I swing my purse back and forth when the elevator door opens, inside were John and Blake two of the accountants and behind them was Winston. A smile appears on his face as our eyes meet.
"Hi, Maria" Blake smiles at me, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Hey, you guys good?" I look at the two of them stepping inside the elevator.
"Yeah, how big boss man doing?" John flashes me a cheeky grin.
"Oh, you know the same as always" I shrug moving behind them.
"His usual dick head self you mean?" Blake says and we all laugh.
"Yeah basically," I say standing next to Winston.
"Hi", He says in a warm tone.
"Hey, happy first day"
"Good to see a familiar face" Winston flashes a toothy grin at me showing off his perfect Harry Styles dipples.
"Do you not drive here?" Winston asks referring to why I got on the elevator from the first floor instead of the basement which was the parking lot.
"Oh I live 10 minutes from here so I walk"
"In the freezing cold?"
I shrug, "I enjoy it"
Winston smiles as the elevator opens and Blake and John step out onto their floor, "any idea which floor I'm supposed to be on?"
"Yeah the same one as me, we cleaned out an office for you yesterday" I say as we arrive at the 6th floor aka our floor.
We stop at my desk, I set my bag down and take off my coat, "Can you hold on a minute while I give this to Mr. Nayel, and then I'll show you to your office?" I ask.
"No worries" Winston smiles taking a sip of his own coffee.
I knock on Nayel's office and step inside after hearing a come-in.
Nayel looked up from his computer, his brown eyes piercing into mine, "Good morning sir, your coffee" I smile at him, I see the corner of his lips purse like he was about to smile but fights it.
"Thank you Mar-Mar, don't you look lovely in black today" Nayel smirks at me, his eyes quickly roaming up and down my jumpsuit-covered body.
I roll my eyes, over the last year he has come up with several nicknames for me some of them including short bizarre versions of my name. I've tried to fight him on it but he loves pushing my buttons and the more aggravated I get the more pleasure he seeks out of it so I decide not to fight him on it today.
"If that's all, I'm going to show Mr. Winston to his office," I say.
Nayel nods pressing his lips together, "Yes brief him in on all the regulations as well," He averts his gaze back to his laptop.
I close the door walking out of his office and smile at Winston.
"So as you know Mr. Nayel's office" I point at his door, "My desk" I point to my desk and he stares at me in amusement.
I start walking down the hall, "This is the photocopy room and that's the kitchen" I show them the areas.
"This is Gerald Armstrong's office" I look back at Winston, "He's also a senior attorney here, he's really nice." Winston's smile never leaving his face.
"That is Mindy Rodgers office, another senior attorney here, she's also very welcoming and delightful" I point further walking down the hall, "This one is a lounge office for the part-time attorneys who work on certain cases with us," I point to one of the rooms and Winston nods.
"And this" I turn around and smile, switching my tone to mimic one of a tv host "is your office Mr. Winston Scott" I point towards the name tag on his door.
"This is really nice" Winston looks around setting his things on his desk.
"Between you and me" I cock my head to the side, "you got the best office on the floor aside from Mr. Nayel of course" I smile at him.
"The view is spectacular," Winston says archly looking out of the window. It really was breathtaking.
"Don't you just love New York City?" I ask looking out dreamily and Winston turns around and flashes me a smile.
"I'm mostly Mr. Nayel's assistant but I also help out the other senior attorney with their cases or paperwork so I'm just around the corner if you need anything," I offer nobly trying to be polite.
"Thank you, Maria" Winston looks at me with twinkling eyes and I nod stepping out of his office and back to my desk.
....
It was 1:15, I was sitting at the table in the kitchen just scrolling through my phone munching on an apple during my lunch break when Winston walked in.
"Hey I was looking for you" He smiles sitting down next to me.
I look up from my phone and furrow my eyebrows, "Me?"
"Yeah you're my only friend here, I can't handle eating lunch by myself" He shrugs unwrapping his sub. Winston had taken off his coat, the sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, he looked like someone who worked out, he has muscular built. Winston was almost as tall as Nayel from what I could tell, maybe he was 6'1?
"You're nice to someone once and suddenly they think you're friends" I joke causing him to chuckle.
"Ouch that really hurt" Winston pouts
"Well, you better get used to it, especially if we're going to be friends," I tilt my head and raise my eyebrows causing Winston to smile. I don't think I've ever met someone who smiles as much as he does, aside from me. Some would say I smile excessively but I just like being cordial especially at work. You never know what a smile can do for a person's day.
"So fill me in, what's it like working here?" Winston takes a bite of his sub.
"Well, most of the people are pleasant and kind. We tend to take several cases some on Probono as well as some some super high profile cases and clients so it gets chaotic here but I think everyone here thrives off that part of lawyer stuff so It's good." I say letting my head fall to my side admiring Winston's broad grin.
