I get it now. I’m so sorry. I went about everything all wrong. I’ll make it right. Joe x
“What’s this?” I asked, holding my phone up to show Chris the message.
“Joe asked for your number, he was worried about you. I couldn’t not give it to him Elle, after he’d punched Adam in the face like that.” Chris shook his head. “That was the highlight of my freakin year babes.” He chuckled and grabbed me in a hug.
I groaned and closed the message, then dropped my mobile onto the bedside table. Well I wanted closure and I sure got it tonight in the most spectacular fashion. I didn’t think I would be hearing from Mr Madden any time soon. Why would a sex God like him want a cold, frigid girl like me?
Chapter Twelve
The next day I woke up with my eyes burning from all the tears. I contemplated ringing in sick and spending the day eating crap and watching chick flicks, but Robyn burst through my door and strode over to my curtains, throwing them back to let the summer sunshine in.
“Wakey wakey my lovely, time to take a new day by the balls.”
She grabbed the duvet and flung it back forcing me to sit up groaning.
“I don’t think I’m going in to work today, I don’t feel too good.” I said flopping back onto my pillow, but she was having none of it.
“No you’re not. You’re going to put on your most killer outfit, get your make up slapped on, hold your head high and get your sexy little ass into that office. That dick has taken enough from you he’s not taking any more. He’s nothing, he’s less than nothing. Get rid of him from your mind Elle, he’s poisoned it long enough, take back the power over you. You have the control over what you think and feel not him, you. Now get your pretty ass in that shower, wash his vileness off you and get to it. I’m not gonna tell you again.” She scolded putting her hands on her hips and glaring.
“Yes Mam!” I saluted her and she smacked my ass as I walked past.
“Good, and don’t forget its Friday so no working late okay, we need this drink tonight dude.”
Boy didn’t we just. I might even pop out and treat myself to a new outfit at lunchtime I thought as I washed away the night before. I’d have to take Chris with me though just to make sure it was the right level of amazing. His eye for fashion was second to none.
I walked into the office ready to face the day with an air of confidence and sat down at my desk. I frowned at the starbuck’s coffee cup and box of something yummy that was sitting in the middle of my desk. An envelope on the top with my name on. I looked round but Chris wasn’t in yet. Maybe Kim had done an early morning coffee run I thought. I sipped the coffee, yep that was definitely it she’d got me my favourite caramel latte. What a super star, she must have known in her subconscious that we all needed a pick me up this morning. I opened the envelope to see what I assumed would be a flyer or advertisement of some sort.
Good Morning Blue Eyes,
You never did get to enjoy your latte yesterday so I’ve brought you your favourite.
I know you don’t want flowers, but I couldn’t resist these roses. Pink roses represent elegance and grace. Something that shone from you last night. Beautiful girl, you are the epitome of elegance and grace and never let anyone tell you anything different.
Joe x
It wasn’t often I was gobsmacked but this morning I totally was. How the hell did he know that caramel lattes were my favourite? I hadn’t ordered a caramel one yesterday. I glanced round the office looking for a bunch of pink roses and after failing to see any I opened the cake box to find four delicious cupcakes each topped with a delicate pink rose crafted from icing. My God this guy was really working his way under my skin and I hadn’t even noticed it happening. How could he talk about one night stands and mutual beneficial fucking one minute, then send sweet messages and gifts the next? I don’t know about me being an enigma, he took the crown for that one. It had cheered up my morning though and made me feel warm inside. I smiled at his unexpected thoughtfulness.
To hell with a healthy breakfast I mused biting into a cupcake and groaning in appreciation. I took the other three and put one on Chris’s desk, one for Kim and the last into my drawer for later. Today was going to be a good day, no drama.
Later that morning Frank and Eric walked into the main office followed by a geeky looking guy in his 40s.
“Everyone if you could just stop what you’re doing for a minute and listen up I’d like to introduce you to Colin Peterson, who’s joining our little team here at Parker Hayes. He’s a very experienced graphic designer and we’re lucky to have him on board.” Eric announced as Frank patted Colin on the back.
“Hi Colin.” Most people barked out into the office as Frank led him to the corner desk to the right of Chris. Chris mouthed the words “gay” to me as he nodded in agreement with himself. I just shrugged, as long as he could do his job I didn’t care, but I knew Chris and he would be on Colin as soon as Frank and Eric were out of ear shot, prising personal information out of him to share with Kim our office gossip.
Sure enough by the end of the day Chris had found out that Colin was 43 years old. He was a widower with no children but two cats that kept him company and he lived close to his parents in Fulham because he still loved his Mom’s home cooked meals every night. He liked long walks in the countryside on the weekend and watching national geographic. He sounded a real hoot, I couldn’t wait for the office Christmas party! Fingers crossed I didn’t get lumbered with him, my knowledge of nature and indigenous tribes was very limited.
“I doubt he’ll be joining us tonight in Après!” Chris laughed.
“I don’t know…” I replied, “He could spend the night studying the tribes there. The drunken frat boys, the slutty whores, the groping old dudes and the dancing Dads.”
“Don’t forget the occasional sightings of the new Mom species on a rare night out, they save up all their energy over weeks and weeks with their spoilt little brats then unleash hell for 5 hours straight with reckless abandon.” Chris piped in.
“Hey that could be me and Robyn one day.” I chided him.
“Ella you would never have spoilt little brats.” He said. “Yours would be beautiful, patient angels just like their Mo
ther. I can’t vouch for Robyn’s potential little hellions though”