Sydney –


Marilyn did land in Reiner towers the next day, as Mike predicted. However, things did not transpire in the manner in which I had anticipated. I was late for work, horribly late actually. My knees were already starting to knock involuntarily in anticipation of the chewing out that was going to happen. What would Larry think? I ran inside the lift after pressing the elevator button to the thirty-first floor.




"You're in deep shit," said my team member Harriet.


"Why what happened?"


I asked. Putting down my bag.




"Me. Reiner was looking for you." She whispered.




"Me? Why?"


She shrugged and said, "Probably for that Ad."




I shook my head and walked by Larry, my boss, who was always polite and never harsh.




"Finally, Sydney, you've arrived." He gave a kind smile.




"I am so sorry, I got up late today... I missed my train and the next one got delayed....."




"It's fine, Mr Reiner wants to see the complete scene," Larry said.




My heart sank.


"However, it isn't due until tomorrow, and it isn't finished." I was on the verge of panicking.




"I told him, however, he insisted on checking on the progress. Nothing to worry about, just show him whatever you have done. You'll be fine." He smiled casually.

He couldn't be so casual about it, could he? I was shivering with anxiety. Was this Aiden's plan to get rid of me? He may just issue a command. He didn't have to go to such lengths. I strolled over to Aiden's cabin, picking up my laptop. I went inside after knocking. He was wearing a blue shirt today, and his hair was sleek and shiny as usual. My heart began to beat faster.




"I-" I began to say.


Aiden paused by raising his hand. He pointed to a chair in front of his desk without looking up.


I Gulped.




"First, close the door," he said.


His voice was soothing and smooth, like the calm before a storm, with no fury in it. I was watching his well-hung figure move with the grace of a panther. My pulse accelerated at the same time, and I was annoyed that he had such an influence over me. Of course, I would never tell him about it. His ego was bigger than his biceps.




I waited patiently while twisting and knotting my fingers while he was still absorbed in his paperwork.

It was deafeningly quiet. It yelled, taunting, teasing, tickling in my ear. I locked my gaze on the ground in front of his desk. It was all dark colours and wood. He didn't have any books in his bookcases, only photos of himself and his family. That piqued my interest. There were photos of him with an elderly gentleman, as well as a family portrait featuring a handsome man, a lovely woman, and a young child with the same piercing blue eyes. He appeared innocent and cute. It seemed surreal; men like Aiden weren't born, they didn't experience the joys and sorrows of childhood and adolescence. They literally fell from the sky!


"Are you through looking at my photos?" He inquired.


"I'm so-," I exclaimed, startled.




"Sorry?" He tapped the desk with his short fingernails. They were immaculately trimmed, sculpted, and groomed. He took a deep breath and sat back in his leather office chair, waiting for dramatic effect.




"Yes."




"There's no need to apologise, Sydney," I quivered deep inside whenever he mentioned my name, "those pictures are there for looking. Anyway, I'd like to check how that file is progressing."




"It was supposed to be finished tomorrow, so it's not finished yet," I explained, "but I can show you what I've done."




Aiden said, folding his hands and looked at me, "Good, come here."




"What?" I gave him a worried look.




"Sydney, please connect to your laptop and show me the file. What were you thinking ?" His lips trembled at the edges as he spoke.




"Oh! Yes, of course." I remarked this as I walked up to his desk.




***********


Aiden




I had called Sydney for no apparent reason. I was aware that her file was due the next day. I knew she was committed and would finish on time. There was no reason for me to look at the file. Larry was the one in charge. I was just looking for an excuse to see her. For the past 15 minutes, I've been soaking up her beauty. She wore a dark chocolate top with a short white skirt. When she sat down in front of me, her long shapely legs were crossed demurely and her hair was left open today, I gulped in a breath.


She approached me with her laptop in hand, looking for a place to plug it in. I didn't budge from my position, so it was obvious that she had to bend down to plug her laptop, giving me a nice view of her behind. I leant back in my chair and watched as her deft fingers danced across the keyboard.




"So, here is how the waves would go, and that ship over there would be less noticeable in the final file since Larry requested that I include more sea. That is something I am working on....."


Her hair fell on her side like a curtain, with a few bangs caressing her face over her shoulder. To get rid of them, she jerked her head. I couldn't stop myself from shoving them behind her right ear. She came to a halt and turned to face me, surprised.




"Please proceed," I insisted, a calm expression on my face. She nodded, then resumed speaking, but her tone was shaky. I gave a small smile.




"That's all there is to it." She stood up straight as she finished speaking.




"Good work," I said after a brief pause.


"So you and Mike, is he your boyfriend?"




Her reaction was as expected. She looked scandalized, then she rearranged her expression to neutral.




"Mr Reiner, I believe that's none of your business. It's my personal life." Came her curt reply.


I smirked and stood up, stepping closer to her and glanced down.




" On the contrary, it's very much my business, so? are you dating him?" I inquired once more.




She hurriedly scooped up her laptop and said, "I guess I should leave." She walked away, turning around.




Before I could cough, clear my throat, or do anything else to get her attention, the heel of one of her shoes caught along with the piping of the carpet, and she lost her balance. I made the two quick strides necessary for me to reach her just as she fell back into my arms. She gasped as she fell and collided with me. I carefully placed her on the floor so she could stand comfortably, then stepped back to allow her to turn around. I was expecting an emotion of embarrassment or gratitude, but instead I got one of irritation.




"Thank you," she said, clutching her laptop, "but your help wasn't really necessary."




Despite her solemn demeanour, her speech had a laughable quality to it. I had held her for a few additional seconds since her body felt so lovely. What was the name of the perfume she was wearing? It was intoxicating.




"I just reacted on instinct," I replied. "I couldn't let you just fall to the floor."

"Oh, I wouldn't have fallen. I've caught myself three times already today." She blurted, then coloured.




I smiled, then asked.




"You are attracted to me, aren't you, Sydney ?"




She stared at me with wide eyes as if caught with her hand in the cookie jar.




"You know you are," I insisted, and kept her hand firmly in my hold.




"Mr Reiner, please....." she said... I wasn't sure if she wanted to leave or stay, as she did not attempt to release her hand.




The knock interrupted that moment. I released her hand and turned towards the door. Marilyn walked in all her glory. Her perfectly arched eyebrows shot up.




"Is it a bad time?" She asked, eyeing us.




"No! I was just leaving, " Sydney blurted out before me.




"Thanks for your time, Mr Reiner, Larry will show you the finished file soon," Sydney said in a crisp voice. She then nodded at Marilyn and dashed out of my cabin.




I put my hands in my pockets and looked at Marilyn.




"What are you doing here?"




"We had a lunch date, thought of reminding you." She smiled.




"I don't remember scheduling any such lunch date," I mumbled and walked towards my seat.




"Come on Aiden, don't be so harsh," she pouted.




I shrugged, then grabbed my coat.




"Fine! let's go."