Chapter 5

HAILEY

After her encounter with Valerian and Colhane, Hailey was ready to call it a day. She tried to hand off her remaining work to Clara, but Clara wouldn’t have it, insisting their boss would have a fit.

Valerian and Colhane had been locked in a meeting for what felt like forever. Hailey didn’t see it ending anytime soon.

She quietly pushed open the door, spotting them at the far end of the office, engrossed in a presentation.

~What’s the best way to handle this? Should I announce that I’m finished, or just leave the report on the table and slip out?~

The latter option seemed less intrusive. If she was careful, she could leave without them even noticing.

~Alright, Hailey. Time to make your move. Go!~

She entered the room, tiptoeing towards the table. The room was dim, the only light coming from the presentation screen.

They didn’t seem to notice her, completely absorbed in their work.

Slowly, she inched closer to the table.

“Ouch!” she cried out, tripping over a cord and landing on her hands and knees.

Predictably, they both turned around as the lights flickered on. They rushed over to help her up.

~Could this get any more mortifying?~

“I’m fine, really,” she insisted for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Valerian asked again.

~How many times do I have to say I’m fine before he gets it?~ “Yes, sir, I’m fine. I’m sorry for interrupting your meeting.”

She gestured towards the table. “I was just trying to leave my work here without disturbing you.”

“It’s fine,” Colhane assured her. “We were just wrapping up.”

“Right,” Valerian agreed.

She picked up her file, unsure of what to do next. ~Should I hand it to him, or just leave it on the table? Why am I overthinking this?~

“Are you okay?” Colhane asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

“Yes, sir,” she squeaked out.

“Please, call me Colhane.”

She decided to just leave the file on the table, feeling like a deer caught in headlights.

They both watched her intently.

“How was your lunch?” Colhane asked before she could make her exit.

“It was good,” she replied casually.

“It would have been better with me,” he said.

She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. “Thank you,” was all she could think to say. ~Great job, Hailey. You couldn’t just keep your mouth shut.~

She noticed Valerian giving her a strange look.

“You’re welcome,” Colhane said. “I hope next time you’ll let me prove it to you.”

“Um, okay,” she managed to say.

Valerian seemed to tense up.

~Did I embarrass him or something?~ she wondered.

“Have a great evening!” she blurted out, making a hasty exit.

She finished up her work and tidied up her workspace. She decided to freshen up before heading out, as she was already running late for her second job.

Yes, her second job. Hailey worked as a waitress. She was saving up to support herself, as she didn’t have parents to rely on.

~Hopefully, I can quit the waitress job soon thanks to this one.~ Juggling two jobs was exhausting.

She was feeling worn out, and a shower seemed like the perfect remedy.

The office had a shower, so she decided to use that one. After her shower, she could catch the bus to her other job.

She headed to the bathroom, undressed, and turned on the hot water.

One of the perks of working here was the spacious, luxurious staff bathroom. She’d heard it paled in comparison to the boss’s bathroom, though.

~Who cares~, she thought, grateful for the one she had. It was bright and clean.

She stepped under the hot water, letting it wash over her.

She was replaying the day’s events in her head when suddenly, the shower curtain was yanked open. She froze, her naked body on full display.

Hailey’s eyes popped open, wide with surprise. And there, right in front of her, was Valerian.