The day started out brightly as it had always been. I placed the tea bag into the hot steamy water of my tea cup which was sitting next to an open Stephen King novel. This had been day two of the four days that I was off in a row. Our company had just closed a huge deal, and my boss decided that I needed a bit of R & R.

There was a spot next to the window overlooking the busy city streets that were my favorite. I wondered what Mr. Hale had been doing at this exact moment. "Forget about him," I whispered to myself.

Even though deep in my mind I pictured him working diligently on his project. There was something about his focus that just kept me interested. Anyone looking from the outside in would scold me to get over him, but how could I?

There was so much dedicated to this man. So many hours I spent working and uncovering his personality. He said he loved me. People lie all the time, but Mr. Hale. I would have hardly thought he was the type to blatantly lie to someone.

Sqiggles was finally coming around to my attachment issues. Now he was more fond to cuddling and enjoyed the aroma of treats. I watch Sqiggle nudge his head into the carpet and around in circles all-around his chubby body.

"You are so adorable, Sqiggs," I smile slightly as he barks softly.

All this lounging around almost made me forget to check my email. I waltz over my laptop and boot it on. "Let's see..." I scroll around the internet and type in the info needed.

There's an email from my boss, Mr. Vasquez.

: Jeremy Vasquez

: Ellie Donovan

: January 10, 2017 8:30 PM

: IMPORTANT PROJECT!!!

There is an important project that will be proposed upon your arrival back at work. The company is partnering with a local telecommunications company. We are partnering together to work on the construction of Landon Inc. where their primary focus is on health care through communities where health care is difficult to obtain. There will be more information to be gathered and shared.

President Vasquez, Jeremy of Array Digital

I skim over the email glancing at the most crucial sentences. I do admire working with Mr. Vasquez for his general emails where there are fair warnings ahead. The only part that seemed to trouble me was the "telecommunications" company. I knew there had been many other telecommunications company, but a certain feeling in my gut was telling me otherwise.

: Ellie Donovan

: Jeremy Vasquez

: January 10, 2017 8:35 PM

: Re: IMPORTANT PROJECT!!!

Thanks for the heads up Mr. Vasquez!

Do you know any information about the following telecommunications company that we are supposed to be partnering with on this new project? I'd like to do some more research about the following company so that I can be well aware and better prepared.

Assist. Donovan of A.D.

I send the email preparing for the worse. Even though there could have been hundreds of other companies in which Mr. Vasquez could have chosen. I know that Mr. Hale can be very persuasive and persistent. I would not have been surprised if somehow Mr. Hale could have gotten involved with the matter.

There's a ping indicating that I had received a new email. The capital letters in bold indicated the worse.

: Jeremy Vasquez

: Ellie Donovan

: January 10, 2017 8:44 PM

:

You should do some research ma'am. This company is one of the most beneficial to our society and to partner on a project that could give back is very crucial to the success of smaller businesses. I understand that you use to be a former employee of the company. Mr. Hale has spoken highly about your contribution to the success of his role. I would be honored if you were to be a major contribution to our company as well.

President Vasquez, Jeremy of Array Digital

I try to hide the brief annoyance of this whole situation, but the scowl on my face says otherwise. Once again I will be faced to work with this man. This man who made a permanent mark in my life. When I have children someday I will have to explain how cruel and rewarding love has been with him as the lead character.

It took me a moment before I could really email my boss back. The memories came flooding back into my mind clouding everything else. Just like a pop-up blocker. I did miss him... I missed Xander. I missed Mr. Hale. The only agonizing part of the whole ordeal was the sexual tension of it all.

Surely anyone can mask their feelings if needed be. Could I, though? Could I really set aside how much I care about this man for the sake of the companies? This career for me was important. There was no way I could let my meaningless..... more like meaningful affair with Mr. Hale jeopardize this.

: Ellie Donovan

: Jeremy Vasquez

: January 10, 2017 9:01 PM

: Modest

You are far too modest Mr. Vasquez. I always make sure to be 100% competent, reliable and with the proper etiquette with anyone I work with. I will make sure to always do my best if not better. Thank you for allowing me the chance to help benefit you on this project. If there is anything that I can do to make this experience easy, and more manageable please call, email, or text me when needed. Mr. Hale's reputable company had an effect on how work was completed and those skills I will keep with me always.

