It is currently the 23rd of December meaning it is our last working day of the year. It's a Friday and from Monday our winter holidays are starting and I am over the moon about it. Christmas might just be my favorite time of the year. I can't wait to go back home to Charlotte and spend a couple of days with my dad and my brother. My brother recently got a girlfriend, from what I've heard she's the nicest person ever so I'm so excited to finally meet her! As much as I love living in New York at times I get frustrated and sad because I don't get to see my family as much as I would want to so I always end up feeling left out because I'm not always there for the small and sometimes big things happening in their lives.
I knock on Nayel's door and step inside once I hear a come in. Nayel had recently gotten a haircut, his hair was short and trimmed from the sides and slightly longer in the front but none of it was covering his forehead anymore. It suited him, he looked really handsome. Parts of me wondered if he was trying to look good for someone special during the holidays or trying to impress someone special's family. I don't care if Nayel has a girlfriend or not but I just would love to know what he gets around to in his free time and who he spends his time with that's all. He's just such a mystery.
Nayel leans back in his chair, his eyes meet mine, "Are you just heading out?" he asks.
I nod, "Yes, just wanted to say happy holidays"
Nayel smiles showing off his perfect smile, "Why thank you"
"And.." I trail off.
"And?" Nayel raises an eyebrow, eyeing me speculatively.
"Well I kind of have this tradition of having a New Year's Eve Party at my house with my colleagues mostly and a few of my friends so just wanted to give you an invite" I shrug casually.
Nayel looks at me amused, "I heard about this party last year as well, however, I don't recall getting an invite"
"Well in the last month you've proven that you're actually a somewhat of a decent human being and not an insufferable asshole anymore. So you qualify for an invite this year" I cross my ankles shrugging once again.
Nayel lets out a throaty laugh, "I am flattered?" He says yet It comes out as a question.
"You should be" I smirk.
"I will try my best to make it, even though spending my free time with my employees isn't what I enjoy doing" Nayel runs his hand across his chin.
"So who do you enjoy spending your free time with?" I accidentally blurt out.
"Why are you so eager to find out?" Nayel smirks at me and I felt the heat rise in my cheeks.
"I just can't imagine anyone wanting to spend time with you that's all" I try to play it off cool.
Nayel smiles, "Well I'll see you later then," I say.
"Happy Holidays Ria" He smiles at me.
I don't even know why I invited him but I wanted him to be there. I wanted to see him outside work and see what time of person he is in a social setting. I don't know why I care so much but I just can't help thinking about him from time to time, I don't know what's up with me. I doubt he'll even show up though.
....
Caroline and I decided to have dinner at Olive Garden tonight, the rest of the girls were already traveling back to their hometowns. My flight is tomorrow and Caroline is from Staten Island so she's not going anywhere.
"So how's Mr. hot boss?" Caro wiggles her eyebrows at me.
"He's fine," I say casually.
Caro tilts her head, "What are you not telling me?"
I sigh biting the inside of my cheek, "I might've been keeping something from you guys for a while now"
"What is it?" Caro's eyes go wide.
"About a month ago, Nayel and I had a moment" I intertwine my fingers together.
"What does that mean?" Caro wiggles her eyebrows at me.
"Well, he kissed me," I say and take a sip of my drink.
"Maria!" Caro screeches, "What? Why am I only hearing about this now?"
"I don't know?" I shrug, "Maybe because it was just one kiss and nothing has happened since"
"I need more context" Caro moves her hand in the air circularly demanding me to keep on talking.
"So it was after my date with Winston and he kept being extra rude to me so I just snapped, said basically all the things I've wanted to say to him since I started working here. I dared him to fire me and I thought he would but he grabbed me and kissed me" I press my lips together.
"That's so hot" Caro smirks.
"Yeah it was something and then surprisingly, the next day he apologized, not only for the kiss but for how bad he's been treating me for the past two years and since then for the past month, he actually has been nothing but pleasant and kind to me. It's like he's a completely different dude" I take a bite of my pasta.
"How was the kiss?" Caro grins.
"Caro I can't" I sigh, "I have never been kissed like that before and I'm going, to be honest with you, I don't know why but I was sort of bummed when he told me the kiss didn't mean anything because I think it meant something to me because I haven't stopped thinking about it since" I pause, "I don't know maybe I'm just horny?" I shrug.
"Maria, he's into you. We've been saying this since day 1" Caro bobs her head excitedly.
"I doubt it, if he was why say the kiss meant nothing? and I don't even know if I'm into him if I'm being honest. Maybe I just need to get laid" I say taking a sip of my drink.
Caroline chuckles, "Honey, you do."
I roll my eyes, "I invited him to my new year's eve party, I don't know if he'll come through"
Caroline smiles, "He will, and" Caroline points a finger at me, "this time you will kiss him at 12"
I shake my head, "No, no, no"
"Come on Maria, be a little bold. One of you has to" Caroline says.
"Caro, he's still my boss and honestly I don't even know if he's single. I barely know anything about him. He could be married for all I know. I can't risk it" I say.
"You both are scared and stubborn when it's so utterly obvious you want each other" Caroline takes a sip of her drink.
"Is it obvious though?" I tilt my head to the side.
Could I possibly have some sort of feelings for Nayel Jefferson? How did my whole world turn upside down overnight?