Breathless

Thank you to those of you

who have left me comments, I really really appreciate it. Thank you so much for reading; I really hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Chapter 8

 Alyn was in a meeting that morning, twirling her pen idly on her notebook. These meetings never interested her. She was bored to tears and they’d only been in there 20 minutes.

“And as you all know, Christmas is coming up,” her boss, Ted McCartney, announced to the room, pacing the length of the table. “We’ve organised a Christmas do. A ball, if you will.”

“A ball?” the deputy editor asked. “Like, suits and dresses?”

“Yep. I figured it was about time we brought some class into this office.”

Not starting with him then, she thought.

“There’ll be a buffet table, music and all the rest of it. It’ll be invitation only, so make you sure you pick yours up on the way out,” he rested his hand on the pile of envelopes on the desk. “And that’s everything for today.”

Everyone got up in one big collective sigh. Alyn was the last out having sat at the back of the room. She reached out for the last invitation, only to be stopped by McCartney.

“It’s plus one, so make sure you find some poor fool to come with you,” he laughed, and then tapped her on the bottom, “Or I will, I don’t mind.”

She rolled her eyes and tried to keep her anger to herself, “Yes, Mr McCartney.”

“And make sure you’ve finished that story on that missing penguin by two.”

“But I’ve got that other -”

“I don’t care for excuses, Miss Walker. If you can’t handle the job, I’m sure I could find someone else to take over. Now, shoo.”

“Sir.” She nodded, clenching her fists tightly as she walked out of the room.

She couldn’t believe she’d let herself get wound up by him. Everyone knew he was an idiot, but she felt like he was giving her special treatment. Two stories in one day? She’d never be able to manage it.

She sat heavily in her computer chair. Her cubicle was smaller than everyone else’s, and messy, but she was the only person in the office with a good window view. She often spent time just staring out of it, wondering if there was actually more to life, or if this is the hand she’d been dealt and now she had to play it.

The phone started to ring on her desk. It took her a minute to find it, as she rarely ever used it. The small light flashed on it to indicate it was reception ringing up.

Strange.

“You have a visitor.” The receptionist said grouchily as Alyn answered.

“Send them up,” she said nonchalantly, still staring out of the window.

A couple of minutes later she heard a small tap on the wall of her cubicle. She spun round from the window and was surprised at who she saw standing in front of her.

“Wil?”

“Good morning, Alyn.”

“What … what are you doing here?”

He had to come the day I look like crap, she thought angrily to herself. He’s looking great, actually. What’s going on?

“Not pleased to see me?”

“Well, given what happened the last time we met, can you blame me?”

“That’s why I’m here.” He handed her an unsealed envelope.

“You didn’t have to -”

“Open it.”

Flicking up the flap, she was shocked at what she saw.

“Wil … there has to be over a thousand dollars in here!” she whispered through fear of her co-workers hearing and wondering.

“One thousand five hundred exactly.”

“I can’t take this.”

“I owe you.”

“No … how can you afford this?”

“I have my ways.”

She asked carefully, “Did you steal it?”

“No. I earned it fair and square.”

“You have a job?”

“You could say that.”

“Well … I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you forgive me.”

“Of course. Thank you Wil.”

“I have one more thing to ask.”

“Yeah?”

“Let me take you out for dinner, my treat.”

She half smiled, “the money is more than enough.”

“Oh, shot down,” He laughed good heartedly. “Are you sure?”

“I couldn’t ask you to spend your hard earned money on me.”

“I want to.”

“How about this – I don’t go to dinner with you. But you come to my work Christmas party with me?”

“I’d love to.”

“You’ll have to buy yourself a suit,” she laughed.

“I’m sure I could stretch for a nice one. Have you got a dress?”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t. But I’ll find one, I’m sure.”

“Let me buy you one.”

“Wil!” she snapped, laughing again. “You don’t have to. As far as I’m concerned, that’s” – she patted the envelope – “more than enough.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes. Very sure.” She opened her invitation and read over it. The party was in a week. She thought out loud, “Bit short notice.”

“Your Christmas party?”

“Yeah. It’s next Saturday. Can you make it?”

“Should be fine.”

“Excellent. Do you want me to come and pick you up?”

“Uh … no, that’s okay. Where is it?”

“The Ballroom, near Liberty Street at 8.”

“I’ll be there.” He smiled. “Actually, I’ll come over to yours if that’s okay? We can walk together or whatever.” She nodded and he added, “Well, better get off … I’ll see you next week then?”

“Sounds really good to me. Thank you again.”

“You’re welcome Alyn.” He gave a small wave before walking back down the office towards the elevator.

She smiled, thinking lifts always reminded her of when they met. She then shook her head to break the thoughts – he is a thief, a liar. He’s no good. Stop looking at him, Alyn.

She knew nothing good was going to come from this … but she just couldn’t look away.

In fact, he’s rather handsome when he’s cleaned himself up.