Chapter 3 One who’s not a Boss

Elsa

The next day came too soon but I didn’t mind, I was too happy to have this job to care about the restless sleep I got, and surprisingly the other two who regularly interrupted my sleep slept without any fuss.

I was too anxious to start my new job so today I reached the K & K law firm with fifteen minutes to spare. In one hand I was holding the bag with the clothes I had borrowed yesterday from Kaden’s sister’s boutique and in another I had a small purse with the hotdog from last night and enough money that would take me back to the diner near our apartment building where I would spend last six hours of the day to do my day to day paying job so my family won’t go hungry. I will return the clothes and ask him for the dry cleaning bill, I just hoped it wouldn’t be as costly as the clothes were.

When I reached the receptionist I showed her my appointment letter that I had gotten yesterday from Mr Mackenzie after submitting my papers. She gave me a polite smile and told me to wait for Mrs Frank to escort me to the twenty fifth floor where I’d spent my days holed up in the back office.

“You are too young to be applying for such a boring job.” Mrs Frank, the middle aged lady who was the assistant to the floor manager said conversationally as we entered the elevator.

I shrugged. “I don’t mind. I am not much for loud places and other things that people my age find exciting.” Because I never got the chance to enjoy them.

She assessed me with a contemplative gaze and nodded thoughtfully as she said, “I suppose there’s not much to enjoy when family depends on such small shoulders.” I stiffened and as if she sensed it, she tutted and said, “Calm down, Missy, I was saying it from experience. I have been working since I was fifteen and had to do all the work to support my two younger sisters.” I licked my lips and nodded. She said, “Well, there couldn’t be a much better place than the back file room for a beauty like you, the men in these offices might be working for law but they aren’t so lawful themselves.”

“I met Mr Mackenzie, he seemed like a nice person.” I said.

She scoffed. “That one is nothing in comparison to the one I work for.”

“The other K?”

“Yes. Mr Kri—” Before she could finish the elevator doors pinged open and she said, “That’s us. Come along then.”

As we passed many cubicles and turned down the hallways no one in particular looked up to see. I guess it was a good thing when most of them looked beyond my twenty two years. I looked like a fresh faced rabbit coming out of its hiding place for the first time between these white collared employees with starched clothes and perfect model like faces.

“You don’t go there.” She pointed down the short hallway that had only one door.

“What’s there?” I asked, more like out of curiosity.

She said, “It’s the devil’s temporary lair.”

A quiet giggle left me as I asked, “And the permanent one is hell?”

She gave me a look before she said, “The permanent one is on the thirty third floor. He comes here only to check on his employees and to give them a third degree.”

“You mean the other K?”

“That one.” She agreed and then we came to the end of the corridor we were walking in. She pointed at the last door with the File Room on it. “This is you. And if you need any assistance because you can’t possibly do this all alone, contact me.” She pushed open the door and instantly we both stepped back when the oppressive smell of paper and dust floated toward us. She waved at the wooden desk cluttered with files and papers and other documents that seemed to have collected a layer of dirt on it. “Somewhere in there is a landline. You press 251 for me. And 001 for the reception. If you need to order lunch or anything else, you can contact 101 where the cafeteria and restaurant is. Or you can go there too during your lunch break if you like to meet other employees.”

“Thank you, Mrs Frank.” I said to her.

“Don’t mention it.” She waved her hand and then after a few seconds she added, “Just a piece of advice because you seem like you’d need it. Stay away from any mischief, this one is not as easily amused as Mr Kaden and nor is he as forgiving as the other one.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

My day after that went in a blur. As Mrs Frank suggested, I tackled my very first task of tidying up the desk. It took me a long time to sort through the paper and cramp the ones that were useless into the already overflowing dustbin. And then I had to find the cable and connect the phone so I could make use of it if I needed it in any case.

I didn’t know how long it had been since I started but I was so lost in my task of shelving the files in alphabetical order in the one shelf that I had emptied that I almost jumped up in fright when a hand landed on my shoulder.

With a frightful scream I turned around, a rolled up file clutched tight in my hand ready to hit the offender. I paused, my hand in mid air when I saw who it was. “Mr McKenzie!” I gasped.

His eyes lightened with amusement as he held up his hands and said, “I am not going to kill you, remember I told you I’m not a serial killer.”

My heart still thudding in my chest, I brought my arm down by my side and said, “I just... you took me by surprise.”

He nodded. “I can tell.” He gestured at the files now lining behind me in order. “I see you have already made a difference in this mess.” His eyes came back to me calm and kind. “I just wanted to check up on you.”

“Thank you. I am doing fine.” I replied and as I started to feel awkward standing there, I picked up the other remaining files from the table. “Mrs Frank was very nice and told me a little about the office.” My eyes fell on the bag with the clothes. I picked it up and held it out to him. “Here... Please let me know about the dry cleaning bill.”

His lips turned down in a frown as he said, “No.”

“No?”

“No. Keep them.”

“But, I can’t. They are too expensive and I can’t—”

He stepped closer and I sucked in a breath. With gentle fingers, he grabbed my chin and brought my gaze to meet his. He asked, “You want to pay for them?" I nodded. “Then come to dinner with me.” I opened my mouth but he shushed me and said, “I won’t take the dress back, you can either take them back home or throw them if you want. But if you want to do something for me, I want dinner with you.”

“But you are my boss...” I said softly.

“I am not.” He was smiling. He stepped back and held out his hand. “Give me your phone.”

I swallowed and turned around to pull my battered phone from my purse. He didn’t say anything as he typed his number and saved it in. “Tell me whenever you’re ready or if you’re comfortable text me wherever you want me.”

And then he was gone, leaving me all confused and surprised. I hadn’t ever had a boyfriend, not a real one and then I didn't have time for them. But suddenly there was a founder/partner of a law firm, at least ten years older than me, who wanted to go out on a dinner date with me. And he was even kind, which was a rare thing in men.

I knew that I’d have to decline somehow because I couldn’t possibly be involved with someone but... I liked the idea of someone wanting me. It hasn't happened since..…

Do comment and yes those who already know me have guessed right, this one is not the hero you’ll hate before you fall for him.

@Gupta