"Why is he so fucking agitated". Sophia murmured as she stood by Lennox's door, listening as Len paced around the office. Sophia clutched her schedule pad tighter as she waited. The door pushed open, causing her to back away. Lennox stepped out of his office, startled as he took notice of her, but then he was striding off towards the elevator. She rushed after him, almost shouting his schedule at him in a rush.
"... By noon, you have a business meeting with the men from the LC branch to plan the new strategy for producing the new batch of fabrics that would be used for the summer collection, you have your free hour by two pm for lunch and doctors appointment... " She almost stumbled into him as he halted abruptly in front of the elevator, Sophia quickly got it for him before he could, his finger coming to rest on her. He jerked away from the contact, his full glare directed at her. Lennox entered the elevator, not speaking a word to her. The door closed making Sophia swear. She ran out of the office, trudging down the stair-like her pants were on fire. She knew she wouldn't get there in time, so she jumped on the smooth rails of the stairs and then pushed forward. She slipped down the rail, almost dizzy at the speed. She reached the end, tumbling off and almost hitting her head on the wall. After steadying herself, she rushed towards the elevator, passing some of the workers and security, everyone minded their business, not sparing her a glance. The elevator pinged open. Lennox's eye widened just a fraction as he saw her standing before him. He stepped out.
"At four o'clock, you have a dinner scheduled with Mr. Vince, a friend of yours from high school... That would be all sir" she heaved a breath, her chest burning from the exertion. He stared past her without saying a word or acknowledging that she was there. Lennox walked away, leaving her to stare after him. Sophia swore, almost clawing at her face with her nails.
"Oh my God, he is such a jerk". Sophia sighed, she felt like pulling out his hair or something. She stepped into the elevator, pressing for the first floor. Her gaze darted as she took notice of Andria and her boss, walking out of the company, looking cozy as they conversed, stealing secret glances at each other before the elevator cut off her visual. "Wish he was my boss, this is so frustrating ugh".
********
CLUB
The neon lightning flashed making Andria wince as she poured drinks for her boss and his associates, she served each, forcing herself to smile. She watched her boss as he laughed, head thrown back. A real smile replaced the forced one Andria had been forcing.
Peter, one of the associates, cleared his throat, raising his glass. "A toast for more deals to come".
They all nodded, clicking glasses against the other. Markus turned to face Andria.
"Pretty Andria, how long have you been working with this awful guy," he asked, pointing at Jonathan, her boss.
Andria smiled, refilling his glass. "Two years sir, but Mr. Jonathan is not awful. He's the best".
Marcus smirked. "That's just for show", he said, then looked her over. "You're really beautiful Andria".
Andria felt Jonathan get tense beside her. "Thank you, sir, Markus, you're also really good-looking". Markus leaned towards her, but before he could say anything, Jonathan slapped his back, laughing nervously.
"Hey, back off. Don't compliment my assistant, go get yours".
Markus ignored him with a mischievous gaze directed at Andria. "Why don't you come work for me, Andria, how about a triple paycheck of whatever he pays you".
"Come work for me, I'll pay four times what Markus here wants to offer you" Peter interjected, staring intensely at Andria.
Andria cut glances at Jonathan who had his fist clenched, watching both men as if he wanted to murder them. Andria looked back at the two men who were expectantly waiting for her reply.
"I quite like my job and the amount I'm being paid, so I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline both your offers". She answered and felt Jonathan relax beside her.
"Nice try, but my assistant is faithful to her boss". His gaze fell on Andria, she smiled at him. Markus watched both of them skeptically.
"You two look like you're in a relationship, is that a good thing?" He asked, forcing Andria's gaze to snap in his direction nervously, but it was Jonathan who spoke first.
"Don't be ridiculous, I can never date an ordinary assistant, what sort of nonsense is it, I don't need any baseless rumors spreading about me Markus, besides I have my fiance waiting for me, she's studying right now, so fucking drop it ok".
"So defensive. Andria, see I told you your boss was awful. You should consider my offer" he said but Andria just kept her head bowed, as Jonathan's words sank home. Jonathan drank more wine, laughing too hard even when the joke wasn't all that funny.
*******
I will not cry, not here, or anywhere, Andria told herself, as she inhaled and exhaled deeply to get rid of the prominent pain in her chest. Andria forced herself to chin up as she drove towards the company parking lot, she didn't want the others to see her and start to ask questions. Andria found an empty spot and parked.
"That's all for today sir, should I call your driver to take you home, or do you prefer to drive yourself".
