Only You and I (You and I #2)

by H. M. Irwing

  "And if she hurts me?"

  I looked into his vulnerable eyes and knew there was every chance she could hurt him.

  "Then I will avenge you. Emily may be my sister but you are my friend."

  I enveloped him into a bear hug happy to have him at my side again. It had been lonely without him. Being at odds with him was not fun.

  I tossed my bag his way and took off for my room with Mark following closely behind.

  "So how is she?" I threw the question over my shoulder still hurt by Emily's actions to ignore me.

  "She's torn up over Cat. I don't think helplessness agrees with her."

  I could understand the sentiment. It didn't agree with me either.

  "I can relate," I told him," but I have just lost half my family to Egypt. I would have liked her to have come to me for comfort... but I can understand why she went to you."

  I did understand. I had needed Jake as well.

  I went to the closet and took some clothes for a quick change. I started work today and I didn't think Barry would appreciate seeing me turn up in my present attire. Stepping into the small closet space to preserve my modesty I tugged off my old shapeless cotton t-shirt and stepped out of a pair of ancient jeans. Rummaging the rack of clothes I picked out my only decent office wearable clothing, again, courtesy of Richard and pulled on the grey floral printed dress. A quick look in the mirror pointed out that while it was more cocktail than office. It could still pass muster. I slipped on a pair of matching grey pumps then pulled on a formal black jacket.

  After refreshing my make up dabbing on a little perfume. I was ready for my first day at work. I emerged from the closet running a brush through my hair to find Mark laid out on my bed staring at the blank ceiling above him.

  "I've got to go," I reminded him. Mark nodded before getting off the bed and coming towards me to give me a tight hug before leading the way out of the room.

  "Are you alright?" I asked as I locked the room door behind me.

  "Yeah. I am. Just missed having you around," he smiled sheepishly.

  "And whose fault was that?" I demanded even as I reached up to pinch his cheeks.

  "Ouch!"

  I shook my head at him and grinned as I waved him farewell.

  The Wogwarts attracted a lot of attention as it pulled up in front of the prestigious looking law firm. I was in luck for I found parking right at front of the high-rise building that housed a whole lot of suits. I glanced up at the ominous looking building and hoisted up my flailing courage to march into it. Slamming out of my Wogwarts I did just that.

  The sleek svelte blond at the counter did nothing to boost my confidence. Clad in what appeared to be the standard shades of the law, her black and white suit screamed power. The only other colour to coat her monochromatic canvas was the smear of fire engine red across her full lips. She was engrossed with the pair of distinguished looking suits that was crowding her for attention. Clad in similar hues I could tell straight off they were lawyer...lawyers trying hard to get laid, from what I could tell of the conversation I was overhearing. Didn't they know there were laws against sexual harassment at a workplace? Or anywhere else for that matter. But the girl behind the counter seemed to be fielding their unwanted advances well enough. Not even sparing me a glance as she trained her attention onto the suits and with a cold vicious smile calculated to make any hot blooded man come in their pants she announced in no uncertain terms," Boys, please. I only date men."

  "Can I help you?"

  Stunned by her bold and forceful statement I stared at her for a while before it registered she was talking to me. I threw a quick glance at the two men and saw they had taken no offence and instead threw her a roughish wink and smirk, before striding off.

  "Don't mind them. It’s a norm for them ...in fact for most of the men here to make an attempt to get into my pants at least once a day."

  "Why don't you just sue them?"

  The question popped out before I could contain myself.

  "Because I want to work here," she said looking at me funny," I am an intern and besides I have a bigger fish I hope to fry."

  "Now how can I help you?"

  She looked at me with one brow crooked in query.

  "I have an appointment to see Barry-"

  "Oh the intern. Lucy Little?"

  "Yes."

  "Fill in these forms and I'll get someone from human resources to see to you," she said with a professional smile handing me a stack of forms.

  The forms were ridiculous. I should have known that a building stacked with black and white suits will utilise their spin on the law to optimum advantage. I was made to sign disclaimers of every kind. I squinted trying to get at the fine print. I would make some sense of this if I had to die trying. I was a Little and proud to be so. We Little’s have fought and won our share of wars and for sure no black and white legalese would be getting the better of me.

  I was still trying to make out the more technical legal jargons that I have yet to come to understand in my studies when a professional sounding voice said over my shoulder.

  "Miss Little?"

  I looked up to see a hot looking guy clad in yes...a black and white suit...standing before me with an eyebrow quirked in inquiry.

  "Yes?"

  "Follow me."

  "Are you done with the forms yet?" He asked me as I walked beside him.

  "Almost. I was still trying to make out some of the fine prints."

  He turned to face me at that and after staring intently at my face for an unusual amount of time he said," Take your time. The forms can be handed in at a later date. You will be my assistant for now but as part of your training you will be rotated to cover different fields of expertise. I handle maritime law."

  "Sorry but you look really young to be-".

  "That maybe so but I assure you in my field I am the very best there is," he said interrupting me with an abrupt smile.

  I nodded my head and followed on, this time keeping mute on my more bizarre observations. The offices were individually different. I was in awe, rudely peering into each open doorway as I passed.

