it was okay to approach him but in the end, I did it anyway. I took careful steps towards him and not once did he turn to me. Clearly, my presence wasn’t known to him.

I stood once by his side but there was still no reaction from him. He really seemed lost in thoughts. I’d never seen him that way before. He sure looks different when he isn’t busy with one thing or the other.

I wonder what’s on his mind. What’s keeping him too bothered that he doesn’t notice my presence?

I don’t like it.

I pushed my head forward a bit to get a good observation of his face and perhaps, to also get in his way. His eyes shifted to mine. Slowly, a light frown surface between his brows before he slightly leaned backwards.

“What are you doing?” His question and strange looks followed almost right away. I looked him up and down.

“Hmm. You’re back. I thought I was invisible or something.” I replied as I stood straight once more. He did the same as well whilst his facial expression returned inconclusive as usual.

“What are you doing here?” He asked as he returned his gaze to the view ahead but I’m unable to do the same. My gaze rested on his face.

“Actually... nothing much except hating myself for not doing what I should have done.” A moment of silence passed as I recalled having chickened out from letting Mrs Carson know I wasn’t really up for being anyone’s assistant.

In the end, just he mattered. How annoying and intriguing.

“You really have something over me.”
His eyes shifted to mine.

“What?”

“What?” I repeated after him as my eyes widened in realisation that I said that sentence aloud. A light frown surfaced between his brows once more as he gave me a weird look.

Clearly, he hadn’t understood a word in that sentence which left me a bit of relief. He looked away from me again.

“You shouldn’t be here. You’re supposed to be working.”

“And you? You did say you had an important meeting. It didn’t turn out so well? Is that why you’re up here all alone staring out into space? You shouldn’t worry too much about such things. Life’s too short to be all about work.” I encouraged with a wide smile and sincere thought but when his eyes eventually shifted back to me, I couldn’t decipher what it entailed. Though, it felt a little cold.

“I don’t think we’re in a relationship where we encourage and give each other advice. It’s best to stick to what you came here for.” His words reigned like a dark cloud to my sunny and sincere smile. In a moment or two, he had turned away to leave.

“Do you have to always be like that?” I spoke up behind him and he drew to a stop.

I shouldn’t have spoken up but I felt too swayed by my emotions that I just had to talk back. Now isn’t before. My feelings in the present are different from that of the past. Every word of his gets right through me. Whether he likes it or not, it’s different now. It’s so different.

“When I needed comfort, you gave me. Why won’t you let me do the same? You don’t have to feel burdened alone. You can always share with me.”

Regardless of my words and attempt at letting him know anything was possible, he continued on his steps away from me till he was out of sight.

“Urghh!” I exclaimed in frustration as I turned away with my hands dug into my hair.

What am I doing? Why do I even try? It’s obvious he doesn’t give a damn about me.

I don’t like this. I don’t want to sound or look pathetic. I’m not one to beg for attention. I shouldn’t try too hard. I just shouldn’t do that.

Christian

“When I needed comfort, you gave me. Why won’t you let me do the same? You don’t have to feel burdened alone. You can always share with me.”

A sigh escaped my lips as I ran a hand through my hair.

I can’t understand her. She really didn’t have to say that. I mean...
I fell loss for words. In as much as her last words sounded enticing enough, I just couldn’t bring myself to do as she said. Our circumstances were different. Besides, I’m not really looking forward to making our relationship any more complicated than it is.

I shook my head in an attempt to rid myself of any more thoughts but once my eyes were back on the screen of my laptop, they slipped back in.
There was something definitely different about her. I felt that for sure.

Harieth

I was right. Working as an assistant to Stella Carson was indeed my greatest nightmare. The woman has no fear. Christian permitted her management with me as a normal employee and she really took it literally. Too bad I was bad at being an assistant.

“I told you I need those papers as well as the flash drive today. How could you forget them home?” Stella’s voice heightened that we became the centre of attention.

“I’m sorry but I’m not used to holding so much at hand so excuse me if I forgot them at home.” I gave a quick reply and watched as she stared back at me with a baffled expression drawn across her face. I really couldn’t care less.

