Love by accident

BRIELLE’S POV

I inhale deeply, taking in the huge building in front of me. The building is tall enough that you can’t see the top floor from here. I adjust my red jacket and walk inside. According to the email I got from the HR department, I am supposed to go to the 44th floor.

I walk towards the elevators, not too surprised to see the little crowd in front of it, waiting for their turn. What I find surprising, however, is that there is another perfectly working elevator next to the crowd, but no one seemed to be using it.

I notice the doors are about to close; it seems like someone is inside. I hasten my step to catch up. I put my hands between the doors just before they close completely. There are two men in black suits standing inside and more than enough space to accommodate more people. I can only see the face of one of the men; the other man, standing behind him, has his face almost completely buried in the iPad in his hand.

I start to walk inside, only to be pushed back with a folder by the first man standing in front of the door. I am taken aback and he just stares nonchalantly at me as the door closes again.

What the heck just happened?

“Assholes,” I mutter under my breath.

“You might want to say that a little more quietly." I jump at the sudden voice beside me.

I turn to my right to see a beautiful lady around my age smiling down at me. Yes, down.

She is tall. At least seven inches taller than my 5’4. I am surprised to find everyone in front of the other elevator staring at me. Everyone. A few of them with their mouths agape.

“Did I do something wrong?” I whisper.

“This, my dear,” she gestures at the elevator, “Is the personal elevator for the CEO.”

My eyes widen in horror.

“You’re new here, aren’t you?” She says.

“Yes. It’s my first day.” I mutter, my face flaming as I try to avoid the staring eyes.

She laughs. “I must say, this is not a regular occurrence, but it’s an understandable mistake.”

“Though you are the first person I have seen who wants to meet their boss on the first day.”

“The name’s Stella. I work in the legal department.”

“Really?” I work in the legal department too.” I say. “I’m Brielle.”

“That’s great!” She said and immediately linked our arms.

She pulls me towards the crowd and weaves us through. After saying hi to a few people with followed awkwardly behind, we are inside the elevator within seconds.

It is obvious that she is well-liked and popular around here because she says hi to almost everyone in the elevator.

The doors open on our floor, and she immediately pulls me out.

“Who missed me!” She yells with excitement.

“Definitely not me,” An equally tall guy says, but he comes up to hug her. It is obvious they are friends.

“What would you do without me, Matt?” She says, chuckling.

“Who do we have here?” he gestures to me.

“She is new and she is working with us,” Stella replies.

“Everyone, meet Bri!” She yells again, raising my hands up like I won a prize.

Matt c****d his head to the side. “Bri?”

“It’s Brielle,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“Nice to have you with us, Brielle. The name’s Matt. Make yourself at home?” He says, more like a question.

“Really, Matt. That was all you could come up with.” A new voice interrupts. Matt dodges a playful smack to the back of his head.

“Hi, Brielle. I’m Cora.” The voice says. She is about my age, but it looks like she has been working here for a long time.

“And meet the department bully,” Matt murmurs, dodging another smack that wasn’t even coming.

“Don’t listen to him,” Cora says. “It’s not my fault; he gets scared so easily.”

“We’re glad to have you with us. There’s an empty desk there, just behind Matt’s. You can make it yours.” She continues.

The atmosphere here is nice and friendly, and I can feel myself starting to get comfortable.

Stella tells them about what happened at the elevator earlier, while I find an empty desk and get settled in.

“WOAH!” Matt exclaims loudly.

“What is it this time?” Cora says.

He rushes towards them and shows them something on his phone. They all gasp collectively, matching his expression.

“What happened?” I ask, cautiously.

“A news article just came out saying Ethan Stone secretly hires male escorts and is misusing company money to hide it,” Stella says with wide eyes.

I am still confused.

“Ethan Stone? Who’s that?” I ask, and then I put two and two together.

“Ohh. The CEO.”

“Do you think it can be true?” Cora whispers.

“Could be,” Stella mutters, looking almost pained.

“Come on,” Matt says. “It’s fake news,, obviously.”

“I mean,” Stella argues. “He has never been seen with a woman before, never, it is almost like he goes out of his way to avoid us. That’s the only plausible reason why.”

“Is it just me, Stella or are you taking this personally,” Matt says, almost laughing. “Shouldn’t the main point be the misuse of the company funds part?”

“We all know he is too much of a perfectionist for it to be true. I’m more concerned about the male escort part.” She cries.

“We can’t lose such a handsome work of art to a man.” She groans dramatically while both Matt and Cora facepalm.

“Do you like him?” I ask Stella.

“Who doesn’t?” She says, “But it’s not like it matters.” She groans dejectedly.

I look at all of them, confused.

“She has a new crush every week,” Matt clarifies. “And the CEO will never date an employee, and according to this article, any woman at all.”

“It is most likely false news, guys,” Cora adds. “Rich people get involved in scandals all the time, and most times it doesn’t matter whether the news is true or not.”

According to what I have heard about Ethan Stone of Stone corporation. Especially whatever he is doing to my dad that is making work here, I almost say, serves him right.

“Arghhh! I need to nurse my broken heart.” Stella moans and takes a swing of coffee.

“Let’s go clubbing!” Matt yells.

What?

“Today is Monday, silly. You can’t possibly go to a club on the first day of the week.” Cora interjects.

“I can,” Matt says, “But I don’t mean today. Let’s all go on Friday night.”

He turns to me. “Bri, you have to come with us.”

I freeze in the middle of arranging my stuff on my desk.

“We can consider it her welcome party.” Stella says.

“Yayyy we’re going clubbing.” Matt and Stella fist-bumb without waiting for my reply.

I feel uneasy in my stomach. It’s not like I’m scared of clubs but the first and last time I took alcohol had been terrible and I had vowed never to take it again.

I guess it’s not compulsory to drink alcohol at a club plus the idea of dressing up, letting myself go and dancing all night is more than appealing.

It’s a date then.