Lucas Reed rose Monday morning gazing at his ceiling as if it had somehow insulted him directly.
'Yesterday truly occurred ' he reflected.
The recollection struck him suddenly. The mall. Lily Carter wearing that sundress. Her hand clutching his. The way she flushed upon recognizing what she had done. The near kiss. The disturbance. The boss.
His cheeks flushed instantly.
'I am not mentally strong enough for this.'
He turned onto his side. Pressed his face into his pillow sighing softly. If this was what being in a relationship was, like he was completely unready. He had spent the majority of his life believing romance was something that only happened to others like hitting the jackpot or being hit by lightning.
And now here he was.
He pushed himself up from bed took a shower, put on his clothes and examined his reflection in the mirror. His hair appeared decent. His outfit was alright. His eyes seemed weary. That was usual. Everything felt ordinary.
'Act normal today. Just act normal.'
Lucas took hold of his bag. Exited the apartment that phrase echoing repeatedly in his mind.
The office seemed noisier, than normal despite everything remaining the same. The identical buzz of computers the low murmurs, the consistent scent of printer ink mixed with synthetic lemon cleaner. Lucas. Instinctively glanced around the space right away.
He noticed Lily Carter beside her desk rifling through a folder with fervor that it seemed as if the documents had somehow offended her.
His heart acted foolishly.
'Oh dear. She lives in the building as I do.'
As though called forth by his thoughts Lily looked up.
Their gazes. They stood motionless.
" morning Lucas," Lily greeted, her tone calm and businesslike standing with impeccable posture.
"Morning " Lucas responded.
They gazed into each others eyes for a fraction too lengthy before simultaneously turning their heads away.
'Why was that so intense.'
Lucas took a seat at his desk. Feigned intense focus, on his computer display. Lily rearranged papers as if she wanted to wipe the recollection of the mall through thorough organization.
Sabrina Cole suddenly showed up casually resting against Lucas's desk with her easy assurance.
"Well " she remarked brightly "this is something "
Lucas kept his gaze downward. "What is."
"You both " Sabrina remarked, indicating Lily, who was obviously feigning ignorance. "You resemble teenagers who unintentionally touched hands and now believe the universe has taken note."
Lily exclaimed "We definitely didn't hold hands by mistake."
Lucas exclaimed, "It wasn't accidental."
Both of them stopped briefly.
Gradually they faced one another. Exchanged glances.
"That didn't sound right " Lucas remarked.
Lily's cheeks flushed. "You're only making things worse."
Sabrina smiled as if she had just received amusement. "Oh this is fantastic."
Lucas. Massaged his face. "Nothing occurred."
" course " Sabrina replied. ". I absolutely couldn't care less about workplace drama."
She got up from the desk. Strolled away softly humming with joy.
Lucas collapsed into his seat.
'Today is going to stretch on for quite some time.'
…
The day started as usual. Emails. Reports. Figures that eventually blended into one another. Lucas attempted to concentrate. His mind continuously wandered.
Whenever Lily rose he observed.
Whenever she moved by his desk his shoulders tensed up.
Whenever she glanced toward him his mind would freeze.
At a moment Lily came over to his desk carrying a paper.
"Lucas " she called.
"Yes " he answered too swiftly.
She fluttered her eyes. "I only require your signature on this."
"Oh. Right. Of course."
He took the paper signed his name and returned it their hands touching briefly for a moment.
They both recoiled.
'WHY DID THAT SENSATION FEEL ELECTRIFYING.'
"Thank you " Lily replied swiftly spinning around and withdrawing as if she had just brushed against a burning stove.
Lucas looked at his hand intently for a five seconds.
'Get it together.'
From across the room Sabrina observed everything, with eyes half-closed and a gradual knowing grin.
…
By mid-morning a subtle yet clear change occurred in the workplace environment.
The aide standing by the CEO's office stood up straighter. Voices softened. Keyboard taps became more subdued.
Victoria Hale had come.
Before laying eyes on her Lucas experienced it—the kind of premonition people get of storms ahead of rainfall.
The door, to her office swung open. She walked outside.
