Sereia's POV
"I'm so sorry I'm late," I apologized to Blake as I walked up to him.
Frankly, I did not want to be here.
I was still in the work outfit I had been wearing since this morning and I was tired.
Not only had Elliot given me additional work to carry out, but two employees were in a conflict that I had to resolve.
"That's okay," he smiled as he hugged me.
I hugged him back before we walked into the restaurant.
I needed to make friends, especially ones who are up the food chain.
Like him. He seemed important enough.
"Tough day at work?" he asked as we sat in a booth.
I rubbed my forehead in an attempt to relieve the constant headache I had. "This might have been the worst first week ever."
Thankfully, today was Friday.
He laughed. "Let me guess, did Elliot Harrington have anything to do with it?"
I nodded. "The guy is a total ass."
I felt comfortable shit-talking my boss with him because he clearly felt the same about him.
He laughed again and I glared.
"It's not funny," I told him. "The amount of times I just wanted to get up and stab him was insane. You're lucky you get to work in the branch offices. At least you don't get to deal with him every day."
The waiter began to pour chilled water into our glasses.
"I've been dealing with him for years," he said as he took a sip of his water. "I've had my share of his behaviour."
I took a sip of my water. "You used to work at HQ?"
"Yes," he nodded. "And Elliot and I are childhood best friends."
My whole body stiffened and I became silent.
I instantly regretted my words from earlier. This was a set-up. I shouldn't have said anything.
He laughed. "Relax, I'm not going to tell him what you said. Plus, let's be honest everyone thinks that. In my opinion, your words were a bit nicer than what others have said before."
How in the world am I going to get myself out of this?
I smiled as I picked up the menu.
Maybe this is a good thing.
Since he's close to them, he can give me information.
"Are you close with his wife?" I asked.
"Not really, they don't usually hang out together," he answered as he picked up his menu. "Why?"
I shook my head. "No reason in particular, they just seem like a cute couple."
"Well, they are something," he replied as he put down his menu. "Do you know what you want?"
I looked across to see a woman receiving a gigantic cheeseburger and my mouth watered.
I nodded. "That cheeseburger."
He laughed and I raised my eyebrow. "What?"
"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked and I began to panic.
"What makes you think that?"
"I don't know," he shook his head. "It's just that your mannerisms are a bit different and you seem a bit different. You don't even have a chauffeur."
I laughed nervously before chugging down the rest of my water. "I guess I like driving."
"I do too," he said. "But growing up being driven all the time makes you just get used to it. Ya know?"
I nodded. "Well, I was raised out of the city. I also studied and worked in Vermont for a couple of years so I guess I lost my customs."
"Don't worry cutie, I'll make sure you gain them back."
I faked a laugh before the waiter came and took our orders.
As we waited for our food, he began to tell me about all the sports-cars he owned and how he planned to build three more beach houses in Florida.
"My sister actually owns a clothing line," he changed the topic as the waiter placed the steak in front of him. "I can give you her number. Her clothes are very similar to what you wear."
"I would love that," I smiled as I eyed my burger.
I'd been eyeing it the whole time but I wanted to wait until he began to eat.
However, he just kept talking.
"I've been running a club on the side too," he said as began to cut his steak. "Maybe you should swing by one of these nights?"
I gulped as I watched the juicy burger. I hadn't eaten anything all day.
It was practically calling my name.
"Sereia?"
"Hmm?" I looked up at him.
"My club, would you like to come?"
There will be drugs and alcohol everywhere. There's no way I'll trust myself to be contained.
"Sure," I said. "But my schedule is a bit busy right now."
He nodded. "Well, whenever."
He finally put a piece of steak to his mouth and I grabbed my burger.
I took a bite of my burger and my expectations were instantly met.
This was a good burger.
"You like it?" he asked with a smile and I nodded.
This exceeds last night's leftovers by far.
"Elliot loves it too," he laughed. "He gets the same thing every time we come here."
Knowing he enjoys the same things as me made me appreciate my burger less.
"Elliot really is a good guy when you get to know him," he tried to defend his best friend. "He is just a bit harsh on others sometimes. I don't think it's on purpose."
"Sounds like he has a problem," I said before taking another big bite.
"Don't we all?" he asked.
Suddenly, all my messed up problems decided to remind me of their presence.
I shook them out of my thoughts as I stuffed my mouth with the burger.
Blake just stared at me in awe although I probably looked like a greedy pig.
I swallowed down my food and wiped my mouth. "Sorry."
He shook his head. "No, don't be."
I had finished my burger while he still had half of his steak left.
Now was my time to take advantage of the fact that he was close with Elliot.
"So how can I gain my boss's trust?" I asked bluntly. "How can I make him like me?"
He thought about it for a while. "Honestly, you can only gain his trust with time. Get close to him and maybe he'll stop acting like an ass to you."
Perfect.
I wish Violet knew the things I was doing for her.
At this point, I didn't know if I was doing it for her or me.
He signalled the waiter to bring the bill.
"Do you mind if we split the bill in half?" he asked and I was shocked for a minute.
He's the one who invited me out.
I shook my head and I pulled out my purse. "Of course, not."
He smiled when I said that. "Finally, a woman who didn't get offended when I asked that."
I forced myself to smile so hard that my jaw began to ache.
We paid our money before we walked outside.
His driver was already waiting for him in the front.
"Thanks for coming out tonight cutie," he winked at me.
I smiled and nodded. "I had fun."
"Me too," he smiled back as he began to lean into a kiss.
I immediately turned my head and his lips landed on my cheek.
He laughed. "Right, I forgot you were a slow burner."
When he moved from my face I turned to look at him again.
"Where is your car?" he asked and I pointed to the alley across the street.
I couldn't find any parking spots close to the restaurant.
"Well, be safe," he said. "Women tend to get mugged here all the time."
"I will," I said with a smile as his driver opened the door for him.
He waved goodbye before entering the vehicle.
When they drove off, I finally dropped my painful smile and I walked to my car.
I need to get justice for Violet as quickly as possible so that I can be done with these people.
...
Vote!