The Mysterious Mr. Black

1

Chapter 1

Who in their right mind would not staple, bind, or clip a 400+ pages of annual report? Because of that I have to arrange the pages that my boss have jumbled.

I had only arranged the first 20 pages of the report when the intercom buzzed again.

"Flynn! Where's my godamn coffee?" Mr. Black demanded. Oh no. I totally forgot! It's 9:00 and it's time for his morning coffee.

"In a minute sir." I replied and I immediately went straight for the elevator. Gosh darn. I lost track of time! The coffee shop is just in front of the building but it would take me 10 minutes tops to get the coffee and return to my office.

Once I reached the ground floor, I sprinted towards the coffee shop not minding all the honking of the cars that I just passed.

"Hey! Get in line!"
"Bastard!"
"Wait for your turn you spoiled corporate brat!"

That was just some of the insults I heard from the people in line. I am not actually used to cutting in line but my needs are bigger right now.

"The usual coffee for Mr. Black." I said to the crew. He nods and started to brew. The workers already know how to make Mr. Black's coffee. They have been making the same coffee and giving it to different assistants for years. That's why they understand my need to cut in line.

I am soaking wet once I reached our floor. It looks like I just took a shower from all the sweat that is dripping down my forehead. All heads are looking at me now like they're watching an interesting movie. Am I on the climax? Is this the day I'm finally be fired?

"H-here's your c-coffee sir." My hand was shaking from stress and also nervousness.

"You're 12 minutes late." He answered  casually.

"Better late than never." I smiled even though he is not looking at me.

He did not reply. I don't know what to do. Should I give it to him or leave the coffee at his table? I honestly don't know. I was about to leave the coffee on his table when he spoke.

"Throw it." Wait. What? I frickin got this coffee for him. I wiped the sweat from my face hoping he would notice my hardships in getting his coffee. "Didn't you hear me? I said no longer need the damn coffee."

Fine. He's the boss.

"Yes sir I understand." I went out of his office with the coffee in my hand. Whatever. It's his money anyway.

--

It was already 4:00 but Mr. Black is not coming out of his office. That's odd since he was never been a second late to his meetings. I tried to call him but he is not picking up.

My fingers started to tap the table. He's gonna be late for his meeting. Clearly something is wrong.

I've made my decision and that is to barge in his office even though he warned me not to go there without his permission. I don't want to be blamed if he'll be late for his meeting.

I've knocked but still there's no answer. That leaves me no choice so I pushed the door slowly and peeked inside

Mr. Black was leaning on the table. I was worried at first but then I realized that he was just sleeping. Okay. This is awkward. How do I wake him?

I stood beside him and it was the first time that I saw him without his cold demeanor. It was like he's just a normal guy. A different man from my stoic boss. I never wanted to wake him but I'm gonna face hell if I didn't. And so, I started to poke him in the arm but he's still sleeping. I'm still thinking on the way I'm gonna wake him without pissing him off.

"Sir..." I shook him slightly and he opened his eyes.

"What time is it?" He asked me and he was back. The frosty Mr. Black.

"Uhmm." I looked into my watch and replied, "It 4:05 pm sir." I smiled hoping that he will not get mad at me again.

"Fuckin Christ! This is what  happens when I miss my morning coffee!"Sadly that was just wishful thinking. "We only have 25 minutes left. Why only now?"  He's now fixing himself and started to stand up. "Hmmm?" He was looking at me straight in the eyes but I cannot respond since I felt my throat closing up.

"I-I tried calling you sir but I cannot reach you" I stammered. "I-I thought you were busy and I couldn't go into your office since you ordered me not to come without your permission sir." I attempted to return his stare but something about his gaze makes me feel like my soul is burning.

Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc.

Silence. He's not saying anything. Why won't he say anything?

Tic. Toc. Tic. Toc.

He just grunted and started to walk away. I was left catching my breath. His intensity is just extreme. Once I recovered from his death stare, I trotted my way outside and followed him. He was already in the elevator. Mr. Black saw me but instead of stopping the elevator he pressed the close button. Luckily I caught up with him and slipped my fingers inside before the doors have closed. I can't tell you how awkward it is in the elevator. Nobody spoke a single word or even made a sound. The only sound that you can hear is  the sound of the conveyor descending.

I don't know if it's my imagination but I can see that he was looking at my reflection.  Our reflections was distorted by the metal door but I can feel that he was still staring at me. It was only when the doors that opened that I was interrupted from my reverie. As usual he went out first and I was left following him like a loyal dog.

His driver was already waiting and he opened the door for Mr. Black before going to the driver's seat. I sat in front of Mr. Black and my suspicion was confirmed when I noticed that he was still staring at me. What the heck is his problem? I kept my head down to avoid the stare of death but it was just damn annoying because I can feel that he's still scrutinizing me. I decided to confront him but the moment that our eyes have met, I was taken into a new dimension. I lost my senses and my ability to speak has been taken away. A familiar memory was coming back to me. It's funny because the moment I looked into Mr. Black's eyes I involuntarily remembered someone from my past that I buried into my memories a long time ago. 

It can't be possible because they are not the same person. But I don't know why some shrouded memories are starting to resurface.