Time passed in just a blur and before Ashley knew it , it was lunch time and Hayden had not left his office yet for lunch. She was puzzled whether to call him or just head to the firm' s cafeteria for lunch. Well it was crystal clear made to her that she should know her limits but again depending on the guide lines to follow she was some kind of close to being his personal assistant. A secretary bringing coffee! It just didn't settle fine with her.

She came up with a decision of not interrupting Hayden and she just headed down to also take her lunch. Her stomach was growling nonstop. She had not taken breakfast because she was panicking and she was so nervous ,hope that summarises everything.
She first headed to the ladies room to ease her self and to check out her self. She stood in front of a large mirror just looking at her reflection and she was taken away in a train of thoughts

Her mind drifted off to Emma wondering what she was up to at home , worrying whether she was fine, asking her self whether she had taken her lunch. Well sometimes she preferred watching TV and she even forgot about her health.
The sound of flowing water snapped her back to reality and she noticed a lady just at her right washing her hands in the sink. When did she come here? Wait how did she even come in and she didn't even notice.

"Excuse me, are you fine? You have have tears rolling down your cheeks" she said as her hands made gestures in front of her face which was now sending sympathy and confusion in Ashley's direction.

"Well , um thanks for the care am okay just a bit over whelmed by some things" Ashley sent a sincere apologetic smile her way.

"Oh it's okay , and by the way I am called Emily but feel free to call me Em or Milly, most people here use those two. " She extended her hands with a wide grin and Ashley shook them firmly. She was very friendly and Ashley liked her instantly.

" Call me Ashley"

" Wait are you the new secretary of Mr Matthews" Ashley gave her a questioning look wondering where she knew her from , She hadn't talked to anyone at work , okay only at least three people Hayden , the receptionist and the Lenny Hayden's receptionist.

Frowning her face Ashley said " Yes its true" and " How do you know me" she smiled.

Emily shrugged her shoulders and she returned her focus back on the mirror to apply lip stick on her small lips.

"Well if you don't know, here words travel faster" She said after a while.

Silence filled the room and feeling that she was no longer needed she sent a warm smile in Emily's direction.

"See you around Ashley, it was nice meeting you "

"It was nice meeting you too Emily" Ashley replied with a wide grin.

She headed back to her office. Before even she could reach, she heard the loud ringing of her office phone in the hall way and she sped up to get it before it went to a voice mail.
" Hello"
She answered immediately before even checking the caller ID.

"Mrs Simpson sorry Ashley come over in my office" Well it was Hayden. What was he telling her now, she was in her lunch break. Sighing irritatedly she knocked on his door and upon giving her permission she entered inside the office and she closed the door behind her.

" I have called you so that you call at Sheraton and inform them to reserve me a table of one. Am going to have my lunch "

" Okay sir"

Ashley gave him her best smile and she headed out of his office.
After making reservations she decided on calling home to check on Emma. Now she was on her way to the cafeteria for lunch.

"Hey baby how is you"

" Mummy!!! you have not checked on me ever since you left, I miss you"

Her voice was now soft.

Ashley's throat tightened and the rims of her eyes heated up"I am sorry Emma but I was caught up with work and I also miss you terribly, can't wait to come back and I join you"

She told her sincerely." So what are you doing now , have you taken your lunch" she continued in her mother serious tone.

" Mommy am do-"

" Don't think about lying me, you know you can't lie to me, you haven't taken your lunch, now immediately after I hung up take your lunch okay" She was worried about her and she was just playing around with her health.

" Okay mummy, am sorry don't get mad at me"

Laughing and shaking her head though she couldn't see her " Mummy can't you know, now Emma take care I will talk you later, I love you Mwaaa"
" I love you too mummy, mwaa" she laughed at the end of her statement. She looked at the phone in her hands with a wide grin , Emma really was a mood changer. She had her way of making her fine even if she was not.

" Ashley I thought you are already taking lunch" What the hell is Mr Matthews doing here? Ashley asked her self silently she wondered whether he had heard her conversation with Emma.

"well it is his firm he has all rights to be anywhere he wants." She thought about it though she didn't voice it out.

" I was still making a phone call Sir" Ashley looked down at her feet while chewing her bottom lip. With that he nodded and he continued with where he was going.
"Ahhhh" She released a long breath and her stomach growled again for hundredth time now. Embarrassed though no one could see her, she rushed to the cafeteria to put something in her stomach.

*********
" Ashley.." She turned around to see Emily' s hands in the air signaling her to join her where she was. She was seated alone and that made it more easy. She didn't know why she was trying to be friends with her but she was giving it a chance.

"Hey" She greeted her as she planted her self next to her placing her food on the table. "Hey" she replied with a wide grin. One thing now she truly knew about her was that she was a smiling person and so welcoming. They ate in silence before Emily decided to break it.
" How is your first day at work" she looked at Ashley like she was looking for something, her eyes held sympathy, love.

Swallowing immediately and shaking her head, Ashley replied " well first day so far has not yet turned out into a night mare, everything so far great" she laughed rolling her eyes.

" You will like this place I assure you,now_ " she looked down , wait was she nervous?

"What is it" Ashley gave her hand a little squeeze encouraging her to continue.

"Hope am not over demanding but if you don't mind, is it okay if we be friends"

Shrugging " well I don't mind,I aso want to make new friends basing on what I have been through" though she didn't say out the last words loud.

Emily sent Ashley an excited look.

" Really? I thought it is to be hard but something about you is good, you just seem to be really great " Ashley just smiled in response.

"What is your professionalism here Emily"

"Well am a lawyer for land issues and business."

Ashley looked at her in awe, with her petite figure, she held such power in her.

"Wow, that is really nice Emily"

Emily just shrugged " Well now get to know it, it is really nothing " She smiled .

They continued to eat and after their meals they exchanged contacts and they both headed to their different destinations to continue with their work.

Ashley entered the elevator and she was surprised to see Hayden inside, she shot one glance in his way and she focused on the numbers showing the level they were at. The air was so uncomfortable and she was dying to get out of the elevator as soon as possible.

Finally they reached the seventh floor and she provided way to allow him go first. With a nod , Hayden headed to his office.
She passed Lenny the receptionist and she rolled her eyes turning her focus on whatever she was doing on her PC.
God this young lady is something else.

A smile crept on her lips and she continued to her office to proceed with work as the day went on slowly.

X0XO
@Swt Jo