"I can not believe you're watching The Great Gatsby at work."
I leaned down and grabbed the small bag of chips I kept in my bottom drawer. Ryan and I along with Denver, who we almost never see, share an office. Whenever it was Ryan and I, we would pull the curtains closed and did whatever it is we wanted until someone calls for our help.
"Shhh, Bram, it's at the part where he's about to get shot."
"I hate that part. I always bawl like a baby."
"Why aren't you bawling now?" Ryan asked and I rolled my eyes at him. I pulled opened my bag of chip and hit play on the paused episode of Grey's Anatomy where Levi and Nico were making out in the elevator.
Why couldn't I find someone cute? That tall and can push me against the wall?
Where did Zoro go? I haven't seen him since that kiss four months ago. It's not like I even know what he looks like. It was dark, the mask covered half of his face and that kiss...
That kiss...
I haven't been able to forget it.
I snacked on my chips and watched the episode. Nico had to be my favorite on this show. I was still snacking on my chips, occasionally licking my fingers clean, when my phone rang out loud.
I quickly hit pause before picking up the call.
"Bram Michaels, your help is needed in Vice President Moy's office." I almost let out an audible sigh. Instead I held it in and voiced out my affirmative before cutting the call.
"Topside?" Ryan asked, hitting pause on his movie.
"Top. It's Moist Moy again."
"That's the third tike today. What does he need help with now? His finger doesn't know what key to press on the keyboard?" Ryan asked and I resisted the urge to throw the bag of chips at Ryan.
"I don't think I like you today."
"And I'm just saying it isn't even four pm yet and you've been called more times than own mother calls me in a week." Ryan teased and this time I don't hesitate to throw my chips at him.
I licked the taste of the chips off my fingers, hastily wiping my fingers on my pants aa I got up. I walked out of the office, making my way towards the elevator and got on.
I hated going topside. It was one of my least favorite things to do in this building. MS Holding was a sight to behold. Ten floors with the top floor servings as the office for both the President and Vice President of the company.
It wasn't my first choice when I had sent my cv around, trying to find a job but they were the only ones to call me back. Fuck this.
The ride up was filled with me tapping my feet and wanting to get this over with so I could go back to the office and watch the next episode of Grey's Anatomy.
Moy's secretary shoots me a sympathetic smile as I walked past her desk and into the office. Mr. Moy was standing by his desk, clad in a dark blue suit and white shirt. He was actually a good looking guy but his attitude was such a turn off that I, sometimes, don't notice that.
"If it isn't my favorite nerd."
I wanted to kick him so hard in the balls but what can I do? He's my boss.
"Mr. Moy, you needed my help?"
"Yes!" The man gestured to his iMac and I walked around the table, bending a bit so I could tap at the buttons. "It's not coming on and I don't know what buttons I pushed."
I frowned as I thought about what the problem could be.
"Why don't you take a seat? I feel like you'll be here for a while." Moy said and I internally rolled my eyes at him. I did take a seat though, checking to see if everything was working properly.
"What were you working on?"
"Something confidential."
I wanted to snort. I have lost count of how many times people say they're working on something confidential and it turns out they downloaded porn onto their system.
"Are you busy after work? I was thinking we grab a quick dinner and we can walk around." Moy said, smiling at me and I feel that sensation. That one that settles in your body when you're uncomfortable.
I quickly look away from Moy and try to figure out what was wrong with the laptop. The man was about to speak again when I noticed the black marker peeking out from one of his drawers.
It couldn't be.
I reached for the power button and touched it. It was a little bit wet and oh-
Oh.
This son of a -
He had used the black marker to color in the power button.
I took a deep breath and pushed the power button, smiling as naturally as I could while the system came on. Thankfully, Moy hadn't been watching porn. Did he think I was stupid or something?
"All done, Mr. Moy."
"Please call me Anthony."
"Mr. Moy your behavior isn't work appropriate."
"Anthony." He repeated and I balled my hands into fists. There was a time when I thought he was Zoro but then I realized. The man I had been talking to that New Year's Eve was not this piece of trash in front of me, they didn't even sound the same. Everything was just different. From the height difference to the body build.
"I have to help the marketing department with their projector." I told Moy, keeping my tone neutral and my expression too. Even if I disrespected him, it wasn't going to help me in any way and the last time I had filed a report to HR nothing had been done.
