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 Beckham cologne he wears and I know he wears that cologne because I got it a few times for my ex-boyfriend and he was obsessed with it as well.
Nayel was wearing a grey Nike pullover jacket, the collars of his blue shirt were stringing out, with plain black tracksuit pants and white sneakers and he was wearing a hat.
I couldn't help myself, I laugh, "Are you going golfing after this?"
Nayel shakes his head, his lips pursed in a knowing smile, "Shut up" He mumbles starting the car.
"So where is the meeting?" I ask looking over to him, as always his jaw was clenched as he was staring straight ahead. Why is he always so pissed off and why does he have such a perfect side profile, now I'm getting annoyed.
"Long Island" Nayel states casually.
My eyes go wide, "Long Island? Are you kidding me? This is why you didn't tell me the location last night huh?" I raise my voice.
"Calm down will you Jesus." Nayel says stiffly, "They invited us to lunch at their house. I told you it was informal" He shrugs, he hasn't taken his eyes off the road since he started driving.
I roll my eyes, guess an hour-long car ride with the most obnoxious man I know. Yay.
Fortunately, I never leave my house without my headphones. It's too early for me to be up even, it's a fucking Sunday. I scroll through some playlists on Spotify and just let the music distract me from reality. I could see Nayel glancing at me from time to time but I don't look at him. If I was in the car with a normal person, I would've made small talk or literally talk about anything but I will not make that mistake again with him. I tried to be friendly with him and get to know him our first work trip 6 months into working here, we were sitting together on a 15-hour flight to London and he was such a dick. He gave me a shut-up call and told me to stop talking and honestly that really hurt so I'm never making an effort with him ever.
I lost track of time, I was leaning against the window the music blaring in my ears. For a second I even forgot I was in a car with someone. I felt a hand tap my shoulder, I turn my head to see Nayel glancing at me so I take off my headphone.
"Jesus how loud is is your volume, I've been calling out your name for 5 minutes" He scowls darkly, "Anyways, we're almost here and I just wanted to put a few things out there. Just be your usual friendly self but make sure they think we get along"
"What?"
Nayel rolls his eyes, "Why do I have to repeat everything with you?" His tone was sharp and laced with annoyance, as always, "Remember I told you they want to work with a firm who is like a family hence you and I need to act like best friends or at least close colleagues"
"Not going to lie that is going to be hard" I pause, "pretending to like you," I say tilting my head.
Nayel just shakes his head disapprovingly.
....
Nayel parks the car in the driveway of this beautiful house. It was an old vintage house and it was enormous, not mansion huge but pretty big. Wow, these people are loaded.
Nayel and I step out of the car and walk to the front door, I turn to look that Nayel was frowning as he rang the doorbell, "Smile for god's sake" I snap at him.
"What?" he raises a brow.
"Smile, you're the CEO you need to be polite and kind today" I put on a fake smile and point to my face like I'm teaching him how to smile.
The door was opened by a man who looked to be in his early 60's, brown hair, heavy beard, 5'11 ish, and a fairly good built. He smiles, his green eyes shinning, "Nayel Jefferson glad you could make it" the man embraced Nayel in a hug and I tried to fight back a laugh.
"Mr. Stanely, thank you for having us" Nayel smiles. This might be the first time I've seen him smile. His mouth is an easy curve, perfect teeth and a faint dimple bracketing each corner. He has never looked so handsome, I've always found him attractive and hot but at this moment he looked jaw-dropping.
"Please, it's just Eric" Eric smiles.
"This is my assistant Maria Reynolds" I smile at Eric extending my hand but he pulls me into a hug.
"Lovely to meet you darling" Eric smiles at me, "Please come on in"
"Julie, they are here" Eric yells as we enter the house.
"I'm coming hun" I hear a woman as Eric leads us outside to the patio where a table was set for us.
Soon walked in a woman who looked like she just got out of a 60's sitcom, she was blonde, shorter than me. Green eyes and wearing a very colorful red and yellow dress with her hair short hair curled into a cut bob.
