Perfect Strangers

by Abby Gale

  When I took a break, my neck muscles were taut and my back was in pain from sitting in the same position for hours. I realized I didn’t pay attention to my office because of the shock I felt. But finally, everything was hitting me one by one. My office was simple with white furniture, the high tech computer, silver colored office accessories. There was no color, but like the lobby there was no need for it. The sun was creating halos on everything, pushing them from one color to another.

  My office phone rang when I decided to take a walk around the floor… to see what was where.

  “Hawke Architecture, Melody Crown speaking,” I answered the phone, liking the idea of having a job after four months of boredom.

  “Hello, Miss Crown. You must be the new assistant. I’m Ryan from the design department, on the sixth floor. Mr. Hawke told me to give him a call about the conference he will give to architectural team. Do you know if he’s still free to do so?”

  “Hi, Ryan. Yeah, I’m new. Can you call back in five minutes so I can ask Mr. Hawke?” I said, trying to find some kind of schedule on the table at the same time. But the calendar was empty, no notes on it.

  “Sure. Thanks, Melody,” he said and ended the call.

  Standing up from my chair, I went to Kellan’s office, knocked the door and waited for his reply.

  “What?” I heard him say from the other side of the door.

  “Ryan called from the architectural team, Mr. Hawke. He asks if you’re still free to give them a conference,” I murmured, ignoring his heated gaze on my body.

  “That isn’t a conference, it is a brainstorming sessions. And tell them to be here in ten minutes. Also, give Stacey a call to send some snacks,” he said.

  “Okay, Mr. Hawke,” I nodded and turned to leave.

  “Melody, I wanna see you there in ten minutes, too,” he called out after me.

  “Yes, sir.”

  I heard the phone ring as I opened my office door and walked quickly to grab the phone.

  “Ryan?” I breathed out.

  “Umm, hi Melody,” he chuckled.

  “I asked Mr. Hawke and he wanted you all to be here in ten minutes,” I told him.

  “Oh, great! I’ll gather the crew as fast as I can.”

  “Yeah. Don’t make him wait. See you later,” I said, ending the call.

  I noticed the post-it under the phone and thanked the previous assistant silently. Stacey’s number was noted there.

  “Hi! It’s Stacey from Hawke Architecture,” she chirped to the line.

  “Hey,Stacey! Can you send some snacks to the conference room in ten minutes max? Mr. Hawke is about to have a meeting with the design crew.”

  “Consider it done, Melody. Also, congratulations on the new job. I knew you’d get it.”

  “Thanks, Stacey! See you around,” I said, shutting the phone.

  Grabbing my notepad and tablet, I walked out of my office at the same time the elevator door opened. Six people got out of the cabin and headed toward the conference room. One of the guys stayed behind and walked to me, smiling.

  “Melody? I’m Ryan Derrick, we talked on the phone. Congratulations on your job,” Ryan said. He reminded me of Michael Scofield from Prison Break –buzz cut hair, clean shaven face, blue eyes. He had black glasses on as an addition.

  “Thank you! Nice to meet you, Ryan.”

  “Are you planning on joining us, Miss Crown and Mr. Derrick or are you enjoying yourselves over there?” Kellan scowled, passing us without a second glance.

  Kellan was shooting daggers at me when I entered the room, why I had no idea.

  “Okay, ladies and gentlemen… let’s start. We are at that time of the year again, Christmas is two months away and we need to find a charity to design and build for. This isn’t a conference, this is a brainstorming session and I’m expecting you to come to me with ideas. Five minutes… think, everyone! And at the end of that five minutes, I’ll hear different ideas from each one of you,” Kellan urged the crew, walking around the table.

  For a few seconds people looked at each other with confused expressions, but my focus was on Kellan. He turned his back to the crew, but from where I was I could see the side of his face. His eyes were focused on the distance, his hands were in his pockets and his back was straight. He looked like the most powerful man on earth at that moment, it fascinated me.

