The traffic today was worse than I expected. I thought that I'd finally be early today and escape the unbearable nagging of Jonathan, and his lengthy scolding about timeliness. Any reasonable explanation you may have goes out the window when concerning this particular topic with him. At first I thought the stories were just office gossip, but clearly they've proven true. Hopefully the few friends I've managed still make it to our plans tonight.
I pull in and drive around the main parking lot, hoping to spot even a singular available space anywhere. Luckily, I did. I made a quick reverse into the spot so that when I returned, I could make a swift escape. Exiting the car, I lock the doors, jogging into the large building.
"Hey, Julie. Could you buzz me up?" I ask the well dressed receptionist in front of me.
"Ah, yes. Of course, Kayla." She responds, with a nice and genuine smile.
I waltz over to the elevator, awaiting its arrival. Clacking my heels on the ground, trying to seem more patient than I actually am. I look up from the ground just as I hear a 'ding', indicating that the elevator had just reached the lower level. As I stepped in, a co-worker of mine, Tyler was running for the doors. I put my arm between, holding it for him as he hurried in.
"Thank you." he huffed, as he was settling in.
"Not a problem." I reassured.
"Oh, it's you. We still on for tonight?" He questioned.
"Yes... What about the others? Do you know?"
"They should still be coming, I talked to Mika and she confirmed." He assured me. "I wouldn't worry too much, even if no one else comes, we'll have a blast. I'll make sure."
I gave an amused and thankful smile in response.
The elevator gave another 'ding' as it settled on the 3rd floor. Both Tyler and I made our exit. As soon as my foot hit the marble, it was almost as if Jonathan had a 6th sense. He rushed toward us both and began his, which now seemed, daily lecture. I put my index finger vertical to my mouth, essentially telling him that 'I didn't want to hear his shit today.' I think he got the memo, for now.
I continued walking to my cubical which happened to be stationed just behind Tyler's.
I sit in my desk chair and log in to my computer.
"Time to check these emails." I sighed in whisper to myself, resting my head in my free hand.
'1068', the screen read. That's how many cumulative emails I had sustained throughout the, almost month, I've been at the company. 12 new ones today. One of the emails was the project Jonathan, Tyler, Guinea, and I are working on; another one being a new client that needed a new developer that had been forwarded to me by Mika; and the other 10 being regulars.
The project we are working on is a development for the company, so it's major. It's going to be a new system where we will conduct our business in which every single branch within the company will be using; to one up our competitors. It has to be pristine, complex, clean-cut, creative, and innovative. It has to age well and basically be revolutionary. I am more than up for the challenge. I think that I have something new and fresh to offer. However, the work load fluctuates, though never seeming to decrease.
I open the first email and get to work. Responding back to the client and completing the assigned task that was needing to be done. Doing one and going on to the next, one by one until it was noon and I was down to about 5 remaining.
Lunchtime.
I grab my purse, my phone and keys already inside, and start walking to the elevator. I click the button for the lower level.
'Ding.'
I get in, and wait to begin descending. The elevator hums to life and slightly dips several floors below.
I wave to Julie on my way out, she returns the gesture.
I walk a few blocks to a cafe where they serve the best coffee and donuts at all hours of the day. Tyler introduced me to it my second week at the company, which marked our fourth day of friendship. I was just up the street from it when the smell hit me. It was so luxurious and mouth watering. My stomach clearly agreed as it began rumbling and producing strange gurgling noises. Just as I reached for the door a man stepped out and crashed straight into me, almost spilling his coffee all over me.
"I am so sorry, I was in a rush, I didn't look up, and I just didn't see you there." He rambled frantically.
"It's fine, no harm no foul." I said, trying to play off the entire situation.
"Are you sure? Let me buy you something." He looked remorseful.
"I'm sure, you really don't have to, it's fine. I'm fine." I responded, being as polite as possible.
"You know what, no. I insist. It's the least I can do." He said in response, definitively.
Without another word, he took me by the hand and led me inside, assuring me that whatever I wanted was on him and to not be conservative.
I grabbed a seat and he sat across from me at a little table in the middle of the cafe, sort of off to the side, opposite the door. I had coffee and a donut, while he had his bagel sandwich and a half full cup.
"So..." He starts. "I've never seen you around here before. I'm sure I would remember a face like that."
'Is he.. trying to flirt with me?' I think to myself. And if he was, then what?
"Yeah, I just moved here."
"What for? Anything specific?" His attempt at starting a conversation.
"To start my life on a fresh canvas."
"How mysterious. Any family here?" His personality began to peak through a bit.
"Nope, figuring it out all on my own." I say, trying to engage.
"That's honorable. How old are you? Any hobbies?"
"Yes actually, I enjoy photography. I would make a job out of it someday if I could. Maybe when I get my life on track. Oh, and I'm 22." I state.
"Photography, wow. That's interesting. Where do you work currently?" He asks. "Let me guess, one of those big tech firms."
"You would be correct."
"Ah, of course." He says, in response.
I take a bite of my donut, followed by an excessively large gulp of coffee. I then pull out my phone to check the time. It read: "12:45 pm."
"As much as I would love to stay and continue this chat, I do have to be heading back to work now."
"Understood." He said as he began to stand up along side me.
He held the door for me as I walked out, items still in hand. I thanked him for the coffee and donut.
"It was no big deal." He responded.
I start back to the office when he stops me.
"This might come off weird, but do you mind if I get your number?" He says, sort of shyly.
"Why, not. I could use some friends."
I say each digit one by one, double checking if he had got them all, and went on my way.
Five emails to go.