Victoria Hale stood tall, composed and keen giving the impression that everything nearby mattered a bit less. Her black suit hugged her flawlessly each seam deliberate. Her dark hair was carefully. Her heels tapped the floor with measured command.
Her gaze traveled through the office. Settled on Lucas.
She grinned.
It was small. Precise. Private.
Lucas gulped.
'Why does she constantly seem aware of something that I'm unaware of.'
" morning everyone " Victoria spoke softly.
The office returned the salutation.
She started heading to her office then stopped and looked back over her shoulder.
"Lucas Reed."
His heart leapt into his throat.
"Yes ma'am " he replied, rising, at once.
"Come to my office for a moment."
Several heads swiveled. Sabrina lifted an eyebrow. Lily tensed up.
Lucas acknowledged with a nod. Trailed behind Victoria each step seeming more burdensome, than the previous one.
…
Victoria's workspace was spotless. Tidy desk. Sparse adornments. Wall-, to-wall windows offering a view of the city as if it belonged to her.
Victoria shut the door after them. Faced him.
From a view she appeared even more formidable. Her gaze was piercing,. There was an additional quality—something kind and attentive—that unsettled Lucas.
"Take a seat " she instructed.
He did so.
She moved behind her desk placed her bag gently and rested against the corner with her arms folded.
"You appear unfocused today " she remarked casually.
"I'm sorry " Lucas said promptly. "I will concentrate more."
Victoria cocked her head examining him. "You tend to say sorry fast."
'Is that bad.'
She moved nearer her heels silent, on the carpet.
"Tell me " she went on her tone steady yet softer this time "did you have a weekend?"
Lucas paused. "It was… okay."
Her grin broadened slightly.
"Have you been, to any places?"
Lucas moved uneasily in his chair. "Simply… the mall."
Victoria's gaze dimmed momentarily before going to its usual state.
"The mall " she murmured again. "With whom."
Lucas stood motionless.
"I mean " he hesitated, "anyone."
Victoria chuckled, a noise that barely touched her eyes. "Calm down. I'm just curious."
She stood up straight. Returned to her desk.
"Lucas " she stated, clasping her hands "you are a worker. Diligent. Dependable."
He gave a nod.
"I care about my staff " she went on. "Particularly those who distinguish themselves."
She held her eyes on him a moment more, than necessary.
'That was… overwhelming.'
She abruptly grinned widely. "That is everything. You can go back, to work."
Lucas remained standing, puzzled yet comforted. "Thank you ma'am."
As he began to walk Victoria spoke once more.
"Lucas."
He halted.
"Take care " she said softly.
"Of… what."
Her grin grew more intense.
"Of individuals who come near you."
For an instant a flicker crossed her face. Possessive. Intent. Threatening.
After that it disappeared.
"Wishing you a day " she remarked cheerfully.
Lucas exited the office with his heart pounding.
Victoria observed the door shut behind him.
Her fingers clenched firmly on the desk.
"Cautious " she murmured softly grinning. "Indeed. Stay extremely cautious."
…
Returning to his desk Sabrina promptly bent forward.
"So " she murmured, "what was the desire of the Ice Queen."
Lucas breathed out. "I really don't know."
Sabrina squinted. "That woman doesn't summon people without a cause."
Lily cast a look worry briefly appearing on her face before she turned her gaze elsewhere once more.
Lucas attempted to focus on work. His thoughts were scattered.
'Why is everyone feeling strongly today?'
The remainder of the day unfolded in a fog. Lily stayed away, from him yet repeatedly glanced his way. Sabrina continued to grin. Victoria observed from her office resembling a queen overseeing her court.
When the workday concluded Lucas was tired, without understanding the reason.
He gathered his things. Rose, prepared to go.
When he moved by Lily's desk she murmured softly.
"Lucas."
He halted.
"Yes."
"…Regarding yesterday " she started, gazing at her hands. "It was… alright."
A warmth spread across his chest. "I felt the way."
She nodded promptly. "Alright. That's everything."
She moved away.
Lucas remained standing there grinning like a fool.
From her office window behind him Victoria Hale observed the exchange, with squinted eyes and a gradual smile appearing.
"Interesting," she murmured.