Getting out of the cab, I walk to the glass doors and scan my card by security. "Good morning, Amabel," Caleb said.
I can already feel myself blushing and just replied, "Morning, Caleb," as if his way of speaking to me didn't do anything to me. I really like this guy and I've been working here for a few weeks and not once did he even ask me out. Did I want him to ask me out? I want to get out there.
I take the elevator to the office and greet Ella, "Good morning."
"Morning," she said with a flat tone. "Oh, no. What happened? Come on, we're having a talk," I said, pulling her to the kitchen. She sat at the little round, white table as I handed her a cup of coffee. I sat across from her with a cup in my hand as she started talking.
"Ben and I broke up last night. I wanted to go to his apartment and then I went inside because he gave me a key and then I saw wine and food out on the table. I thought he was being romantic. I heard music coming from his bedroom and when I went inside I saw another girl in his arms. I stormed out of there. He ran after me and I threw his key at his chest. How could I have been so stupid?"
My heart broke for her. See, this is the reason why I don't want to be in a relationship. It causes pain. You can't convince me otherwise. Just look at Ella. She is one of the kindest, most selfless people I know, yet she's in pain from a broken heart.
"I'm so sorry, Ella. Is there something I can do for you?"
She wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "No. I just need to be by myself for a while."
I didn't want her to be alone so I said, "Why don't you go home for today. I'll take care of things. Ah uh ah, I don't want any arguments. I'll take care of things here. Go. Go and take care of yourself."
"Thanks, Amabel. What would I do without you?" She stood up and went to the counter for her coat and bags. "Hey!" I call after her. "Text me your address. We're going out tonight!"
She was already in the elevator and said, "Okay. Meet at my place at six!"
After a good thirty minutes, Mr. Walker came in. I gave him his coffee as he headed to his office. He put his briefcase on his desk and then just stood still. I thought he was going to pass out. "Mr. Walker? Are you alright?"
He clears his throat and takes a seat before saying, "Where's Ella? Is she sick?"
I didn't want to rat her out but I also didn't want to lie to my boss. "She's not feeling so good. She's dealing with something." Mr. Walker scratched his beard and nodded. I walk towards his desk and hand him a document. "This is a list of all the meetings we have for today. There aren't so many because I pushed them out over the week. I thought that you could take two meetings a day and that way you have breaks in between."
"Amabel, as much as I appreciate that, I have to finish all the meetings."
Before he could say anything else, I interrupted him, "I know, but I scheduled them evenly throughout the entire week. Two a day, giving your mind a break. Plus, you won't be so tired in the mornings and won't need that much caffeine to stay awake. Caffeine is good but it can become a bad habit and a hazard to your health, Mr. Walker. I probably should have asked, but the last few days I've been worrying about you. You look like you want to fall over."
I saw him sigh and then took a deep breath. Oh shit. Here it comes. The whole speech turned into three little words. You are fired.
I wait in suspense for him to say something, but he is quiet. His eyes closed and he's just breathing, very calmly. Then he slowly opens his eyes and looks at me. "You are right, Amabel. I am tired. I don't even have time for my wife anymore. And it's not good for our marriage."
I blew out the breath I didn't know I was holding for a good minute and a half. "Good," I say with a lot of new built confidence. He knew I was right and he agreed with me. "In fact, why don't you take three meetings on Thursday, leaving only one for Friday so you could take Mrs. Walker out for dinner?"
"That sounds like an incredible idea. She'll love it. Book-"
"A dinner reservation for two at eight at The Rooftop at the Wayfarer. Already booked, Sir," I said with a smile and walked out the door. The second I turn around I hear, "Miss Avery..." Now the nerves in my muscles tense up even more. "Yes, Sir?"
"Thank you," he said when the phones began to ring. I smiled nervously and walked out the door and then ran to the phones. Saved by the ring!
First call is at Ella's counter. "Mr. Walker's office, Amabel speaking, how may I help you?" And so the phones go on for hours. I took a look at my phone's screen and saw that it's lunch time. As if right on time, the elevator doorbell makes a binging noise. "Uh, yes. Thanks. Just put his lunch there in the kitchen. Thanks!" It's probably Jo that brought Mr. Walker's lunch up. "See ya, Bells." I wave and then the phones go off again.
For a moment the phones were quiet and I quickly heated up Mr. Walker's lunch and took it to him. "Thank you, Amabel," he said with kindness as always.
Running back and forth between the phones was better than getting a workout at the gym. Then the elevator door binged again. I can't see who it is because I'm carrying files and a very large stack of papers in my arms. "Hey! You can't go back there. You need an appointment," I said, putting the papers on the small table behind Ella's counter.
The guy stood still and said, "I don't need an appointment." He turns around with an attitude I want to kick off his body. Who the hell does he think he is? The president? Didn't think so!
"Amabel?"
Oh, shit! I cleared my throat and blink my eyes for a few times just to make sure I'm not dreaming and then shook my head. "Trevor? What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I came to see my father. What are you doing here?"
Of course Mr. Walker is Trevor's dad. You really are stupid, Amabel. With my luck, the president would probably have been here to see his son. Amabel! Focus!
"I work here." I clear my throat again. What is that? Why don't I have any spit in my mouth? "Uh, just wait here for a moment," I said walking away to Mr. Walker's office, knocked on the door and went inside. "Uh, Mr. Walker? Your son's here to see you."
"Ah, thank you, Amabel. Send him in." That stupid and unnoying little voice in my head was screaming and then began laughing at me. How do I quiet it? But then I saw him standing by the window taking in the late afternoon view over the ocean.
"Trevor, ah-" I clear my throat, "I mean, Mr. Walker, your father is ready for you." He turns around and the sun makes a silhouette of his body dressed in a black suit. Fuck! He looked good. "Mr. Walker? So, we're calling each other by our last names now? Huh, okay, Miss?"
I just stood there, not sure of what to say next and waiting for him to keep talking. That's when I realized he was waiting for me to answer. "Ah, Avery. Miss Avery."
"Well then, Miss Avery. Thank you, for your assistance," he said with a huge smirk on his face and dimples forming in the corner of his lips. Those soft, juicy and beautiful pink colored lips. How I miss their taste. Then it hit me. What assistance? He knows his father's office. Was he flirting with me? Get back to work!