Assist. Donovan of A.D.

I try to sound professional as can be for my job is always on the line with these CEO and board members. Mr. Vasquez was one of six brothers to have such success. Of course, he's one of the eldest so that worked in his favor. Most foreign people that have migrated to America have had money since they were born.

Mr. Vasquez and his family were very understanding and very family orientated.

There was one more email from Mr. Vasquez informing me to do some research and to prepare for business to resume as soon as I came back to work. I open a new tab and search Google for Mr. Hale. The pictures come load up by the dozen. There are pictures of Mr. Hale in suits, tuxedo's, and business attire alike.

I'm reminded of his demeanor. . . . . .

It was scary at first his overbearing need to be headstrong in every situation. It left me powerless. I believe that's the reason for the strong lust and desire in my soul.

Then I am reminded of his , , and .

For a lot of people, it was hard to understand the ways of his lifestyle and attitude. There's was still a great deal that Mr. Hale was hiding. He loved the cloak that hid every imperfection of his. I couldn't blame him. Everyone is always hiding from something.

"Hey," his voice cheery on the other end of the phone.

Sebastian had done one of his weekly routine calls. "Hey, how are you?" I ask.

He sighs slightly as if there had been a rough day. "Well, I have to work with the group leader a little later than expected. The protests of health care for our fellow single mother's of some of the poorer communities have gone up. It's getting ridiculous." He goes on to explain.

"I can't say I understand," I stated flatly.

Not that I had any understanding of his reasoning for doing most of the things that he did. I was completely clueless and most of the time uninterested. I drifted off to daydreaming of how Mr. Hale's husky, and smoky voice would call me.

How is low breathing could affect me even over a cellular device. I must've been so far gone because I didn't seem to hear Sebastian calling out to me over and over again.

"Elle..." then again "Elle?" and once more. "Ellie!"

"Huh?" I shake my head. "I am sorry I was... uh... reading over this email from my boss. It seemed important. I apologize."

He makes a huffing sound low enough but still able to hear clearly. "I was asking if you would like to catch a movie with me sometime this week. I know that I have had my priorities elsewhere. I just know you've been busy, so I've been giving you some space so that you could relax."

The genuineness in his voice made me feel awful. What an awful person I am. Sebastian had been thinking about me while I had been focusing on Mr. Hale. How selfish could I really be?

"I apologize," sighing to myself. "I would love to catch a movie with you." I clear my throat out.

I needed a break from my constant thinking, but I knew otherwise. The only thing I needed was closure from Mr. Hale regardless whether I wanted it or not. Part of me knew that eventually, it wouldn't matter. The other part of me was persistent and relentless. The more heartbreak the better. The pain was the most real thing I ever felt. It was the only thing I was focused on at this point.

"Thank you, Sebastian."

I knew he had been confused at the sudden expression. "Why are thanking me? You should always be taken out." He explained.

I giggle slightly knowing damn well that my personality is so detached at times that I wonder how in the hell someone would take interest in me. "Sebastian, I know I am a handful. I don't try to be a handful but sometimes it's just within my nature. I know you don't understand, but girls have it in their DNA to be silly sometimes. I just wanted to tell you thank you." I explain to him in hopes he would grasp the concept.

"Well then..." he chuckles slightly. "You are most welcome, Miss Ellie."

From there the conversation had been more relatable. I needed to understand that if Mr. Hale wanted to be with me he would be. You cannot force someone to be with you. I had to be mature about the situation as he had been. The fact of the matter has he ended the affair and that he at least had been courteous enough to inform me other than ignore me.

This moment on forward I shall no longer think about Mr. Hale as anything then another employee or supervisor. There was no need to bring any personal feelings to work with us.

What's done is done.

---

"Ellie, how did the research go?" Mr. Vasquez asks hovering over my cubical as if he has ants in his pants.

I raise my eyebrow as he looked to be sweating bullets. Nervous. What could he possibly be nervous for? Or who could have made him nervous?

"Are you ok?" I ask. "You seem a bit... skittish?"

