She hoped seriously he was not going to come to work that day as for some reasons, Claire felt need to hide away from him. Perhaps she should find another job but thinking how hard it was to get this one that would not involve her stripping her dumb nature before all, she best stick to this one and be on the lookout. Maybe when Jake’s mother is all settled and his mind all cool, she would ask him to help her out with that bit. Certainly he would be of help as he seemed to know all the nook and crannies of the town. This time around, Claire would not mind the job of a nanny or a cleaner.
She could feel everyone staring at her as she entered. It was not in her head as they definitely were staring at her obviously thinking really big thoughts of her in those head of theirs. Too bad there was no way to read their minds one after another or she might have dared to. She walked over to report to the manager.
“You’re late Claire,” he said to her
“I know. I’m sorry.” she said looking around nervously for him.
Claire had not realized how weird she was behaving and that she was sweaty.
“Are you alright?,” the manager asked
“Of course yes. I am. Just having a little you know…,” she said and laughed nervously looking around
“Um… if it’s Danielle you’re looking for, she’s in the office.” he said shaking his head towards the dreaded lion’s den.
Claire swallowed as it dawned on everyone she was looking for something. Luckily no one knew yet it was the boss she was looking around for. At least the manager had proved she was not being suspected of anything crazy yet. She wondered what the man was doing with Danielle that early in the morning or was he relieving another bit of stress. What in heavens name was she thinking about; Claire wondered as she shook her head and cleared her throat. She had to say something to the manager and make this less awkward for everyone.
“Ahem… yes of course. I was looking for Danielle. Is she in trouble?,” Claire asked the man hoping to get whatever it was from him
“Danielle in trouble, no way Claire. She’s fine but I can’t say same for you though,” he said sadly shaking his head
“For me? What about me? Am I in trouble?,” Claire asked
“Big time.” the man said widening his eyes
“Oh my God. I know I should have called in sick today when I woke up late. Oh my God. Wait, have you marked me present already?,” Claire asked leaning closer
“Yes… why?,” the manager asked
“Then I am in trouble. Am I fired?,” she asked worriedly.
The man looked at her for a while with sudden amusement and interest. Claire was certainly something else as a person. He smiled at her for being all worried and stuff before breaking into a short laugh. Claire felt at loss and looked at him with a question tag kind of face. His intended short laugh began choking him as he broke into another bit of laughter.
“Sorry… sorry… Relax Claire. You should see your face all red and stuff. I’m only kidding,” he said
“So I’m not in trouble?,” she asked
“Technically no but the boss did ask about you. Guess that’s why he called Danielle.” he said
“Then I’m in trouble.” Claire said and started walking away to the changing room.
She could not understand why he was asking after her and guessed probably it had everything to do with sending her away. She must have done something wrong to get into that bit of trouble. Claire began thinking of what might have happened between she and Danielle that might get her in trouble. She suddenly remembered while wearing her work shirt and quickly finished before dashing off to the dish washing area. It had to be that, yes, the dish that was broken the previous day. Probably there was a camera installed somewhere and he actually saw her clumsy self but now she was looking around, she could not see anything unless it was a hidden camera. How could she always seem to be able to get herself into trouble. She however finished from the place gathering herself together and walking away into the kitchen area.
“Claire!!!,” Danielle called out to her as she was just leaving the office.
Claire was lucky she had shut the door and taken a few paces away from his office before she called her. She did not want anything or anyone alerting him that she was in the office. Danielle came over and asked if she was okay or was her wound acting up. Claire told her she was fine and had merely overslept. Danielle said she had been calling and it got her worried. She would have come see her at home but then, she still was yet to invite her to her home. Claire smiled and explained that she would see to that soon enough. However what bothered her was if she was in trouble and Danielle laughed. As of the moment she left the office, she was in the clear as the boss was merely asking after her. She had something to apologize about.
“What’s that?,” Claire asked
“Promise you would not get angry,” Danielle said
“Okay Danny, out with it missy.” Claire said smiling
“You’re getting into the accent missy. I gave him your phone number.” Danielle said quickly
“You what?,” Claire asked alarmed.
Danielle saw everyone turn around to look at them and smiled bringing her voice down before repeating the question to Danielle. The girl smiled and asked her to calm down as she was only following instructions. The boss had called for her specifically but Claire was nowhere to be found which was when he sent for her asking to know where she was. She had no idea as she too had been calling before he asked for a way to contact her. Danielle said she suspected he was going to look for her or call until she picks up the phone.
“He was really worried,” she said
“Shut up Danny.” Claire said and began stalking off.
Danielle laughed as she followed her obviously trying to become a big time pest to her. She smiled, it felt good having a friend that would pester her. Danielle asked her a sudden question that shook her really.
“Are you worried about the kiss?,” she asked her suddenly.
Instantly Claire looked around and then turned to ask Danielle to shut up about the kiss. They were outside in the midst of others and besides, there was nothing she should worry about a mere kiss. It was a mistake of stress after all. And that was all about the kiss. Danielle said she totally agrees with her but was not certain the boss would agree so. Claire could not understand what would bring the boss to their conversation and then her friend jutted her jaw towards the bosses office entrance. Sincerely speaking, Claire did not want to turn but the thought of loosing her job over sometime she could have avoided did not appeal to her. So she turned around to find the lion standing there at the entrance. He was looking directly at her totally unblinking and making her nervous really. She hoped that no one was actually paying her any attention.
“Miss Willows, my office right now.” he said to her and turned away.
What was with this man and looking superbly awesome even when he was nothing short of being an ass. He was wearing this lovely polo over his jeans. Quite simple unlike the times he would wear shirts especially white shirts over suit trousers. This she had noted was the first time she was seeing him in an actual polo. Claire smiled at Danielle as she excused herself to go face whatever awaits her behind that door.
Claire had just entered and was closing the door behind her when she turned to face him directly. How on earth had he come over there. It seemed he had not gone to sit down the time he called her to the office. Claire’s heart was beating in lots of dimensions as he brought his face right in front of hers. What was with him and bringing her to weakness.
“Good… good morning sir.” Claire managed to stutter out.
He was enjoying every bit of her discomfort. The way Claire looked in front of him was something else really as he felt heat spreading through his veins. The last night had been hell for him as he could not sleep off the fact that her lips were really soft. She seemed naive but he wanted more from her. He could not seem to understand what it was about her that endeared him to her but he was willing to find a way around it. Of course work ethics would not permit him forming a relationship with his employee but certainly he would not be required to fight all of it. When he came that morning and she had not showed up, he felt she was gone away from him. He must have scared her off. He quickly began dismissing his thoughts about her and what he had been thinking when he heard her voice.
“Miss Willows, are you scared of me?,” he asked her suddenly.