CHAPTER 6: Impossible To Forget
1106 Words
Andra’s throat felt tight and she found herself focusing her attention on her shoes as she rode the elevator that morning.
Lucas Langston was standing next to her, completely oblivious and unbothered. He was on a call, talking softly to whoever it was.
His perfume was the same one from last night. It made her recall the heat and the alcohol on his breath when he first kissed her.
Thankfully, the door pinged and opened on the thirty-fifth floor. Andra scurried out, not turning even once as she walked briskly into her office.
He strode in a few seconds later, done with his call.
“Good morning, sir,” she greeted. His eyes widened slightly, as if her voice had stopped something in him.
“Yes, Andra, how are you?”
Her gaze roamed everywhere but didn't settle on him. “Very well. I'll get your office ready.”
She brushed past him on her way in and shivered slightly. He followed without a word, shutting the glass door gently behind him once they were inside.
Andra busied herself with the files on his desk, while he sat on the velvet couch in one corner of the office and waited for her.
“Why did you come in early today?” She muttered under her breath as she stacked the files.
She looked out of the corner of her eye. He looked perfectly put-together, as always, in a black silk shirt and gray pants.
He was not carrying any trace of what happened last night. She had needed lipstick to hide the evidence on her lips this morning.
He didn't look like his thoughts had been thrown into chaos the way hers had.
Andra carried the files and walked around his desk to leave. His voice stopped her.
“Andra, wait. I want to ask you something.”
She turned to him slowly, suddenly feeling like she needed to use the bathroom.
His face was contorted, like he was about to confess a crime.
“This is probably a strange question to ask.”
She nodded faintly, clasping her hands tightly together.
“What would you…what would you gift a friend who received a promotion at work? A female?”
Andra's exhale was involuntarily loud. Relief replaced her terror so fast it made her dizzy.
Then she realised he'd asked her a question that needed a response. His head was tilted as he watched her. His gaze seemed more piercing.
“You…I guess it depends on the friend's personality and how friendly you are with them.”
“A close friend,” he said, but his lips were tight.
“Okay…I would suggest getting her something meaningful, like a fancy watch. Or maybe flowers and dinner, if that's what you think she would prefer.”
He was quiet for a moment.
“Okay,” he agreed. “Order the watch and the flowers, and make a reservation for two at The Irish Place, for tonight.”
Andra's mouth fell open for a moment. Then she swallowed back the protest she had that he didn't have to do what she said.
“What type of flowers, and color? Will there be a message attached? And what type of watch should it be?”
Lucas looked completely blank. Andra's mouth twisted in a wry smile, but she said nothing else.
“Use your discretion. Let the flower come in blank. I'll insert the note myself.”
She nodded stiffly and started walking away.
“Andra?”
She turned.
“Did you…” he started, then stopped himself.
“Never mind. I want my coffee before you make the orders.”
Andra went back to her office. Her stomach heaved and rumbled, like she'd had something bad for breakfast.
She chose white tulips because roses suddenly felt too loud. Then she said ten prayers in her heart that Lucas and whoever he was getting the flowers for would like them.
His face was expressionless when the items were delivered to the Langston Line corporate block and she took them to him.
For the rest of the day, Andra stayed away from Lucas and made a good show of being immersed in her job and working efficiently.
All her attempts to push last night's events to the back of her mind failed. At such times she would pause what she was doing to stare vacantly at the glass panel separating them.
Once, she saw him look away sharply, when she looked up at him.
Towards evening, as Andra was tidying up her tasks for the day, the door to her office opened.
She looked up at the very beautiful blonde lady walking in.
“Hello, ma’am. I'm sorry, but Mr. Langston’s office hours for today are over,” she said in a practiced voice.
“Of course they are, darling. I've come to see Lucas, not Mr. Langston,” the lady replied sweetly.
“Ms. Smyth…” Andra started to say but was cut short by the door opening. Lucas joined them.
“Imogen, I told you not to take the trouble. I was going to send a car to you,” he said, going to meet the blonde.
Andra looked down as he kissed her on both cheeks. They walked into his office together as she dug her nails into her palm.
Suddenly she got up and hurried into her bathroom. She stood looking in the mirror, holding the washbasin firmly.
“You need to forget it,” she whispered to herself.
“It was a mistake. Just a mistake.”
Andra took deep breaths, closing her eyes for a while. Then she splashed some water on her face and dabbed it lightly with a towel.
She walked back to her desk confidently, deciding she was done for the day. She shut down her computer and packed it up, and she was smoothing her tied-up hair in place when they came out again.
Imogen was holding the bouquet and the bag containing the watch with a proud glint in her eyes.
“I've received so many roses today that I was starting to get suffocated by the scent in my office. This was a welcome difference, Lucas, thank you.”
She held his arm as though she had done it a thousand times. Andra couldn't look away. She didn't miss the flat smile on Lucas's face, or maybe she imagined the smile was flat because she needed it to be flat.
At the door he turned to her. “Andra, I'll see you tomorrow. We have things to talk about.”
Her palms suddenly felt very cold and clammy.
- Writer