"I didn't mean what I said earlier, I'm sorry, you know that right". His voice cut through the silence, making Andria jerk to face him. Jonathan leaned towards her, reaching for her hand, but she slapped his hand off. Her eyes snapped to his, her anger getting the best of her.
"Don't touch me, I am just the ordinary assistant you can't stand to be with anyway".
His face twisted in pain. "I'm sorry Andria, but you can't say this is all my fault, you don't want the world to find out about us right, they'll gossip behind our back, say shit about us that you don't want to hear".
"Well if you truly love me, you won't be ashamed or get so defensive, or make up an imaginary fiance just to explain why you can't ever be with me" she accused, her eyes burning.
"I'm not ashamed of you".
"Of course, you'll say that, but we've been dating for a year now, and no one knows about us, not even my best friends, do you think that's healthy, how long are we going to keep this up, huh".
He took her hand soothingly, his grip tightened when she made to pull away. "Not for long, Andria, just give me a little more time".
She wrenched her hands away. "No Nathan, you've been saying that forever, at least Peter and Markus are not ashamed of me, maybe I might just consider their offer." She threatened, watching as Jonathan's gaze darkened, a muscle jerking at his temple.
"You don't mean that Andria. You love me".
"Yeah I do, but do you love me?" She asked, he was quick to reply, but she shushed him before he could speak. "Think it over before you answer that Jonathan because I don't feel that you love me at all". She pushed open the door, walking out before the broken look on his face crumbled her resolve.
Lennox scanned the menu but nothing caught his gaze, Vince waited patiently as the server fidgeted beside them. Lennox motioned the server closer, pointing at what he wanted. The server left, grateful to be out of their presence.
"You're making everyone uncomfortable with your scowling. Stop ruining a dinner we haven't even started yet".
"I'm not scowling, I'm just tense today".
A small grin tugged on Vince's lips. "Why? Did you fight with your girlfriend or what".
Lennox flinched, his gaze fixed on the champagne flute, and jaws clenched. "I think I should leave, I don't have an appetite anymore" he got out, proceeding to stand before Vince reached out to stop him. Lennox remained seated, watching Vince's features tighten as he got serious, his fingers that were clad with expensive diamond rings running through his hair in frustration.
"It's been six years Lennox, I thought you'd be better now, haven't you moved on yet?"
"We both know I can never move on, or forget about what happened six years ago, I know you haven't forgotten either..."
Vince smashed his hand on the table, whispering fiercely. "Melissa was my sister Lennox, but you're making me feel shitty all over again because I did move on, I forgave you".
Lennox's jaw set. "You didn't love her as I did, you didn't watch her die, you didn't kill her".
Vince groaned, dragging his hands through his hair frustratingly. "Neither did you god damn it? I loved Melissa, but it was an accident, an accident that no one saw coming." He seized a deep breath as he took in Lennox's unwavering mask of pain. "No matter how much I repeat this to you, it won't help would it. You need to move on Lennox, this is not healthy. No one is holding you back, Melissa isn't either".
Lennox stood up, picking up his case. Vince watched him helplessly. "I'm done here. I will never forget about Melissa, I can't move on, not when I'm a murderer. I hurt everyone close to me, so you should stay away if you want to live a long life".
"That's bullshit Lennox and you know it. You don't mean that right?"
Lennox's gaze was stoic. "I mean everything I said. Stop scheduling all these meetings, it just makes me more suffocated than I already am". Lennox gave a clipped bow, walking out of the restaurant.
Vince looked around, noticing pairs of eyes who had been watching their exchange. He sighed, burying his head into his phone.
*******
Lennox walked back home, Melissa's voice ringing in his head as he remembered their last moment together.
"Let go of me Len, let the fuck go" she screamed at him, her eyes clouding up with unshed tears. He let go reluctantly, wanting to hold onto her even if it was just a little bit. "Why are you doing this Len, haven't I tried enough. I've done all I can Len, and I'm tired of trying for you. You're just a coldhearted man, you're an empty shell who can't force yourself to feel even just a spec of love for me". Her word twisted something in Lennox's chest.
"I am not, I love you, believe me, I do. It's just because I was raised different, that's why I find it hard to show my feelings, but you know I try hard for you right".