  Then, I remembered his speech. Was he designing and building for charities every year? How cute and thoughtful was that? Under that hot, asshole persona he had a big heart. That fascinated me more, causing tingles on my body.

  “Five minutes up! Let’s hear the ideas,” Kellan turned to face the crew.

  “How about a shelter for dogs?” Ryan started with the first idea.

  “Good… next?” Kellan made eye contact with others.

  “I was thinking of a mansion for homeless people,” a girl offered. Her strawberry blonde hair, freckles on her cheekbones and nose, she looked so beautiful and pure. Her suggestion showed how kind her soul was, but if that wasn’t enough her features were highlighting it.

  “What was your name?” Kellan asked.

  “Susan, sir.”

  “Good, Susan. Very good… and the weather becomes colder,” Kellan nodded.

  “A rehabilitation place for addicts, maybe?” another girl offered.

  “There was a childcare in my street… a place that took care of the children who experienced violence in their family. But the building was so old the rain affected it badly a few months ago. Now, the children are staying in a big saloon because the ceiling leaks. This is a small charity so they don’t have enough funds. How about we build a new place for them?” a guy suggested. I was so touched with all the suggestions, but this one won me since it was about children.

  “Tyler, right?” Kellan asked.

  “Yes, Mr. Hawke.”

  Tyler was a mix, half black half white, and one of the most enchanting men I could think of… like this wasn’t enough he had the biggest heart, I could feel it with his passion about the suggestion.

  “This project… we’re focusing on this. If we can’t fix something close to us, we can’t make a change outside. Great work, Tyler. You’re the head of this project. Everyone, help Tyler, make those children have the best. But… I want you to work your own suggestions as well. Every idea you made today was great and we will do everything in our power to make those happen. Now… get to work, everyone! You have fifteen days to show me this childcare project,” Kellan said and turned to leave the conference room. Everyone grabbed their snack plates and drinks since the lunch time passed. I grabbed Kellan’s and mine before following him to his office.

  “We didn’t eat anything,” I murmured as I put his plate on his desk.

  “Thanks,” he looked surprised and amused at the same time.

  I was planning on going back to my office when he said, “Have a seat.”

  Being in his presence was heating up my whole body, I couldn’t help but remember how amazing he made me feel that night. Working with him also meant that I was about to know him better and with each passing second he fascinated me more. I wanted to stay away, hide in my office, but instead I did as I was told.

  “Tell me about yourself,” he said out of the blue.

  “Umm… I’m twenty-three,” I started, but he shook his head, “I don’t want the things I’ve read in your file. Tell me why you chose to be an architect?”

  Taking a sip from my orange juice, I thought of my answer, “It was always my dream. I haven’t thought of having another career but being an architect. I think because of my father. He always brought me model buildings to build when I was a kid instead of bringing me dolls,” I smiled fondly at the memory.

  “Sounds like a good father,” he murmured.

  “He was…”

  “Was?” Kellan frowned.

  “Yeah… he passed away seven years ago. A brain aneurism… it was so sudden,” my voice cracked at the end.

  “I’m sorry.” He sh
ocked me by touching my hand, slowly drawing circles on the back of my hand. I just smiled at him.

  “What do you do in your free time?” Kellan smirked at me, changing the subject.

  “I’m a volunteer in a shelter. We provide dinner for homeless people, every night two volunteers from the shelter are responsible of that. Twice a month at least I try to be there. Also, I read. My best friend is an editor and sometimes she needs a second pair of eyes to decide which book should be published. I’m not an interesting person.”

  “A helpful nature, hmm? How noble…” Kellan winked at me.

  “Not noble at all… just the things I love to do,” I shrugged before asking him, “What about you? What does successful young CEO do in his free time?”

  “Successful, young, handsome, and sexy as hell, you meant?” he quirked an eyebrow. I started to like his cocky playful attitude.

  Giggling, “Yeah, whatever,” I said, rolling my eyes.

  “I paint.”

