Broken Boundaries

CH3 Temptation Unlocked

My alarm soon wakes me up. I hit the snooze about three more times before flinging my covers off my hot clammy body. I shift out the bed and go to the bathroom turning the shower on so I can freshen up.

"Alexa turn on my morning Jams " I shout as I run around the apartment picking up my stuff to carry for work and starting my coffee. Music comes through the circle robot that I place on a shelf in the hallway leading to my bathroom and bedroom. I place it there so the music can bounce off the walls of my one-bedroom apartment. I jump into the shower washing my hair before moving on to the rest of my body, deciding at the last minute a quick shave of my legs is needed. I pop out about thirty minutes later feeling refreshed smelling of lavender and coconuts. I go to my closet choosing a black blazer set with a nice white dress shirt to go underneath. I pair it with some studs and a pair of low heels and grab my Apple watch to place on my wrist and I’m set. Almost! I look at my hair still wrapped in a towel. I undo the towel and my thick mahogany hair drops to my waist I look at my watch and it’s six twenty-five I have no time I panic well a quick blow-dry to get some of the wet out and up in a bun will have to do. I quickly rush to the bathroom throwing my hair over my head as I blow dry the underpart before throwing my hair back to dry the top. I grab a chopstick-looking hairpin and pull my hair into a messy bun on top of my head as some pieces fall but today it will have to ride.

I grab my coffee and purse a quick survey of the room and I’m good I yell "Alexa start leaving for work routine” Instantly she repeats my command “Leaving for work routine will start in 10 minutes” the little robot voice chimes down the hall. I take one last look around and feel for my phone forgetting it’s on the nightstand. I ran and grabbed my phone from the room and then out the door, I went as it locks behind me. I’ve lived in this medium-sized one-bedroom apartment since my senior year of high school, making sure to save enough money to keep it. It was nice I got it on a deal. The tenant before had it only a month, but his two thousand deposit was nonrefundable so when I saw the ad for a free deposit for a tenant takeover and the rent being eight hundred, I jumped on the offer. I go to the elevator and ride it down to the bottom lobby.

Where I’m greeted by the desk ladies "Hello Miss Clara sleep well?" You know the answer Baily I laugh. Baily is tall, slender, and has an ash blonde bob cut, she has a floral tattoo that goes from her right wrist wrapping around her arm up to her neck. Bailey is the only front desk lady I like; the others are snobby and care about the traveling businessmen to give them attention. But Bailey has always been nice. She laughs and jokes with me, and we bonded over sleepless nights due to each of us having a bad past. And since have become good friends that always pick on each other when we get a chance. I wave bye to Baily as I make my way to the front doors.

The salty air of the beach envelops me as I go through the glass front doors. The valet grabs my car and pulls it around it’s a blacked-out 2019 Mazda. I jump in throwing my wallet into the passenger seat checking my phone to make sure Bluetooth is on before I ask out loud to my Google assistant to “play boss mode playlist” on my sss music account. It’s a collection of random rap, hip-hop, and some rock music with a good base to put me in a good mood on the 30-minute drive to work. The drive and music energize me for the workload I’m about to start and for putting up with half the colleagues that I can only tolerate. I pull up to the fifteen-story building and an overwhelming wave of stress comes over me as my mind quickly jumps into work mode "So much for the music help today" I say as I pull in front of the valet. I contemplate getting out or calling in sick when the valet knocks on my window.

I roll it down partially "Yes " I reply.

"Hi, mam do you need me to park your car today? "

"Oh yes," I reply real quick grabbing my wallet and phone.

"Sorry, I guess I was off in Lala land again, " I say getting out of the car.

"Don’t worry mam if I was in your shoes, I guess I would too with as much stress I see you in".

"See me in? how do you know the stress I’m in?” I think. My face must have shown my confusion as he laughs getting in my car.

"Well, mam give I have been parking your car and others for 2 years now, and every morning and evening I see your face go from excuse my language but "b***h face" in the morning to complete bliss in the evening so I think it safe to say that you’re stressed the hell out when you go up there" he looks up at the building and back at me.

" Have a good day Ms. Richards."

He closes the door and drives away. I look down at my feet for a minute processing what he said. well, I guess I need to work on my b***h face in the morning I chuckle as I start through the revolving doors.

I check in at the front desk and take the elevator up to the Fourteenth floor where my office is and the whole marketing team. making sure only the Fourteenth button is lit I hate the Fifteenth floor " damn jerks" I mumble. The Fifteenth floor is for meetings, contract signing the big boss’s office, and if you’re lucky a few of the regional manager’s offices. where they sit inside and do absolutely nothing but bark orders to the Fourteenth floor and below. the elevator dings and opens to three blondes at the front desk answering calls and checking in clients who are here for meetings. I smile and wave as I pass by as always before rounding the corner to a view of cubicles and 1 row of 5 personal offices, mine being the largest and on the corner gave me the perfect view, and being further away gave me a little more peace.

I walk quickly to my office hoping no one sees me so I can get to work and get out. I’ve been trying to avoid my best friend for the past week she is having some party and I really don't want to go considering the last time I have gone to her parties I ended up on some blind date she secretly set up for me. Although it has been some time since I’ve been out and had a drink. I try thinking back to the last time I was out while sorting through stacks of new contracts to review and sign off on. suddenly my door fly’s open and there she is all hell on heels looking a mixture of pissed off and determination my best friend .... Kadie.

"Well, hello to you too, " I say looking up from the stacks of files "Mind closing the door before you yell at me?" I say sarcastically while rolling my eyes.

