The clicking sound of Vanessa’s heels became louder as she entered the office with a bright smile. She was ready to give her best to her work. Due to her conversation with Carolyn, she simply waved hello to Phoebe as she passed Phoebe’s desk. Phoebe, who had already discussed with Darryl, mirrors Vanessa’s greetings.
She got to the office before Darryl. She sighed in relief because she had completely forgotten about Darryl’s early morning coffee. After going through Darryl’s schedule for the day, she penned down important information, so she wouldn’t forget any of it.
Hurriedly, she went out of the office to get coffee for Darryl. On her way out, Phoebe, who could not contain her curiosity, stopped her to inquire why she was heading out.
“Where are you rushing to?” Phoebe asked.
“I have to get Mr Peter’s coffee before he gets here” Vanessa answered her question.
She was about to enter the elevator, but she turned back to Phoebe,” where can I get coffee for Mr Peter?”
“There’s a coffee maker on the first floor,” Phoebe replied. “Hurry before he gets here, a morning without his coffee will be a bad omen for us.” She joked.
As Vanessa’s frame disappeared into the elevator, Phoebe wondered if she could stay away from Vanessa just as Darryl had warned her. She saw Vanessa as a sweet soul, her presence alone was warm and inviting. How would she avoid her? It was impossible from her end. However, she would have to pretend whenever Darryl was around, not to raise his suspicion.
Vanessa saw the coffee maker exactly where Phoebe had said it would be. Confusion etched on her face as she wondered what type of coffee Darryl takes. Does he prefer his coffee plain? Or with milk or cream? Or with or without sugar? She was never the type to have forgotten an important question like that.
“Good morning Mr Peter.” Vanessa heard echoes and murmurs as she stood in front of the coffee maker. Her head turned to the direction where the voices echoed from. Her eyes widened as she saw Darryl walking elegantly like a model from a vogue magazine.
Something about his presence made Vanessa’s eyes glued on Darryl. She could not place it. Was it how his well tailored suit stretched firmly around his body? Or how his hair was neatly trimmed and scattered at the same time? Or was it because of his presence demanded attention? She wondered as her gaze remained fixed on Darryl.
Vanessa didn’t realize that Darryl was already standing in front of her until the scent of his cologne reached her nostrils. It was undeniable that he smelled so strong and nice at the same time.
Darryl snapped his fingers across Vanessa’s face, immediately bringing her back to reality. Embarrassment etched on her face because she never thought she would admire Darryl’s look.
“A penny for your thoughts, Vanessa? Darryl told her.
“I never thought a day like this would come.” She said, while confusion was written all over Darryl’s face. Darryl gave her a questioning look.
“The day I would be happy to see your face, sir.” Sarcasm dripped with her words as they escaped her lips.
“That is good news for me.” A boyish grin etched on Darryl’s face.
“Snap out of it, Darryl. How do you want your coffee?” She asked him.
He took a step closer to her, her head to his chest. Vanessa tried to put a space between them, but her back was already resting on the wall. There was no way to create space between her and Darryl.
Darryl lowered his head to her ear, “make it as sweet as you are.”
Vanessa looked around and saw people staring at them. She pushed him away to create a decent space between them. She knew it was easy to start a rumor about what had just happened, and she realized Darryl wouldn’t be affected at all.
“Don’t you realize that you are in a professional setting?” She asked him.
“So if we were not at work, would you allow me?” He winked at her.
“Never! Stay away from me, Darryl. I don’t want to be a topic for gossip.” She warned him.
“How will I stay away from my secretary?” Would it be normal if I stayed away from my secretary? Sarcasm laced in his voice.
“All I’m saying is that you should leave a decent space between us. You should not come that close, it is unethical.” She clarified.
“A plain coffee would do.” Darryl changed the topic as he straightened his suit.
Darryl chose a plain coffee because it was the fastest to make. He wanted to wait for Vanessa, so they could go to the office together. He watched how Vanessa fumbled with the cup and the coffee maker. He didn’t know why he was smiling as he watched her fetch him coffee.
“As sweet as you are” Darryl’s words rang in Vanessa’s head. How could he say that and settle for a plain coffee? Was he saying I was plain as coffee? These questions played on her mind as she fetched his coffee.
Tania watched Darryl and Vanessa from where she stood. So was this the reason Darryl had been giving her a cold shoulder? She thought. Tania, who was not ready to lose Darryl to anyone, glared at Vanessa. If eyes could kill, Vanessa would have died by Tania’s glares.
She saw both of them walk side by side to the elevator that led to Darryl’s office. Quickly, she followed suit without thinking. She knew leaving the both of them alone in the elevator would only give them a chance to eat each other up. She would never allow it.
Darryl, who was already happy that he and Vanessa would be alone in the elevator, walked side by side with her, oblivious of Tania’s plan to invade his privacy.
Vanessa and Darryl got into the elevator after waiting for it to open. As the elevator doors were about to close, Tania’s hand stopped them. Tania stood face to face with the disappointed Darryl. She was satisfied to see the look on Darryl’s face, but she masked her amusement with a professional smile.
“Mr Peter, if you don’t mind, I would like to have a word with you before you head to your office.” Tania remained professional.
Darryl shot daggers with his eyes as he watched Tania who was standing opposite him. She remained silent, unable to speak. Vanessa tapped him slightly with her elbow, trying to get him to reply.
“Go ahead, I will meet you in five minutes.” He told Vanessa before exiting the elevator.