A bet that changed their lives

Part 9 - First Day at Work (Contd...)

After a much distracted breakfast and an equally distracting ride to the office, Derek had reached a little earlier as the meeting was rescheduled to an earlier time. He had just entered his office, failing to notice that he had left the door ajar. Loosening his tie a bit, he took out his mobile phone from the pocket of his trousers and got right into the task of making important calls. He sat on his desk, facing the window, as he negotiated deals on his calls while simultaneously responding to mails that needed his immediate attention. After about an hour of answering calls and responding to mails, he took a breather.

He realised the awkward posture he was in and got off his desk, stretching his stiff body a bit. As he turned around, he noticed something in blue move around in the empty office opposite his. He walked towards the door of his office, eyebrows furrowed, to take a proper look at the object that he saw. He had almost reached the door when that 'object' came into view again. It was Arya, dressed in a blue outfit, who seemed to be admiring her new office. He felt more drawn to her as he saw that beautiful smile on her face. Oh yes, he was definitely looking forward to spending more time in office now. He couldn't help the smile that formed on his own lips.

His mind was in a fix. He wanted to continue observing her but the sane part of his mind told him to be sensible and close the door before she noticed him observing her. Deciding that it would be better that she admire him as her boss rather than think of him as a creep, he nudged the door close. At least someone was all happy and excited on a Monday morning, he thought as the image of Arya looking around her new office with admiration made a permanent fixture in his mind. He was yet to meet her, officially, on her first day. And he had realised it much later that he would have to wait another day for her to start working for him.

***

"What on earth is happening on this floor? What is she doing here?! And a new office?! Seriously? You..." Mark said as he pointed a finger at Derek, "...mister, hid it from me that you have already found a PA and out of all the candidates who appeared, it is her you picked! The love of my life! How could you do this to me, your childhood friend?" Mark stated dramatically.

"No, I didn't hide anything from you, nor did I lie to you before you accuse me of it. You just assumed things yesterday and didn't ask me anything. And, being the best friend that I am, I didn't have the heart to make you realise that you have made a mistake so I kept quiet," Derek reasoned to placate Mark, who was pretending to be hurt and angry.

"Yeah right. Way to go, BEST FRIEND," Mark emphasized the word 'best friend' to express his annoyance as he still refused to look Derek's way.

"How about we go to McLaren's? I bet that meeting with your brother didn't go well today too. Let me prove that I am your best friend. Drinks on me, and I will also be your wingman, go along with whatever story you come up with - I will be anything you want me to be, with an equally ridiculous backstory so that you can score a date. Come on, once in a lifetime offer that is valid for..." and he thoughtfully looked at his wrsitwatch before saying, "... Five seconds. Five... four... three... tw..."

"I AM IN! I AM IN! STOP THE COUNTDOWN, WILL YOU!," Mark almost shouted. "You better stay true to what you just said." Mark knew this was an offer too good to resist. Derek never volunteered to be his wingman, especially after the silly backstory he had cooked up to impress a girl while in university. He had known the story was ridiculous, but Derek had played along, only shouting at him when the girl had left. Breaking out of his thoughts, he looked at Derek and raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for his response.

Derek solemnly nodded and crossed his heart, eliciting a laughter from Mark. The two talked some more, Mark disclosing the issues he was facing with his brother, how his behaviour had been as he refused to give them a chance to be a family again, as Derek patiently listened to everything he had to say and suggested a few ways to deal with his brother's stubbornness. After around half an hour of discussing this issue, along with the new deals they managed to sign, they both left Derek's office and were soon on their way to the pub.

"I hope we get to meet some really hot girls. I am tired of the fare served there," Mark complained as he got in Derek's car.

"Fare served? What the hell is wrong with you?" Derek retorted, not making any effort to mask the disgust he felt at Mark's choice of words.

"Oh come on! You know what I mean!"

"You need to grow up. Seriously."

"As if you never talked like that." Mark rolled his eyes.

"That's the point. I grew up, you haven't."

"Spare me the lecture, MOM. Don't spoil my mood. I am excited for the night," Mark happily added after taunting him.

Derek simply shook his head as he asked the driver to take them to McLaren's. He didn't know why he reacted the way he did. Mark had the habit of objectifying women, something that even Derek was notorious of doing once upon a time. Though Derek had outgrown that phase and become more sensible and sensitive to these things, the former hadn't. And this fact hadn't irked him before, like it did now. What was happening to him?