"This is my beautiful wife Julie" Eric smiles at her. I smile to myself, oh to be in love with your partner after years and years of marriage.
"Oh you both are gorgeous" her thick southern accent seeping through. She moves to me and gives me a warm hug that actually made me smile. Like I was in a mother's embrace. She gave Nayel a hug and we all sat down.
I remember what Nayel told me so I immediately started making conversation with Eric and Julie about random things, their house, their kids, living in New York, reality tv anything that wasn't work-related. I did slyly mention some friends at work that I did exaggerate a little about how close I really am to them but I think they bought it?
"So what's it like working for Nayel?" Eric asks taking a bite of his burger. Nayel was sitting opposite me, our eyes meet. The expression on his face was completely unreadable.
"Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better boss. You know how some bosses are entitled, rude and snobby for no reason?" I ask looking at Nayel and Eric nods, "Yeah Nayel is the complete opposite. He is so understanding and caring to all of his employees. Honestly, I don't mean to sound cheesy but we're like a little family at the office" I smile looking over to Nayel who had an amused look on his face. At least he was self aware.
"Well ain't that sweet." Julie smiles at us, she bought it.
....
Julie and Eric were so adamant about us staying, they were just not letting us leave. It was 8:30 when they finally agreed to let us go. Julie packed us some leftovers.
We wave to them as we pull out of their driveway. I don't know why I was exhausted because all we did was eat and talk.
Suddenly Nayel started laughing, I look over at him confused, "I can't believe you told them I was like your older brother" he shakes his head in disbelief.
I started laughing as well remembering, "I froze okay? I clearly gave you too many compliments and Julie was suspecting we have an office romance or something so the brother thing was the first thing that popped into my mind, I had to improvise"
Nayel smiles not looking at me, his dimples visible by the street light, "Fair enough" he pauses, "Eric said he wants to sign with us by the end of this week"
I smile, "Oh thank God" I sigh in relief.
"I deserve an oscar for that acting though, I made them think you were a saint"
"Am I not the world's best boss?" Nayel smirks at me raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe in your dreams", I said causing him to chuckle lowly. When did he become somewhat tolerable? Was he putting on an act today or is he actually Mr nice guy in real life? Men, too complicated for me honestly.
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
Winston, Nayel, Julie, and I were gathered in the conference room just preparing for Monday's hearing. It was really nice seeing lawyers in action but hearing their game plans, techniques and strategies was even better not going to lie.We had been here for over 2 hours when Nayel finally decided to tell everyone to take a break for a while as we had been going over this case for hours. Julie decided to step out for fresh air for a bit while Nayel continued sitting on his chair taking out his phone and scrolling through it. I always wonder what he does on his phone, does he have friends? Surely he does, everyone does but I just can't imagine him making an effort with anyone to be likable. Is that mean? Also, I know he's not on social media because I tried to find him multiple times, as have my friends but no nothing. So what is he doing on his phone when he's scrolling through it, is he playing subway surfers on mute? Why do I even care? I mean, I don't I'm just curious.
I fix my dress as I cross my ankles waiting for Winston. I was wearing a sleeveless floral ruffle wrap maxi dress that fell to my ankles, it was slightly shorter from the front and longer at the back.He had just texted me that he's 2 minutes away so I came down waiting for him outside my building.I was slightly nervous about tonight, I haven't been on a date in over a year not to mention Winston is my colleague who I see every day and a close work friend at this point so if it doesn't go well, I'm screwed. I'll have to face him at work every day and the embarrassment would eat me alive surely.Winston's black car pulls up, I can see him beaming through the windows. I smile as I reach for the door."Hi," I say closing the door behind me. Winston was wearing a full sleeves button-down dark green shirt and dark blue jeans, his hair was styled more than usual, his green eyes sparkling as he smiled."Hey, you look stunning" Winston hands me a white ro