Song: 'I'm the One' by DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber
Yeah, you're lookin' at the truth, the money never lies, no
I'm the one, yeah, I'm the one
Early mornin' in the dawn, know you wanna ride now (let's ride)
I'm the one, yeah (let's ride), I'm the one, yeah
Yeah, you're sick of all those other imitators
Don't let the only real one intimidate you
See you watchin', don't run outta time now
I'm the one, yeah
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HANNAH'S POV
"Umm, you know what, you go ahead, I'll just come" I informed as we stopped outside the closed elevator door, his personal elevator.
"Stop wasting my time and get in," he completely ignored what I said.
After a hell of a 'discussion,' he was personally accompanying me to the design floor. Of course, this firm has a whole floor "designate to a department.
To be honest, I'm still a bit shaken at what happened earlier, I couldn't believe he would go as far as to react the way he did, the stoniness of his eyes increased ten folds. At a point, I feared he might break my finger.
Though I thought I saw a speck of remorse on his face after, who am I kidding, the dude has no none.
I'm also disappointed in myself for not responding to it the way I should've, like slapping his face or just a sweet little kick between his legs. Instead, I just panicked.
"You can daydream later, I don't have the whole day" he commented, perhaps sensing my absence at the moment.
"I'll just meet you on the design floor, you go ahead," I said still panicking internally but for a completely different reason this time.
"Might I have to remind you the reason we're going there?"
Come on Hannah come up with something, avoid this short elevator trip at all costs. Hurry up, come up with a lie.
"Umm, I have to use the bathroom," I blurted out the first thing that come into my mind.
"Are you serious?" he looked at me as if I said something alien to him.
"Of course I am, a person can't even feel pressure? You shouldn't wait for me" I clenched my legs together for a more realistic impact, "Besides, it's your elevator, the big boss man elevator, and how can an intern ride in it, right boss?" I said bowing a little, now clearly overdoing it.
Who uses the word 'boss' anymore? Yikes!!
"Whatever, come quickly," he swiped his key card revealing a luxurious elevator in sight.
Within seconds he and the elevator both vanished and I sighed in relief.
You all must be wondering why I didn't go with him, right?
And just in case, you're not, I'll tell you anyway.
I'm claustrophobic!
And it's pretty bad. I constantly need to divert my attention either with extremely loud music or tapping my foot fanatically, it gets worse if I'm with someone else in the elevator as I can't focus on anything they say which makes me more anxious. Anyone can notice that I'm not okay as fear along with embarrassment takes over me creating panic amongst fellow riders.
Either of my friends would always be beside me holding my hand if we were ever to ride an elevator, otherwise, I always make them take the stairs/accelerator with me if the distance isn't unrealistic.
As to answer why I didn't go with him, it's simple.
I don't want him to know.
I can't hand him over my weakness, I don't trust him enough to be vulnerable in front of him. So, I guess this is how it'll always be. Moreover, I don't want to be judged by him.
You might think I'm used to it by now as I ride this elevator every day all up to the topmost floor, but nope. My anxiety hasn't subsided one bit. I'm thankful that my office hours start before everyone else and end after a majority of the people have left already.
It takes me around 2.5 minutes to reach my destination and in that duration, I try everything in my power to not have a panic attack. After therapy, I'm much better at controlling my emotions and not having frequent panic attacks because it's not something I can avoid using but I'm very much aware of it as it takes a lot of effort.
Getting into one of the common elevators, dreading the ride that is less than a full minute, I clenched my eyes shut and started tapping my foot and counting randomly. The elevator dinged, informing me that I'd arrived on the 38th floor - the design floor.
My dream floor.
I took a deep breath and composed myself.
To reach the dream floor, I have to walk with a nightmare that's waiting for me, i.e. Elijah Norman, who is staring at me suspiciously.
Why is he staring at me like that?
That's when it dawned on me!
You were supposed to use the washroom!
I'm back way too early, so early that we've reached just seconds apart. Shite!
"What?" I concealed the expressions of being caught. "I'm quick," I shrugged my shoulders, then raised my palms towards him, "and I washed my hands too." He did nothing but just shat his eyes closed and reopened them.
That's the most expression one can get from him.
Without saying anything further he start walking ahead of me and like a lost puppy, I followed suit.
