"Morning"
That's it? That's all she can say to me? I must have entered the wrong room. She thought still wondering what to say next.
The lady was flipping through few pages in her hand and Jasmine couldn't help feeling uneasy. Managers are supposed to look friendly and communicative but that wasn't the case with Sandra.
"You can go and start your work. Alice will be your guide for today," she said after taking all the time on Earth.
"Okay ma'am. Thank you! Have a good day ma'am," Jasmine left the room without uttering anything more than required.
Is this the office I've to work in? Work under someone who seems like she's never smiled in her lifetime. Good luck to me...
She walked into her department and looked around observing her new work place when she was warmly greeted by a lady who looked similar to her age.
"Hi I'm Alice. I'm appointed as your guide for today", she softly said and hugged Jazz.
"I'm..." before she could say anything further Alice spoke.
"Jasmine Reyes. I know that", she smiled.
"Yeah but I'd like you to call me Jazz, I'm more used to my nickname than my real one", she said maintaining the smile.
"Okay then Jazz, come I'll show you around. Follow me," she said leading the way.
She took her time as she saw her new department. It was huge just as its name and reputation. She figured that Alice was also an intern there.
"When did you start your internship?" Jazz asked her breaking the silence that was there for 2 whole minutes.
"A week ago", she replied.
That rang a bell in her head. A person appeared in her mind that she'd forgotten about for a while now, Stefen. He said he also started his internship a week ago. She doubted if they knew each other since Alice was also from the management department and she was appointed in Accounts section for the time being. Though she was curious she thought asking Alice would make her look like an idiot who suddenly got interested in a handsome guy whom she'd met only twice so far and spoken only once. Then another bell rang in her head when she suddenly remembered what he'd said before parting their ways this morning.
"I'll see you at lunch", that strong yet soft voice of his roamed around her head like a cupid.
"Lunch", she uttered softly before even thinking.
"Oh well lunch is at 12:30" Alice answered to the question that wasn't exactly a question.
"That's cool", she said not wanting to make Alice suspect her.
***
Glad to see you again Jazz. He smirked walking towards his department as he left her outside the manager's office.
She's turned out to be a beautiful lady, more beautiful than she was as a child but with the same tongue. He thought and let out an involuntary sweet smile .
He heard her every time she spoke without thinking but he pretended that he didn't so she need not be embarrassed.
I swear it was hard to control my laughter. He recalled their encounter and chuckled.
A smile was fixed on his face and he didn't even know about it until he was brought back to reality by his friend.
"Are you okay buddy?" Jack said with a surprised face. Jack was Stefen's bestfriend and also an intern there. They joined the company together. He's the best... sometimes.
"Yeah, I'm good. What about you? When did you arrive?" Stefen questioned.
"I arrived just few minutes ago and you have no idea whom I was stuck with in the lift." He said in an annoyed tone.
"As far as it wasn't a dinosaur or any of your EXs, I guess it is okay?" he laughed annoying him even more.
"I was in the lift with Sandra; our so called manager." Jack let out a long sigh. "I mean would the sky fall if she talks in a polite way or would it hurt her cheeks to stretch a bit and smile? Someone needs to give her a lesson on how to relax." He said in a small tone, well aware that if someone hears him saying that he'll be in a situation that is termed as 'trouble' in the English Dictionary.
"Don't be so mean. It's not her choice to be rude; her position demands her to be strict or else no one would take her seriously and they'd try to take advantage of her." he tried to put some sense in his head. "By the way thanks for occupying the lift today." he smiled as he remembered his meeting with Jazz this morning.
"Yeah buddy, no problem..."Jack replied in seconds. "Wait what? THANKS FOR OCCUPYING THE LIFT, what does that mean?" he yelled at him. "You're thanking me because I was stuck in that lift with Sandra? Do you have any idea what she told me? She said that she's been noticing how I leave early for lunch-break and she was about to call me in her office today to talk about it or more like WARN me," he said in an annoyed tone.
"But that's true."
"Seriously, you too are taking her side." He said faking pain in his voice.
"I'm saying what the truth is Jack."
"Then, what am I supposed to do? The canteen gets crowded so soon during lunch-break. Should I skip my favorite spaghetti because our lady manager is MISS PUNCTUAL", he emphasized the last two words.
The thought of lunch-break brought back in Stefen's smile. He remembered the plan of having lunch with Jazz though he didn't hear her answer but he thought it wasn't needed. She was new there which means she won't be having many or any friends and no one wants to sit alone and have lunch right?
I'm going to be there for her. I won't let her go, at least not before I confess, at least not this time.He thought being a little upset but immediately had a smile on his face with the thought of meeting her again in his life.
"You know what man I know you're undoubtedly very handsome but it's kind of creepy when you smile so often without any specific reason," Jack said being a little scared or pretending to be scared.
"Yeah, right" he replied and threw a file on his face in a way to end the topic.
"But seriously, what is wrong with you? Did your dog find his bride or something? I mean I've been noticing you since the time you arrived. You've been smiling more than a normal person should be on working hours," he said raising his one eyebrow.
"Nothing, I feel like today's a very good day and I hope to spend it well" he replied not wanting to reveal anything about Jazz.
Jack was a bit playboy kind of guy. Therefore, he didn't want him to know about Jazz... not yet.
She's mine to take care of until she accepts it or refuses it. Either way is okay with me.
