Found Love in a Hopeless Way

Chapter 2

Derek graciously guided Leslie to her seat, his gesture filled with a touch of chivalry. As they settled down, he couldn't help but compliment her, saying, "You look... good." Leslie blushed slightly and replied with a modest "Um, thanks!"

Feeling the need to break the ice, Derek acknowledged the fact that they were still relative strangers. He introduced himself, extending his hand towards Leslie, saying, "We haven't actually gotten to know each other, have we? I'm Derek Evans " Leslie nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Yeah, I know your name. I'm Leslie Johnson ."

As Leslie extended her hand to shake Derek's, she was taken aback when he unexpectedly took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss to it. Surprised yet intrigued, she felt a flutter of excitement. Leslie quickly withdrew her hand, feeling a mix of surprise and discomfort. She spoke up, her voice filled with a hint of unease, "What are you doing? You're my boss. It's not appropriate."

Derek, undeterred by Leslie's reaction, maintained a smile on his face. He responded, his tone playful, "I like you. You're the type of woman who's a little hard to get." Leslie glanced around, feeling a bit self-conscious about the situation. She wasn't sure how to respond to Derek's comment, unsure of his intentions and the boundaries that should exist between them as colleagues.

After Derek's inappropriate comment, Leslie responded, "Um, again, I am sorry I have to remind you that it's inappropriate to say those things." Derek rolled his eyes and leaned forward, saying, "Whatever you say, elevator girl," with a smile. However, their conversation was interrupted when the waiter arrived to take their orders.

The waiter approached their table with a friendly smile and asked, "Good afternoon ! Are you ready to order?" Derek said "Ladies first" then Leslie took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tension, and replied, "Yes, thank you. I'll have the grilled salmon with a side of roasted vegetables, please."

Derek glanced at the menu and said, "I'll have the usual"

The waiter nodded and jotted down their orders. "Excellent choices. Your meals will be ready shortly. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

Leslie shook her head, "No, thank you. That will be all."

The waiter turned to Derek and smiled, "Of course, sir. I'll make sure your usual wine is served with your meal."

As the waiter walked away, Derek turned his attention back to Leslie. "So, how long have you been in the company?" Derek asked, his gaze lingering on Leslie.

Leslie shifted uncomfortably under Derek's intense stare and replied, "I'm new. I just got hired a couple of months back."

Derek continued to stare at Leslie, making her feel uneasy. She tried to focus on her food, hoping that the arrival of their meals would distract him. As the plates were placed in front of them, they both started eating.

Leslie noticed that she was eating a bit faster than usual, wanting to finish the meal and end the day as quickly as possible. She took small bites, trying to savor the flavors, but her eagerness to leave was evident.

Derek, on the other hand, seemed oblivious to Leslie's discomfort. He savored each bite, seemingly enjoying the meal and relishing in the moment. His gaze occasionally wandered back to Leslie, but she tried her best to avoid eye contact, focusing on her plate instead.

Despite the tension and Leslie's desire to end the day, they managed to finish their meals in silence. Leslie discreetly checked her watch, hoping that it was time to leave. She mustered up a smile and said, "Thank you for the free lunch, Mr. Evans, but I think I better go. I still have lots of work to do"

Derek's voice dripped with arrogance as he uttered the words, "You must have forgotten that I am the owner of the company you're working in. You can be late as long as I want you to," while leisurely sipping his wine. Leslie's discomfort grew, and a knot formed in her stomach. Being a diligent and punctual employee, she had always prided herself on her strong work ethic and impeccable attendance record. The thought of compromising her professional reputation weighed heavily on her mind.

As she glanced around the restaurant, Leslie contemplated her options. She couldn't deny the unease that Derek's comment had stirred within her. The idea of staying in a situation where her comfort and values were being disregarded clashed with her desire to maintain her integrity.

Leslie took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She realized that she had a choice to make. Would she allow Derek's position as the owner to dictate her actions and compromise her principles, or would she prioritize her self-respect and professional reputation?

