3. Chapter 3
3
Just Like Old Times
The fit as fuck waitress from this restaurant keeps staring at my mouth.
If it wasn't early in the afternoon and I didn't have somewhere to be, I’d probably take her back to my flat and show her all the things I could do with it.
“Ahem!”
My eyes snap back to my sister across from me, an annoyed look on her face. “What?”
“I’ve been talking for five minutes, and all you’ve been doing is drooling over the waitress. Don't make her another one of your conquests, Leo. I like this place. Ella and I come here all the time.”
At the mention of her , I can feel my shoulders tense. “Anything for you, dear sister,” I say, omitting the fact that I’ve been in a dry spell for a while—two weeks. I’d been too busy packing and barely had time for anything else. Moving countries is hard fucking work, and I wanted it to go smoothly—which it has, for the most part.
But now, I think I’ve forgotten how to use my dick.
“Did Mum and Dad seem okay when you left?” she asks, and I know she’s really asking about Dad.
“Yeah, everything was okay. I told them we’d video call once a week when you got settled.” I see her nervousness about a possible emergency with both of us here. When I told my parents about the job offer, they were practically begging me to leave, but I was the apprehensive one. I knew Alissa worried about being in the States, but I always told her I was close by in case something happened. Now that we’re both over here, we’re more on edge.
“Good. Now, where is this new job? You’ve been surprisingly hush-hush about it when normally, you’d be rubbing your paycheck in my face,” my sister asks as she takes a bite of her salad.
“Says you. You probably make more than I will in one day. It’s at this marketing firm in the city. My commute from the rental isn't too bad, but when I move into my new place, it’ll be even closer.”
“What’s it called? Maybe I can visit for lunch when you get settled.”
“I’d love that.” Most older brothers would probably hate that, but Alissa and I have always been close. Being less than a year apart will do that. She may be my older sister, but I’ve always been fiercely protective over her, and she’d probably say the same for me. She’s my built-in best friend. “It’s called Loft Media.”
My sister suddenly drops her fork into her bowl and laughs.
“I’m sorry, did I tell a joke I wasn't aware of, or am I really that funny?”
Alissa continues laughing, waving her hand in front of her face. “Oh no, it’s nothing really. I was just remembering something funny from work.”
Suddenly not feeling very hungry anymore, I flag our waitress down and ask her for a box. “Has someone caught your eye at work, Liss, or are you lying to me?”
Her face is always unreadable, which pisses me off, but I guess that means she went into the right line of work doing…whatever she does. “Oh no, nothing like that. You know I don't have time to date, Leo. Work is too busy.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to scare them all off if I saw someone trying it on with you. Dad’s not here, so I have to fill the role of the scary protective guy in your life.”
“Whatever you say, but you should know I’m not scared of you. I never have been.” She smiles at me, and I roll my eyes. “Or do you keep forgetting I was born first?”
“How can I forget when you remind me about it a thousand times a day?” I joke with her as the waitress drops the check off. When I snatch it before Liss can, she glares at me. “Too slow. This one’s on me.”
“Fine.” She pouts, and when I take a look at the check, a smile glosses over my face. “What’s that look for?”
“She left her number on the bottom of the receipt.” I wave it up so she can see, and she groans.
“If you fuck her and ruin this place for Ella and me, I’m not responsible for what wrath she imposes.”
“I’m sure I can take on whatever she throws my way. I’ve never had a problem before. And how do you know this waitress isn't the one?” I say while pressing a hand to my heart, but Alissa knows I’m bullshitting her.
“Oh, please. The day you settle down is the day I can relax. Do you even remember her name?”
Shit. I think it started with an M. “Melissa?” I question, and Alissa waves her hand off.
“What time is your tour?”
I look down at my watch—Van Cleef Perlée, 18K yellow gold, with a brown band that my dad bought me for Christmas last year. “About an hour and a half. It shouldn't take long to get there, though. I’ll be fine.”
When the waitress comes back with my card, I shoot her a wink before she blushes and walks away. I know what I look like, so that happens a bit too often. She was cute, but I can't bring myself to ever use her number, so I throw it in the bin before Alissa and I leave. It’s a fairly nice day out, the warm breeze flowing through my curly brown hair.
“Are you headed home for the day?”
“Yeah. I’m having a self-care day while Ella is stuck at the office.” She smirks at me, and I’m not sure why.
“What was that look for?”
“What look?” And she does it again.
“That. The stupid smirk.”
“Oh, nothing. I hope your tour goes well.” And I swear, I hear her mumble something else before she gets into her car parked right next to my rental. I don't have an official license yet, but I have three months to get one, according to what Alissa told me. That’s fine, but I’m stuck in this small car until then. I miss my Range Rover back in England so much when I get into this small car.