"Come on Clara you got to go you’ve been so uptight at work this will be a great time for you to relax please say you’ll come?” pouted Kadie.

What can I say? My best friend knew me well. I have been up tight with work lately and often forget to take care of myself. But who could blame me with so many deadlines coming up and holidays on our doorsteps I had no time for other things besides working my ass off?

"Kadie, I don’t have time I just have so much to do plus your parties are always packed out you don’t need me I promise!"

"don’t make me call him Clara, I will do it and then you’d wish you just agree the first time!" Her threatening tone boomed over the walls in my office.

I turn and I walk out the doors of my office to hand some paperwork to a colleague in a cubical a little bit away giving me time to put my game face on to get out of this situation. Kadie is standing outside my office doors now arms crossed and a mad look on her face. I chuckle a little at the sight of her five-foot-three frame standing there trying to look mean to intimidate me, she tosses her wavy chocolate hair to one side showcasing her fresh blonde summer highlights, and then begins to tap her foot as she waits on me. But the more I look the more it makes me want to laugh, I love my best friend we have been friends since middle school. We met in English class when we were seated next to each other, which was bad for our teachers through the next several years of school due to excessive talking. Still, my bestie knew me well and has always tried to help me in her crazy ways.

I take a moment and reevaluate myself and then start walking back over to her hoping I can win her over with some quick wit until I remember she mentioned him! I started pouting at the thought of her calling him to scold me into going to her annual fall kickoff party made me nervous. He was the only one that could really get me to do anything and that’s only because he is the only person, I genuinely trust myself with. Jace knows all my good and ugly past, present, and future. When it comes to him, I find it hard to say no. Plus even if I did, I would have my head talked off and work would be miserable. I suck up my true Clara self and stand in front of her bending a little to meet her eye to eye.

"Fine ill go you don’t have to call him; I can’t stand it when you do that you know?" I cross my arms and turn away from her giving her a small bit of attitude hoping it will prompt a “never mind” response from her.

"I know- I know but it works plus he will be there, so you won’t be alone!"

Alone that one word scares me the most I instantly tense up letting my freshly manicured nails dig into my arms. My chest begins to rise and fall rapidly oh no oh no not now I can’t have a panic attack now while everyone can see me. No one knows about them except Jace, and I plan to keep it that way. I started breathing through my nose trying to stay focused on what Kadie was saying and then I felt a hand on my shoulder it was comfortable and familiar. his scent wafts through the air and I start to relax naturally. Jace for some reason has always had this effect on me I guess the years of growing up together and now working together has my body naturally respond to him as my safe place during my panic attacks.

"Hey Clara, do we need to talk about something? " His grip on my shoulder gives a comforting squeeze. "Nooooo Jace, we don’t "I half laugh as I turn around to face him.

Jace was a looker for sure his short, wavy blonde hair frames his face and adds a touch of softness to his overall appearance. Today he is wearing it styled in a casual yet sophisticated manner, giving him a relaxed and approachable vibe. His jawline is well-defined and angular, giving him a sharp and attractive profile complete with hidden dimples until he smiles. With one look from his striking blue-green eyes that sparkle with life and vitality, he could have you in any position he wanted. His broad shoulders and narrow waist give him a V-shaped silhouette that is both masculine and attractive. One smile from his perfect lips and those dimples came out and all the girls in the office were dripping all over the floor. Except for me, I was immune to him well…. partially immune. I have known everything about him since middle school. We first met the summer when he moved beside us, he came from New York and had this thick accent I made fun of, and the damn Yankee made fun of my southern bell drawl and called me inbred hick I knew then we got along.

We became instant friends, not too long after and I was his wingman when it came to girls I knew most of them so I knew the good bad, and ugly of all of them but the one thing he didn’t tolerate was any of them trying come between us, his relationships some time went all the way to third base but then the girls would want him to stop hanging out with me the jealousy would eat them alive and even though I kept my respectful distance it was never enough. Except for one girl, she broke his heart. I never got to meet her, but I remember the day it happened he came to my house and ended up staying the night. Somehow, between a mix of emotions, he tried to kiss me, but I quickly pushed him off. He blamed it on the heat of the moment and emotions which I totally believe and so after that, everything was back to normal. As far as romantic feelings are concerned there never were any thanks for everything, he would tell me about his relationships with those girls. Besides, you can’t be romantically interested in someone who talks about every aspect of their love life, or can you, I think? Jace stares at me for a moment too long then begins his interrogation.

"So party are we going? "

"No Jace I don’t want to go!"

"Come on Clara when’s the last time you showed your true clary self?"

Clary is a nickname I got from numerous friends. They call it my alter ego because instead of being uptight Clara I become let loose Clary a carefree version of myself.

"Jace, you saw how my panic attacks are I almost had one in front of the entire office if it wasn’t for you." A giant grin played on his face as both hands now on my shoulders forced me to look at him directly.

"Clara, I need the clary side to come out and play for a bit. There will be nothing wrong, I will be with you the entire time. I think this will be a great opportunity for your mind to take a mental break plus……you need to get laid I say this for the safety and health of the office staff."

I stared in shock a look of horror plastered on my face that he just said that to me. Looking around I notice little heads popping up from their desk looking this way and around corners eavesdropping. "Fine,” I say a little annoyed but if this thing requires fake smiling, I’m not f*****g going " I cross my arms and tap my foot.

"Oh, look at that dirty mouth you have Clary."

I shoot a glare and laugh a little placing my left hand on his bicep and squeezing a little flashing my most devious true clary smile.

"Oh, Jace you should see the dirty things I can do with this mouth."

This time his face displays shock and horror as I sumpter back to my office feeling as if I won a major fight.