With a determined resolve, Leslie decided that she wouldn't let Derek's words sway her. She knew that her commitment to her work and her reputation were important, and she wouldn't compromise them for anyone. It was time to assert herself and set boundaries.

Summoning her confidence, Leslie looked Derek in the eye and calmly responded, "Mr. Evans, I appreciate your role as the owner, but being punctual and dedicated to my work is something that I take pride in. It's important to me to maintain my record of reliability and professionalism. I hope you understand."

Derek's expression wavered between surprise and annoyance, realizing that Leslie wasn't going to back down easily. He begrudgingly nodded, realizing that he had crossed a line. "Fair enough," he muttered, his arrogance momentarily deflated.

The rejection from Leslie, coupled with her firm stance, ignited a spark within Derek. He couldn't deny the thrill of a challenge that now presented itself. In his mind, he saw Leslie as someone who needed to be won over, a conquest waiting to be achieved.

In the office, Leslie was fully immersed in catching up with the work that had been left for her. Oblivious to the world around her, she diligently focused on her tasks, determined to stay on top of her responsibilities. Little did she know, Derek's eyes were constantly drawn to her, stealing glances whenever he had the chance.

As Derek observed Leslie's every move, he couldn't help but romanticize her actions. In his mind, she became the embodiment of grace and intelligence, captivating him with her dedication and skill. Derek had always been someone who used his power and influence to get what he wanted, particularly when it came to women. However, Leslie was different. She presented a challenge that he couldn't resist.

It was the end of Leslie's shift, and she glanced towards Derek's office, relieved to see that he wasn't there anymore. With a sigh of relief, she made her way towards the elevator, eager to leave for the day. As she waited for the elevator to arrive, a sudden memory of the previous encounter with Derek inside the elevator flashed through her mind, causing frustration to bubble up within her. In a moment of exasperation, she muttered under her breath, "Freakin' elevator!"

Unbeknownst to Leslie, the elevator doors opened just as she was about to release her frustration with a swift kick. In an unfortunate twist of fate, her foot accidentally landed on Derek's sensitive area, causing him to double over in pain and fall to his knees. Derek had been waiting for the elevator to return to his office, unaware of the impending misfortune that awaited him.

Shock washed over Leslie as she realized what had just happened. Without hesitation, she rushed to Derek's side, overcome with worry and remorse. "Oh my gosh, Mr. Evans! I am so, so sorry... Oh my God! I didn't mean to..." Leslie's words spilled out in a torrent of apologies as she tried to offer her assistance.

Fortunately, the timing worked in their favor, as there were no other people around to witness the unfortunate incident. Leslie's concern for Derek's well-being outweighed any embarrassment she may have felt. She focused on helping him and expressing her sincere apologies, hoping to alleviate his pain and discomfort.

Derek grimaced in pain as he initially felt the intense discomfort radiating through his body. However, after a few minutes, the pain began to subside. Despite the relief, Derek saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. He decided to pretend that the pain persisted, keeping Leslie unaware of his true condition.

With a pained expression on his face, Derek turned to Leslie and said, "I'm really sorry to ask, but I don't think I can walk on my own right now. Could you please assist me to my car?" His voice strained, as if he was still in considerable agony.

Feeling a sense of responsibility and empathy, Leslie immediately agreed to help. She put her own discomfort aside and supported Derek as he struggled to stand up. Slowly and carefully, they made their way through the office and towards the parking lot.

Leslie guided Derek, lending him her strength as they navigated the distance to his car. With each step, she remained attentive and focused, doing her best to ensure his well-being. Inside, she couldn't help but wonder if his pain was truly as severe as he claimed, but she didn't question it, wanting to provide him the assistance he seemed to need.

Finally, they reached Derek's car, and Leslie gently helped him settle into the driver's seat. She closed the door and took a step back, her concern etched on her face. "Are you sure you'll be alright driving? Maybe I should call someone for you," she offered, her voice filled with genuine worry.