4 pm.
Lisa was standing before 3 colossal sky scrapers artistically merged into 1: The Hughes Group Headquarters. Her head tilted up to its fullest capacity as she viewed the incredulous structure. Its highest peak stood above 2,000ft in the air! Beyond impressive.
She checked back at the note Theo had shoved into her hand just before leaving the school. It read:
'Hughes Group Headquarters'
There was no address. There didn't need to be. Everyone knew where exactly it was located. It was a bloody tourist attraction in Z State! To Lisa, it had just always been that: a tourist attraction. She didn't think she would ever have cause to get in there, let alone associate with an employee of the Hughes Group.
"By Hughes, he couldn't really have meant HUGHES right?... Woah... I thought Ruby was exaggerating!", she murmured to herself, overwhelmed by the sheer size and dominance of the building she was about to enter.
She reflected on Theo's words again, just to be sure she wasn't missing something;
...
"I have to go. Come to this address at 4 pm. It's my office. We can start studying there.", he had said, shoving the note in her hand.
"At your office?", Lisa had not expected to tutor him at his office.
"I'm a busy man.", he explained.
"When you get there, just tell the receptionist your name. They'll send you right to the topmost floor."
"Sure.", she had answered with a small smile.
...
"Yup. This is the place.", Lisa concluded.
She gathered her confidence and walked straight into the busy building.
...
The bright lights, reflective floors and luxurious furnishing inside the reception immediately stood out to Lisa.
'Omg! everything is so spotless, so expensive and shiny!', she thought, wincing a bit as she walked toward one of the receptionists at the front desk.
"Hi.", Lisa greeted.
"Hello. How may I be of help?", the receptionist answered professionally without looking up from her monitor.
"My name is Lisa Hatton, here to see Mr Theo...", Lisa replied, only just now realising she had not asked Theo's surname.
The receptionist's eyes popped.
Now alert, she gave Lisa her complete, undivided attention.
"Oh! Lisa Hatton! We've been expecting you... He-he... Welcome to Hughes Group Headquarters. Please walk straight up to that VIP elevator over there. The attendant will take you to the topmost floor.", she answered with a nervous smile.
"Alright. Thank you.", Lisa replied, returning her nervous smile.
Lisa walked to the VIP elevator.
On the walls of the reception, she noticed the prestigious pictures of President Hughes, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Leonard Hughes, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Hughes Group. Leonard Hughes' deep green eyes immediately attracted her.
'Those eyes... They look just like Theo's... only more intimidating. Must be another significant family trait like their black hair.', she thought.
...
The attendant took Lisa to a study at the topmost floor of the humongous building. She could see herself rising high above every other neighbouring structure through the elevator glass.
"Here, Miss. Please make yourself comfortable. The bos- Theo will be with you shortly.", the attendant said, ushering Lisa into the study.
'My goodness! I almost made a terrible mistake!', he swallowed.
"Alright. Thank you." Lisa replied. She didn't notice.
The attendant disappeared with a sigh relief.
...
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...
Lisa observed the massive study while she waited. It was so grand, and yet every part of it was intricately designed. There were reading desks and chairs and every necessary equipment for study. It even had an adjoining library which held tons of books.
On one side, there was a small lounge, well lit and furnished with cushions. The place was a reader's haven.
"Wow... this place is amazing.", Lisa gasped with admiration.
"You like it that much huh?", Theo answered from behind her. His voice shot through her body like electricity.
Lisa jumped, startled.
"Did I frighten you?", he asked, concerned.
"Ha! No, not at all... I'm perfectly fine." she answered, pretending to be relaxed, but then she leaned with her hand against an empty chair and of course lost her balance.
Theo caught her before she crashed to the floor.
"T- thank you...", she said in his arms. Then she noticed she was in his arms! Against his body! His face, only an inch from hers!
Alert! Alert!! Separate!! Now!!
Her brain blared.
Lisa immediately separated herself from him with a nervous laugh.
"Mmm ha-ha... Thank you very much, kind sir!"
"Kind sir?", Theo looked puzzled.
"Now let's get started!", she declared walking away from him robotically.
...
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********** TKE Q&A **********
Surrealish: Haha! Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome back to,
Crowd: T! K! E! Q&A!!! Woooo!!! Applause!!!
Surrealish: Thank you, thank you!
Today I have just one question for our viewers,
HOW DO YOU THINK THIS TUTORING SESSION WILL GO?
a) Lisa finally gets her sh*t together and teaches Theo
b) Theo's boss keeps interrupting until the tutorial is postponed.
c) There's a fire outbreak from the intense heat in the room
d) All of the above!
Find out when we get back on?
Crowd: T! K! E! Q&A!!! Woooo!!! Applause!!!
Surrealish: Yeah! Don't go away (wink)