As we entered through the main door, a whiff of luxury and prestige hit me, an aroma of raw wood, ceramics, and expensive fabric instantly set my mood before I can witnessed one of the finest interior studios I've laid my eyes on.
This part has a far different vibe from the rest of the office, it's professional yet creative, sophisticated yet artistic.
It's exclusive and chic.
When I looked around in awe, the second thing I noticed, more like felt, were multiple gazes of admiration and curiosity.
Curious ones were of course directed at me.
And the admiring ones of course had it be for him, some of them mixed with lust.
I can't blame them, he does have one hell of an outer packing, his dark aura adding mystery to his personality.
It's only I who knows the actual piece of shit that exists behind this façade.
Moving forward, he stopped outside a glass room and open its door. I also entered after him.
"I didn't know you were coming today?" said the voice from behind the mahogany table.
"It's my office, Marge." They both embraced each other. A hug that's more of comfort and respect than of friendliness or anything else.
Marge, I'm assuming short for Margaret, is an elegant woman probably in her mid-30s. Dressed in a black high-neck jumper with beige trousers and black loafers, her long blond hair tied up in a messy bun, her soft nude make-up set up a perfect balance of classy and professional.
Both of them sat down on chairs and broke into a conversation. I, on the other hand, not knowing what to do kept standing.
"How was your trip to China?" she asked with ease.
"Fruitful."
"Of course." She rolled her eyes, "Anyways, I met Eva. Boy, she's hot! Girlfriend?" wiggling her eyebrows, she continued.
"What makes you think that?"
"I'm 39 years old, Elijah, soon to be 40, married for 12 years and multiple years of dating before that, I can tell such things." She said with conviction looking straight into his eyes.
"There's no such thing, you're wrong"
"Fuck buddies then," that made my eyes pop, "Huh, I knew it. I was just being polite in a company." Exclaimed.
"I feel you have a lot of time on your hands, do I need to drown you with more work."
"Don't you dare, I already have my hands full. I just have 3 months for concept development. And by the way, I need to visit the hotel site to beat this deadline," she said with seriousness.
"Are you a criminal?" she looked at me this time.
"Umm, me?" I asked, perplexed by her question.
"Yes, you. Do you see anyone else in this room?" her tone was much different from before, less friendly.
"No," I shook my head.
"Then why are you standing like one? Sit down." I did but now feeling nervous than excited.
Is she gonna be mean too like him?
Suck up, Hannah, stop whining like a baby. This is professional.
"Is anyone of you going to explain who this girl is and what is she doing in my office?" she looked at both of us simultaneously.
"I'm Hannah..." I stopped not knowing what to say next.
"Oh, you are, congratulations!" she fake smiled with sarcasm.
If I wasn't in a situation myself, I definitely would've appreciated her humor because that was a good one, I mean what I was thinking. Still having no idea of what to say, I looked at him for help.
"She'll be your intern."
"Oh my, are you recommending someone? Well, that's a first," she seems amused, "Is she your girlfriend?" I shook my head vigorously. He maintained his statue-like status but she laughed it off.
"Just kidding. Alright, I'll have her on my team, but just this once because this is the first, otherwise you know I don't like influence in my team. Don't do that again," She warned, "And you, don't think you're someone special just because he brought you here." I nodded my head.
I, special to him? hahaha.
"Our team, Margaret." Ugh, show off.
"Yes sir," she saluted, "of course" and rolled her eyes.
"I'm leaving now, I'll see you later." He got up to leave.
"Hey wait, I need to show you something, come with me." He gave a slight nod.
"You wait here," she turned towards me, "I'll be back, okay, HANNAH?" she mocked with a fake smile.
With that, both of them left the room and I wondered if this was a good idea to begin with.
Oh God, help me!
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Author's note:
Dearest readers, sorry for being MIA.
All your messages and concern do reach me for which I am ever so grateful.
Now, as my loyal readers, I believe you all deserve to know the reason for not being active and uploading.
Last month, my mother had major surgery. She's doing much better now but is still in recovery for which I've moved back home to take care of her, so I can hope you guys can forgive me this once, once again. Also, I'll be glad if you'll say a little prayer for her, I'll mean so much to me.
Last but most importantly, I hope you will enjoy this long and much-awaited update.
Any guesses for what type of a person Marge will be?
Much love ðð¥°