Melissa shoved at him, raising her voice another octave. "You wouldn't have to try so hard if you love me. I can't stay with a man who has to try before he can love me" she said and made to go, but he stopped her, grabbing onto her shoulder. She whirled around, slapping him across the face. He cupped his cheek, the sting of her slap registering, as his ears rang. Melissa gave him a nasty challenging look, then walked away from their house, moving towards her car that was parked on the other side of the road. Len watched her, his heart twisting in his chest, that was until he saw the truck heading straight for her. He shouted her name, running towards her, Willing the truck to move slower. It didn't happen, Melissa turned as she heard her name, making him stagger to a stop in his steps. The truck rammed into her, the force of it lifting her above the ground, then smacked her against the tiled road. The truck accelerated, swerving as it drove off.
Melissa rolled until her back hit her parked car. Lennox snapped out of his trance, running towards her, his body trembling as he crouched down in horror. He gathered her in his arms dialing the emergency contact on his phone. His voice shook as he relayed what happened, begging them to hurry up before the phone dropped from his hand. Melissa's blood seeped into his clothes, drenching them as he cradled her head against his chest. She coughed out blood as he held her, tucking the hair sticking to her face behind her ear. A darkening bruise marred the side of her face. Lennox felt shaken, his head refusing to believe what had happened.
"Melissa, please... Don't leave me... I am so sorry, so very sorry, this is all my fault, all my fault" he felt hot tears trailing down his cheek. Melissa stared at him, eyes glazed in pain.
"This is..." She gasped, clutching at his shirt. "I'm dying, Len... You... Let this happen... Don't... Don't... Le... let me... go". Her grasp wavered, even when she tried harder to hold onto him. "Len... Lennox... You... You have to save me... Save...". Her grasp slipped, her eyes shutting, forever.
Lennox shook his head in disbelief. "Melissa... Melissa" he tapped on her cheek, looking around wildly for the ambulance that said they were on their way. "Melissa, don't do this to me, just hang in there a little ok. You'll be fine. I'll save you, I promise. Melissa" he roared, pulling her into a tight hug. "Melissa!".
The siren of the ambulance sounded distant in his ears, the world was just one hazy place after she left him. He couldn't keep his promise. He couldn't save her.
Lennox held his head wincing from the pain that came with the memory. He hated whirling sounds, or any loud noises, they made him remember. His house was always quiet, he'd replaced the once bright colors that Melissa painted the wall with darker shades. It reflected his life. An empty hollow space.
He took off his suit, loosening his tie as he sank into the sofa, staring at the immaculate house. He could see Melissa everywhere even after he'd altered the room. Her bright smile as she flaunted a new dress, the grace with which she walked in heels, her golden wavy hair that always fanned her face like a halo. He could remember how she always went out of her way to make him happy, she dressed up as a clown for him once and acted like a Disney princess another time as she put on a show for him. Her clever advice, her help with the company, her loud laugh, her beautiful twinkling eyes when she smiled. He'd changed the house but it didn't stop her from haunting him. He was responsible for her death. That guilt would never go away even if he moved across the ocean. Living in solitude was his punishment, but he wanted it that way. He deserved to live like that.
He did leave his door open when he was not in the office. Sophia smiled, entering his office with a bag filled with the items that she had gotten to add more color to the office. The space of the room never ceased to amaze her, and the view from the window was spectacular, if only he left the shades up. He had a closet beside his desk which was insanely cool, the sliding door was decorated with a dark leafy pattern. Sophia couldn't resist getting a peak. She pushed the door open, taking stock of the neatly arranged shirts, suits, shoes, and other accessories. He should move into his office, cause I don't see why he has a house anymore. She shrugged the thought off, bringing out a disposable smoothie cup filled with strawberry smoothie_just because she wanted to piss him off, but make him happy at the same time, she arranged his files, dusted the furniture then placed the small flower pot with a cactus on his desk. Why a cactus? Because he was a prickly ba... Sophia stopped herself from insulting him, cringing internally at how much energy it took to pause her words. She placed a note underneath it on how to take care of the poor plant_poor because she was sure he wouldn't even spare it a glance before tossing it into the trashcan. Sophia's gaze slithered towards the huge glass windows that overlooked the city, the sun was rising on the horizon. She walked towards it almost in a daze as she took in its breathtaking beauty of it. Sophia watched the cloud move, the light ray of the sun streaking through, creating a beautiful effect, she closed her eyes savoring the moment. The sound of footsteps echoed making her jump. Sophia looked at her watch, she had come early at quarter to five to be ahead of him, and do what needed to be done, yet he still caught up to her. Sophia looked around frantically in search of an escape, her heart beating rapidly in her chest making her dizzy. Where to hide, where to fucking hide, she chanted in her head, pulling at her hair in the process. Her gaze slipped toward the closet and she rushed towards it, sliding it open.