He takes a swig of water from his bottle. "My brother's Nassif and Henry are expecting some big proposal of how we plan on going about the construction and of this new project. Not to mention Mr. Hale is going to be here soon as well. I just got off a conference call with the three of them. Together. All at once. At the same t-.."

"I understand, Mr. Vasquez," I run my hand over my face to smooth out the incoming wrinkles. "Just exactly when are they supposed to be arriving, sir?"

"Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow.." he inhales.

"How exactly are we suppose to gather enough information in the next thirteen hours to even come up with a presentation that both your brother's and Mr. Hale agree with?"

To my dismay, he gives me a slight smile to try and coax me into working my ass off. "Oh, no... you can't expect me to have everything ready by tomorrow afternoon.." I proclaimed.

"Morning." He adds.

"What!?"

The office is suddenly all quiet as the other coworkers look at the both of us. I glance around to the immediate resume of coworkers walking around and shuffling papers. The sound of the copier in the background is a reminder that I am at work.

I lower my voice to a whisper. "Are you insane, Mr. Vasquez? I'm not even sure where to start." The whole proposal presentation unexpectedly through me off guard.

"Well, you can start by getting in touch with Mr. Hale and his assistants to see what our budget is on developing the website, application, platforms, and graphic design. This is crucial. So if you need any help you can get Anthony and Steven to help you. I am sure they can be of plenty help."

I muster up a straight face so that he cannot see me scowling. "I understand, sir. I will do what I can."

Once the conversation between Mr. Vasquez and me has ended I go to my email. The only way to really get a heads up on the presentation of the newly released website would be to email Mr. Hale on what exactly should be presented on the platforms and websites. The only thing that I considered odd would have been: Why?

Why is Mr. Hale interested on distributing or making healthcare easier for local communities and worldwide if need be? I was generally confused by the whole idea of partnering with a digital media company for that matter. This was something I needed a bit more in site on.

I proceed to email... Him.

: Ellie Donovan

: Hale Inc.

: January 12, 2017 11:37 AM

: Project?

Hello, first and foremost. I don't mean to pry, but I just have a few questions that need to be answered if you could email back. Perhaps you could even call, or if you are busy at the moment a text message would suffice.

Assist. Donovan of A.D.

I send the email in hopes that he would take a while to answer back. Once again I had misjudged someone twice in one day. The immediate email back had only one word.

Call.

Then my office phone suddenly began to ring.

"Mr. Vasquez office, Miss Donovan speaking. How may I help you?" I answer like a generic secretary.

I hear a smirk through the other end of the phone. "How formal, Miss Donovan." The sound of his voice was so smooth and confident. It almost made me mad.

"Um, thank you. So Mr. Hale,"

"Just Xander.."

"Xander..." I sigh. "What are you planning exactly?"

"I must have understood the purpose of this phone call. Is this anyway related to the project that is supposed to be presented tomorrow morning?" He tries to probe me for some insight on the presentation.

I move a few runaway strands from out my face and behind my ears. "This is related to the project, but I am just trying to get some more information on how a Digital Marketing company and Telecommunications company going to help healthcare in poorer areas of the city. What exactly is the company supposed to be doing?" I sound like a journalist or news reporter trying to get the needed answers to slam in the media.

"I am assuming you mean what am I doing dabbling in the affairs of healthcare and the community in general. I was raised in a local community in the city. Maybe I wanted to give back to the less fortunate, less wealthy. I want to make a contribution to those who need help. This would help me raise revenue for my other company." He takes a moment to take a breath. "This will help me to expand to other cities as well as countries if successful."

"There you are invading the privacy of others, Miss Donovan." He scolds me like an errant child which makes me rolls my eyes.

I huff loudly. "I was n-.."

"Why don't you tell me why you really wanted me to call?" The words come out slow and smoky. "Did you just want to hear my voice?"

I scoff. "No! I just..."

"You just what?"

"," I shout.

I quickly hang up the phone then retreat to the restroom. Personally, every coworker's go to hiding spot is the restroom. Isn't that why it's called a "restroom". In case you get so worked up or overwhelmed that you need a break, a rest.

"Fuck..."