Bethani leaned back in her office chair, reaching her arms back as far as they would allow to stretch out her aching back. Glancing around the work floor she realized that she was once again the last to leave. She shook her hair loose from its constricting hair clip, brown curly waves brushing the tops of her shoulders, a freedom she rarely indulged in since her mother insisted it was horribly unprofessional to leave her hair down.
As hard as she tried, she couldn’t keep her focus for more than a few seconds on her large computer screen sitting to her left. Charts, spreadsheets and graphs covered the display. She laughed; it almost looked as cluttered as her physical desk.
In a steady rhythm she tapped her self-manicured fingers softly over the tops of the keyboard keys. Not enough to press any keys or anything, more of an absent gesture to help her think.
“Ms. Jacobs.” A gruff but not wholly unpleasant voice disturbed the quiet from behind her. “You are here rather late. Whatever you are working on will be here in the morning. Go home.”
Bethani attempted to stifle her startled shriek but wasn’t successful. Spinning in her chair she came face to face with her boss, Mr Hillier, whom she’d only ever glimpsed from a distance. Even more surprising than his presence was the fact he knew her name. In an attempt to cover her embarrassing display of surprise she blurted, “I didn’t realize anyone else was here.”
He grunted in response and headed back up to his office. She watched him go in and shut the door. She hadn’t ever met the boss, still hadn’t technically, since he hadn’t bothered with a hello much less an introduction. In fact, she was still reeling by the fact that he knew her name and had noticed she was still there. It’s not like she had been making noise. She peered up at his office, unsure if she should head out or stay and finish her assignment.
She dropped back down in her chair. Even if she wanted to leave, she couldn’t go. Her supervisor had happily assured her that if the project wasn’t polished and complete by morning she would be fired. Cruel, bitter woman. Bethani was stuck at her desk until it was done.
“I better get it done faster. Maybe he won’t notice I didn’t leave.” She muttered to herself as she went back to typing. For several minutes she made a whirlwind of progress.
“Ms Jacobs!” Mr. Hillier roared from where he now stood in his open office doorway. Bethani hesitantly peeked her head over her computer to look at him. He didn’t wait for a response. Instead he continued to holler. “Get in my office now.”
She hurried to comply. She couldn’t lose this job.
Once inside his office she sat in the large plush chair opposite his desk. He sat with steepled fingers and a slight glare. Bethani watched as he took several slow, deep, bracing breaths.
“Why are you still here? I have a meeting with board members in Hong Kong and you are distracting me. ” His eyebrows arched in annoyance.
“I need this job sir.” Bethani struggled to speak above a whisper.
“And how would going home tonight compromise that job?” He demanded.
“Mr. Hillier, sir. I was informed this afternoon by my supervisor that if I did not complete my project by tomorrow morning I would be let go.” Bethani didn’t raise her eyes, focusing firmly on her own clasped hands.
“What project?” The curiosity in his tone pulled her gaze up to his now contemplative face.
“Carista.” Even as she said it his gaze darkened with mild anger.
“Carista?” He repeated. She nodded in confirmation. “Abigail is your supervisor then.” Again he surprised her by knowing who she worked under. “How much of this project are you assigned to complete?”
“All of it.” Bethani replied. Confusion spread through her. If he was going to fire her for staying why didn’t he just get it over with?
“I see.” He leaned back in his chair, looking decidedly more thoughtful as he looked at her across the desk. After a brief pause and slow inhale he nodded to her. “Since you have my attention, I would like to see what you have come up with so far.” He announced.
Pulling everything she needed off her cluttered desk, she made her way back to his office to find him still sitting reclined in his seat.
“Sir, I…”
He interrupted. “Adam.”
Startled, she blinked, “What?”
“The formality. I hate it. It is also after normal work hours. Please call me Adam, not sir.”
Bethani blushed. “Oh. Alright then, Adam.” Setting down the papers filling her arms she handed him the one on top. She proceeded to provide all the pertinent information and solutions she had been slaving over. He stopped her and asked questions throughout her makeshift presentation. Once she finished, he continued to look over her cluttered papers.
Unsure what to do, she quietly sat back down in her chair. She was surprised when he finally looked up at her again. He was smiling. A jolt of joy seared through her. He was stunning, smiling at her like that.
“Well Ms Jacobs.”
“Bethani.” She interrupted, the corners of her mouth curving up in the hint of a teasing smile.
His megawatt grin brightened as he nodded in acknowledgement. “Bethani. I must admit I find I am very pleased you chose not to leave when I told you to. This has all been very enlightening.” Adam motioned to the mess she had made of his previously pristine desk. “But now I must insist you go home. Your job is secure and I am impressed by your ideas and dedication. I expect to see you in my office tomorrow morning to discuss this in full detail. However, for now, allow me to walk you to your car. It is late and I would hate for anything to happen to you.”
“I can keep my job?” She sighed in relief.
Adam chuckled. “Without question, your job is secure.”
“Don’t you have a phone call with Hong Kong?”
Delicious warm shivers ran the length of her spine as she watched him stand and button his suit.
“I have a few minutes to spare.” He said.
Bethani stood, smiling shyly. “Then yes, you can walk me to my car. I’m starving.”
As he came around his desk he offered her his arm. “Could I convince you to wait an hour and have dinner with me?”
She cocked her head to the side. “A business dinner? As friendly coworkers? Or like a date?”
Adam leaned in close. “Most definitely a date.”
Bethani’s heart tingled as she dared to nod at the handsome man in front of her. “I’ll wait.”
