it has been raining for three days.

i chose a maple latte for the ceo a multi million dollar company today and i am very much regretting it.

who in their right minds would choose such a girly drink for a man in his late twenties (i think. it's kind of hard to tell when he wears scowl that ages him thirty years) and wears suits that look like they belong at the louis vuitton store?

nevertheless he takes a sip as i leave and regards it with a blank expression, taking another. i take this is an absolute win and leave the room smiling. if there's one thing i can do right i guess it's order coffee. speaking of, vivian has actually given me a visa card with a weekly budget for coffee which includes my own along with theirs so at least i get free coffee. she made it very clear that if i spend it on anything else, she will know because she calculated exactly how much it will take to buy just coffee. which is fine by me because i'd be way too terrified to spend it on anything else.

when i got back from the store yesterday, vivian took a look at the pictures i had taken and the choices i made. after a sigh and an eye roll, she gave me a nod. which is one of the highest compliments she has given me thus far.

now that i have a vision and it has been approved, i'm starting to feel confident that i can get the list done in the next three days. of course i'll really have to put the petal to the medal today but all in all i'm actually kind of enjoying having all of this responsibility.

one of the items on my agenda for today is to go on a walk through of the venue to draw up a blueprint of sorts for where everything should go. there will first be a formal dinner for some very select clients in a separate smaller ballroom in the same building and then of course the larger gathering with the music and dancing for the longer list of guests. so, in all reality, i have two separate parties to plan. i wasn't aware of the dinner until this morning when i took a closer look at the folder vivian gave me.

on my way out to do the walk through, i spot mr. ward by the elevators yet again and i stop in my tracks, subtly checking my watch. i'm correct in assuming that it's almost the exact same time that he had been leaving yesterday. this time i wait for him to hop on an elevator and quickly join him, curious to see where he's going.

"that's absolute rubbish." he mumbles into his cell phone and i almost do a double take and stare at his face with my feet obviously shocked expression but i manage to control myself. how have i never noticed that he has a very slight accent? what is that, south african? no, it's definitely more british. it's very subtle but it's there.

"well i'm headed there now." he says in almost a whisper, looking over at me warily. i stare ahead, pretending not to notice, "no, not today, i'd rather go on my own. i'll see you some other time." he tells whoever is on the other line. maybe a friend? or maybe a girlfriend.

the doors open and we both start walking at the same time, our shoulders running into each other before we're knocked sideways. "i'm so sorry, please excuse me."

"no, my apologies." he nods without looking at me, tugging on his coat before speed walking out the main entrance probably towards valet parking.

"i wish i had a valet to get my car." i mumble before sighing and adjusting the strap on my bag. i should be more embarrassed that just ran into my boss but the rule is ladies first and i don't care whether you're a millionaire or not, the rule still applies.

pulling my dress coat around me tighter, i step out into the garage. i'm walking to my vehicle when i stop abruptly, spotting him. he gets into his audi casually and i watch as the car starts and begins to back up. he's parked in the same row as me and i don't even realize this until he's head straight towards me and i'm still just standing here.

he doesn't seem to be paying attention either because he doesn't stop until he's almost right up on me and suddenly there's a loud shriek as his foot hits the breaks. mr. ward's eyes are wide as he looks at me through the windshield, completely confused.

my cheeks are on fire as i fight to collect myself, my heart beating out of my chest from pure terror. the drivers side door opens and he steps outside probably to ask me what the heck i was doing standing in the way for absolutely no apparent reason. i would honestly have to ask myself the same question.

"what are you doing?" he asks me, dark brows raised as he waits for a reply.

"i-" i stutter, feeling out of breath, "i was just going to my car." i point to my vehicle, my keys dangling from my fingers. i must look like i'm in shock or something because he looks at me before sighing, pressing his thumb and index finger to the bridge of his nose.

"why were you just standing here in the middle of the isle? didn't you see me coming?" he asks me, his tone still sharp as if he's trying to tone it down but physically can't.

"well..." yes, yes i did.

"why didn't you move out of the way?" this i honestly don't know, "i could have killed you and been in massive trouble to hitting one of my employees with my car! is that what you wanted? insurance money?"

"that would have been nice, but no." i mumble, my eyes widening slowly when i realize i said that out loud and my gaze immediately looks up to see if he heard me.

"are you cracking jokes right now? because i don't find this very amusing." he fumes.

i fight a smile, for some reason finding this situation absolutely hilarious. how could i be so dumb? this man, my boss, is asking me why i was standing in the middle of the isle and why i almost practically allowed him to run me over. yet i have no answer for him because i don't know.

