21 — Just a normal day… (?)

“You guys can continue to settle in appropriately. We will have a brief meeting at 03pm, so until then, study up on the project and make your own considerations, write down any ideas you have — I want to hear from each of you.” I say, receiving only a few quiet confirmations and nods.
Going to my desk, I take a deep breath, wanting to disappear behind the partition. But my new workstation forces me to face all the team members.
Taking a deep breath, I try to ignore the hostile stares that I know are on me, burning my skin. Especially Laura’s.
I glance at Sarah, the woman with medium-brown hair, so elegant, that seems to be a natural part of the corporate world. Behind the lenses of her glasses are sharp brown eyes, so severe that they appear to judge every inch of me. Sarah has been with the company for at least four years, and her commitment is simply enviable. There are even rumors that she will be promoted, and there's no doubt that she belongs in the management position. It's as if she breathes and exists for her work. A real workaholic.
That's why she should be the leader, not me.
And that's why I also understand why she hates me too. I'm just a girl who completed college one year ago, joined my father's company and was appointed the leader of the biggest project of the past few years, when there's someone more qualified for this. I really can understand her hostility…
Although Sarah has never been open about it, I know she hates me. This can be seen by her harsh tone, her rigidness, and how everything, everything I do is refused on the first attempt because I can do better.
It makes me feel like a terrible employee, honestly. No matter how hard I try to please her, it doesn't seem to be enough. But leaving aside my opinion and personal insecurities, Sarah is still the most suitable person for this position, not me.
And from the expression on her face, she surely knows that too.
“Hey, boss?” I hear a soft male voice, and raise my eyes, seeing that Ethan is standing in front of my desk, with a bright smile. “Can you resend me the project info? I think I'm having an email problem.”
My gaze softens, “I'm not your boss, Ethan.”
I lower my eyes, looking at the computer screen, “Sure, I'm sending it now.”
“Thanks.” He leans in slightly to thank me, and brings my eyes up to his face again.
“No problem.” I give a weak smile, slightly disconcerted. I'm always unsure how to respond to his flirty behavior. Especially since I know he's not doing it out of spite. This is his character, naturally flirty. Of course, it helps that his face is incredibly handsome, and his physique is also attractive — not even close to being like Julian's, which is just big, but…
I held my breath.
Am I seriously thinking about Julian right now? Comparing him to another man?
I take a deep breath, inflating my lungs to their peak, and shake my head, trying to clear my mind. Just then, I hear a low, dry, extremely sarcastic laugh. I can't help but look in the direction of the sound and notice that Naomi is wearing a contemptuous expression, exchanging glances with her best friend, Deborah, who doesn't look so happy.
If I'm not mistaken, Deborah has a crush on Ethan, as do most of the other single girls in the company. When they ranked the most handsome men, he was in third place. Of course, I can understand that Julian was in first place. Surprisingly, my father was second. And this is something I cannot understand, at all.
Naomi and Deborah are openly hostile and don't bother to hide the disrespect in their words. I have always tried my best to ignore their seemingly harmless comments, but they're loaded with malice. And this does not only apply to women. In fact, most employees have a certain dislike for me — because I'm my father's daughter… and I won't lie and say that I didn't consider leaving the company because of this.
Now that I'm the leader of a team where everyone hates me, this idea seems simply tempting.
I shake my head, turning my eyes back to the computer. But my attention is stolen again, as Grace, the new employee who is here on temporary, approaches me. This is her second month at the company, and she seems to be a hardworking girl, although not very sociable like Laura, the most versatile girl I know.
Even though we were close friends, Laura kept a close relationship with both Naomi and Deborah. I admit that this bothered me, after all, they never missed an opportunity to belittle me and make fun of my clothes, my hair always tied up high, my reserved manner. Laura never told me, but I knew that the jokes about nuns were about me. I imagined it was because of my modest appearance, but now I suspect that Laura told about my virginity.
“Boss?” I hear Grace's soft, fearful voice. She's wearing a discreet smile, but seems impatient, from tucking a lock of her blonde hair behind her ear. Despite these discreet hints, her expression is impassive, and I cannot tell what she's thinking. Not that I'm that good at reading people… in fact, I think my judgment is terrible.