“Thanks, sis,” I mumble as I try to get the odd feeling out of my stomach that she knows something I don't. Turning my car on, I speed away from the curb and head to my new place of employment.
As I pull into a spot in the parking garage, I look down to make sure my clothes aren't wrinkled before getting out of my car. I’m excited to start tomorrow, and this tour I’m taking is making this seem more real—the fact that I’ve moved to the States and I’m working in a field I love.
I’m glad I’m closer to my sister, but leaving my parents behind—especially my dad—was difficult. He’ll be fine , I remind myself for the twentieth time. They’re only a phone call away. Thinking of them, I grab my phone as I get into the lift and press the thirteenth floor.
Leo: Heading in for the tour now. Hope you guys are well.
Alissa: Good luck! Be on the lookout; you never know what new jobs can hold…
Mum: Have fun, sweet boy!
Leo: Liss, what does that mean?
Alissa: Nothing! Have fun!
Dad: Can’t wait to hear about it.
Leo: Talk soon.
I pocket my phone again, suddenly feeling a bit on edge with whatever the fuck my sister is telling me to look out for. She’s probably just pushing my buttons. Alissa was always one for doing that on purpose, especially when we were kids. She was a goddamn menace.
A few seconds later, I’m thrust into a reception area where nobody is sitting. It’s Sunday, so that makes sense, but I can faintly make out a few voices. Imogen—my boss—told me a few people are working overtime today, and I might see them when she gives me the tour. As I sit in the reception area like she instructed, I take a quick look around. It’s a nice office, with warm tones all over it. The walls are an off-white, and the pictures framing this area are quite nice. I assume some of them are campaigns they’ve done for other companies, and they look great.
A knock startles me out of my analysis, and when I look up, I see my new boss. She gives me a smile before holding out her hand, and I shake it. “Hello, ma’am. It’s nice to finally meet you in person and not over a screen.”
“Please, call me Imogen. Formalities make my skin crawl.” When I nod, she smiles again. Imogen is only a bit older than me, probably mid-to-late thirties or early forties. She’s got short brown hair, thick black glasses, and a sweet smile. “Shall we get started? It’s not a big office, but I wanted you to have a lay of the land before you officially started.”
“I appreciate that. It’ll be nice to walk in tomorrow and know exactly where I’m going rather than looking like a lost puppy.”
“Follow me. I’ll keep it short and sweet, I promise.” She waves her hand out, and I step into the full office area, liking what I’m seeing so far.
“So, to the left is our copy room, where you can see we have different computers, printers, and anything else you might need if you’re printing something for any of the campaigns we do. It’s very helpful having them in-office. When we were a much smaller company, we had to send things out to get printed, and it was a nightmare.”
“Sounds like it would be. That’s what we did at my last job in London. It was an absolute pain.”
She nods at me before walking toward some cubicles. “This is where John and Adam work, along with a few other people you’ll meet tomorrow. They handle client relations. Over there is the conference room. You’ll notice the frosted glass is on right now because everyone is working on our latest deadline. That’s the only room with the feature, and it’s used most often when we have big meetings and the like.”
“That’s cool.”
“I’ll show you that room tomorrow so as to not disturb them.”
“Of course.” She continues to show me the small kitchen and dining area in the corner of the office, and then we get to a few smaller offices in the corner.
“Your office is right next to Brad’s, so if you have any questions, you can ask him.”
“Is he the one I’m shadowing for the first thirty days?” One of my first tasks is to shadow someone who has worked here for a while. I learn best on my feet and by watching what others do, so Imogen suggested this when I agreed to take the job. She seems like a great boss already, and I’m excited to work under her and Brody—the guy whose job I’m filling, since he got a promotion.
“No. I picked one of our best employees for that. You’ll meet her later.” Imogen smiles before she opens a door to an empty office. “This is where you’ll be. Your shadow’s office is straight across from yours for easy access.” Great.
“Is decor allowed? Don't get me wrong, this office is wonderful, but the emptiness gives me the creeps.”
She just laughs. “Of course. Feel free to make it your own. Now, let’s head to my office so I can go over what your first month will look like.” I close the door— my door—behind me as we head to her office at the front. She pushes her door open and signals for me to sit. “I’m going to let them know we’re in here. Just give me one second.”
“Of course, ma’am.” I shake my head and laugh, noting the slip-up. “Imogen.”
“Great. I’ll be right back.”
This office feels like the perfect fit for me, and I’m really excited to start working here so soon. I’ve been sick with worry I was never going to find something over here. I hate relying on my parents for money and shit like that, so getting the job came at the perfect time.
I have a lot of it—money—but I’ve always prided myself on being self-sufficient, even with a massive trust fund hanging over my head. If I wanted to, I wouldn't have to work a day in my life, but I love what I do, and I’d get bored sitting around all day doing nothing.
