Risque Liaison

I think I like this little life- blasts from the alarm speakers and a very sleepy Mimi, who is still buried in covers of white sheets stretches her arms to turn it off. “Mimi! It's your first day at Havillah; your boss isn't going to be excited that his secretary came in late!”Shalom shouted from the kitchen. That was enough for Mimi to jump out of bed. “Oh my god, Oh my goodness!"Mimi runs to her closet." I don't want to miss the bus!”, she runs into the bathroom. “Good thing I ordered you an Uber". Shalom said, strolling into the room with an easy confidence that contrasted Mimi's frantic movements. “Life saver!" Mimi yelled over the running water as she showered, her voice echoing with a mix of nerves and excitement. “I know.. now hurry- " I'm out, already “ Mimi replied, rushing out with damp hair and a kiss blown in Shalom’s direction as she darted out the door. In less than an hour the Uber arrived at the parking lot of Havillah technologies. Just as she alighted from the car,her phone pinged,it was shalom ,she sent a text- ’you're going to be just fine, and Aiden isn't as cold as the rumors say, I'd know, he's my friend too’. She smiled at the text, and made her way into the building, meeting the receptionist. “Hello, good morning , I'm -” she was interrupted by the receptionist. “ Miss paulsen? Yeah Mr Collins will be expecting you,last floor ,take the elevator". Mimi,hurried into the elevator and keyed in the floor number, she had gone pale,every atom of sweetness she felt due to shalom's text had left her. I can't lose this job, it's only my first day here for goodness sake,she thought as her eyes watered.The elevator dinged and she got out facing an area that's supposed to be her desk exactly opposite the CEO’s office. Mimi’s pulse quickened as Aiden Collins’ footsteps echoed down the hall. She’d barely taken a breath before his silhouette darkened her doorway. Tall, commanding, with eyes that could cut through steel — he was everything she feared and desired in one ruthless package.Although, something in his gaze lingered .Was it disdain? Or something she dared not name? “ Miss Paulsen, are you always late?" Aiden's voice is cold and hard. " No sir,it..it was.. I'm sorry sir,I won't be late again.” " I don't bloody care , you might not have any opportunity again. Now take these files, review them ,make any corrections if need be,and get them back to me with yourself at the conference room in the next fifteen minutes. “ Aiden's voice is eerily chill as he walks into his office." And don't shut the door Paulsen”. He's not as cold,my foot ,she thought to herself. I better get to work. She made sure to shut the door behind her,that could be a reason to get fired. It is going to be such an eventful day. It's past seven in the evening and Mimi is just getting back to her apartment. From her porch she takes off her heels, trying to open the door as quickly as possible. Mimi collapses onto her couch, throwing her heels across the room. Her phone buzzes on the coffee table, Shalom’s name flashing on the screen. She picks it up, forcing a tired smile. Mimi speaks into the phone, weakly “I survived, barely, he's terrible, jeez!” “I was worried you’d pass out before lunch. Aiden wasn’t too bad, was he?” Shalom replied, laughing. Mimi closed her eyes, rubbing her temples. “He was worse. It’s like his voice alone could freeze you over.” “I warned you,Mimi darling, that he’s intense, but you’ll get used to it. Remember, you’re more than qualified. Don’t let him intimidate you.” Mimi sighs, sitting up, “Today made me wonder if I am. Everyone else at Havillah seemed too confident. I felt… out of place.” “You’re there for a reason, Mimi. And you’ll see, Aiden isn’t all ice. He just... hides things well. Stick it out, give it some time.” Shalom replied very gently. Mimi looks around her apartment, the stillness offering little comfort. Shalom’s words help, but the doubts still linger. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” “Probably miss the bus every day.” They laugh. Shalom’s light-heartedness always seems to make things better. After a pause,shalom says, “Let’s grab dinner tomorrow, my treat. You’ll need a break after dealing with Mr. Ice King.” “You’re on.where are you by the way,I miss you, you're supposed to be on leave.” " Girl bye" shalom's aid laughing and ended the call. Mimi is seated at her desk, her eyes fixated on the computer screen, but her mind is far away. Her hands hover over the keyboard, unmoving, as the office noise fades into the background. And it's like she's reliving that day again, The memory was still raw. That phone call from the landlord, two months after she had buried her parents,the one that shook her world upside down again. The months of job hunting, rejections, bills piling up like a mean joke. “I’m sorry, Mimi, but we’ll have to evict you if you don’t come up with the rent by the end of the month.” End of the month?? I can barely feed ,how am I supposed to raise my rent? Her stomach had dropped when she heard those words. She had been so desperate then, sending out resumes to companies she had never dreamed of applying to, hoping for a lifeline. Havillah Tech had been that lifeline. Thanks to shalom,oh what'd she do without shalom. “I have to keep this job,” she whispered to herself. “I can’t go back to that place.” Suddenly, Aiden’s sharp voice cuts through her fog of memories. “Paulsen!”