“Ashley, you know that's not possible. You made me have dinner late last night. I won't let you make the both of us late for work today,” he bellowed while he sorted through the books on the side table as if he was looking for something.
“Okay, you win. What are you looking for?” I asked while still in the bed comfortably tucked in.
“Nothing actually. Are these the books you are compiling your project plan from?” he asked with great curiosity.
“No. They are just random books. I didn't know where to place them, so I just kept them by the table. I will get a better location for them soon,” I said as I raised myself from the bed.
I reached out for the glass of water close to my lamp on the side table, took few gulps and returned the cup to its initial position and stood up to make my way to the bathroom.
“Five minutes!” Justin annoyingly screamed on his way to the kitchen.
“You are not a lady! I need my time, thank you,” I yelled back.
We walked down the hallway to the elevator and found our way down the hallway to the door leading outside. The cool breeze of the morning swept through my hair, reminding me of the cool neighborhood of my home in Manhattan.
We walked to Justin's car and we drove to the office, narrowly missing morning rush hour. We got to the office at 7:05am, almost an hour early for work. As Justin and I walked towards the door, the security guard called our attention.
“Good morning, Mr. Andrews and Ms. Lane. You both are quite early today,” he voiced with a surprised expression on his face. His eyes peered towards us as if we were looking strange.
“Hey, good morning, Joe. Yes, we sure are,” Justin replied with a warm smile. The security guard's gaze immediately fixated towards me with a stern look.
“Joe! Morning. Yeah, thanks to mister grumpy over here.” I interjected with a laugh. He seemed not to be in the laughing mood, but he smiled anyway. It seemed he took his security position quite seriously.
“Well, do have a great working day then.” He then opened the door for the both of us to walk in.
“Thanks,” we both said in unison.
“Okay, Ashley, you be a good girl today at work. And try not to get so boiled up, okay?” Justin whispered. He was giving me the devilish smile of his.
“Really?” I said with an annoyed look. “Just take care. We may meet at lunch, or maybe not,” I blurted before I headed for the stairs.
“Bye!” Justin yelled.
I turned back to see him waving at me in the lounge. I wanted to pretend I didn't see that, but I just reciprocated the gesture.
“Uh… Justin had to remind me to stay level-headed at work again.”I pondered to myself.
My head turned from where Justin was and connected with something along its course. No, it was someone.“Please let it not be Moody this time again,”I prayed.
Looking down, I could see the well-polished brown Oxford shoes on this figure's feet. I took a step back with my hand on my head to take a clearer look of who I just hit my head on. The royal blue suit matching the shoes fitted nicely on this figure. A pink tie matching the pink pocket square stood out. I immediately took my gaze off the pocket square to his hand and heaved a sigh of relief.
“Pheww. I am so sorry,” I humbly apologized.
“Thank God, it's not Moody.”I thought to myself before a hand patted my left shoulder.
“Are you okay? Hope you are not hurt?” he inquired. I knew that voice. How could I forget those grey eyes.
“Hello?” He went on.
“Ah. Hi, Ryan. I am fine. Sorry for bumping into you,” I replied while trying to sweep my hair to the right as I fastened my bag.
“It's fine. You've got to be careful next time. How are you?” He asked, with a hint of concern in his voice, still looking at me with utter interest.
“I am fine. Thank you. Hope you're good?” I muttered.
“Yeah, I am. How are your preparations for the presentation tomorrow coming along? asked with a serious face.
“Working on it. Surely, I will finish it up in time.” I replied, ever confident with a smile, which turned immediately to a frown. “Uhm, catch you later, I've got to go.” I said in a hurry.