only him

Episode 8

Monday came too quickly. I was still trying to wake up while I drank my 3rd cup of coffee at the boss's office and I was doing my best to ignore Gideon, my supervisor, in the staff meeting. He had been arguing how people had slowed down their 'production, ' and we were not meeting our standards. I just wanted to tell him people would actually work better without seeing his face staring at them constantly, though I can’t.Instead, I decided to think of a pair of dark eyes, and that thought made me blush instantly.. I've never felt him tense, or as if he was hiding something from me, he was only open and fun. Except for that moment when I caught him at his study wrecking his cellphone, he had been a gentleman with me. I could still smell his earthy cologne after we hugged each other when we said goodbye."So what's so funny Delane?" Crap! I was smiling from ear to ear, and everyone was looking at me. Gideon was furious."I am sorry, Gideon." I cleared my throat and sat straight, pulling a few papers out from my folder. Here goes nothing! "I do not think it is funny, far from that, I think you are completely right." He was in shock, I could see him ready to shoot something back at me, but I caught him off guard. So I kept going. "I think our people have slowed down their 'production' and Gideon has been entirely accurate on his view of the situation. This is why I made this strategic plan to offer some new incentives to our most valuable employees..." Gideon wasn't happy at all, but my boss encouraged me to continue, and so I did. When we finished, my boss approved me going forward with elaborating my strategy and presenting it again to him at the next staff meeting Friday morning. I was really excited, this was a big chance for me.I sat at my desk, and after a few minutes, I felt my phone buzz. I rushed to take it out of my pocket and saw it was from him. I took a deep breath before reading it.*Caleb— Good afternoon Meadow, I wasn't sure what time you woke up, and I didn't want to interrupt your work, so I thought I would wait for lunchtime to say hi. How is your day going?I gasped, looking at my phone's clock it was already past noon. I was too excited I forgot what time it was. I started to get my things to go out and quickly replied.

*Meadow—

Good afternoon Caleb! You can't imagine how well timed your message came! I actually forgot to go get lunch, can you believe that! You are saving me yet again :)I chuckled and felt the phone buzz back, I didn't look at it right away, so I took the elevator down to the lobby. Suddenly, my eyes caught a darkly coated gentleman of a familiar figure outside at the entrance. My heart pounded faster, it was him, and he laid against the door of one of his expensive cars.I walked out still a little shaken and surprised, and he chuckled with his phone on the hand. "You didn't get my last message?" He said as he leaned to kiss my cheek. "I am sorry! I rushed to get out as soon as I could and was going to check once I left..." I said almost breathlessly. He chuckled and extended his arm."Can I accompany you to lunch then? Even if it is only for a few minutes."I nodded and took his arm. "Well, since I don't have much time, I was thinking to get a sandwich in a*****e, right at that corner." I pointed out where and he walked towards there with me."This morning I realized we both didn't think about lunch today, we just went straight to dinner tonight or lunch tomorrow. So why lose time now?" We both laughed, and as we reached the small place.*Meadow*I got to the cashier, ordered my sandwich and two juices.As I got back, I noticed he had changed his smile for a more neutral look."What is wrong?" I asked.He looked at me and shook his head. "Nothing to worry, Meadow." I stared at him. “Come on, Caleb”"Well, I think you have a fan. One more besides me that is." He said just casually, and I almost choked on my drink."What?" I managed to say. Did he just admit to like me? I don't think I can eat anymore after hearing that, and another ‘fan'?"Well, I have a bodyguard that follows me around, and he told me there was this guy, blue suit, and blonde hair, who was waiting for you in the corner of your work, and he was about to rush into you before you walked to me. He was looking at both of us enter then went back to your building. You know who I am talking about?" He said.I sighed. "I just lost my appetite.

" I laid against the chair and looked down at my sandwich before dropping it back on the plate.

"Who is he? Is he giving you troubles?" he asked. I was putting together my thoughts when I felt his hand take mine. "I meant it, what I said a few moments ago. I like you, and I feel that there is a small chance you might like me back. That is why I took the risk to come here uninvited. I wanted to see you again before my trip. Was I wrong?"I shook my head and bit my lip. He took a deep breath and sighed as if it was in relief. Ilooked at the window. "His name is Gideon, he is my supervisor and he is always picking on me. He has been the cause of all my stress at work." I sighed and shook my head, then felt a gentle squeeze from his hand to mine and I felt warmth take over me. I smiled at him as I saw his face full of encouragement. "Last Friday we had an argument because he asked me to work overtime and I refused. Then today, I was... distracted at the meeting, and he called me out right in front of everyone! I was lucky I was prepared with some strategic plans I had been working on and was able to turn things around, which made him angrier. So I guess you rescued me again without even planning to." I chuckled the irony and shook my head."Well for one, he is an asshole. Pardon my language." He added looking back at me, and I smiled. "I think you did well. I am pleased I took the chance to come find you today. Please promise me to take care of yourself from now on, this guy seems overly interested in you, and I don't like it." He said with a smile, and I just melted right there."So you will come back to town?" I admitted, my hopes were high."Did you doubt it before?" He said almost offended. "I am a man of my word. I will be back by the end of the week.“He took my hand and stared at me, "When I am back, may I take you on a date?"