She looked a little dazed, but relatively unharmed, her glasses slipping down her nose. Her gaze flickered vaguely to his hand and she laughed. The sound was shocking (haha); a light, sweet laugh that would contrast the severe intensity she portrayed in the work place. "Is there an off switch for that shock? Because if not, I can get up on my own, thank you."
She took his hand and stood up, coming face to face with him. Some dizziness would come over him and he would notice little details. The hint of a dimple on her cheeks as she smiled. A freckle under her left earlobe. Her hair, slightly tousled from the encounter, but with strands brushing against her scarlet lips. Her eyes, watching him like rainfalls over a misty sea. And her hands... not even the rain had such soft hands; those hands were perfect, tucking against his palm patiently as she considered him. That voice... like the finest wine. A nectar of the gods. An ambrosia. "I appreciate the splendor, but I had that handled..." she was saying, her voice sounding like he was emerging from a dream.
She noticed his gaze and looked curious before her eyes widened ever so slightly and she tilted her head. The infatuation faded almost instantly and that dreamlike haze left him, leaving her just the same as before. The only difference was a slight pang he would feel in his chest. Blind adoration produces a warmth unlike any other. "Yes, well... I appreciate it," she said hastily, suddenly seeming like she was in a hurry to get away. "Thank you. Have a good night."
He seemed confused, a strange look crossing his face as he rubbed his chest with a frown. "Yes.. Stay safe."
She pulled her coat tighter around herself and disappeared, turning the corner and leaving him alone.
Beck came into work the next morning 15 minutes early. Her white hair had been tied back in a girlish ponytail, and she wore a black boat-necked shirt and a white pencil skirt with buttons along the side. Her glasses were hooked on the neck of her shirt and she swept a hand across her desk idly, looking lost in thought. * * * Ben in the subway station, his hands in his pockets as he listened to music.
When Gideon went into work that morning, he would find a paper bag on his desk. *** Levy came in on time, running a hand through his hair. "Good morning, Beck," he said easily, a small frown on his face. *** Mari was already on the train, keeping to herself.
He had a splitting headache and he groaned slightly at the bag, opening it slowly. * * * She had stood up as she arrived, collecting some forms. "Good morning, Mr. Audra," she said, her tone tough to decipher. The closest possible effect would probably be gentleness. "I have a coffee for you from your cafe down the street, and once you get settled in, I can come to you with your morning briefing. There's no rush." * * * The train came into the station and Ben entered. He would look more tired than she had last seen her, his brows furrowed worriedly.
Inside the bag was a note and a neatly folded shirt. There was a small gift card in the pocket of the shirt. The note read: "Mr. Lackluster, I apologize but I won't be able to be coming in today due to some living readjustments. I'm sorry for this inconvenience, but I'm giving these to you to say sorry. Take care, Veronica Sova" *** He tilted his head slightly, going to his door. "Thank you. I'll have you come in soon." *** She looked up and noticed him, brightening. She got up and moved, stepping closer. "Ben?"
He squinted at the card, frowning for a moment as he sat down at his desk. "That's strange," he mused to himself. * * * She gave him a polite nod, but she had already moved on, her fingers arranging some files in the cabinet next to her. His coffee was on his desk, just like yesterday. However, this morning, the coffee had come from his favorite cafe in the city. * * * He glanced up before his face also brightened. He slipped out his headphones. "Hey! Marielle, right?"
It was to a nearby coffee shop. It looked like she had tried to put it together with care. *** He sighed, taking a sip as he watched her with a frown, his head tilted. *** She nodded. "Yeah! How are you?"
He seemed very confused, but carefully folded up the shirt again, returning it to its bag. * * * She bent her head over her work, her hair brushing the nape of her neck. He would notice a bruise around her wrist, although she had obviously tried to cover this up. The bruise crept up her hands, the same ones that he had held the night before. * * * "I'm alright," he said brightly, sitting next to her. "What are you up to?"
Veronica was at her bookstore. She was moving back into the small space above, where she had lived prior. *** He sighed, standing up and going to the door. "You can come in now." *** "I'm going downtown. What about you?"
After work that day, Gideon headed to the bookstore he had seen her come from the first day. This is weird, he told himself. You're blowing your cover. No, he argued back. She's my employee. I'd want someone to check on me if I moved. * * * She stood up smoothly, walking over and entering his office, tucking her hair behind her ear. "How are you doing?" * * * He brightened even more. "I'm going downtown too!"
