Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85277 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 426(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Her voice lulls me while I’m brought back to the day, sitting at my desk, knowing he was watching, feeling he was watching me.
Chapter Seven
LAUREN
The next day, I make it to work without incident, clocking in at seven fifty-five. I make my way into the break room, where I get the coffee going.
I’m leaning against the counter, waiting for the coffee to finish brewing, when a tall man with glasses walks in. He is lanky, his tan pants are perfectly ironed with a crease down the front of the legs. His plaid shirt completes the look. I smile at him and say a polite “Hello.”
He nods his head at me and goes to the fridge, where he stores his lunch.
“You must be Austin’s new PA?” His voice is quiet as he waits for the coffee to finish also.
“I am.” I reach out my hand to him to introduce myself. “I’m Lauren.” He grips my hand, and his palm is just a tad sweaty, but not enough for me to wipe it on my navy skirt.
Today, I’m dressed in almost the same skirt as yesterday’s, except that it’s a dark navy blue and has some pleating at the sides. I’ve paired it with a plain white cotton button-down. It’s simple, but professional. I’ve gone with my tan peep-toe pumps that give me an extra four inches.
“My name is Steven. I’m in the accounting department,” he says while pushing his glasses up on his nose. “Are you enjoying your time so far?” he asks right as the machine lets out a gust of steam, letting us know that it’s done brewing.
I grab the handle. “I am. I thought it would be harder at the beginning, since I haven’t really worked in over ten years, but it’s just like riding a bike.” I smile over at him while I pour my coffee. He places his coffee mug on the counter and waits for me to hand him the pot. But I’m going to be friendly. “Please, let me, tell me when to stop.” He smiles at me.
“When you’re done flirting, you can fix me one, too. And we need to go over a couple of things.” Austin’s voice bursts into the room, startling me and causing me to spill a bit.
“Jesus, you scared me,” I say while I put down the pot in the holder and quickly grab a napkin, cleaning up the spilt coffee. Steven quickly grabs his cup and heads out with a smile to me, a nod to Austin, and a mumbled, “Good morning.”
“I know you’re a temp and you don’t know the company policies, but we have a no-fraternizing policy.” He eyes me while putting his hands in his pockets.
I throw the napkin out and turn around to face him. He is dressed in a simple black suit, another crisp white dress shirt, looking sharp, and as if they were custom-fit for him.
He didn’t shave this morning, so he’s got more stubble than he did last night when I left, and I can’t help but think to myself that I’d definitely get beard burn from that. “I’ll have Barbara send over the policies so you don’t get confused.”
“I wasn’t flirting with him. I just met him. I was merely being polite. Although I’m sure that concept is foreign to you.” I pick up my mug and start to walk away.
“I asked for a coffee,” He stops me, and my head turns and I snap.
“No. You didn’t ask, you demanded. After you insulted me. Again. And for the record, when someone asks another person for something, it is customary that they follow the request with the word ‘please.’ The coffee’s done. Help yourself.” I glare at him.
I don’t have time to say anything else before Barbara comes into the room. “Good morning, you two. Lauren, I love that skirt. Very, very nice,” she compliments me while she grabs two mugs and goes about pouring her coffee.
“Barbara,” I address her, “Austin was just going over the company policies that are included in the employee handbook. If it’s not too much trouble, would you please send that to me? There is a non-fraternization policy Austin seems to believe I need to check out.” I hold my mug in front of my mouth to hide my smile.
Barbara looks up at me with a surprised look on her face and then looks at Austin. “I will send it right over to you. It seems I don’t have the right copy, since I don’t remember that particular policy. Austin, if you’ve amended the handbook, perhaps you should send it to me so I can make sure those changes are noted and emailed to everyone,” she suggests while she finishes making two cups of coffee, handing Austin one of the cups she prepared.
I look at Austin to see that his mouth is closed and he is swallowing, since he hasn’t said anything else. “We just finalized it last week. I’ll send it over,” he says and walks away, leaving me and Barbara by ourselves.