Part 13 - Do I know you?

1014 Words
Yesterday went by in a blur for Arya. She had stayed true to her promise of being careful and avoid colliding into anything or anyone post the 'mishaps' that had occurred yesterday. Today was going to be a hectic day, much more than yesterday. Thus, she had to be all the more careful to not let her clumsiness surface again. Her boss had asked her to come by yesterday's time for a few days. A couple of major deals were in the works and their success would result in a huge turnover for the business. Morning had gone by swiftly, and she had been alert enough not to have a repeat of yesterday's embarrassing moment. Her boss had seemed impressed with the way she had handled everything and how had also worked on his suggestion of carrying an organiser at all times. She was also glad that he hadn't brought up her clumsiness today, and that was a huge relief. She was in the cafeteria right now, eating her chicken and rice while lost in thoughts when she felt some movement on the opposite side of the table. "And we meet again!" Arya heard someone say in a cheery tone. She glanced at the person standing across the table. "I am sorry, do I know you?" She tried to focus on the face and remember if she had met this man before. Her eyebrows were furrowed and forehead a bit creased as she tried to place him. "Actually you do, I hope that you do. Mason here, remember we had shared a cab a few days back? The one who over-shared details so that he could be friends with you? Isn't that what you thought?" He cheekily responsed. Arya's eyes widened at the realisation as a faint blush crept on her cheeks. "Oh! Y... Yes, that guy. I... I am sorry I forgot your name," she managed to croak out. She was a bit scared, was he stalking her? "No, I am not stalking you. I work here now," Mason replied while finding it hard to contain his smile. "And yes, you did say that stalking bit out loud," he was now grinning. "Oh my God! I am sorry, I didn't mean to... I mean... Agh! I just want to disappear now." Arya muttered, more to herself, but Mason heard her and let out a hearty laugh. "Hahaha! No harm done. Do you mind if I take a seat here? Apologies for that day if I came across as too friendly and over sharing and scared you off. I realised later how it must have come across to you. How about we try to forget that and start off on the right note?" And he extended his hand. Arya nodded with a small smile as she shook his hand and gestured for him to take a seat, albeit not next to her. She was still a bit sceptical, haven't particularly warmed up to this person who was still apologising for making her feel scared. Mason, glad that she had given him another chance, asked what her name was before making himself comfortable on the chair and apologising again for that day. Around fifteen minutes into the coversation and Mason had managed to make Arya a bit comfortable around him. He had also managed to make her smile, thrice, and that was a huge achievement for him. If this is how his lunch time would be going forward, he honestly didn't mind coming to office every day, more than happy to even face his brother. *** It was time for lunch and Derek had asked Arya to get done with her lunch as they had to prepare for the next meeting, which was gping to be held in less than thirty minutes. He was mighty impressed with her work ethics, and it was only her second day working for him! She was efficient, quick learner, highly intuitive, a sight for sore eyes, in fact she was perfect and too good to be true. He wanted to be sceptical, but he just couldn't when it came to her, just her presence around him was calming. Her overall personality felt genuine to be a farce, and hence he couldn't really be impartial in judging her. He glanced at the clock, deciding to get food from the cafeteria than to order from some restaurant. Mark hadn't picked up his phone, and assuming that he would be in some meeting or buried in some work, he decided to go to the cafeteria rather than calling the management there and asking them to get it delivered to his office. Stepping out of the four walls of his office would do him some good, his thought as he made his way to the cafeteria that was a few floors below his. He didn't have to wait much as his order was processed on priority. As Derek glanced around the cafeteria, he saw Arya, smiling at something the person seated opposite her was saying. Derek stiffened at the sight in front of him. He couldn't see the face of the person who was sitting with her, but his built seemed familiar, the way his hair was styled. Wait, was that... Mark? Had they got so acquainted with each other in such a short amount of time that they were having lunch together? Did they know each other since before? Just how had Mark managed to become her friend when the Arya he knew was too shy and reserved to make friends so soon? He tried to brush aside these thoughts, but it proved difficult when he suddenly remembered the bet they had made. He clenched his jaw, he couldn't believe it that amid the new projects and deals they were on, Mark still remembered that stupid bet and had already started acting on it. No, Mark was definitely not going to win it, win Arya over. But he also had to be calm, he couldn't let his anger jeopardise the strictly professional relationship he shared with her, lest he scared her off.
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