Page 40 of After Hours

I agreed, kissed her goodnight, headed back up the stairs to my room, my mind still filled with thoughts of Dillon.

I lay in bed, feeling restless and confused about the kiss. What did it mean for our professional relationship? I couldn’t stop myself from scrolling through Dillon’s Instagram account, as if trying to decipher something from his posts and photos.

But my attempt at Instagram psychoanalysis was interrupted when my phone rang. It was a call from Mara. I immediately answered.

“Hi, Azzaria!” Mara’s cheerful voice came through the phone. “I just wanted to say thank you for coming tonight, even if you had to leave early.”

I quickly replied, “Oh, Mara, I’m so sorry for leaving early. I wasn’t feeling well.” I wasn’t lying, technically, I started feeling uneasy after everything unfolded.

Mara was understanding. “No worries at all, babes. Your presence was enough. And speaking of that, I wanted to say thank you for the beautiful gift you gave me.”

I smiled, grateful that my handmade gift had made an impression. “You’re welcome, Mara. I’m so glad you liked it.”

Mara then asked, “Where did you buy it? It’s so unique, and I’ve never seen anything like it before. I’m going to have to buy one for my son and my husband.”

I hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to tell her the truth. But honesty won out. “Actually, I didn’t buy it, Mara. I made it myself.”

There was a brief pause on the other end, and I could hear the surprise in her voice. “You made it? That’s amazing, you’re talented! It’s one of the most heartfelt gifts I’ve ever received.”

I felt my cheeks warm with gratitude. “Thank you. I’m glad you appreciate it. I wanted to make you something special for your birthday.”

We continued chatting for a bit, discussing the party, her pregnancy, and how Alexander was handling everything. Her gratitude and genuine nature warmed my heart. It was reassuring to have this connection with her.

Our conversation eventually came to an end, and we said our goodnights.

As I lay in bed, I couldn’t help but think about the tangled situation I’d found myself in. With thoughts of Mr. Xander on my mind, I drifted off to sleep, wondering how the next day at work would unfold.

The next morning, I woke up determined to face the new day at work. I dressed in a simple yet professional outfit, opting for a close-fitted pants paired with a fitted white long-sleeved T-shirt and added a gray sweater over it. I looked and felt great.

After a quick breakfast downstairs with my mom, I grabbed my bag and headed out to the internship.

The familiar route to the Xander Enterprises building did little to soothe the fluttering nerves in my stomach.

As I approached the front desk, Melissa, the new receptionist who usually greeted me, wore a warm smile that seemed out of place for early mornings. She greeted me with a nod, her voice holding a note of excitement.

“Good morning.”

“Morning, Mel,” I replied, my curiosity piqued by her unusual cheerfulness. She and I weren’t close but she’s one of those people who made the environment a whole lot better to be in.

“You look great,” she complimented.

“Thank you.” I answered. “Any news for today?”

Melissa leaned in and whispered, “Well, Mr. Xander won’t be in the office today. He’s got a seminar out of town.”

My eyes widened in surprise, and I couldn’t help but release a relieved breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “Oh, I see. Thank you for letting me know.”

The thought of facing Dillon after the kiss from the night before had been daunting. A day without his presence in the office would provide some much-needed respite for me to regain my composure.

I settled into my usual tasks and made progress on my projects. There were emails to respond to, PowerPoints to organize for his weekly meetings and documents to collect from the different departments so he could sign off on them.

Heavy thoughts really do breed productivity.

When it was time for lunch, I decided to stop by the little sandwich place that had become my go-to spot. The delectable aroma of fresh sandwiches welcomed me as I walked in. Everything tastes and smelt so fresh and delicious. I placed my order and sat down to enjoy my lunch, grateful for a moment of peace.

Back at the office, I continued my work and wrapped up my tasks for the day. As the clock ticked toward the end of my work hours, I felt a sense of accomplishment.

With the day behind me, I packed my belongings and headed to the gym.

---