Over the course of a few days, Mr. Vasquez and I worked closely with Mr. Hale and his team. I wasn't particularly surprised to see an attractive blue-eyed, long-legged, well-dressed brunette by his side sorting through his documents. I had been tempted to approach him and survey his new secretary, but I had to keep this mature facade up just long enough to make sure this project had gone according to everyone's expectations.

There had been once or twice where I could look up and catch Mr. Hale's lips move slowly as he was discussing and suggesting a few things. I couldn't help but twirl the eraser of the pencil along my lower lip. Banks is smoothly singing through my ear and my thoughts have finally lead me to daydream about the impossible.

The rain droplets slide down the window pane as I watch the traffic moving in slow motion. I'm in the security of his warm button up shirt that goes underneath his blazer. He sleeps silently and peacefully on the bed. The white sheets are only covering his lower half, but his right leg sticks out from the blanket.

He's beautiful. The way his veins make a road map down his leg. Well equipped and in shape. I cannot help myself but trace his veins with my fingers up towards his thighs. The way his dirty blonde hair sits over his eyes makes him more attractive. Picasso and Da Vinci would have been jealous of this man's figure and perfectly sculpted v-shaped abs right above his pelvis.

I plant myself right on his pelvis enough to admire his beauty from a distance, but still so near. His beard makes him have that certain masculine look. At first, I wasn't too keen on him with facial hair, but it does make me quiver with excitement. Then his eyes slowly open and his unforgettable long lashes bat at me.

Those unnerving eyes were surprisingly a very light grayish hue of blue around his iris. At one point even his eyes were hazel. "Well hello, Miss Donno- I mean Mrs. Hale," he greets me.

"Why are men blessed with such beautiful lashes I will never know..." I groan smiling at him.

In between my reverie, everyone had disappeared. "What the..?" I scratch my head removing the ear bud from my ear. "I have got to get myself under control."

"I assume you are exhausted after so much work," she says softly.

I turn my head to see Mr. Hale's secretary gathering up the remainder of the paperwork that had been scattered along the conference table.

For a moment I do not know what to say then I finally figure it was time for me to be the civil adult I know I can be. "Well, working for these million and billion dollar companies it's very... demanding.." I answer honestly.

"Caroline," she says sticking out her hand.

I take her hand in mine feeling her soft and smooth skin. My hands must feel rugged compared to hers. "Ellie," I reply.

"Mr. Hale has informed me about your performance at his company,"

I'm sure has. I can't help but think to myself. Mr. Hale puts almost everything on a plinth. It was very in his nature to give credit. I admired him for that. His cocky nature could have been overlooked.

"I would have hoped I left in his good graces. Between you and me I think there's something more to his intimidating facade," I whisper.

"I do as well," she smiles to herself. "He's been very kind to me despite the many times I have made a mistake."

I grab my hair with one hand and wrap a hair tie around my hair. This ponytail wouldn't last an hour at the most. "I'm sure you will get the hang of it," I reassure her.

From one secretary to another. I knew she had to be either an intern or desperate for the job. Caroline was young.

"I hope so. I don't want to undermine him or disappoint his expectations of me." I watch her fix her skirt in the reflection in the glass window.

I had to admit Mr. Hale knew how to pick them. Caroline was sharply and didn't lack in any department that I did. "Let's go, Caroline," Mr. Hale calls for her abruptly disturbing our conversation.

"Yes sir," she says obediently.

Obedient. Just like what he wanted. Someone to do as he said with no questions asked. I could never be what he wanted. My feelings would always outweigh the options of adhering to his expectations.

I watch as Caroline shuffles towards the glass door of the office. Mr. Hale's eyes are looking elsewhere. I assume he's trying to avoid eye contact with me.

"Good day, Ellie,"

"Have a nice day Caroline," I say softly. "Mr. Hale.."

"Miss Donovan.."

He nods closing the door behind Caroline walking down the aisle of cubical. Some part of me felt like he was detaching himself away from me. An aching feeling filled my gut. The feeling you get when you feel your love for someone else slipping between your fingers. The feeling of you losing the grip on your life.

I had to control myself while I had been at work. This was not the place to ramble in my thoughts about something that I knew wouldn't be able to work. He was too far gone. We both had to be professional about this for our occupations.

Caroline had been the exact woman that he wanted. Obedient and inclined to do anything he asked of her. I knew my place had been elsewhere. I had been trying to kiss the ground underneath his feet when I knew even that would be a stretch.

I couldn't gloat over our brief affair, but I couldn't get my head wrapped around Caroline being his new conquest. Maybe I was pondering too much on the subject that both of them would have this sexual connection that Mr. Hale and I use to share.

Just thinking about the thought of them both gave me some feeling of angst. The thought of Caroline and Mr. Hale frolicking in bed when I knew he had already been in bed with me. "I have finished filling out most of the paperwork. I will be emailing some packets back and forth with Mr. Hale's secretary." I inform Mr. Vasquez as I am gathering up my belongings.

