AllFreeNovel
Share Us
HAYLEY: TODAY
(Present Day)
San Francisco, California
––––––––
ON SUNDAY, I WOKE UPto the sound of loud laughter right outside my window.
Getting out of bed, I pulled back my curtains and saw Corey sitting at the head of the terrace table with twenty other associates. They were all dressed in T-shirts and jeans as usual, staring at their tablets as they took turns giving presentations.
I picked up my phone to see if he'd sent me his usual Sunday warning, and sure enough, it was at the very top of my inbox.
––––––––
SUBJECT: THANKS INadvance.
Thank you in advance for staying out of the kitchen and living room until my company leaves today.
We'll be finished with our meeting at noon.
Also, thank you in advance for returning my black lounge pants that you wore without my permission yesterday.
You're welcome for all the free rides to work,
Corey
––––––––
I GROANED AND LOOKEDat the time. It was four o clock, and it didn't sound like they were going to end the meeting anytime soon.
I wasn't putting up with this shit anymore, though.
Slipping into a pair of jeans and a tank top, I brushed my teeth and left my bedroom. I headed straight for the kitchen and encountered a brunette who looked about my age.
"Hey," she said, smiling. "I think I've seen you around before. Don't you work in the executive offices at Statham?"
"Yeah."
"Are you here because you're leaving to join Walters, Inc. next year as well?"
“No, I'm just here finalizing some documents for Mr. Walters' A- team.”
“Oh, okay.” She grabbed an apple off the counter and lowered her voice. "While you're working here today, please avoid the coffee and bagels at all costs."
"What's wrong with the coffee?"
"One of the guys made it." She laughed and headed toward the balcony doors. "I'll see you later."
I walked over to the coffeemaker and lifted the pot from its pad. I didn't have to hold it up to my nose to know it was far too strong.
Pouring it down the sink, I opened Corey's drawer of coffee machines and lined them on the counter. I took my time crafting a mix of lattes, hot chocolates, specialty coffees, and teas. And as I steamed milk and drew flowers on top of the final drinks, I baked a new set of cheese-stuffed breakfast bagels in the oven.
When I finished, I placed the drinks on a tray and carried them out to the terrace.
"I just don't think it's feasible for us to agree to take on a contract like that within our first year, Mr. Walters," one of his associates said as I passed out the drinks one by one.
"I think that we need to—" The speaker's eyes met mine, and he smiled at me. "What's this?"
