Second Time

Marco's POV

Alex, Cudi and Kristen became my immediate best friends. After the nerve racking experience with Pedro (that was the name written on the plaque on his desk), I couldn't have been more grateful when they dived in to save me from collapsing under his intimidating aura.

Alex was a graphic designer like I was. Cudi was an electrical engineer, he worked on the engines produced in Hydela Industries, calculate their power, capacity and capabilities and designed most of them (the engines). He also tested them when they finally came to life to make sure his calculations were right.

We all know what would happen if they were wrong.

Kristen was a trademark attorney, making sure Hydela Industries didn't do anything against the law. They had been friends for a long time and I enjoyed their witty conversation so much, I forgot I was meant to be working. And when we all finally remembered that, they all moved back to their cubicles.

For a moment I was proud of myself. I finally had a real job in the real world. I wasn't scared anymore. I wished my father was alive to see it.

Come on Marco! You need to stop being scared. There's nothing out there for you, just opportunities and real life, he would always yell.

And then all at once I was hit with a wave of nostalgia and the tears came. Fast. I tried to dab them away but they wouldn't stop. So I let them flow. When my eyes were finally exhausted, I was ready for the real world. I clicked on the computer, opened the mail and stated reading all I could about the company. The article was really long but I was determined to do well here. Time flew by and the next time I looked up Kristen, the goofiest of the three was trying to pull me off the seat for lunch.

"Who get all serious on their first day?" He said smiling, successfully tugging me out of the seat.

"Just a few more lines and I would be done" I protested weakly while he pulled me.

"I've spent four years in this company and I have not read that disgusting article and you read it in a few hours" Cudi said rolling his eyes playfully.

"Nerd alert" Kristen chirped

"Leave the guy alone, first day is always dull" Alex, the quiet one said pulling me out of their grip.

They kept arguing till we got to the second floor that served as the lunch area.

The others ordered burgers and diet coke while I was too nervous to eat anything so I just settled for an apple and water.

"You have been reading the whole day and you are just going to eat an apple, jeez man you need help" Cudi said stuffing his burger into his mouth

I just smiled.

I found myself scanning the floor for those broad shoulders and hazel eyes. He wasn't in there.  I saw Gloria from the first floor, Becky from the fourth floor and the creepy secretary that took me to his office. Shanice wasn't there and somehow that didn't sit right with me. Maybe Pedro didn't eat here with his employees.

"Are you searching for Pedro?" Alex said startling me

"No" I replied a pitch too high.

"Did you just lie?" Kristen asked laughing and choking on burger in his mouth.

"You've fallen for him already" Alex said smiling

"I've not. I was just curious" I said avoiding their eyes and looking at the apple in my hands like it was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Everyone is curious about him. No one knew him till few months ago after his father retired. We always knew Mr. Franklin McFarland had a son but no one saw him till the day we didn't see his father again. Doesn't speak and smile often but he has every lady in this building rolling in the mud for him. You are the fourth employee since he started and the first he has shown the way to a cubicle. he looks to have taken a special liking to you" Alex said sipping his coke.

Really?

"I heard he is gay" Cudi whispered looking around for an invisible snitch.

I wish he was.

At the sound of that, my balls jumped a little. I bit into my apple to hide the red hue that was begining to paint my cheeks.

"To answer your question, he has never had lunch in here.  His PA, the lady from the fifth floor comes to get his lunch sometimes and sometimes he goes out for it" Kristen said and they all continued eating.

And all of a sudden the apple in my mouth lost its flavour. Shanice was his PA and I was very sure she had a crush on him too.

What if they are together?

Of course they are together, you delusional fuck. What did you think? That he would be gay? He is too hot to be into twinks like you. Get a grip on your hormones!!!

The others had gone back to their meals and didn't notice that I had lost interest in the apple in my hand. I threw it into the nearest bin and drank the rest of my water and trashing the bottle too. Rather violently. I was too angry and too jealous to be thinking of anything else.

Suddenly the air froze. The whole floor became silent and I was about to ask why when I raised my head and looked towards the door like everyone else was, then I saw why.

Pedro was walking confidently into the floor. His jacket was missing and he was only in his shirt, hand stuck in his pocket. His eyes scanned the entire room briefly looking for something or someone.

Could it be me?

Oh Jesus! You fool, why the hell would he be looking for you? There are a million pretty girls in this room. You would be the last person he even wants to see.

Our eyes met for the briefest second and suddenly he stopped looking around and walked towards the counter to get his meal, Shanice who had come in with him walking closely behind him, glaring at anyone who stared too much. Everyone started eating again and the gentle noise that followed quiet conversations began.

"Speak of the devil, why the hell did he choose to eat down here today?"Kristen said

"Who knows?"Alex said and they all return to their meals.

With my apple in the trash, I had nothing to return to. I picked out my phone from my pocket and began scrolling to distract myself but I still found myself looking up at him. Of all places they would have sat, why should it be the table that was so visible from where we sat? I could even hear Shanice trying to engage him in a conversation, keeping her voice loud enough so that everyone would think that they were indeed together.

I caught his eyes on me a few times but he was always quick to look away.

"Come on Marco, we are done with lunch. Let's get back" Alex called as they stood. I reluctantly did the same and with one long last look at the couple across, I followed the trio back to the Tenth floor.

I dived back into all the mail Shanice had sent and at the end of the day, I had read 209 pages of company policy and history. I could literally tell you the history of Hydela Industries but you wouldn't be interested, so let's move on. I bade Alex and Cudi goodnight and started walking towards the elevator. Kristen had left earlier to submit something to the judge, whatever it was. Few steps to the elevator and it started closing, I ran to it and stopped it. I looked inside and I wished I had allowed it to close.

Pedro was standing in it alone, jacket on his left shoulder and a briefcase in the other. The last time I saw him was at lunch. I had dived deep into reading I hadn't noticed him for the rest of the day. He shifted to the side for me to enter and then the door shut. The only sound I could hear was the machinery whirling and him breathing.

Imaging his hot breathe on your neck as he kissed behind your ears

Wake up fool, he would rather kiss a donkey

I heard him say something but I wasn't paying attention so I didn't get it.

I turned to face him and caught his deep gaze on me. He must have realized from the stupid look on my face that I didn't hear him.

"How was the first day of work?" He asked, his voice a husky sound that sent blood down to my groin

"Good" I replied and looked away to hide the blush creeping unto my face

He was silent for a while

"Why were you crying?"

I turned to face him again, this time, curious and surprised.

"How...how...did....you know about...that?"

Then the elevator opened up at the first floor and he stood looking at me for a few seconds. He looked like he was about to say something then changed his mind and started walking in long strides to the front door.

I had barely gotten to the door when I heard his wheels squealing as he sped out of sight.

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