I stood in the lobby as I told Flowers farewell, and to have a wonderful weekend. She did the same with some extra spice in her eyes, knowing more than me all too well, what was going to happen next. I stood unwavering waiting calmly swirling in my long coat jacket, looking sideways at the elevator doors.
I was pretty sure I got a text saying, 'Sure thing.' I didn't reply and now I was wondering if should have. I gaze at my watch it was just five minutes, after working hours. Why was I so anxious? I thought he would be in the lobby already when I came with Flowers, but I seemed more excited than he was. Now I was worried these feelings were one-sided.
I continued to pace a bit. Twisting my bag from one hand to the next. When I noticed a pair of eyes staring at me. She seemed to be standing now, preoccupied with whatever was at her desk and me. This time I caught her red-handed peeking at me underneath her glasses, she immediately turned sideways to attend to something.
I remember her, she was the first person I spoke to when I entered the building. Plus that significant hairstyle half black on left, and half crimson red split was hard to miss. She was the main receptionist for the floor. I immediately felt wrong standing idling on her floor, and for some weird reason, I walked towards her.
"Good Evening…" I said as I reached her counter. I paused suddenly realizing I didn't know her name. She turned to face me and adjusted her glasses. She gave me that 'what if look'.
"May I help you," she asked seeming to be wearing heavy red lipstick.
"Oh... I seemed to not remember your name," I suggested. She stepped towards me and leaned her head slightly, and looked at me as if she was lost.
At first glance because of those glasses, I would have thought she was a middle age lady. She definitely looked like she was old as my mother, but was aging like wine on the finer side of life. With her curves still showing in that gray office dress, she was wearing.
"Actually… you didn't ask," she stated. I smiled nervously, I did remember. I had told her my name but didn't ask for hers. This was unlike me, my father had taught me betters manners. Worst I did not even know the ground floor receptionist's name, this was awful of me. Old enough to be my mom, she must have thought I was ill-mannered.
"Ugh… my bad," I nervously spoke. "It was my interview day so." She looked at me suggestively. "Well, as a reminder, my name is Soraya Harrison," handing my hand to shake hers. She curiously looked at my hand, and it made me more nervous.
"I knew that already," she then gave me a smile. "I don't think anyone has formally greeted me like this," she took my hand and shake gently. "I'm Scarlet Florence." I unconsciously stared at her face and then her hair. She pull away her hand and patted her hair.
"My hair has nothing to do with my name darling. You should see me last year, I was rocking sliver and gray," I smiled at her feeling her spunk.
"No honestly, I wasn't thinking that. I just wondering, how do I get this flawless at your age," her eyes widen slightly and she made me nervous again. "Your hair… is amazing though. Iconic really," I stopped before I said something more ridiculous. She half covered her face, with a folder she had in hand.
"Stop it, your making me blush," she beamed and you could see the slight wrinkles and the corner of her bright crimson brown eyes. I laughed, realizing she was cheerful.
"So, you've been here… a month and few weeks," she stated.
"Oh yes," I said. "Miss. Florence?" I added unsure of her relations.
"Oh no, don't you dare call me that, your comment earlier will fade. Call me Scarlet," she told me. "Is Soraya alright?"
"That's perfectly fine as well."
"Great. So how's it so far? Rumour has it, you're working with Miss. Flowercakes. Alongside with… Mr. Hayes I suppose," she said suggestively.
"Yes, I've been assisting them both. Flowers, that as how we call her, is like summer sunshine."
"She always is," bracing on the counter to listen to me.
"Mr. Hayes he's …" I paused. He had been missing for a month now. He was showing up in tabloids and making a mark for himself. I guess doing so far away in some far way country. All I had gotten were emails that contained reports to be filtered, which I made due in no time.
"He's… mysterious," I managed to finally say.
"That sounds galvanic," The words spilled from the lips that were behind me. Scarlett's eyes shot daggers across my shoulder as she stepped away cautiously from the counter to straighten herself. She turned away as if she was leaving a scene, she wasn't invited to.
I knew immediately and I thought there was no way I would get used to this. He felt like was circling me as he came right beside me to lean on the counter and look at me. I exhaled. To look at Mr. Hayes's poetic face. He was wearing a jacket, it seemed as if he just arrived. Was he going to the office now? I figured he had a couple of things to catch up on after sporting across the planet.
"Mysterious, yes. What man leaves a blurting after hiring new staff? What can I say, I have only seen the least of what I can see," I stated all the while he smile at me.
"I don't know… I think they say, it's the unknown that draws people," I pierced my eyes at him. "Next time I take you with me," he stood straight, though he wasn't close he felt like he towered over me. "Maybe that will answer your questions about my perplexity."
"I didn't me…"
"I was hoping to catch you, I had some questions for you," he cut me off. "I know it's late, but I hope you don't mind." I stood there, as I couldn't believe what I was hearing. A relishing awkwardness ran over me. I may like what I do in my profession, however, I did like my social life as well. I had plans and didn't wish to cancel them. I stood hoping he wasn't the type of boss who would insist on me staying.
"Flowers didn't tell me to expect you," I started.
"Well, she doesn't even know I arrived yet. I actually hurried over here from the airport. Who knew that rush hour was just a pain," I looked at him questioningly. Hurried, to catch me? Why? Was there something wrong with one of my reports?
I heard one of the elevators ding and I watched as George walked out. Unintentionally, I felt a smile growing on my face. He was finally here.
"Is it important? I have plans and it would be really bad now for me to cancel," I explained. Mr. Hayes looked at my gaze and suddenly turned to look in that direction. George was standing there searching for me. I guess all our eyes finally locked, as he saw all of us at the counter.
I guess Mr. Hayes figured out what had piqued my interest, as he turned back to give a smirk at me.
"And here I thought, there was no interest in blue eyes," he stated nonchalantly. I clenched my jaw, as I didn't feel like I needed to answer. Especially with Scarlet so close by, even though she was trying her best to give us space. "I'll see you Monday Miss. Harrison, my questions can wait." He removed his attention from me like wiping a smug of a glass.
"Scarlet," he placed his hands out to cup hers. She heard her name, looked, and saw his gesture. She then approached and responded in kind. He then kissed her hand, which was in his palm. I couldn't help but look, as she giggled. Was he this charming to everyone?
"Oh, how I missed you," he said.
"Liar," she said playfully and quickly pulled away her hand.
"Scarlet it was lovely talking to you again," I said butting in, realizing my presence wasn't needed. I began walking away, towards George who was now standing aligned to the receptionist area from a distance now.
"Likewise, I hope we get to speak again dear," her voice rang.
"Of course," I replied.
I stood in front of George as he eyed me with uncertainty.
"Mr. Hayes, I didn't know he had returned," he seemed to question me.
"He just came back." He bites his lips and put his hands into his coat's pocket.
"So, your canceling on me," he asked, somewhat disappointed. I scoffed and began walking towards the door.
"Unless you changed your mind," I darted my eyes back at him, still walking towards the exit. For some reason, I swore his face turned red. He quickly skipped a beat to catch up to me, as we existed together. His face was grinning with delight, as I smiled.