Car Ride

Isaac POV

When the elevator opened her smile and laughter come into my sight. Why I felt bad that she smiled at someone, not at me. I need to get a hold of myself. She stared at me but why do I think she’s awkward? She greeted me and I greeted her back. I got a little annoyed when her companion started talking. Who is this guy by the way? Why do they seem so close? Never mind it’s not my goddamn business anyway. The elevator opened and they come out first.

“Mr. Jones, the car is waiting”, Jeff reminded me.

I just stare at him, the driver opened the car and I get in. We arrived after a short drive at the Italian Restaurant that Jeff found. Bettany is still on my mind when we entered the restaurant then Jeff asked me.

“Mr. Jones, look Ms. Wright is also dining in here."

I followed Jeff’s eyes and saw Bettany situated on the corner with the guy at the elevator. So they’re having a date then. I suddenly lost my appetite for what I saw. Jeff and I settled on the table far away from them. I ate my food even though I don’t have much appetite. I glance at her and she seems happy and enjoying. She was beautiful when she laughed. What the h*ll, why I’m affected by this? Get a hold of yourself, Isaac. She is just your neighbor and now an employee.

---

Outside of the Restaurant

“Mr. Jones is that Ms. Wright, I think she is waiting for a taxi but it’s rush hour this time it will be hard for her to get one”. Jeff pointed.

“Is she alone? Where is her companion earlier? Maybe she is waiting for him”. I reason out

“I think I saw him leave earlier, why don’t we ask Ms. Wright to come with us, we are going to the same place anyway”. I gave Jeff a cold stare.

“I mean if it’s okay with you Mr. Jones”. Jeff explained immediately.

“Fine, tell the driver to stop and go outside, tell her to come with us”. I seriously told Jeff.

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Bettany POV

I stared at Jeff with a confused face. Why on earth is he here? Did he need something from me? Why? Did I do something? Did I offend Mr. Jones? Ahhh, my head hurts I can’t think anything. Before I lose my mind Jeff spoke.

“Ms. Wright, are you going back to the office? he asked.

“Yes, do you need anything from me? I answered with confusion.

“No, Mr. Jones saw you and he told me that it’s a rush hour and he thought that it may be hard for you to get a taxi this time. So he offered to come back with us. He is waiting in the car.” he explained

“It’s okay, I can book an UBER by the way, it takes only a minute. Tell Mr. Jones I thank him for the offer”.

“Ms. Wright, don’t waste your time booking, Mr. Jones insists. Let’s go it’s a short ride anyway”. He guided me into the car before I could reject.

“You can sit here in the back with Mr. Jones, I will sit in front”, Jeff opened the back door of the car.

“Thank you Jeff”, I sit beside Mr. Jones and I acknowledge him. ” Mr. Jones”. He just nodded at me.

I think it will be an awkward ride again. He just nodded at me. Is he in a foul mood? Did I offend him in any way? Aaah, it’s okay B it’s a short ride before you know it, you are back at the office already. It was silent inside the car that you can even hear a pin drop. Before I will be suffocated by the silence, Jeff spoke.

“Ms. Wright, is it okay if can I asked you a question?

“Yes, sure what is it?

“The guy at lunch is that your boyfriend? I stared at Jeff, he read what I thought.

“Sorry Ms. Wright, Is that too personal? I shook my head and answer Jeff.

“No, it’s okay, He is our senior writer, Mr. Caleb Hudson. We just had a meeting today”. I explained to him and glance at Isaac.

“Really? Sorry, Ms. Wright, I thought he is your boyfriend you seem so close to him that’s all”. Jeff awkwardly said.

"Ohh, It’s okay, Mr. Hudson is just too comfortable to be with. That’s why he is my favorite author, he loved to tease me like a good friend”. I explained again and I saw Isaac smile.

“I see, that's good that you have a good relationship with our author,” Jeff said.

I think Mr. Jones is in a good mood already he is smiling again. The car stopped in the basement and it’s my queue to get out and back to my work.

“Thank you, Mr. Jones”, I’ll go ahead Jeff”. I walked to the elevator like someone is chasing me behind.

“Ha, what an awkward ride thanks to Jeff. I hope it will be the last time I will bump into them. It’s just only a half-day passed and I wish I can survive a whole day. What a small world, of all people why he is my new boss. I will focus on my work and nothing else. Fighting B.” Comforting myself.

---

“Bett, Mr. Emerson just called, he is asking for you”. Carol told me when I entered the office.

“Oh shoot, I forgot to inform him earlier, we were supposed to have a lunch meeting for our new author contract. But I had lunch with Caleb and I forgot this one. Can you please connect the line with him? I asked her.

“Okay Bett”, you want your usual coffee as well?

“Yes, thank you Carol you are the best”.

After a few minutes, my telephone rang.

“Hello, I’m sorry Cole I forgot to inform you earlier, I totally forgot about our meeting”. I explained

“It’s okay Bett, we can re-schedule that one. By the way, where did you go? Cole asked. He is one of my friends and colleague in the company.

“Caleb and I had lunch together, you know Caleb it’s really hard to reject him. Tomorrow morning is good for you?

“I’m free around 10 a.m., is it okay for you?

“Yes, I don’t have a scheduled time. So see you tomorrow I need to go now I have another meeting to attend.

“Okay, Ms. Workaholic”. he teases.

“Bye, and I hang up.

I back to my work and attended the meeting after the meeting. The day passed by and it was evening already. My staff started to leave one by one. I wanted to go home as well but when I saw papers on my table that still piled up I felt frustrated. I need to finish all of this before I can go home.