"i said it's not funny." he barks, spreading his arms, "this could have been really bad, and you're laughing? grow up." he tells me angrily.

his tone of voice should effect me considering he usually scares me half to death but it doesn't and it's everything i can do to stop the chuckles and put on a straight face, "you're right, sir. it's not funny."

"good." he sighs, pulling out his phone, "now, are you hurt? do i need to call an ambulance?"

"no no i'm fine. i'm good." i reassure him, "i'm sure you're late for something and i actually am too."

"right." he responds with a frown as if suddenly remembering where he's supposed to be, "well...goodbye." is all he says before getting back in his car. this time i step out of the way before he drives off.

what i had been so shocked about was not only does he park and walk to his car himself but he also has a pretty normal looking car. granted, his audi is like brand new and i'm sure it was very expensive but i always expected millionaires to drive a ferrari or a lamborghini. i guess you learn something new every day.

☆☆☆

after i've done the walkthrough and have had time
to think about what happened only a couple of hours ago, i'm thinking i very well may be getting fired today. i'm quite sure assistants have been fired for much less. i must look like an insolent girl with clouds for brains. i mean, who stands in front of a car like a deer in headlights? i would fire me too. not to mention i didn't exactly take him seriously even though he probably has the power to ruin my entire life.

i stop for another coffee on the way back to the office, feeling like i need a good pick me up. after i've ordered my own coffee, i pause for a moment and choose an americano with vanilla and caramel as a last resort "i'm sorry" to mr. ward.

on my way to his office, i hear words emitting from the crack in the door and stop in my tracks, his coffee on my left hand. it sounds like vivian is livid about something and he's just annoyed. did he tell her what happened? because, if so, i have no chance in staying because i don't think there's a merciful bone in that woman's body. i'm convinced that if i looked at her wrong i would be most likely terminated.

"we've talked about this, vivian. i don't want to discuss it again if you want to keep your job." my eyes widen at his words. what? vivian fired? for some reason i thought she was kind of immune to that but i guess not. i suppose everyone is subject to loosing a their job no matter who they are.

"oh so now you're threatening my job? that's really mature, jared." she spits. is she allowed to call him jared?

"what else am i supposed to do? we go on one date six months ago and you're still hounding me? i've tried to be nice to you but it's getting a little suffocating."

"you just don't know how to admit how you feel." she says lowly, "you know, that's going to catch up with you sooner or later." my eyes widen even further.

there's a pause in the air, the tension building, before mr. wards says in an eerily calm voice, "get out."

"what?" she asks, clearly still very upset.

"i said get out. this is your last warning, vivian. you do a great job as an employee but i can't have you bringing personal matters into our working relationship. if you do anything like this again, you're done. do you understand?" his voice is calm and i suddenly get chills, this version of his being ten times more intimidating than if he were to be yelling at the top of his lunges.

"yes." vivian's voice cracks and my heart sinks a little. i almost feel sorry for her.

i hear him sigh, "i'm sorry if i've caused you pain but it's over. i just need to get that across to you."

"whatever." vivian bites, footsteps suddenly getting closer and closer to the door. my mouth falls agape and i look for somewhere to hide. i quickly try to jog back to my office without spilling the coffee but the door opens and i turn back around on my heel just as vivian walks out with red eyes.

i continue to walk in that direction as if i'm only just now leaving my office to bring the boss his coffee. she doesn't even acknowledge me, keeping her head held high as she marches to her office. i do my best not to look at her as well, feeling guilty for eavesdropping on their conversation.

i wait about a minute before knocking on the door with my knuckle, not walking in until i hear him give me permission to enter.

"sorry to bother you, sir." i say nervously, earning his attention. mr. ward looks up at me with an exasperated sigh. i guess if i'm fired now would be the time i find out.

"hello, symphony, walk in front of any cars lately?" he asks me with raised brows. i'm actually so surprised he knows my name that i hardly notice his mocking tone.

"not in the last couple of hours, sir." i clear my throat, setting the coffee down on his desk, "sorry if it's a little lukewarm. if you'd like me to microwave it i'd be happy to do so."

"it's fine." he sighs, picking up the coffee and taking a sip, "you know you already brought me coffee, right?"

"yes, sir."

"alright then." he shrugs, "you may go."

i can't get out of there fast enough, feeling awkward enough as it is after almost getting hit by his car and now listening in on his personal conversations. i've gotten myself into enough trouble for today but it looks like my job is safe...for now.

☆★☆

where do you think mr. ward was going in that hot audi of his?

also, do you feel for vivian or do you think she got what she deserved?