I didn't wait for Moy's response and hightailed it out of the office. I shoved my hands into my pockets as I made my way towards the stairs. I wanted to walk down and if I screamed a little and kicked at the walls, nobody had to know so they.
I felt like I was slipping.
I had the urge to just turn everything off and pull out a coloring book and crayons but I couldn't do that. I can't do that. Not anymore.
I shook my head again and made my way to the nearest male toilet. I stood in front of the mirror behind the various sinks and just stared at myself. My mess of curly hair was pulled into a ponytail, my white shirt was buttoned to the top and the sleeves rolled to my elbow, my ID card was hanging around my neck and the fluorescent lights were making my brown skin look...
Shit.
Never mind.
I pressed my palms to the marble counter and sighed again. The door to the toilets was pushed open and I jumped a bit. Maybe it was time to go back to my seat. I left my bag of chips open, they might be soft now. I washed my hands before leaving, drying them off with paper towels.
Ryan was no where to be found and so I picked up my bag of chips again and fountainhead watching Grey's Anatomy until it was five o'clock. Once it hit five I quickly packed up my stuff, making sure to switch off my computer.
I took out a pad of sticky note and grabbed a pen.
Already going home, xo
Once I was done, I pressed the sticky note to the top of Ryan's monitor songs could see it when he arrives. With my bag strap on my shoulder I made my way to the elevator, tucking my earphones in and hitting shuffle on my music, Me and You Together Song by The 1975 comes on and I hummed along.
The elevator was packed full and it felt like I couldn't breathe but thankfully the doors opened in record time and I all but ran out of there.
It was warm and all I wanted to do was get some Chinese food and settle down on my couch with some episodes of Bob's Burgers. I stretched my arms out a bit, groaning as I did so.
The bus stop was right at the end of the street and the bus had just pulled up when I got there. I took a seat at the back and rested my head against the window. I called ahead and placed an order for Chinese foods at the restaurant near my house.
The songs changed and I had to take one more bus to get home. It takes twenty to twenty five minutes to get home from MS Holdings and the Chinese restaurant was just a couple blocks away from my apartment building.
Once I got down from the bus, I pulled one bud out of my ear. When I was little my mum used to tell me not to walk down the streets with two ears plugged in, especially when I'm going home. Just in case.
I made my way over to the Chinese restaurant and had to sit down for a bit when I was told my order was ready yet. I played a couple games on my find, tried to bear my high score at Subway Surfers.
Once I get my food, I walked out of the store. I, however, did not get very far when I heard a groan. I stopped and looked around, wondering where the sound was coming from.
There was nothing. I couldn't see anything and I didn't hear anything else. Yeah. I wasn't going to die today. I picked up my pace, clutching my paper bag of food when I heard it, clear as day.
"Somebody help me."
I stopped.
I could just go home and eat and forget this ever happened. I could make a run for it but there was also the chance that someone might truly need my help. I took a deep breath and made my way over to where the noise was coming from.
It was right behind a dumpster and they didn't even bother to hide. The street light was fun but I could make out three figures, one on the ground, holding his leg, another kneeling in front of him, looking like he was seconds away from hitting the one on the ground and the third one standing there with his arms crossed.
"What is going on?" I called out before I could stop myself. I immediately felt stupid. I have seen a lot of horror movies, it's the stupid ones that always get killed first and right now, I feel plenty stupid.
"Go home."
"No! Step away from him!" I called out and stupidly took another step forward. What was I doing?
"Go home before you regret it."
"I'm going to call the cops." I said, pulling out my phone from my pocket. I clicked on the phone button and looked down to dial the right number. Before I could even think of what to press, the phone was slapped out of my hand and I was pressed to the wall, something cold pressed against my head.
"Walk with me." The person said, his tone laced with anger. Who was I to say no? I was actually quite impressed with myself. I managed to do something remarkably stupid and now I have a gun pressed to my head but the miracle of the whole thing was the fact that I hadn't dropped my Chinese food yet. I was still clutching the brown bag tightly.
"Where are you taking me? I didn't do anything. I just wanted to help." I said, looking over at the man who was holding onto his leg. This close I could see it. I could see the blood. My heart started pounding and oh god, this was how I was going to die after all the shit I have been through?
"You can't kill me. I haven't done anything. Please let me go. Please just let me g-"
I don't even get to finish my plea when something heavy hits the back of my head and everything went dark.