It has been a minute already after the door of the elevator closed but I was still staring at it. Oh God, what am I going to do?
Then I was taken from my silent predicament when I heard the familiar annoying sound "McKinley! My office, now!"
Right. I pushed the trolley inside Isadora's office. I managed to smile because I know it annoys her.
"Hi." I greeted. Instead of greeting me back, she raised one brow and motioned me to transfer the package to her desk.
"Oh my goodness, this is heavy. What's in this box?" I said, catching my breath.
"I don't suppose it's your business McKinley." she said.
"Right." I muttered. I turned around to hide my eye-rolling.
I was to push the cart out of the office because I'm itching to get away from her cold stare. She is like a witch. A very ugly witch, so to speak.
Well, I was thankful she's not because if she is, I have been long disintegrated or worse, turned into a frog. Ew.
"McKinley, can I have a word with you for a moment?" She asked.
Hmm. How unusual. "Sure." I shrugged.
"Oh, please sit down." She motioned the chair in front of her desk which I gladly took.
"What is it about?" I asked.
"Well, it's about your meeting with the boss." She studied me for a moment before she continued. "Did you know that it only means two things?"
"Two things?"
"Yes, two things." And eerie as it may seem, I think I saw her wickedly smiling, nope she's really smiling, wickedly. "It's either you get demoted or fired." She said then sat down and studied the box I delivered.
I looked at her expecting she's to say something more. But when she realized I'm still sitting there, she looked at me above the rim of her thick eyeglasses. "Why are you still here?"
And she crossed the line. "What? That's all you have to say? You let me sit here to listen to just that rubbish? I can't believe you." I snapped.
Her brows creaked up. "What do you expect me to say, Good Luck? More than anyone else, I'd be happy to get rid of you, McKinley." And she smiled.
That does it. "Well," I started. "What should I expect from an old bitch like you?" I retorted and turned for the cart.
"What did you say?" She demanded in frustration.
"You heard me right, BITCH!" I ran for the door while pushing the cart before she could throw something at me.
"How dare you?" I heard her.
Before I walked away from the door, I slipped my left hand at the door and formed the "f you" sign.
Several seconds later, I was pushing away the cart from her door with Isadora's shrill voice in the background yelling "MCKINLEY!"
I smiled. Hmph. Serves her well. As I passed, the people smiled, some even clapped.
Tom yelled, "You did it again McKinley."
I laughed. "With pleasure." Then I get in the elevator.
Then after its door closed, the real problem hit me. Oh God, what am I going to do?
If what Isadora said was true, then either I'd get demoted or fired. But being the trolley boy is basically the lowest job so there's no other job I could land into if I get demoted so the only option is to get fired.
I panicked. No. Please not now. I really need to stick to this job.
The elevator lets out its familiar 'ting' and it pops open. The beautiful lounge of the thirtieth floor welcomed me with its modern flourishing. A navy blue u-shaped sofa is facing the glass center table.
I headed to Laila, the secretary, with her rather sophisticated cubicle.
"Uh. Hi. Is the boss-"
"He's expecting you." She cut in with a smile.
"Thanks." I muttered but I'm not sure she heard me.
I left the trolley outside and peeked my head inside the glass doors, I had to peek because it's tinted. I saw him with his back on me. He was staring at the breath-taking view of the city below through the wide glass panels. His right hand was in his pocket. His left was holding a glass of wine. I noticed that he's removed his coat leaving his white long sleeve polo. He rolled his sleeves up to his elbow but he remained the polo tucked in his tailored pants.
I cleared my throat. "Excuse me sir-"
"Come in." He said and pivoted to look at me.
I was taken aback by his get-up. He unbuttoned some of the buttons on his long sleeve. He loosened his tie. For a moment, I hesitated if he was really the boss who stood in front of the accounting department full of authority.
Because now, as I stared at him, he looks like a normal person, a happy-go-lucky person, like the person I used to know.
Ugh. What am I thinking? I shook my head and entered the office.
He motioned me to sit down on the couch which I followed dutifully.
He waved his hand and I saw his two minions walk out the door. If he didn't do it, I wouldn't have noticed that the two were there.
"Wine Mr. McKinley." He offered.
"Sure," I said. I watched him pour wine on a glass and hand it to me. I don't know why there is something in his stature that seems to trigger a recollection of memories, memories that I buried a long time ago.
"Thanks." I murmured.
He sat down in front of me after he handed me the glass of wine. Well, he just sat there and stared at me which, by the way, made me feel more nervous and afraid. But finally, he spoke, "You know Mr. McKinley, I was really taken aback with what you have said at the elevator a while ago." He still had that seriousness I've seen.
I swallowed. "Am I fired?" I asked.
To my surprise, he chuckled. "Who told you that?"
For a moment, a ray of hope flashed. "You're not firing me?"
"Well, sort of." He studied me for a moment and he smiled. My reaction gave way. "You really are easy to read Mr. McKinley but nope, I'm not firing you." He poured wine to his glass once more. While doing this, he spoke.
"I kind of like people who are honest, and vocal. And you..."
"And me?"
"Yes you...you seem so straightforward. And I like that."
I was speechless. Am I straightforward? No, I'm gay. I chuckled at the thought.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
I cleared my throat. "Ah. Nothing." I cursed myself for being such a dumb.
"Very well. Mr. McKinley, how do you like to be my personal assistant?"
"Say what?"
He mused a smile. "You heard me."
This is it Darryl!
"I would gladly accept the offer Mr. uh..." Gosh... It occurred to me that I don't know the name of this guy and he's the big boss!
And he laughed. "Do I really have to introduce myself? It's Blue Sanders."
At the sound of his name, my heart flutters. Shit! He's Blue Sanders? Oh my God no.
Now everything dawned to me, why he reminds me of somebody. Because he is exactly the guy I think.
And this is absolutely not good.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Huh? Nothing, I just think I'm not fitted with the job."
"What? You just said yes. And besides I really like you. Why don't you just give it a try? Don't you want to get away from the terrorists you say?"
"I'll be away from the terrorists but I'll be with a monster!" I muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. I... I think I-"
"I think you would like the job." He smiled and stretched his hand in front of me but I just stared at it. "Oh, come on." He stood and took my hand and shook it.
I stared at him and I saw mischief and excitement inside those blue eyes accompanied with his, I hate to admit it, charming smile.
Blue has never been this handsome before.
Oh my God, what have I gotten into?