Chapter 7- Task completed.
1181 Words
Back in the office, Daniel let out a quiet breath as the door clicked shut behind them.
“You handled that well,” he said, loosening his tie slightly as he moved toward his desk.
Abbey didn’t sit immediately. She placed her hands on the edge of the desk, grounding herself for a second before responding.
“Thank you, It needed to be done.”
Daniel glanced at her, then gave a small nod. “Yes. It did.”
He picked up another file, already flipping it open. “Don’t slow down. That was just one task.”
Abbey pulled her chair back and sat. “I’m not planning to.”
“Good,” he said, eyes already back on his work.
The room fell into a working silence.
Keys clicking. Pages turning. Phones vibrating occasionally and being ignored just as quickly.
Abbey logged back into the system, pulling up the next set of documents Daniel had flagged earlier. She didn’t hesitate, until she was in deep with the task.
Her phone buzzed against the desk.
Once.
Then again.
Abbey glanced at it briefly.
Maya Calling
She let it ring.
It buzzed again.
Daniel didn’t look up. “You can take it.”
Abbey hesitated for half a second, then picked up the phone and stood, stepping just outside the office.
“Hello?”
“Finally!” Maya’s voice came through, loud, alive, completely opposite of everything around Abbey. “I called you twice. Are you already acting brand new because you work for rich people now?”
Abbey leaned lightly against the wall, lowering her voice. “I’m at work.”
“I know that,” Maya said. “That’s why I’m asking how is it?”
Abbey exhaled slowly, glancing down the hallway before speaking. “It’s… serious.”
“Serious how?”
“Everything moves fast. No one wastes time. You either keep up or you don’t.”
Maya let out a low whistle. “Okay… and the boss?”
Abbey paused briefly.
“Haven’t really talked much,” she said. “Just work.”
“That’s not what I asked,” Maya replied quickly. “Is he fine or not?”
Abbey shook her head slightly. “Maya…”
“I’m asking a simple question.”
Abbey adjusted her grip on the phone. “He’s… composed.”
Maya burst out laughing. “Composed? That’s what we’re calling it now?”
“I’m not there to analyze him,” Abbey said. “I’m there to do my job.”
“Boring,” Maya muttered.
Abbey allowed the smallest smile. “I’ve been here for a few hours and already had to fix something important. I don’t have time to be distracted.”
“That’s exactly why you need a drink tonight.”
Abbey straightened slightly. “No.”
“No?” Maya repeated.
“I just started today. I’m not going out tonight.”
“Abbey.”
“No.”
“Abbey.”
She closed her eyes briefly. “Maya, I’m tired.”
“You’re always tired,” Maya said. “And you’re always working. And you’re always saying no. It’s your first day, not your last day alive.”
Abbey glanced back into the office through the glass.
Daniel was still working.
Everything still moving.
“I need to focus,” she said.
“You need to breathe,” Maya shot back. “And I’m not asking you to go clubbing till morning. Just a drink. One. We sit, we talk, you complain about your cold CEO, and we go home.”
Abbey didn’t respond immediately.
Maya took that silence and pressed further. “You don’t even know if you’ll still have that job in a month. At least enjoy your life while you’re figuring it out.”
Abbey’s jaw tightened slightly.
“That’s exactly why I need to take it seriously.”
“And you are,” Maya said. “One drink won’t erase that.”
Abbey looked down the hallway again.
Then back at the office.
Then at nothing.
A pause stretched.
“Just one,” she said finally.
Maya didn’t hesitate. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
Abbey shook her head. “I’m serious. I’m not staying out late.”
“Relax,” Maya replied. “I’ll even be nice and drop you home early.”
“That would be new,” Abbey said.
Maya laughed. “Be ready when you get home.”
“I just said I......”
“In an hour,” Maya cut in. “I’m picking you up.”
Abbey frowned. “Maya.....”
“Don’t argue. Just be ready.”
The line went dead.
Abbey stared at her phone for a second.
Then sighed quietly.
She slipped it back into her bag and pushed herself off the wall.
When she stepped back into the office, Daniel glanced up briefly.
“Everything okay?”
Abbey nodded, already moving back to her seat. “Yes.”
He didn’t ask more.
Abbey sat down and pulled her screen closer.
Work.
That was what mattered.
She reviewed the next document, scanning quickly, making notes, adjusting details where needed.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
The rhythm returned.
Focused.
Steady.
By the time she checked the clock again, it was almost time to leave.
She organized the files on her desk, aligning them neatly, making sure nothing was left unfinished or out of place.
Daniel stood, grabbing his jacket.
“Wrap up for the day,” he said. “Be here early tomorrow.”
“I will.”
He gave her one last look. “You’re catching on fast.”
Abbey nodded once. “I plan to keep it that way.”
Daniel left.
Abbey remained seated for a moment longer, looking at the desk in front of her.
Then she stood, picked up her bag, and stepped out.
The hallway was quieter now.
The pace slower.
By the time she got home, she barely had time to sit before her phone rang again.
Maya.
Abbey answered immediately. “I just got in.”
“Good,” Maya said. “That means you have exactly one hour.”
“One hour for what?”
“To get ready.”
Abbey dropped her bag on the chair. “Maya, I said one drink, not a whole event.”
“And I said be ready,” Maya replied smoothly. “I’m already on my way.”
Abbey let out a short breath. “You don’t even know if I’ve eaten.”
“We’ll eat there.”
“I just worked all day.”
“And now you’ll relax.”
Abbey walked toward her room, already pulling off her blazer. “You’re not giving me a choice, are you?”
“No,” Maya said. “I’m not.”
Abbey paused at her door, then shook her head slightly.
“Fine.”
Maya smiled through the phone. “That’s my girl.”
“I’ll be ready,” Abbey said.
“I know.”
The call ended.
"time to get ready", she said walking towards her room.
- Writer