  "You will find that all network connections are down in this building. Even your mobile may well be offline. The building has its own secured network. To access the web or to make a call you have to be logged in to the secured net," he explained.

  I looked at him confused," Why?"

  "It’s the nature of our business. Confidentiality is above all else. It is essential. My office," he said gesturing to a door before him. We had traversed several floors and passed countless offices to get here. And here was impressive.

  "Michael La Bron?" I asked him looking at the name blazoned across the door.

  "The very same," he said clicking his heels to bow in mock acknowledgement.

  I smirked in mild amusement. I had pegged him right at the very first glance. He was a young professional career shark. In short a yuppie. I turned to face him completely after observing the collection of awards and certificate that lined the walls around us. Taking in his soft brown curls falling in careless waved about his serious but attractive face I would have made him out to be a university upstart given any other surroundings but the present. Therefore, seeing him here rendered me feeling nothing short of ...impressed.

  "So what would you like me to do," I asked eager to get started.

  "Well until those forms are signed, nothing. For you are not in our employ until that document is filed with our human resources unit. So perhaps you should get started there. After that the IT will send someone over to fit you in with access to our systems and then...then Miss Little… you may actually start work."

  “Lucy,” I murmured, still looking about. And when he turned to me enquiringly, I explained, “Call me Lucy.” Michael gave me a sharp nod of acknowledgement.

  He gestured to a vacant desk at the corner of his office that I would be using and I took my seat. Placing the documents on the desk, I set to work deciphering just what I
was getting into. It was well over an hour later before I finally set my name to the document with a flourish and sat back to sigh with relief. Looking straight ahead I saw Michael's gaze was fixated on me.

  "I'm done," I said simply.

  Michael nodded before tapping some digits into the phone and barking out some instructions to whomever was at the other end. There was no greeting nor and customary farewells when he terminated the call. I got a clear view what working for him would be like and for some reason I couldn't wait to get started.

  Chapter 9

  My eyes were glued to the clock. Anytime now the long hand would move with great dramatic ease to the digit 6 and I would leap for joy. 5.30 was the official clock-out time in this godforsaken place of slavery. I should have known some of that fine print that I couldn't make sense of due to the lack of web access in this horrid place could only have been a reference to some sort of slavery. To think I spent an hour pouring over those damn words and still blatantly missed that point. Damn they were good.

  Despite my new found appreciation for their brilliance I could not wait to get out of this hell hole. I had spent the whole day...and I mean the whole day typing. Brief after brief. Well actually it was just the one but corrections after corrections. Damn waste of paper. To think all those trees died not to mention all those little forest creatures gave up their homes, albeit involuntarily, just so us humans could sue one another.

  The long hand moved to its golden spot. I grabbed my already packed bag ready to make a quick getaway.

  "If you're going out for a cup of coffee get me one too. We need to really get started on some work here. We're far behind as is. But as today was your first day I thought to break you in slowly," Michael muttered out from behind yet another stack of papers.

  I got shakily to my feet. My stomach rumbled from the lack of lunch. "How'd you take your coffee?" It rankled that he thought I hadn't put in a full days’ worth. I had been here right in front of him doing my bit ever since I foolishly jotted my signature on that damn paper. Maybe it was not too late to stop by human resources just so I could snatch it back. I was sure I couldn't be the first to leave after only a day.

  "Espresso black number ten," he replied not looking up.

  He would be drinking a ten. Myself, I preferred the milder two. But if I was to hang in this place above a day I could see my tastes changing and changing quick.

  Nodding my head I marched out the door and took my first breath of freedom. My first stop would be a toilet break. I had barely had even that. I felt like a poodle wagging a barely there tail waiting for my master to permit me to go relieve myself. This place was sick. Sick sick sic..,"Oh sorry!" I exclaimed then turned to call out," Barry!"

  I had already flung myself into his limp arms before I caught myself and leaped back awkwardly. Could this day get any worse?

  "Em...Lucy? Is it?"

  I cringed again.

  "Yes, I'm afraid so," I muttered out then ignoring the snickers around me I moved away to head to the toilets where I could hide myself in mortification and hopefully recoup.

  I made sure the coast was clear before I re-emerged then dashed back to Michael's office after a quick stop for his coffee. I was still too mortified for anything more. My hunger had vanished in light of my embarrassment.

  But it all came rushing back as I opened the door at the first whiff of toasted sandwich that sat uneaten in front of Michael. I placed the coffee beside his busy head buried in his work and grabbed a slice of his sandwich. I took a great big crunching bite determined to make inroads into it before he demanded I put it back.

  "All you had to do was ask if you wanted one," Michael stated unamused. I all but snorted. That is what he is saying now that the bite was already taken but who’s to say that would have been his real response. I stared at him challengingly as I took another big bite and chewed noisily. He sighed and leaned back against his chair to take a sip of his espresso and observe me.

  "You know I was waiting for my coffee to get started on that sandwich."

  I got what he was trying to do guilt me into regretting my actions. Not happening. Perhaps it was not the wisest thing to do on my first day of work...steal my boss’s belated lunch… but I didn't care. I munched harder in obvious rebellion, defying him to call me to account.

