Kristen's heart sank. "How could the appointment have been two hours ago?" She asked, "Are you sure? Would you please check again?" She pleaded.
The woman crossed her arms and shook her head. She unfolded her arms slowly, lowered her eyes to her computer, and clicked on something on the screen. "Right here. Stone, appointment at 8:00 am. It is most definitely 9:56 right now." She softened her demeanor slightly. "I'm sorry. Maybe you can reschedule for another date." She suggested.
Kristen nodded slowly. Tears began to well up in her eyes. She cleared her throat and dried her eyes. "Thank you for your help. Could I schedule that now?"
The woman handed her a business card silently. She turned her eyes away from Kristen and began typing. Kristen could tell that the woman was attempting to help shield her embarrassment. She took the card and turned away.
As she began to walk back to the giant glass doors, she noticed that the security guard was watching her. He must have heard the whole encounter across the lobby. He was also not looking her in the eye. She sniffled slightly and his eyes flew to her face.
They were deep brown against his light brown skin. He had a very square jaw and quite a lot of 5 o'clock shadow peering out beneath his COVID mask. He took a deep breath and started heading her off toward the door. His dark brown hair was cut high and tight, but he had length on the top. He ran his hand through it before pushing against the door with his muscular body.
Kristen smiled a shy thanks and continued to walk outside. She was trying to catch another glimpse of his eyes when she smashed into another human for the second time that day.
The man grunted roughly. It sounded vaguely familiar. She gripped onto a tan coat to keep herself from falling onto the ground as a tall man wrapped his hands around her wrists to keep her stable. She looked up and saw that it was the same man with the violet eyes that she had bumped into earlier.
"We have to stop meeting like this." He joked. He looked down into Kristen's light blue eyes and noticed that they were slightly red and her face flushed. "Are you alright?" He asked.
Kristen nodded quickly. Her embarrassment quota had been met for the day. She couldn't handle another awkward encounter with this handsome stranger.
"Mr. Winters, your next appointment is here." The woman at the desk called out to the man. Kristen gulped loudly. This was Mr. James Winters. CEO of Pegasus Industries, and the man that she was supposed to interview with that morning.
"Thank you, Shannon." He glanced back down at Kristen. "You can let go now." He whispered jokingly as he smiled. Kristen looked down at her hands and noticed that her knuckles were white from holding tightly onto his coat. She let go and dropped her hands in a retreating stance. She took a small step backwards and tripped on the security guard's foot.
Mr. Winters grabbed her hand before she could fall. He grabbed her by both shoulders and said, "My goodness, you're nervous aren't you? Maybe you should come with me." He looked past Kristen at the security guard. "Tom, can you help her for a moment?" He twisted Kristen around in a circle and pushed her forward gently.
"Not a problem, Mr. Winters." He replied chuckling.
"Oh, c'mon, Tom. It's Jim. You know I hate being formal with you." His purple eyes glinted slightly in the light. He winked and then tapped Tom gently on his shoulder as he strode past them.
Tom the security guard extended his arm out for Kristen in a gentlemanly manner. She took it gratefully as she watched the handsome CEO drift towards Shannon's desk. They spoke quickly together before he turned back around to glance at Kristen.
It was not possible for her face to get any redder. She had knocked into him twice and then into Tom. She felt like a giant fool.
She looked down at her feet and saw that parts of her heels were starting to rip off of her shoe. Her eyes widened, she cleared her throat, and looked around the lobby, hoping no one else would notice their condition.
Tom had followed her gaze and saw the shape of her old heels. He slowly began to walk with her towards a long beige waiting bench. It had a cushion on top and shiny metal legs. He held out his arm suggesting that she should sit and she smiled shyly as she took a seat.
Tom stood right next to her, but did not touch her again after she sat down. Kristen started to fiddle with her curly dark brown hair between her fingers. A habit she had picked up in middle school when she was nervous and embarrassed. She couldn't think of anything to say to him.
Instead she looked around the grand lobby and noticed a huge chandelier above their heads. It was definitely crystal. It gleamed and sparkled in the morning sun. She was mesmerized by its beauty.
"Ms. Stone." It was that deep rugged voice again. She looked up at Mr. Winters and he had his hand outreached towards her. She took his hand, stood up, and slightly tripped on her heels. She tugged nervously on her petticoat and followed Mr. Winters towards the elevators. Tom stopped him and whispered something to him hurriedly, but they continued walking together as he spoke.
**********