  He painted? I wanted to see his art, like his paintings could give me an idea who this man was. But I stopped myself from asking that, instead I giggled, “C’mon, is that all? Don’t you have some weird expensive hobbies?”

  “I don’t have a Red Room of Pain if you’re curious about that,” his cocky grin found its way onto his face again, but he continued before I could reply, “I don’t know if it’s weird, but I have a thing for special, limited edition things...”

  “Like your car?”

  “Yeah… like my car,” he nodded, licking his bottom lip, eyes blazing, causing me to blush without reason. I bit my sandwich as an excuse to look away from him and was relieved when he changed the subject, “So you’re living with your best friend?”

  The rest of the evening we did nothing but talk to each other about everything and nothing in particular. He was really fun to be around. His passion for architecture was undeniably obvious, but not only for architecture, he was passionate about everything in his life –his work, his hobbies.

  When he noticed the time, I’d already forgotten that he was my boss and I was his employee. I was back to that night, we were just a man and a woman again. This was dangerous.

  “It’s late. Are you hungry? Do you want to join me for dinner?” Kellan asked as he stood up from his chair.

  Like a date?

  I shook my head at the ridiculous idea. I was afraid of making a fool of myself if I stayed longer.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’d better go home. I have plans with my friend,” I managed to say and I was glad I didn’t jump on his offer when he only shrugged.

  The next morning when I was back in my office, continued to read the files, taking notes about them and my ideas, I didn’t realize how the time had flown by. I didn’t even see when Kellan came in, but he gave me a call a few hours ago to say that he was working and he didn’t want anyone to bother him.

  So we were back to that… cannot-be-bothered-Mr.-Hawke, I sighed, but focused on finishing the files in front of me.

  When I was done it was already lunch time -or I assumed it was- since that was my first official work day. I didn’t know what to do, working in an isolated floor with do-not-bother-me-Mr. Hawke was making me nervous. It was like being in detention at high school; the only problem was I didn’t know when my detention would end. Yesterday afternoon was pretty good, though. He was so fun I hoped that side of him would be back soon.

  I stood up from my chair, smoothing my skirt, taking a deep breath and relaxing my tired neck muscles as I tried to gather enough courage to see Kellan Hawke. He was my boss and I had to give him a heads up before figuring out what to do and where to go for my lunch break.

  With a straightened back I walked toward his office. The clicking sound of my heels was giving me confidence. Knocking the door, I didn’t wait for his reply in case he would be an asshole and tell me to go away.

  “I don’t remember giving you permission to come,” he said, roaming his eyes over my body from head to toe. His voice was full of innuendo.

  “And I don’t remember asking permission to come,” I said, quirking an eyebrow at him with a slight smile on my face.

  “Hmm… no, I don’t remember, either. But I remember your begging for other things,” he smirked, undressing me with his eyes.

  His words caused throbbing between my legs, reminding me how awesome he made me feel that night. But I couldn’t keep feeling like this for him, he was my boss for fuck’s sake. I tried to hide my arousal behind my anger, “Will you just shut it? Because if you continue this shit I will just leave your arrogant, sorry ass here to find a new assistant!”

  “Watch your language, Miss Crown. You need this job as much as I need an assistant. Now, before you say anything you will regret later, go to the cafeteria, eat your lunch and bring me a French toast with an iced tea,” he said, slowly, dangerously, and as a challenge or me to say anything.

  I didn’t.

  He was right.

  He could find another assistant easier than it would be for me to find a new job.

  I needed this job.

  I had student loans, apartment rent I need to help Rebecca pay. This wasn’t just about me. I couldn’t continue being a burden to anyone.

  Taking a deep breath, I left his office, satisfied with the loud voice the door made.

  He said cafeteria and I had no idea where it was. I headed to the reception area, looking for Stacey. Since she was the first person I’d met here I thought her like a friend already.

  “Melody?! I couldn’t congratulate you in person yesterday. How was your first day?,” she came up next to me, giving me a hug.

