“Morning!” I greeted as I sat down.
“Hi,” Alex replied, looking surprised.
“I’ve got bagels and cream cheese, and I have two flasks. One with tea and the other with coffee. I wasn’t sure what you drank.”
Alex stared as if I’d grown two heads. Oh. Had I overstepped the mark? Damn.
“Katy, you bought breakfast?” Alex asked slowly.
“I did wrong, didn’t I? Sorry, did I insult you? Shit, I should know better,” I began babbling and stood up. Alex reached out and grabbed my wrist.
“Sit down, Katy, and thank you,” Alex said, still holding me.
“Are you sure? Because it looks like I disturbed you.”
“No, I was shocked you bought food again. Even more so, you brought coffeeandtea. I don’t remember when someone cared,” Alex replied, capturing my eyes.
A smile spread across my face, and I sat down on the bench. “Today’s going to be beautiful.”
“It already is,” Alex murmured as he dug into the bag. He yanked out a bagel and bit into it.
I wondered what Alex’s comment meant, but didn’t get a chance to ask because two shadows fell over me.
“What’s going on?” a security guard demanded.
“Breakfast. Why?” I retorted.
“A member of staff reported he was pulling you about,” the guard replied. I squinted, getting annoyed. I turned around and spotted Tiffany hurrying into the building. Tiffany cast a gleeful look over her shoulder. That damn bitch.
“Do I appear as if I’m being manhandled or under duress?” I demanded.
“We don’t want his kind…”
“Before you say something that forces me to put in a complaint with HR, think again. Alex is a human being, and whether or not you agree with his lifestyle choices, he is worthy of respect. Alex has thoughts and feelings too,” I snapped.
“He’s a homeless fuck who begs for a living,” one of the guards snarled.
“Alex is ex-military who served this fuckin’ country so assholes like you can make snap judgements about him! Where were you when Alex was fighting for your right to be an asshole?” I yelled.
Alex stiffened behind me and then stood up. Fingers gripped my shoulder. “Katy, don’t. They’re not worth it.”
A guard glanced away shamefaced, but the second bristled. “Take your hand off her. She’s a decent lady.”
Alex snatched his hand back immediately, and I stepped into the guard’s personal space. “You are insulting my intelligence and ruining my day. Alex is not harming me or anyone else. You’re a judgemental asshole. How dare you treat a veteran so poorly? Why the fuck did Alex fight for bastards like you?” I seethed.
“Katy, I didn’t. I went to war for people like you,” Alex said from behind me quietly.
“That’s enough,” a voice barked. Alex backed off and began collecting the remains of breakfast.
“Sorry,” he muttered.
“Johnson and Smidt, head to my personal office immediately. I’ve heard more than enough.”
The two guards moved away, and I winced. Mr Armstrong, the CEO, stood there glowering. I stepped back, and his gaze speared me before he peered at Alex. For a moment, I’d say Mr Armstrong looked hopeful, but then his expression blanked.
“Katy. Stay and finish your breakfast, and then please attend my office afterwards,” he said in a kinder tone. Now anxious, I nodded, biting my lip. Was I about to be sacked? My hands started shaking, and Mr Armstrong shook his head.
“Sorry about the scene,” I forced out through stiff lips.