Sophia rushed inside without thinking, then shut the door, willing her heart to beat at the normal rate. His scent enveloped her, making her inhale deeply, but the footsteps closing in on her had her heart pounding so hard in her chest that she thought she was going to have a heart attack. She took calming breaths, praying that he didn't have anything to do with the closet when he came in.
*******
Lennox entered his office, stopping in his tracks as he took in the subtle difference in his office. The cup on his desk registered, making him swear. He walked towards it, picking it up. His eye caught the scribbled writing. 'toss it and you'll go straight to hell'. It would have been hilarious, but he couldn't find any humor in the situation. She had disobeyed his order once again. Lennox's gaze slipped to the foreign object on his table, a cactus plant, then he saw the note underneath it. Lennox took it up, clutching at the smoothie.
"Do not toss it in the trashcan, water the little guy at least twice a week, and make sure you expose it to sunlight for at least four hours per day. Its name is Lennox Jr, so he'll be your little brother and you can vent to him whenever you feel down. I hope we work together for a very long time".
With love, from your assistant.
Lennox glanced around, eyeing everything he had in his office and noticing that she'd messed with most of his stuff, everything was arranged in an orderly fashion, and he knew because he had deliberately left some of his files spread out on his desk. Lennox stepped outside the office, looking around for Sophia, but he couldn't sense a soul. He could smell a subtle spring-like scent in the air, and he was sure of who they belonged. He walked back into the office, pushed the door close, and took a deep breath as he rested his head against the door. His assistant was damn annoying.
Lennox walked towards his desk and grabbed the plant pot. He strode to the window, placing the cactus where the sunray would hit it. Lennox paused, surprised at his action. He cocked his head, then looked out of the window, the beauty of the sunrise caught him by surprise. Lennox inhaled sharply, filling his lungs with air, before he released it, expelling his anger. He could admit to himself that he loved the plant, they were a favorite of his hence why he couldn't force himself to toss them into the trashcan. He'd mostly kept the window shaded in the early hours of the morning, but now he could see what it was that he had been missing, the calming effect it had on him.
Lennox felt like cool water was rushing over his skin as he watched the sun taking its place in the sky, he unconsciously put the straw to his lips, sipping at the smoothie before he could think better of it. The flavor was rich, coating his tongue as he swallowed. It was delicious, so he took more sips, his anger draining from his shoulder. The assistant was stubborn, persistent, and darn right irritating but he had to admit that he hadn't felt such relaxation in a long while. Lennox inhaled deeply, enjoying the calmness. His phone buzzed startling him. He strode back to his desk, dropping the smoothie as he read through his message. He walked towards the closet, sliding it open halfway. The scent of citrus wafted towards him, making him pause. He pushed the door until his eyes landed on the wide eyes of the culprit, who had her hand pressed against her lips to avoid screaming. She froze like Lennox would think she was one of his suits. Realizing that her tactics were not going to work, she stepped out of the closet with a nervous smile, her head almost dragging against the floor.
Lennox masked his surprise, clearing his throat. "What were you doing in there?". He asked, his expression neutral. She squeezed at the bag she held.
"I was..." she swallowed audibly. "I was searching for my schedule pad" she blurted, before thinking about it through.
Lennox's lips quirked. "In my closet? And what about the smoothie" he picked it up from the table, thrusting it in front of her. "Who arranged my stuff, or that ugly looking plant"
Sophia's eyes darted around, her knuckles whitening at the pressure she applied to them. "Umm... Why that was... That was... I did it.. but, I didn't mean to stay longer here... I was just" she stuttered through her words until Lennox stopped her with a raised hand, having heard enough of her rambling.
"You were just looking for your schedule pad, am I right?". She nodded quickly. "I'm too busy to take care of the plant so that will be your responsibility. If Lennox Jr dies, it will be your fault". He told, deciding to cut her some slack.
Sophia's mouth hung open for a second like she couldn't believe the words that came out of his mouth. Lennox didn't understand why he was humoring her either.
"What! I mean yes, I'll take care of it, Sir".
He watched her for longer than necessary before he snapped out of his daze.
"You can go to your desk now, your schedule pad is on your table". He pointed at it through the raised shutters that overlooked her desk, Sophia's gaze trailed in the direction, she released a nervous laugh as she saw it lying on her desk.
"Oh right. It skipped my brain, happens all the time" she joked, taking backward steps until she got to the door, she pulled it open stepping out of the office before clicking it shut.
Lennox shook his head, then blinked as he realized In horror that he had been smiling.