  “Thank you! It was good, but I already have lots of work to do,” I laughed.

  “I can only guess. He is a workaholic, moody asshole, but hot as hell,” she said dreamily, but hit her forehead before adding, “I shouldn’t have said any of these about the boss, right? Am I in trouble?”

  Laughing, “If you can show me where the cafeteria is and keep me company for lunch, I think you’re pretty good,” I said.

  “Hell yeah! New friend, me likey!” she clapped her hands and linked her arm with mine as she guided me.

  The cafeteria in the Hawke Building was like a fancy restaurant, only it was self-service. Stacey and I got burgers and fries as she told me about the company.

  “Most of the people in here, the design team mostly, are fun to work with. They are like those artistic nerd types in high school, you know? The business side of the company, like finance, law department, they can be a pain in the ass sometimes with their big egos, but they are generally good people. So you’ll be fine.”

  Nodding, “How long have you been working here?” I asked.

  “Two and a half years if you count my internship. I was an intern on Mr. Hawke’s floor, helping his assistant back then. But as you can guess, I’m not so good with the formality, I’m too friendly for that kind of uptight behavior. So instead of kicking me out Mr. Hawke transferred me to reception area to welcome the guests. Win-win situation if you ask me,” she said.

  “Seems like a pretty wise decision. You make a really good first impression for this company.”

  “Aww, thanks Mel! But I don’t think the company needs a better impression than the road of pride.”

  “The road of pride?”

  “Yeah, you must have noticed the road you came here on. Both sides were full of extraordinary buildings, remember? All of those buildings… Mr. Hawke’s masterpieces… like he is forcing his guests to take a tour in his art gallery, you know?”

  “Wow…” I was speechless. He must have more talent than I gave him credit for.

  “I know, right? Well, you tell me about yourself,” she said and for the next fifteen minutes we talked about each other.

  Stacey was four years older than me, even though she looked like the same age as me. She graduated from the same college and that gave us more common things to talk about. But no matter how much I enjoyed our chat, I was aware of t
he time so we said our goodbyes for now and I bought Kellan his lunch.

  The moment I was out of the elevator, a shattering noise made me startle, cursing followed it. I wasn’t sure of going in his office, but I hurried my steps anyway. Tentatively, I opened the door and came face to face with the chaos.

  Kellan was sitting in an armchair in front of his desk, his head was in his hands as he leaned down with his elbows on his knees. The files, the papers on his desk were everywhere; his study lamp, cup, and a vase were shattered in pieces on the floor. But my only focus was on him, he looked so vulnerable, rocking back and forth on his chair, I wanted to console him for whatever was bothering him. His hair was messy just like that night and I could feel its softness on my fingertips. This was my weakness… the romantic in me was sucker for these kind of things. The very moment of a very powerful, grumpy and moody asshole turned into someone weak, in distress. That romantic super woman in me had the urge to protect, save and fix him; I couldn’t help but sit on the arm of the chair. Putting the tray on the coffee table in front of him, I hesitantly touched his hair before whispering, “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he whispered back.

  I snorted, “So this is how you work when you have a project, hmm? You create chaos in the middle of the day? Good to know since I am working for you.”

  “Funny little thing, aren’t you?” he said sourly, but I caught a ghost of a smile on his face.

  “C’mon… tell me what’s wrong.”

  “I’ve been working on this project for two months… yet I have nothing to show for it. And in one week, I have a meeting with these guys, I need to show them something. But for the first time in my life I can’t draw or think of any ideas,” he explained, the frustration was clear in his voice.

  “Oh my goodness, was that the reason for this destruction?”

  “Sorry, if the downfall of my career wasn’t important enough for you,” he snapped.

  “Will you stop being a Debbie Downer? I saw your small art gallery as I drove here, okay? I saw your talent, you have nothing to be worry about. You just need to brainstorm, find an idea and start to draw, got it?” I told him confidently, I really believed in his talent.