Maya
I have to admit I am quite proud of myself for how I acted in front of Conrad. I sure did not expect to see him today at all, never mind two. He has been on my mind a lot the past couple of days, no matter what I have tried to get him out of my head, nothing worked.
Once he is out of sight, I finally let out a long breath. When he turned around in the coffee shop, I swear my legs nearly buckled from under me. He looked so handsome in his work suit. I could get lost in those eyes for hours. I am so thankful he didn’t recognise me. I knew he wouldn’t anyway. Yes, he was sweet to me, but not once did he look at me the way he did at the ball, which proves my point; the real me is not someone who interests him in the slightest. It is probably for the best, anyway, because it would not work for us. He would be ashamed to be seen with someone like me, and I wouldn’t blame him.
I am not sure why he is here because, in the time I have worked here, he has not been in. The reason for it is none of my business. I can imagine him in the office with Meredith and her being as sweet as pie to him, acting like she is the loveliest person one can ever meet. But I think Conrad knows better. I can only hope he isn’t here to deliver bad news because if he is, I will be the one she takes her anger out on the second he leaves. I don’t need that shit this morning. She already had a go at me because I was like two minutes late with her coffee.
I turn my attention to my work because I have a lot to do, but it doesn’t go too well because my thoughts travel back to Saturday night and my eyes to Meredith’s office door. I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. I don’t understand why he needed to show up now! A couple of days after the ball. Not once had I met him before it, and now, like some sick joke, he appears, as long as it doesn’t become a common thing. I am not sure I could cope with seeing him all the time. I would end up quitting my job or blurting out the truth without even meaning.
No man has consumed my thoughts in such a way Conrad seems to be. I groan, lying my head down on my desk. It isn’t even ten a.m., and I want today to be done with so I can go home and hide until tomorrow.
“Your day can’t be that bad.”
The sound of Conrad’s familiar voice makes me lift my head. He is standing in front of my desk, his hands on it and a sympathetic look on his face. My eyes fall straight to his, and to my embarrassment, a soft whimper escapes from my lips. God, kill me now! I wait for him to tell me I am being inappropriate or look at me in disgust. I slump down on my seat, and my entire face and neck heat up.
Conrad doesn’t do any of those things; instead, he chuckles and smirks. No, why does he need to smirk at me like that? Meh!
“Um, sorry. I don’t know what that was.” I lie.
I know fine well the cause, but he doesn’t need to know.
Conrad raises his brow at me, “You don’t, uh?”
I shake my head, and he laughs loudly, “It is okay. I won’t tell anyone.” He winks.
Wait, is he flirting with me? No, he can’t be. Why would he? God, I think I may be losing my damn mind.
I laugh awkwardly, “Thanks.”
“Back to the defeated head on the desk. Are you okay? Bad morning, Miss Maya?” he asks softly.
“I am okay. Just a little tired is all, Mr Ackley.”
“Please, call me Conrad.” He smiles.
I nod and smile back. Silence comes between us. He doesn’t move; he stands and looks at me strangely.
“Can I help you with something? You seem like you have something on your mind?”
If he has, it better not be him slowly working out who I am.
“Have we met before? I mean, before the coffee shop this morning?”
Oh shit!
“No, I don’t think so, Sir,” I reply, hating I am lying, but I don’t have a choice.
“Maybe you look like someone else. Anyway, Miss Maya, I should let you get back to work. Please, enjoy the rest of your day.”
“Thank you. You too, Conrad.” I say softly.
Conrad flashes his beautiful smile at me once more before he leaves. I watch after him.
“Yes, you do know me,” I whisper.
I wish sometimes I was one of those people who went after what they wanted rather than the type of person who fears taking chances. My life would be better, but I will never be one of those.
I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths and focus on work. It works this time. It helps Conrad isn’t in the same building as me. Hopefully, I won’t be seeing him again any time soon.
****
It is after seven by the time I leave the office. I should have been finished before now, but I am not surprised. Meredith had me doing stuff that isn’t even part of my job because she is too lazy to do it herself. I sometimes wonder what work she does because she makes everyone else do it for her. I bet she sits in her office, doing nothing.
It is too late to start cooking, but I need to eat. I haven’t since breakfast, and my stomach keeps reminding me. I stop in at my favourite Italian restaurant. I had called my order in on my way here. I head inside to let them know I am here. They know me well because I have been here at least twice a week for the last year.
I stand aside to let everyone else place their orders. They are busy, so there will be a wait. I take my cell out and hop onto Kindle. I can read while I wait.
“I am begging to think you are stalking me?”
I hear the words, followed by a familiar laugh. Come on! No! Three times in one day?
I glance up and am met with Conrad standing in front of me with a dorky smile on his lips. It makes me instantly giggle.
“No, I think it seems more like you are stalking me. I was at my office first and in here before you.” I tease.
I am surprised with how relaxed I seem to be around him. Though, my stomach is in knots, and my palms are sweating. I am not as relaxed as it looks to him.
“Good point. I promise I am not.” He laughs and holds his hands up.
“Good to know.” I snicker.
Conrad comes closer and stands only inches away from me. The whiff of his aftershave catches my nose, and it reminds me of Saturday night when we were dancing.
“Did your day get better?”
I shake my head, “Not really, but that is life. I just need to get on with it.”
“I am sorry. Yes, it is all we can do. Do you come in here often?”
If he were a stranger, that would sound like a really cheesy chat upline.
“It is one of my favourite places. You?”
“My first time was last week. It was beautiful. The food is incredible, so I thought I would come back tonight.” He smiles.
“Yes, it is.” I agree.
“Are you sitting in or taking away?” he questions.
“Taking away. You?”
“Sitting in. I am waiting for a friend to come.”
I bet it is a female friend, and the thought of it makes me feel slightly jealous, which is wrong. I have no right to be. Something tells me he isn’t lacking offers from women.
I didn’t get a chance to answer because my order was called.
“I should go. It was nice to see you again. Enjoy the rest of your night.” I say politely.
“You too, Miss Maya.” He replies.
I nod and grab my order, rushing out. I can’t handle being around him any longer. I head straight for home. At least there I have no chance of seeing Conrad! I must have been a bastard in a previous life for everything that has happened since Saturday night.