CHAPTER 5 – FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST
431 Words
The cafeteria was quieter than she expected.
Professional.
Minimal noise.
People spoke in low tones, focused even during lunch.
Abbey grabbed something light and found a seat.
For the first time that morning.....
She relaxed.
Just a little, walking towards an empty space she bumped into someone but this time, the impact wasn't as bad....
“Do you always bump into people like that?”
Abbey froze.
Then looked up.
It was him.
The man from the coffee shop.
Standing there, hands in his pockets, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Abbey blinked. “You again.”
He tilted his head slightly. “You started it.”
She laughed softly. “I said I was sorry.”
“You did,” he admitted. “Repeatedly.”
Abbey gestured toward his shirt. “At least it’s clean now.”
He glanced down briefly. “Perks of having options.”
She shook her head, amused.
“I’m Abbey,” she said.
“Anthony,” he replied, taking the seat across from her.
They sat for a moment, comfortable silence settling between them.
“I work in finance,” he added casually.
Abbey nodded. “I just started today. CEO’s assistant.”
Anthony raised a brow slightly. “That’s not a small role.”
“It’s temporary,” she said.
He leaned back slightly, studying her.
“We’ll see about that.”
Abbey didn’t catch the subtle shift in his expression.
“Can I get your number?” he asked easily. “We could talk more. I could show you around.”
Abbey hesitated for only a second.
Then nodded. “Sure.”
They exchanged numbers.
Simple.
Natural.
Anthony leaned forward slightly.
“So,” he said, lowering his voice just a bit, “what do you think of the boss so far?”
Abbey shrugged. “Haven’t really met him yet.”
He smirked. “You will.”
There was something in the way he said it.
Something knowing.
“The CEO is cruel, isn’t he?” Anthony added.
Abbey frowned immediately. “Don’t say that about him.”
Anthony chuckled lightly. “You’ll learn.”
She shook her head. “I’m here to work.”
“Of course you are.”
Abbey finished her lunch and stood.
“I should get back.”
Anthony nodded, watching her.
“See you around, Abbey.”
“Yeah,” she said. “See you.”
As she walked away.....
She didn’t see the way his expression changed.
The smirk.
Subtle.
Controlled.
Abbey walked back toward the elevators, unaware of anything beyond her first day.
- Writer