"Are you well Ellie?" He asks tilting his head to one side.

I am quite sure Mr. Vasquez could pick up on my mood, but I try to sound nonchalant. "I'm not sure what you mean?"

"You seem a bit quiet and under the weather. Is there something bothering you?"

Yes.

"No." I shrug my purse onto my shoulder. "I just tend to be a bit more focused when it comes to working. I have known to be a procrastinator. I would like to exert myself in the places most needed. I apologize if my enthusiasm isn't always there." I try to go the most professional route and not sound so condescending on myself.

"I know this project will particularly be strenuous, but anytime you need to take a minor break feel free to inform me. I am pretty sure we can handle a day or so without you. You have contributed a mass amount of time and effort into this company. I want to thank you again."

Once again Mr. Vasquez was being far too modest. He's the one who hired me into a field that's more than strenuous but to take a chance on a girl like me. It's quite the blessing. "No, thank you, Mr. Vasquez. You are more than kind. I assure you I am well." I end the conversation on that note.

The elevator ride reminds me of the times in Mr. Hale's building where the tension was clearly there. I wasn't able to express all the emotions, but I always felt that somehow he was someone that would indeed make an impression on my life. The first time I wasn't too sure how and when, but now I am sure that he has taught me a few things. My mind drifted with my thoughts as the elevator touched down on the first floor.

The soothing ding sound reminded me that I was still on Earth. I cleared my throat as the doors retracted open lingering by the entrance a tall figure in the distance. It was him.. Mr. Hale. I could tell by his stature. I walk slowly towards the glass doors. I must have been in wonderland because it was raining outside. I was unaware of the pelting sounds of the water hitting the asphalt.

"It's Thursday," he reminds me fixing his cufflinks. "Dinner."

I close my eyes for a moment rubbing my hand across my forehead. "I apologize. I must have forgotten about that. Is it really Thursday already?" I ask.

"Indeed," he nods.

There was no point in trying to avoid the inevitable. I suppose this would be a good time to probe him about the more pressing matters. We both exit the building heading towards the black SUV which usually escorts him around.

"I suppose you don't have the documents with you?"

I stare outside the window contemplating if I wanted to answer the question he asked or if I wanted to ask my questions. "Caroline," I whisper.

Some part of me didn't want to know his answer, but some type of closure would put my mind at ease. Even though I should mind my own business. He was my business. I made my mark on him like he made his mark on me. There was absolutely no way to move forward with this bitter mood if I didn't get the answers I needed.

"What about Caroline?"

"I feel as though you already know what I'm going to ask," I say turning towards him so that he could see the seriousness in my eyes. "What is she towards you?"

Mr. Hale rubs his chin slowly as if he's trying to decide what to say. "Caroline," he sighs. "My secretary. I am not intimate with her. If that's the answer you're looking for."

I was surprised by his answer. Normally, any male would have moved on with his life. Maybe there was something else he wasn't telling me that would have affected the outcome of this answer. Would Mr. Hale blatantly lie to me to protect my feelings?

"If you'd like to know why didn't you just ask her yourself?" He looks perplexed. "I'd assume girls would share information about the people they were with."

"Gossip? You mean."

Mr. Hale nods his head.

"Do I look like the kind of woman that would gossip?" I asked him.

He licks over his bottom lip and chuckles slightly. "I am not sure what you do Miss Donovan," he admits.

The cool breeze from the air conditioner soothes my apprehensive heart. This was different from any other time with Mr. Hale. I wasn't intimidated or put on the spot. Still, my anxiety was through the roof when I was unaware of his intentions. Mr. Hale was very unpredictable at times and I was still waiting for him to disappoint me at any time.

Alarmed.

"I suppose we are not going to be signing any papers tonight then," he smiles slightly. "Then we shall have dinner."

"I have so many questions to ask you. Do you really think taking me to dinner will avoid all these unanswered questions running through my head? Even when I try to avoid you somehow you just end up in the places I am most likely to be. That's a bit unorthodox if you ask me. I feel as if you're trying to get some point across. It's giving me mixed feelings."

"You want the truth. I understand." I watch him turn his eyes forward. "Perhaps, this is the right time to tell you the truth."

"Please..."

This is the moment I have been waiting for. The closure. Finally, Mr. Hale was going to tell me of his abrupt leaving. I knew that I would have a few tears to shed, but maybe these feelings of exasperation, despondency, and misconception.

"Take us to the boathouse," he demands of his nicely dressed driver.

The driver nods making adjustments to the GPS to find a better route to our new destination.

"For me to tell you the truth I'd rather be in a more comfortable setting," he said.

I nod in agreement. There was not much I could say or do to change his mind neither did I want to. As long as I was able to clear up things between the both of us and maybe lessen the tension. Mr. Hale didn't seem like a liar. I wouldn't have pegged him as someone who lies. But... what if he did?

What if Mr. Hale did lie to me all those months back? What would that have changed? Would I work back with him? Would I try to establish a connection with him?

These are questions I needed to be prepared to answer.