Friday
The past two days have gone by smooth. Employees coming to my office to discuss different financial issues and decisions they want addressed in the meeting today. Ariyah and I have casually flirted back and forth, which has not gone unnoticed by Isiah. He still thinks tomorrow is going to go bad but I don't. We're all friends. Well aside from Crystal and Isiah but honestly I think he's warming up to her because she hasn't screwed me over 'yet' according to him.
Now I'm in the break room fueling up on coffee for this meeting. I do not want a repeat of Monday, especially since they'll be expecting reports from me.
"Taking my advice I see." Crystal says from behind me with a chuckle.
I turn to her with a smile. "Was never a fan of it honestly but if it'll help then I'll take it."
"You'll do great today. I'm looking forward to seeing you present. You don't have stage fright right?" She asked concerned.
I shook my head. "Not anymore. I used to because in school everyone would make fun of me because I was a 'nerd' who thought she knew everything but once college hit and I was top in my class every year, I was praised and got more confident."
She smirks. "And confidence looks sexy." She says seductively and then walks out.
The sound of a throat clearing makes me turn to the door. "She likes you. She's usually a bitch to everyone but with you, hm." Ariyah says going towards the coffee maker.
This is the first time me seeing her today. Guess she got here early. And my does she look sexy. Her usual flowing curly hair is pinned up to messy bun, some strands going down the frame of her face, she wears glasses oh my god, and her signature black pencil skirt and red button up tucked into it with black hills. Fuck.
She turns to me and smirks making me realize I've been caught checking her out and not even embarrassed by it. This woman is a fucking goddess.
"You see something you like?" She asks.
"Yes actually." I say boldly. Fully realizing what I'm saying. "You are gorgeous Ariyah." She blushes and turns her face to hide it behind her cup of coffee.
"Well thank you Alex. You look exceptionally handsome today as well." My eyes widen at her choice of words. It's always beautiful or gorgeous. I hear it from men and women but never handsome despite the fact I dress masculine all the time.
I'm wearing a 3 piece tan suit set. Tan pants, white under button up with the sleeves rolled up showing my tattoos and tan vest. My mid length curly hair is in a ponytail due to it not cooperating this morning and we were running behind. I think I look pretty good. I've been getting a lot of attention from the employees.
"Thank you. I really appreciate that." I said shyly.
"Of course. So are you ready for the meeting? We will be discussing the company trip. It'll be your first so get ready to budget ideas to be presented on Monday. It's the week before thanksgiving." She said in her boss voice.
"More than ready. I just hope I don't bore you with all the number talk." I say jokingly.
She laughs and it's the best sound in the world. "Oh I don't doubt I will. But I'll try my best to give you my undivided attention." She said getting closer to my face. Vanilla. "See you at 2." And she walked away leaving me flustered.
I walk back to my office and see Isiah leaning by my door. "What's up?"
He looks in my direction. "Hurry and open the door I need to talk to you." He said seriously. He has the 'you're in trouble' tone in his voice.
We walk in and I go behind my desk and sit down. "What did I do this time?" I ask annoyed already.
He closes the door and walks up to the front of the desk. "You got both of those women smitten over you Alex. This is going to go so wrong. You need to cease it before it gets out of hand!" He says pointing his finger.
I furrow my eyebrows thinking. "There's nothing wrong with casually flirting Isiah. It's fun. Besides neither of them seem to have a problem with it." I shrug.
He drags his hand down his face in frustration. "Look Lex. I'm letting you have your fun or whatever but eventually one of them is going to want more. Crystal talks about you daily in the break room and around the office like you're the angel sent above." I smile at that. "No! That's not a good thing Alex! She likes you. It's not just flirting with her. And don't get me started on Ms. Fallon. She's smiling Alex. Like Cheshire Cat smiling. She's usually scowling at everything even if you do a good job." I can't help but blush at Ariyah liking me as much as I like her.
"Well what do you want me to do?"
"I'm not here to tell you what to do Alex. You're an adult but the only reason I'm saying anything is because they're family and are close. And I'd hate for you to be the reason they aren't anymore." And with that he walks out.
I sink into my chair and groan. I guess loud enough for Ariyah to hear because she walks in from the adjacent door.
"I think I should lock that door." I say sarcastically.
She laughs. "Yeah well it's my building I have a key. But are you ok? I heard yelling." She asked concerned. I hope she didn't hear exactly what was said.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just Isiah being the big brother he is. Putting his opinion and advice in my mind. That's all." I say with a small smile.
"Anything I can help with?" She asked coming behind my desk standing beside me and her legs leaning against it.
I look up at her and swallow. "Um not exactly. Not yet anyway."
She smiles and nods. "Well, if it becomes too big of a problem I'm always here."
I nod. "I know. Thank you Ariyah."
She nods and grips my shoulder and squeezes it reassuringly but I think she just wanted to touch me. I don't mind it. I've been holding out touching her and Crystal due to the fact I don't want to lose control and do something that can fuck all this up and now with Isiah in my head I might continue to hold off.
She walks out closing the door behind her and I take a breath I didn't realize I was holding. That woman truly does something to me.
I get some work done going over accounts. And its 1:50 so I head down to the conference room. I make it right when Crystal walks in. "Hey gorgeous." I say behind her.