  "So I heard you hugged Barry. What's that all about?"

  Just like that my defiance fled and I flushed red with embarrassment.

  "That was your fault!" I blurted out stupidly.

  "Oh and how was that?" He looked at me with polite inquiry.

  But I was not about to be tricked into an unthought-through remark. Besides I know something of the law. I could plead the fifth. I didn't have to say anything. I kept stubbornly silent.

  "Ahh... the silent treatment. I know just how to handle that. I love handling just that," he whispered suggestively his expression knowing. My face betrayed me and flamed up vividly again. I bit my lips and kept my silence.

  "Well then since you've eaten. I'll leave this batch with you to type, post and file. I have listed my instructions right there. I will be back later but you don't have to stick around for me. Once you are done you may go home."

  I looked at the pile of papers and contained the groan bursting from my seams. I had only been gone for fifteen maybe twenty minutes tops. Where had that pile of shit come from?

  I replaced the half eaten sandwich to the plate on his desk and carted the remaining work to mine. My appetite had gone again and given the mood I was currently in perhaps work was the best thing.

  The hours passed and the to-be-completed pile before me slowly dwindled into the growing pile of ready-to-post-and-file-away. I maintained a steady pace. My focus complete as I painstakingly read through his horrible hand writing and made some sense of what he was intending. The typing was almost relaxing after that. Hypnotic in the motion of my fingers across the keyboard. I was lulled into a deep well of calm... till finally the last sheet was gone.

  "Done already?"

  I jumped to look about me surprised to see Michael perched behind his desk apparently doing nothing but watching me.

  "When did you get back?" I asked tiredly unsure what the time was.

  "An hour ago," he replied mildly," You seemed to have been in some sort of typing trance." He grinned at me.

  "Oh...," I was feeling strangely disorientated. "It might have been the lack of food...water?" I was parched. I got up and got myself a cup of water drinking it thirstily.

  "Well I am off. See you the day after," I said almost happily for tomorrow was my lessons day. I never knew just how much I would appreciate studies over work ...till now.

  "I'll drive you back," Michael offered rising to his feet.

  "No need. I have a car," I said picking my bag up to leave.

  "I'll walk you to it. Where did you park?"

  "Right in front," I said moving to head out the door. I was eager to get away and get away real soon.

  "In front," he said looking confused, "There was nothing out front."

  I stared at him not comprehending.

  "Unless yours was that beat up old ...that was being towed away... when I was coming in"

  I fled then. Rushing for the exit.

  He caught up with me at the elevator." It’s already gone. I saw them tow it away. I'll give you a ride. You can collect your car from the yard tomorrow. It’s too late now. I think reception called it in claiming it was left there as an eye sore by disgruntled clients. Believe me worse has happened."

  I let him rumble on. I was too numb to process anything he said. My Wogwarts was gone. I felt oddly tearful. My eyes were a watering pot by the time we reached ground floor and emerged out onto the streets. Empty. The spot where I left my car was vacant.

  We stood there awkwardly for a moment before he quietly offered me a ride again. This time I tiredly accepted. To drained to do anything more than tag after him to where he’d parked his car. It wasn’t far off from where mine had bee
n. At this hour, he had his pick of spots to park in.

  I buckled myself in and watched silently as he set the car into motion. I pulled out some tissues to dab at my tearing eyes.

  "Do you have more?" I asked pitifully.

  "Try the dashboard."

  I rummaged around in there and found what I was looking for...more tissues. I blew my redden nose and tried in vain to stop crying but for some reason the sobs wouldn't appease. I felt as if my favourite pet was caught by the pound, as if someone close had died. In short I felt utterly irrational.

  Michael was mostly silent at first but when he noticed my tear ducts had dried up he decided it was appropriate to volunteer a lecture on the conditions of my car. He doubted that my car would be released back to me on the grounds of road worthiness. But he did say I could claim the cost of my attempt from the firm.

  None of what he said made the least inroads into turning off my tap that started to leak vehemently again. No my tears only doubled and poured out in torrents at each attempt of Michael to comfort me.

  I was thankful for when he finally pulled over and more so when I spotted Jake's Evoque parked out front. I got out of the car and despite my protests to the contrary, Michael got out to escort me to my door. It was all I could do not to leap out and dash off in search of Jake him but I had to contain myself and see my boss off with my proper thanks for the lift. I turned back to do just that only to watch him fly across the path to land in a heap on the other side. I was torn between admitting my joy over the sight and displaying a due amount of concern. My indecision was swept aside on catching sight of the culprit who caused Michael bodily harm.

  "Jake? Jake! What are you doing?"

  "What are you doing with that asshole? Do you know just how long I've been waiting for you here? I have been so worried and you...I can see you have been out with someone else."

  "No! No! Jake, that’s my boss. They..they towed Wogwarts away...," I held back a wail at that and focused on Jake," You should have called. I had my phone..but I didn't...Did you call?"

  "No.. I... ran out of power. My phone is dead," he said with the beginnings of a smile on his face. I lifted my lips up for his kiss even as he swooped down to take mine.