Imogen comes back a few moments later, and the two of us get to talking about what a typical day looks like and all the other boring shit that happens during these kinds of chats. By the time we’re done, I’m even more excited. I don’t think anything could dull my spirits.
"Do you have anything else for me?” Imogen asks, and as I’m about to say no, I hear the door open, and a voice I know all too well speaks.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, Ella. Come sit and meet our newest employee, your shadow for his first thirty days.” Ella. No fucking way. I paste my best asshole smile on and turn around. Sure enough, her face falls when she notices it’s me. Fuck, that shouldn't feel good, but it does.
Ella sits in the chair next to mine, her face still in shock and partly pissed off. I can tell she’s angry—she has her fake smile on, but her eyes are glaring at me as if lasers are about to shoot out of them. Just the way I like it. “Nice to see you again, Ella.”
She keeps glaring at me, clearly blindsided, and Imogen speaks up. “Oh, do you two know each other? That’s perfect!”
“We went to university together! Isn't that right, Williams?” I turn and throw a smile at her.
“It’s college,” she grits through her teeth.
I smile at her. “I’m from England.”
“Yes, but we’re in America.” She’s so easy to piss off. Fuck, I’m going to love every second of this.
“What a small world! Well, I guess we can skip the formalities. Ella, Leo is your trainee for thirty days. Go easy on him so he understands the basics, and don't be afraid to let him try some things on his own. He starts tomorrow, so I’ll have Brody show him the ropes for then, but on Tuesday, he’s all yours.”
“Wonderful. I can't wait.” Ella’s tone indicates otherwise, but Imogen doesn't seem to catch on. “I’ll see you then. If you’ll excuse me, I have a party to get to.”
“See you on Tuesday. Thank you for your help today! I can't wait to see what you guys have done with the campaign.” Imogen smiles as Ella leaves, and after giving me a folder filled with entrance documents, I shuffle out of her office as well. As I look around, not seeing a trace of the woman who makes my blood boil, I head for the lift, stopping it before it shuts.
My lips curve into a smirk as I see Ella in it already. The tension is thick as I step in and press the button for the parking garage.
“I already pressed it.” I don't even have to look to know she’s rolling her eyes at me. Just like old times.
“Forgive me if I don't trust you not to crash this thing now that I’m in here.”
“Oh please. Don't give me any great ideas, asshole.” As I’m about to speak, she beats me to it. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“Heading to my car. What does it look like I’m doing?”
She sighs heavily. “What are you doing at my job, Zimmerman? Is this some sort of sick joke?”
“I got a job here, Williams. It looks like we’ll be working together. Remember how much fun last time was? It’s like college all over again.” Ella surprises me by stopping the lift as soon as I say that. The lights go dark, and she comes face to face with me; well, more like face to chest, but I think she’s about to stab my eyes out with those sharp nails of hers.
“Stop being a smug prick. College was horrid, and having to spend time with your condescending ass back then was bad enough. I love this place, and now you’ve tainted it with your fucking presence. Don't talk about our past, and don't fucking test me. I have seniority, and Imogen will listen to me no matter how much charm you apparently have. This isn't our internship office filled with testosterone anymore.”
“Darling, I have no problem keeping things professional. It’s you we have to worry about.” Ella is a firecracker, and for as long as I’ve known her, we’ve hated each other. I don't quite know why she dislikes me, but she has always been a lot. Every time I tried to talk to her in college ended with her yelling at me or threatening me, and I got tired of it. Her attitude is awful, and I think the two of us are destined to never get along.
“What the fuck does that mean?”
I step closer to her, and she doesn't move. “Well, considering you're the one yelling at me in a stopped lift, that should give you your answer. Now, can we get this over with? I have somewhere to be.”
Ella scoffs, keeping eye contact. “Oh, I’m sorry, am I keeping you from a hot date? Maybe I’ll lock us both in here and save the poor woman some mediocre sex and your fuck boy personality.”
I lean down, getting in her face because I know how much she hates it, especially when it’s me crowding her. “Let’s not lie, Williams. You of all people know sex with me is anything but mediocre. After all, you were the one who listened like such a good girl when I bossed you around that night.” I reach behind her and start the lift again, suddenly wanting to get the fuck out of here so I can get home and call my parents. Ella turns around and faces the front as we move. I know I got under her skin because she’s gone quiet—that’s about the only time she shuts up and stops making judgements about me. To secure my win in today’s squabble, I add something else that will piss her off. “I have to say, I forgot how much I prefer you with your mouth full.”
The doors open, and she doesn't say a word as she heads to her car. I smile, knowing she’s going to come at me full force on Tuesday. I’m capable of being a normal human being, but Ella having the power to tell me what to do is a dynamic we’ve never experienced together.
Bring it on, Williams.