"Are you done with your important meeting gentlemen or should I vacant the meeting room for you?" Sandra barged in out of nowhere with her sarcastic smile that was enough for the two boys to realize that they would face a lot of inconvenience if they don't start working right away. She left after seeing them get back to work. "God, she's scary", Stefen whispered. "Don't be so mean. It's not her choice to be rude; her position demands her to be rude or else no one would take her seriously and they'd try to take advantage of her." Jack said faking innocence all over his face. This guy is unbelievable. Being intern in one of the best and biggest compan
Suddenly the innocent looking canteen turned into a fish market. Alice was right. They all did look like zombies; tired and starving. There were 7 counters serving food but still it was evident that they were not enough. Even the thought of having to line up behind so many people made her hunger go away, at least she thought so before it growled. She thanked god because she was very sure no one heard it because of the loud chatting and screaming of people.God what are they talking about looking all desperate and in need of spilling out everything. Jasmine was busy with her thoughts when all of a sudden, Alice took the hold of her hand and started running. She was shocked when her body was suddenly pulled but she knew that they should go and line up before the line gets longer.They stood in counter 7's line. It seemed like it had one person less than the other counters. That was the time she noticed, there was another counter serving food but it had no counter number
"You don't have to make that sacrifice. I'll have the burger today and I'll make sure to come early tomorrow and have the pizza. And it's already a good thing that we get served fast food in the office canteen itself... So, it would be wrong for me to complain too much," she tried to switch back their plates again but her hands were stopped."No I insist you have the pizza today itself. It's your first day here. I don't want you to have any bad memory of your first day at work."Jack dropped his fork on the plate hearing Stefen explain the reason behind his good deed. It was the first time ever in all these years, Jack saw Stefen caring for a girl. He looked at the figure in front of him who had taken over Stefen's body trying to figure out what was going on. Jasmine smiled back and did as he said and had 'her' no 'his' pizza. They were delicious and the fact that it was initially his food made it more sweet. The four of them were enjoying their food as they initia
"Good afternoon Sir," Jack and Alice said it together. Hearing that, she came to her senses. The old man is the owner of this company, William Wills. He looked to have crossed 50 but despite his age he looked fit and perfectly healthy. 'I wonder if Stefen and Mr. William are somehow connected. They do have the same surname.' Jasmine mused. "Good afternoon Sir," she said it with a smile. "Good afternoon Sir," Stefen's voice followed hers. ‘Iguess they aren't related with the way they are behaving.’ She cleared her doubts herself. "Good afternoon young souls," Mr. William said with a very sweet smile. ‘At least the boss doesn't look as arrogant as the manager.’ Jasmine sighed. "Have a good day sir," they all said in unison and exited the elevator. "You guys too have a good day. Do not stress too much." With that Mr. William entered the elevator. "He seems to be such a nice person. So powerful and wealthy yet so down to Earth," Jasmine said looki
Today was the first day she met and knew Stefen but yet he was nothing like the way Jack stated. He had been nothing but a sweet and a good friend to her . Alice was standing right beside them hearing their conversation. However, she looked upset. One thing Jasmine had noticed about Alice was that she was a silent type of girl. She rarely used to speak or give her opinions out loud. Jasmine thought her to be an introvert. It was a different thing when it came to her and Jack though. "Are you okay Alice? Is everything good?" Jasmine spoke patting lightly on her arm. "Yeah, I'm good." Alice looked up to face Jasmine. "I think I'll get going then. Bye Jazz." Saying that Alice walked away not giving a single glance to Jack. "Bye Alice." Jasmine waved. "Is Alice always this silent?" Jasmine asked looking towards the going figure of Alice. "It is hard to say. Especially for me." Jack replied. Jasmine chuckled as she understood what Jack meant. For Alice, Jack seemed to be the last pe
"I mean I will be going office from this route only so. And you could save your tomorrow's travel fare as well," he explained after hearing no replies from Jasmine. "Oh okay, that will be great. I will see you tomorrow then." "Yeah, cool." "And yes don't work too much," she said pointing towards the wooden box on the back seat and turned around as started walking again. A smile appeared in her face and she could not control it. As Stefen was driving back home, he was smiling crazily just with the thought of picking up Jasmine the next morning. It took him 20 minutes more to reach his apartment because he took another route to home as he had to drop Jasmine. ‘People are wrong when they say that 'people changes according to time. Well Jasmine hasn't. She is the same as I remembered her. Innocent yet smart, careful yet funny.’ He recalled the past that always brought satisfaction and contentment in his heart. He was happy when she said she didn't have a boyf
The next morning Jasmine got up earlier than she usually did. She wanted to get ready before Stefen came to pick her up. He was already helping her go to office, she did not want to trouble him by making him wait for her too.She did a very light make-up and got neatly dressed. It's not that she does not know how to do make-up and all but she preferred to look natural on regular working days.She took her phone, her hand bag and the door keys and left the room. She locked the door and checked it again before leaving. She was very meticulous in these kinds of thing. As they say 'Precaution is better than cure.'She came out of the building and went and stood on the opposite side of the café he dropped her the day before, since it would be easier for her to g
She did not expect this at all. "But I said I already had my breakfast, so why this?" "Yes, I know that, but I assumed you would still like to have this. Trust me this sandwich is really good, you won't regret." He said putting back his seat belt. A smile appeared out of nowhere. She smiled from ear to ear and looked at him with a 'thank you' expression. "Here and this too," he gave her a cup of coffee. This guy is really sweet. Happily she accepted his sweet gesture and he drove the car. But as he was driving he was having difficulty in eating the sandwich. His fillings were falling off the bread. "Can I like help you, if you don't mind that is?" she said pointing at his sandwich. He gave her his sandwich and she helped him eat it. Giving him coffee to drink once in a while. 'He is having his food from my hand. Am I dreaming?.. It's not like I have any kind of feelings for him but just imagine a very charming guy is driving you to your work and that too because he himself insi