It's Not Rocket Science

Chapter 4

"Hi, how has your summer been?" Lisa asks as she walks into my small office.

She looks around, surveying the place. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Like I should have vacuumed beforehand. Or at least put away my leftover lunch box which sits beside my laptop. 

"It's been good."

"Good." She sits down in the only extra chair in the room. Honest, it's the only one that will fit. Lindsay has sat in it too many times to count. She likes to grab coffee then sit down and chat in the morning. It is a great way to ease into the workday. But I don't know what Lisa is doing here. She is a rare bird around here. I haven't had enough interactions with her to know what her personality is like. 

We stare at each other for a moment in silence before she clears her throat. "So are you settling in alright?"

I nod. "Yeah. It's been good." 

"Good."

More silence. 

Does she expect me to say something? What should I say to her? Something that isn't stupid. "I like you're shoes," I blurt out. 

That wasn't stupid, but it wasn't smooth either. Why does she make me so nervous, more than Lindsay. It must be the silence. 

She looks at her shoes then back towards me. "Thanks. They are comfy and I need comfy shoes here on campus."

"I'm learning that. Even just walking this building is a workout." 

She smirks. "Yeah, it can be." 

She doesn't sound too impressed. Maybe she works out more. 

More silence. 

"Have you made any connections with other departments in the building then?" 

I nod. "Yeah. Mik. I met her in the copy room." 

"Ah, Mik. She's works upstairs for Goerg. I think she's the executive assistant for her."

Her? Georg is a girl? I need to make a note of that. There have been so many names thrown around here since I've been hired that it's hard to know who is who.

"Speaking of which, I think she's in. Can you run this up to her?" she asks as she hands me a small, wrapped gift. "It's a present for her birthday. Just a pair of earrings I picked up in Spain last week," she goes on to say. 

"Just making sure, it's for Georg, not Mik," I say.

She chuckles. "Yes, it's for Georg."

"How was Spain?" I ask, trying to make conversation. It feels a little awkward but I try.

"It was lovely. But I go nearly every year. A friend of mine owns this castle and invites us to visit."

"That must be amazing." Having rich friends must be amazing. I have James and that's only a taste of wealth. 

"I really shouldn't complain but the flight is long to get there. If only he lived a little closer." She gives a sigh. "Anyhow, I have to go to a meeting. It was good talking." 

She stands from her chair then wanders out of the room, leaving a trail of fruity perfume in her wake. 

I glance at the gift and wonder what these earrings look like. She looks like a classy lady with her black hair slicked back with a black dress. 

I only wait a few minutes until I decide to find Mik. There is no use asking Lindsay as she is working from home. Plus, I don't want to look clueless in front of her. This should be an easy task. Something that I should know. How hard can it be?