“It's okay, Grace… I'm not your boss.” I say loudly, so everyone can hear.
I'm definitely not anyone's boss, nor do I want to be. There are no ambitions in me. I don't aspire to rise to a position and inherit the company… not least because when my father retires — which, honestly, will be many years yet, — Julian who will assume the position of President.
Honestly, every day that passes, I feel more tempted to really leave this company, walk with my own legs, build my own path.
“But how can I help you?” But until there, I need to do my job.
***
Finally, lunchtime has arrived. I stretch and get up, noticing that I'm alone in the room. My immersion has lost me twenty minutes, and I'm not surprised that no one has bothered to warn me.
Not that I really care.
Unfortunately, all the places I usually go must be crowded… Oh, that's right… Laura's ex-boyfriend's restaurant is nearby… what's his name again?
I shrug and leave the building, walking through the busy streets of New York City. Since it's relatively close, I'm soon entering the restaurant, feeling the delicious smell of coffee penetrating my nostrils. Just like the first time I came here with Laura, it's quite crowded. I spot only one empty table — which, coincidentally and from the irony of fate, is exactly the same one I sat at before.
While I’m sitting down, I watch Laura’s ex approach. And now that my mind is in place, I can see that he really is handsome. There's a youth to his appearance, perhaps because of the lack of a beard. Such short hair certainly suits him. And yes, he's indeed Laura's type… although I never imagined Eric was either… Yet she was screwing him.
I click my tongue. I refuse to let them spoil my appetite.
When he stops by my side, propping his hands on the chair in front of me, he asks me with a teasing smile, “Hi there. Club Sandwich again?”
Did… Did I get it right?
I open my lips, unsure of what to answer, and his low chuckle makes me just seal them with a smile and a nod, “Yes, please.”
“Lemonade?” He tilts his head, and I feel my chest being seized by an intense chill.
*Does he really remember everything I asked for the first time?*
“No… Your prevision failed this time.” I giggle, trying to ease my discomfort, “Your coffee smells so good.”
“Would you like some?”
“Yeah, that would be great.” I snuggle back in my chair, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.
“Okay, I'll bring it to you.” He says with a smile… and well, of all possibilities, I'm sure it's his smile that has captivated Laura. I have to admit, it's really a beautiful smile. The teeth are perfectly aligned and white, just like Julian's......
I twist my lips together. Am I comparing him with every man I see now?
Taking a deep breath, I find that the Owner is already beside me… actually, quite close — placing the coffee cup on the table and a plate with the sandwich.
“Thank you…” I reply without facing him, and notice how he moves discreetly to the counter, where he leans back. The problem is that he's exactly in my line of sight, to the point that it's impossible to look forward without seeing his considerably attractive body.
I take a sip of my coffee and cannot help the pleasurable groan that escapes my lips.
And that seems to have surprised him because he raises his eyebrows and adds, “Is good as it smells?”
“Definitely.” I take another sip and down the cup, displaying a discreet smile. “This place is about to become my favorite.”
“That would be a great honor.” He crosses his arms, leaning even further against the counter, and I notice how his muscles jump slightly. “I thought you didn't like it last time.”
My face takes on an apologetic expression, and I see that he's not sorry to be so direct. I lower my eyes, staring at the sandwich, “I’m the one who bring drama to the place and shouldn’t be welcome.”
“Don’t worry.” He tilts his head slightly, and I raise my eyes. “I understand.”
I bite into the sandwich, even though it slightly bothers me that the Owner’s eyes are on me while I'm eating. Yes, *the Owner*… because I don't remember his name, and it would be rude to ask, I guess.
“But you don't have to worry, Laura doesn't come all the way here…” He adds, looking at the restaurant and the other customers, who are immersed in their own little worlds. “You can come whenever you want.”
I look at him confused, and he turns his gaze back to me, with a serene expression and a smile that seems… teasing?
Wait, is he… *flirting* with me?!