10 Her

“Rise and Slay”

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I woke up this morning feeling much better about leaving Sebastian to go to work today. I realized from my third day at work last week that most people actually came in at 8:00 am except for Mr.Maxwell who seemed to get high from working and normally came in by 7:00 am and that meant making my day even harder than it had to be. I dismissed those negative thoughts from my head because I really needed this job. After yesterday, however, I think my chances of retaining it had become slim. With Kate still in bed, I had to play dress up alone today. I rummaged through my wardrobe to find an outfit to wear. I pulled out a battleship grey pantsuit that had long Bishop sleeves and a high neckline. The front part of the pantsuit had a short flare from the midsection and a type of drawstring on the left part such that if you pulled it, that side of the pantsuit had a scrunch to it. I don’t even remember how long it had been since I had last worn this outfit honestly. I just hoped that it actually still fit me. My body had changed a lot especially after giving birth. It took on a much softer form, with my hips and bust enlarging, and my stomach was no longer as firm as it was a few years before Seb came into my life. Either way, I would choose this life over and over again if it meant that I got to have my son in my life.

I quickly took a shower when I noticed it was already a quarter past six and pulled the pantsuit on and thank goodness it still fit because I did not have the time to start looking for another work-suitable outfit. I pulled my hair into a low ponytail so that it would be away from my face and slipped on my black pumps.

I quickly kissed Seb’s cheek before making my way out of the apartment and locking the door behind me. I hailed a cab and gave the driver the location to which I was headed. The ride to the office was silent due to the time and I was so grateful for the silence that managed to calm the storm brewing within me.

I got out of the cab and paid the driver mumbling a brief thank you to him when the car skidded to a stop at the building curb.

“Hey there Larry,” I chimed to the doorman and security personnel at the main door of the building. He looked up from what he was reading and instantly flashed a bright smile to me. Larry was such a nice man. He was almost turning fifty and that’s when he planned to retire from work as per his wife’s demands *in his own wise wording*. Not wanting to waste so much time down here I put my card into the card machine since each employee was required to do so before proceeding into the building. I waved to him before turning into the lobby to take the elevator. I glanced towards Kristy’s desk to notice that she wasn’t there and my heart plummeted a little.

I got into the elevator when it finally opened and punched the numbers thirty for Mr.Maxwell’s floor. When I finally reached our floor I was not surprised to see that Meena hadn’t yet arrived. I settled into my office when it was a few minutes past seven and began to organize the schedule for Mr.Maxwell’s day. I pressed the intercom to confirm his presence so that I would mentally organize myself as well as what I would say to him to salvage my Job but the intercom wasn’t going through. It was just turned off I’m sure….or maybe,he’s not around . I needed my mind to stop playing games with me. You’re sure that’s not what you’re secretly hoping for? That he shouldn’t come to work today? My subconscious taunted me again. With a groan, I got out of my chair and knocked on the door opposite mine. There was no answer and after a five minute pep talk to just go with it, I cracked the door slightly as far as it would go to allow me to poke my head through the narrow gap. The office was completely empty and only the orange pinkish glow of the morning sunrise seeping through the large window lit the office. I ducked back into the hallway and closed the door before I was caught looking around and got back into my own office. I guess that meant no making coffee. I quickly planned my own schedule and got into making reports for the meeting.

At 9:00am, I got out of my office after finalizing most of the report for a quick break to realize that the floor was still ghost town.I decided to then go by finance and pay Ethan a quick visit.

When I reached the office where he normally worked, I found him deeply focused on some papers in front of him. I knocked softly on the slightly open door and lifted my hand that held up the second cup of coffee that I had made on my way down here.

His eyes instantly lit up when he saw it was me and he pushed away from the desk to stand up. I took this as a go ahead to enter his office.

“Well I just wanted to personally thank you for being there” I said anxiously and handed him the coffee while he stepped up closer to me.

“I already told you it’s not big deal. I wanted to do it for you. If this isn’t a latte then start making your way out” at least that broke the ice. I chuckled along with him and we chatted for a little bit before I decided to go back to my office.

When the elevator back chimed and the doors opened, I got out only to halt in my tracks. Before me was Mr.Maxwell and another man who seemed to be in the same age group. Now what shocked me wasn’t the boss himself, but the expression on his face. Was he- I think he was. Orion Maxwell was actually smiling and goodness,that was a sight to behold. I quickly averted my eyes from the pair before I could be caught with my chin on the ground.

“Ms. Moneigh, my office in the next five minutes” he irritably uttered before turning away and storming down the hallway into his office. I looked over helplessly to the stranger and he just had a smirk on his face.

“Good morning, I am that jerk’s friend,Rhys. Nice to meet you.” I shook the hand he put out and introduced myself to him wondering how these two even got to be friends in the first place, they just seemed so different.

Rhys had sand brown curly hair and crocodile green eyes.

I then removed my hand from his and walked back to my office for a one minute confidence boost before the big storm. Rhys was probably on his way out from the looks of it. I got out out of my office and stood outside his door, well aware that only this slab of wood protected my from my impending doom. I tapped the door lightly and turned the door handle when I heard a stern come in.

“Care to explain what’s going on Aria?”