Her silence stretched out too long that I wondered what could come next. A scoff left her lips as she stood straight once more away from my table which she had leaned on.

“This won’t do. You have thirty minutes to rush home and get them, failure to do that; do not bother showing your face here ever again.” She ordered before being well on her way back to her office.

I blinked a few times. Did she just threaten to fire me?

I shook my head. Whatever. She can fire me for all I care. I just won’t let her win one over me.

I looked around and realised the other employees were stealing glances at me. I smiled. I bet this sure adds to the lot they have to gossip about. I need space.

I stood up to my feet and made my way out of their sight. I felt a bit thirsty and began making my way to the vending machine. On getting close, I sighted Christian taking out a can of drink from the machine. I stopped and watched as he opened and gulped down some of its content.

Unknowingly, a smile curled up on my face. The best part at working here so far had been moments like this one. More often that I had thought, I actually ran into him. Most times, I pretended like it was coincidence and other times, I just stare without attempting to let him know of my presence. In most times, his replies had been cold, shunning me away and other times; well he never knows I’m there so it’s okay.

He looked my side and our eyes met. I felt conflicted whether to approach him or simply let him be. In the end, my legs led the way to him.

“Don’t you think our running into each other is becoming quite too often?” He looked away to take another gulp.

“Too often? It’s just coincidences or perhaps, the universe is simply trying to tell us something... that we’re meant to be together.” Only after was it out did I realise how that actually sounded.

Uh, I shouldn’t have said that.

Regardless, I kept my composure and smile. I watched as his eyes shifted to me. Yes, it would be strange if my words didn’t peck at his nerves. Fine, I’ll bear whatever harsh comeback he has for me today. I’m ready.

“You seem ready. I hope your team is the same.” My brows left a light furrow.

“My team?” I repeated in confusion as I watched him gulp down once more.

“Yes. I mean, technically, Mrs Carson’s team.”

“Oh.” I added with a nod. Wait.

“Ready? Why do you hope they’re ready?” I had to know as I watched him leave the can in the waste bin before turning to me. The look he gave me was a bit scrutinizing and suspicious.

“You don’t know what’s happening a few minutes from now, do you?” His question left me quite speechless. I hope it’s not something I need to worry about.

“I’ll say this once Harieth, try to concentrate a bit even if you don’t really have any interest in the job and please, don’t in any funny way, ruin today’s presentation.” His words felt a bit peculiar but I’m denied the chance to ask what exactly he was driving at and watched as he walked away.

Whilst in a state of confusion, I made my way back to my seat. Christian’s last words rang in my head continuously. Am I missing something? Why do I feel so uneasy about his words? It’s best I find answers right away and so I stood to my feet and made my way to one of the employees in the room.

Eyes asquint, I read the name on her ID card.

“Zara.” I called and she looked up to me, a bit confused and stoned.

“Can I ask you something?” I asked as I leaned closer. Her mouth opened but no words seemed to come through. I don’t have time for this.

“What exactly does Stella need those papers for?”

“P-Papers?” She stuttered and I nodded.

“Yes. I know you were actually listening on our little disagreement earlier so could you please spare me the I know nothing look and tell me what I need to know.”  I demanded staring her straight in the eyes.

After a bit of hesitation, she opened her mouth to speak.

* * *
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I should have known. I should have known better.

The quick steps I took towards the elevator did nothing to console the time already wasted. Fifteen minutes. About fifteen minutes is all there is left. I recalled Zara’s explanation.

Apparently, the flash drive and papers have a lot to say in the presentation about to take place. Stella and the team might have summarised the marketing strategy in those papers but it turns out, Christian had the idea. This whole presentation about to take place is all on his behest. One mistake and everything goes sour for him.

I hastened my steps out into the underground parking lot in search of my car. I went around in circle, somehow haven forgotten where I parked it. Time was fast running.

Finally, I spotted it.

I just hope I make it back in time.

Hi guys, sorry for the late update. I'll do better next time. I hope you like the chapter.