She turns to me with a big smile "Hi Alex. Are you awake?" She jokes.
"I might be tweaking a little bit from all the cups I had but I'll be fine." I say joking back and we get interrupted by Ariyah clearing her throat.
"Can we take our seats please so we can begin?" She says with that specific tone again like Tuesday.
We nod and sit down next to each other. I sit at the left of Ariyah as she sits at the head of the table and Crystal sits to my left.
As the meeting goes on I feel eyes on me. I turn to Ariyah and see her move her eyes quickly to the guy talking at the front. "Are you ok?" I whisper. She only nods not even looking at me.
I feel a hand on my left thigh that sends a wave of heat through my body to my core and I turn to look at Crystals hand holding onto it but she's not looking at me she's watching the presenter. "Is there a reason you're holding onto me?" I whisper in her ear. I can see her visibly take a shaky breath.
"Sorry." She says and removes her hand. And I sit back in my chair. Confused by both of their behaviors. Seems like I'm not the only one because Isiah is right of Ariyah which means he's sitting in front of me and he's eyeing me.
"What?" I mouth.
He lifts his eyebrows. "Later." He mouths back. And we go back to the meeting.
I successfully complete my presentation and Ariyah kept her promise of giving me her undivided attention. It was like she was watching me more than what I was presenting and it was flattering but made me a little nervous because she never once took her eyes off me.
After the meeting, Isiah and I walk to my office. "What the hell was that in there?" He whisper yells.
I have my hand on my head and leaning on my desk. "I have no idea. They're acting weird." I say confused.
"Weird? Alex." I look at him. "They like you and know the other does too. I told you this was going to bite you in the ass." He says pacing.
"Why are you so worked up by this?"
"Because this is a great job Alex. And you're first week your biggest problem is the fact that you are in a love triangle with the cousins of the damn company!" He sits down on the couch.
I walk over to him with my head down. "Do I end it with both of them?" I ask sincerely.
He looks at me when he hears my tone. "Do you like them both?" He ask. I nod. "Who do you like more?"
I look at him shocked by the question. "Im not sure. They're both great company. I've only had a personal moment with Crystal but that's not fair to Ariyah." I say shrugging.
"Ok. Tomorrow when they come, you'll figure out who sets that spark since it won't be in a professional environment. One might stand out more than the other and you'll figure it out." He said grabbing my hand for comfort.
"I wasn't trying to cause problems Sai."
"I know sis. It's ok." He hugs me. "I got designs to make so I gotta go but don't stress too much ok. It'll be ok." And with that he walks out but not before greeting Ariyah at my door.
I turn at her voice. "Hey."
"Hey. What can I do for you boss?" I say trying to joke.
She eyes me curiously but she shakes it. "Is there a certain attire for tomorrow? I don't want to overdress."
"Oh just come casually. Jeans etc. But bring pajamas just incase you decide to stay the night. Crystal already said she will be so it can be like a sleepover."
Her eyes widen and then dies a throaty laugh. "Oh ok. Definitely will do that. I gotta get some work done but I'll see you after work." She says not waiting for my response.
6 hits and Isiah says he's taking Malin home because her car is in the shop. "Great."
"Everything ok?" Ariyah asks from the main door. She must be done.
"Yeah. Isiah just can't take me home because Malins car is in the shop. So I have to call a Uber." I say picking up my phone.
"Oh I can drop you off." She offers quickly.
"Really? I don't want to take you in the opposite direction." I say.
She dismisses it. "It's not a problem. Besides I have to be there tomorrow anyway mine as well know where I'm going." She says with a laugh.
"That's true. Ok let's go I don't want to hold you." I say locking up and we head down to get truck. I open her door for her out of instinct and she looks shocked at first and then smiles giving me a small thank you.
We start heading to my apartment after I put it in the gps. It's a quiet drive but I like it. Her car smells like her. Vanilla.
"You like my truck?" She asks after seeing me trace the leather.
"Uh yeah it's sexy." I say.
"Well thank you. It's my baby. First purchase after I started the business." She said proudly.
"That's awesome. It's a great car. Truly."
"Why don't you have a vehicle? I'm sure you have your drivers license."
"I had a motorcycle but I got in an accident one night. I almost died. Drunk driver ran a red light and I crossed right when he came. But luckily it was the one night I had on all my gear. Isiah made sure of that. I had a broken rib that punctured a kidney but I'm fine now. My bike not so much. And honestly now I'm kind of afraid to drive." I explain reliving that day. My moms cries filled that hospital room like I was dead. And Isiah was talking to me the entire time I was out. I could hear him just couldn't respond.
"That's horrible Alex." She said concern. "Are you afraid of being in cars with other people driving?"
I nodded. "It's a spike of anxiety and panic but not as bad when I am. Don't worry I won't have a panic attack if you step on the breaks too hard. I deal with that a lot with Isiah." I say trying to lighten the mood but she still looks concerned. "Hey." I grab her hand on the clutch. She looks at me. "I'm ok." She nods.
We pull up to the apartment and I turn to her. "I really don't want to end the night with me telling you I almost died. That's kind of day killer." I joke. She laughs. Thank god.
"What did you have in mind?" She asked and her eyes glimpsed at my lips and back to my eyes.
"Come up. We can get to know each other some more. I won't keep you long though." I offer.
"Sure."