"You will be working with Macy our audit partner for this client. In order to make sure there isn't any conflict of interest between our parties, we would like you'll to sign the letter of confidentiality, and ensure you fully understand the guidance provided in your audit engagement letters. Breach of any such.."
We have been at it since the morning, apparently, our firm has gotten hold of two competitors and wants to retain them, Rachel is practically draining our energy by this point.
"Psst, here" nudging my elbow subtly Matt passed a mint from the bowl placed in the center of the table.
I quickly popped it in before Rachel could spot me.
We two have been smuggling the mints for the past 10 mins and trying our level best to not get caught slacking because really all we want to do is slide down our chairs and just simply claim the carpeted floor as our home.
My ass is all numb and I can't feel a thing in my legs this is how long I've been sitting in this goddamn chair.
"What do you say to another mint?" Matt asked while his hand was nearing the bowl,
"I'd say, yes please kind sir". Rose another intern and our colleague was busy giving me the stink eye every time she catches Matt and me whispering like we're up to no good.
"Here, take these," and he dumped a handful of mints in my hands.
"Hey, they're not all yours, equally divide them and give me my share," he whisper screamed in my ear.
"What share? There 7 mints only" I showed him my palm, annoyance radiating off me.
He just continued to raise his left eyebrow, in a manner to explain to me, "What more do you expect?" and bought forward his palm.
Irritated I shoved 3 out of the 7 he gave me. "Here, take these you greedy pig."
Quickly throwing mine in my mouth before he could stalk a claim on the remaining.
About 5 minutes later I noticed his hand once again nearing the bowl.
I swatted his hand away and grabbed a handful myself.
10, I was able to take 10 mints, passing 5 mints into his hands, I informed him in a haughty manner.
"This is how you grab mints if you're intending to share them."
Rolling his eyes at me he leaned forward, "Don't feel proud, I've been passing on more mints."
Shrugging I flipped him the finger and turned towards Rachel.
The mints were nearing an end but there were no signs that Rachel is about done for the day.
Sighing loudly Matt muttered the time, "It's 3:30 when is this witch going to let us go?"
"Shushhhh..." I'll give you 3 chances to guess who this might be.
I'll help you this is Rose, the designated Karen for today's meeting.
Meeting her stare head-on Matt plucked another mint into his mouth and chewed loudly.
I snickered quietly and continued to doodle on the edge of my diary, paying no heed to Rose or Rachel.
"I think this is for today, I'm sure you're all fully aware of your responsibilities and would work hard as always to bring a good name to our firm." Clapping her hands twice Rachel dismissed us.
Matt and I were among the first to flee that hell hole.
"I thought she would never let us out of her sight," Matt announced as soon as we occupied our desks.
"Awww, Matty dear I think someone has a crush on you," I said while pointing at Rose who still hasn't stopped staring although there were a good 5 desks between us and she can't practically hear us over the noise anyways.
"And I think we should definitely go and eat something, please I'm starving the sad excuse of a sandwich I had during the break is long digested," he said while rubbing circles over his tummy like a 5-year-old.
Judging by his expressions and the slight downturn of his lips I'm sure he'd start wailing loudly if I don't agree.
"You go, I'd like to finish this report. Besides, why don't you ask Rose on your way out, lets see how much potential the two of you have."
Rolling his eyes at me he neatly hung his jacket at the back of his chair and rolling his sleeves he bent down to whisper in my ear, "When hell freezes over," and made his way towards the exit.
Shaking my head at the man child I call my best friend, I opened my report with half a heart.
I was really focused and determined on finishing the report today, the more I work the easy it would be for me to forget about yesterday's events.
Besides I like to finish my work a day or two earlier so I could relax while others are trying hard to meet the deadline.
It gives me satisfaction seeing others scurrying about trying to finish their work on time. While I'm long done with mine.
My stomach growled loudly, indicating that it needs fuel.
Damn you, wasn't the whole bowl of mints enough for you?
I contemplated between texting Matt or not.
On one hand, it's a good thing if I skip lunch, this way at least I can cut back on some calories.
But on the other, I really was craving a cheeseburger.
Or I should just order some chicken salad, that way I'll have something to shut my stomach with and it won't be too many calories.
Making up my mind I was about to text Matt when he came back with 2 Mcdonalds' takeout bags.
Thank the lord for caring friends.
He placed my bag on my table and smiled knowingly.
"You know you really are my true friend. " opening the bag I took a sniff of my meal. Giving him a cheeky grin I went to eat my food.
Laughing he took out his burger and said, "Babe stop before I'm tempted to do kiss you."
Showcasing my teeth to him I said, "As if I'll let you."
"Yes, you'll let me because you love me."
"This where you're wrong boy," shaking my head at him, I fished out the fries at the bottom of his bag.
I didn't need to tell him that I love him, he already knows.
He's my best friend, the one crazy enough to befriend a woman older than him.
He's family, brother from another mother.
Wiping my mouth with a tissue I toss the wrappers in the bin.
Sighing I returned to my work positive that I'll finish it by 5 pm.
"You're not going home? It's 6:30, everyone left like an hour ago." Matt rubbed a hand over his face and motioned towards the now-empty office.
"Come I'll help you with this tomorrow, we still have like a day more to submit it."Tugging on my blouse sleeve he forced me to save my work and go home.
I won't admit it to his face but he's right I will be needing his help to complete this report.
"Fine, but you better help me with this or else," taking my right hand I moved it over my neck gesturing that I'll slit his throat.
He mock surrendered and bent down to pick up my handbag.
Together we descended the stairs to the car park when Matt fished his phone out and was busy scrolling through it.
"Lorence gave birth yesterday, look Amy posted the pictures," Lorence was Matt's dog but because his landlord doesn't allow pets she is staying with his sister.
"Oh, wow," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster, in all honesty, I wasn't a dog person.
I was not an animal lover, period.
But I find dogs scary, especially since snitch. Dogs are a big no-no.
"Why don't you come with me, I was going to pay them a visit, that clever Amy claimed them as hers since she was present there and I wasn't. Says they're her children and I can be the uncle, so do you wanna come to visit your nieces and nephews, aunt Kar... ugh"
I wasn't able to pay much attention to what he was saying because right now my eyes are glued to the tall figure standing beside my car, looking here and there.
The figure resembled the man I've been trying to forget about.
Alex.
I tried to move faster as to clearly see his face but my ankle twisted.
Matt who was hot on my heels collided with me and I was about to fall face first if not for the man standing by my car holding me.
"oof..." Alex groaned and we both straightened ourselves, actually we three.
Am I that heavy?
"Sorry, I wasn't looking." Matt got a hold of my arm and twisted me towards himself to get a better look at me.
"You alright?" Alex asked from behind me.
"Yes, thank you I'm fine." I tried to regain my senses. But it proved a difficult task because right now Alex was looking at me with so much concern that I just want to get lost in his eyes.
Kara, get a hold of yourself. I admonished myself and straightened my jacket.
"What are you doing here?" I asked Alex as he was busy eyeing Matt with a frown nestled comfortably between his brows.
"Kara, who is he?" Matt came to stand between us.
"Her fiance, and you might be?" those words from Alex's mouth screeched everything to a halt.
My what???