"What about Mr. Nayel?"
I laugh rather brayly, "Look he's such an impressive guy, he truly is a mastermind, he's a phenomenal lawyer"
"I'm sensing there is a but coming?" Winston looks at me rather amused.
"He's just not the most imperturbable guy to work for" I sigh drly.
"Really?" Winston looks genuinely shocked, "From our few interactions he seems like a down to earth chill person"
"Trust me I thought the same thing during my first interactions with him and then suddenly the first day of the job came around and boom full 180," I say.
I remember my first day at Jefferson Legal so vividly. I walked into the building at 8:45 early trying to make a good impression. I sat outside Mr. Nayel's office waiting for him to drop in. He came in around 9 and I stood up and smiled at him.
He looked me up and down with an unreadable strange expression plastered on his face and he rolled his eyes, "You're early" He states in a rather cold icy tone walking into his office. Suddenly, I felt extremely self-conscious, was it something I was wearing? I look down at my grey dress, I thought it was cute why did he look at me like that?
I stood there confused as he didn't give me any instructions, he came back out. He sighed heavily, "Obviously this is your desk as it's right outside my office," His tone laced with annoyance. I quickly put my things on the desk.
"Get me a french vanilla hot coffee with almond milk from Dunkin Donuts" He pulled out his wallet and handed me a card, "This a company card for expenses use it. I need this coffee on my desk every day before 9, clear?" he says slowly as if he was talking to a child.
"Yes sir" I smiled at him warmly.
"Go on then" He snaps waving his hand in the air and I grab my bag and head downstairs, what happened to the nice guy I met last week. He's was so intentionally mean and grumpy.
I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, I thought he was having an off morning and would be nicer later, he wasn't. Maybe he was having an off day he'd be better tomorrow, he wasn't. Maybe he's having a stressful week and will be better but needless to say he never got better. I just realized he was a dick who was putting on an act so I accept the job.
"He's just discourteous for no reason at all, especially towards me. He despises me for some reason" I shrug, "At this point the feeling is mutual"
"I'm sorry," Winston's voice laced with concern.
"Oh no don't be, I've gotten used to it. Plus no job is perfect so I have a pretty great deal going here can't expect to have the perfect boss either" I shrug raising my eyebrows lazily.
Winston opens his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Nayel walking into the kitchen, "Winston, hope your first day is going well" Nayel nods at him and without letting him speak looks to me, "Maria, your break ended 5 minutes ago I need you to fax the paperwork to Clarks' accountant right now" He barks.
I get up and throw my apple in the bin, "I did that an hour ago sir" I say casually.
"I still don't pay you to take prolonged breaks whenever you feel like" He snaps.
I sigh not wanting to give him the time of day, I smile at Winston, "I'll see you later" I say walking out of the kitchen with Nayel behind me.
"Making friends I see" He mumbles, his tone grumpy as always.
"Something you don't know how to do clearly" I flash him a fake smile.
"Watch it" He narrows his eyes at me.
"Or what?" I furrow my eyebrows challenging him.
Nayel just shakes his head and walks back into his office, closing the door rather loudly. He's a fucking child.
Tonight was girls' night and by that, I mean me and my 4 best friends were hanging out in my apartment. Drinking cheap wine, baking, and cooking, and just chilling really. Because of our jobs, we aren't able to see each other as much as we used to back in college so we try to squeeze in time every other weekend to hang out.Right now Caroline and Heidi were in the kitchen icing the cupcakes we just made. Quinn, Willow, and I were in the living room watching sex in the city, the show not the pathetic movies."Maria, your phone keeps going off," Caro walks over to me handing me my phone.I furrow my eyebrows and stare at my screen, "Everything alright?" Willow raises an eyebrow at me."Yeah, I just have 8 missed calls from Mr. Nayel" Why is he calling me at 8 pm on a Saturday?"Your hot boss is calling you on a Saturday night, could only mean one thing" Heidi smirks shoving popcorn in her mouth. The other girls oo collectively at her comment.
After my blazing hot shower, I dried then straightened my hair. I did my usual minimal makeup but instead of lipstick, I put on some gloss. I decided to wear a beige oversized sweater, which had lantern sleeves with blue and white stripes on the sleeves. I put on my favorite pair of blue jeans and accessorized a bit with a necklace and gold earrings. It was 10:40, I just put my uggs on when my phone started ringing.I pick it up and see it's Nayel, "Hello?" I answer."I'm downstairs, please tell me you're awake" insincerity ringing in Nayel's voice."Yes, I'm ready, I'll be there in a minute," I say and hang up. I pick up my purse and check myself out once in the mirror. He said causual so I shrug to myself.He was right outside my building in his white Benz. A douchebag car for a douchebag, I smile at my own joke. I walked over to him and knock on the window, he looks up at me and unlocks the car.The car smelt like it was drenched in the David Be
I got home at 11 last night due to all the stupid traffic and all I wanted to do was take a day off today so badly but I can't on a Monday. I didn't even bother with my appearance today, I just put on whatever I could find that didn't need ironing and headed out of my apartment.I reach our floor to see that Nayel is not in yet so I leave his coffee at his desk and come back and sit down on mine. I didn't get much sleep last night, I kept tossing and turning in bed.I sigh as I rest my elbows on my desk and run my hands through my hair. I rub my face in exhaustion."We do not come to work to sleep Ms. Reynolds" I hear Nayel say in a stern voice as he approaches my desk.I flash him a forced smile which was basically my version of fuck you which I think he recognizes so he simply scowls and walks into his office.....I don't know if this is a good thing or bad but today was a very slow lazy day. On one hand, I could relax since I barely had
I tighten my seatbelt as the air hostess walks down the aisles to see if everyone is buckled in. We are currently on a plane heading to San Diego for a conference, we fly back later tonight.I was sitting in the middle seat with Winston on the aisle side and Nayel on the window seat. Three of our other colleagues, David, Jenna, and Haris were behind us. I was not looking forward to a 5-hour flight then straight to the conference and then back to another 5-hour flight. Luckily tomorrow is Saturday so at least we didn't have to worry about coming to work at 9 tomorrow.Not to mention flying while in full business attire, such a hassle. Everyone knows flying is only meant to be done in casual clothes and it's frustrating that we won't get time to change so we have to dress accordingly.I was wearing a black pantsuit with a white turtle neck top crop top underneath with high-waisted pants so it barely showed 2 inches off my stomach. Nayel was looking dashing as alwa
I was finishing up with the dishes when I heard my phone going off. I wipe my hands with a washcloth and pick it up. My brother Jared was calling me. I smile to myself as I press answer, "Hi loser, what did I do to receive a call from you?""Maria" Jared's tone instantly made me concerned. It was shaky."What happened? Are you okay? Are you in trouble?" I ask as the anxiety started rushing through me."It's dad," Jared's tone sounded uncertain, I wasn't able to get a grasp on how he was feeling.My heart dropped, "What happened? Is he okay?""He had a heart attack, he's fine he's alright. We're in the hospital" Jared fills me in.Tears started welling up in my eyes, "What happened?" I rush to my room pulling out a bag and hurriedly throwing some clothes along with some essential items in it."He was not taking his HCM pills regularly or consistently and then stress from work possibly that's what the doctors saying," Jared says.
"Yeah they delayed my flight by another hour, Mr. Nayel is going to kill me," I shudder a sigh as I tell my dad on the phone."I'm sorry you had to go through so much trouble for your old man," Dad's voice laced with remorse."No dad it's nothing, It's going to be alright do not worry about a thing""You take care of yourself, sweetheart," Dad tells me."You take care of yourself please, I'm going to be calling you twice a day to make sure you take your medication okay?" I say sternly.Dad laughs loudly, "Alright sweetie"."I think we're about to take off, I'll call you later okay?""Okay sweetheart""Bye dad," I say."I love you, Maria," Dad says.I smile, "I love you too dad" and I hang up.I quickly text Nayel saying I had a family emergency and will be taking half the day off, we have 2 important clients coming in today which wasn't something out of the ordinary but Nayel had trusted me with the task of
We were in the conference room, the clients were settling in. I was sitting next to Nayel, just taking notes. Winston and John from IT were put in charge of presenting this one for the Johnson Centre clients.Winston walks into the room greeting everyone, our eyes meet and he flashes me a warm smile, I smile back as he proceeds to the front.40 minutes into the meeting I feel my phone vibrate on my lap. I carefully pick it up looking to see if anyone is looking at me, it was a text from Jared. I was about to open it when I saw Nayel scowling at me. I gulp and mouth a quick sorry and put the phone back on my desk.Less than 5 minutes later, my phone started vibrating yet again and it was Jared. I started to freak out, what if something happened to dad? What if something happened to him? I look over to see Nayel already looking over at me grimacing.I move my seat closer to him, "It's an emergency can I please take it?" I ask.Nayel huffs in frustrat
Today we are finalizing a deal with a very influential client duo of ours. Well not that important but we've been trying to lock them in for months. It's these two friends who have an IT company called Steve & Ryder. They are two fairly young guys who started off their company about 5 years ago and immediately blew up, they made this spyware software which the market loved. They have been making several other programs and now are currently looking for some lawyers as there have been some cases about fraudulent matters as well as copyright and piracy issues basically just people trying to sue them because they have money now so they are kind of desperate.Most of our clients are older established businesses, signing on people like Steve & Ryder would make our cliental base more diverse leading to newer younger person types wanting to sign with us.However, I personally wasn't the biggest fan of them the last time I got to meet them. Even though both of them are