When Monday finally rolls around, I'm already ready for the weekend once again. I can't stop thinking about my little mermaid, or really, not mine. She's her own person, not an object.
Since leaving the club, I've been referring to Ariel as mine, which I know can get me in trouble. Not just with society, but also with Ariel herself and even my boss. Chandler wasn't exactly welcoming to my feelings towards Ariel, not at all. Mister Novak does have a good reason, I guess. It's not like I really know Ariel and during my initial infatuation, we hadn't even met. But now that we have, I'm hooked.
So, now I'm sitting at my desk, trying to edit a new game code. This is the part of the job I love, even if I'm so frustrated that I feel like yanking my hair out. No No Technologies is one of the leading companies involved in game development. Their first, or Chandler's first, game had really thrust the company up on the market. What started as a small hobby from inside Chandler's home had quickly become a well-known company. With the way the business is doing now, it won't be long before it is the leading company in this niche. For years already, No No Tech has already been swiping clients from other businesses and crafting contracts that are fool-proof.
The contracts created by No No Tech are really the glue of the place. Many new and upcoming developers are always looking for a place where their games can be hosted and No No provides that home. That's why the company has so many employees. Contracts have been drawn for years to come.
It's also why I'm not a normal assistant. While I do things like organize files electronically and get meetings prepared, I also build my skills as a coder and programmer. That's why this position is ideal. I don't feel like I'm being held back, not at all.
I'm a bit of a nerd for this place.
Pulling me from my thoughts, the phone rings. My stomach drops as my heart tenses. There have been very few times that the phone on my desk has chimed. Most calls could be easily transferred from Amy, so this just let me know that this call is much more important than a normal one.
"No No Technologies, this is Sutton. How can I assist you?" I speak into the phone, forcing myself not to stutter or pause.
"Hello, could I please speak with Chandler Novak?" a woman asks from the other end. Frowning, I wonder just who this is for them to have a direct line to me. If she's this important, she must also have a direct line to Chandler himself.
I clear my throat. "I'm sorry. May I ask who's speaking?" I question politely, planting a smile on my face despite the fact that it can't be seen.
"Sienna Emerson."
"Oh!" I exclaim, not meaning to break character. Again, I clear my throat and shift in my seat. I try to rack my brain to remember where I've heard this name when it hits me. Months before I started here, maybe even a year, Mister Novak bought out Emerson Tech. Of course, that used to be the company of Sienna Emerson's father. "Yes, Miss Emerson, I'll notify Mister Novak of your call. Hold, please."
With the hold on, I press the number one button. It immediately puts me through to Chandler, which is always convenient. This is the first time I've used the phone as I always just walk up to the door, but the thought is still there. It's always convenient. Especially today since Mister Novak requested all of his employees to use the phone instead of in-person visits at this time. Why? I have no idea.
"Yes," Chandler answers, his voice stoic as usual.
"Mister Novak, Sienna Emerson is on the phone for you," I mumble into the receiver. I'm not sure if my boss is in a bad mood or not.
"Thank you, Sutton," Chandler says before hanging up the phone. I look down at it before connecting it back to its dock. Though he doesn't say what to do, I process the transfer to his office.
Shaking my head, I can't help but wonder why Sienna Emerson is calling.
* * *
The weekend rolls around much faster than I thought it would. Because I've been so anxious, I figured the entire week would drag, since that's always how things work. But we had piled up work this week and it helped keep my mind off of a certain red-haired beauty. Now, I can't wait to get to the strip club so I can find her and talk to her again.
Packing my things up, I get ready to leave. The whole week, I have seen little of my boss. He's always been in his office or away somewhere. Despite my usual job of keeping up with his schedule, this week has been fair on secrecy and not strict on business. I don't know what's happening, but the few times I have seen him, Chandler has looked happy. It makes me less nervous. Happy boss equals happy employees.
With a sigh and a smile on my face, I pack the last of my things—my laptop—away into my brand new case, then hoist the bag onto my shoulder. Fiddling with it, I make it more comfortable then head towards the elevator. The building is emptying quickly as people rush to get home and start their weekend plans.
"Sutton!" Amy calls from her position at the front desk. I halt my movements, steps from the elevator.
Anxiously, I turn to face the peppy redhead. We have done little talking lately, save for when we would go for lunch. It's an everyday thing for us to have lunch at the little deli place. That's really the only chance we have to connect and socialize. For me, it's nice because I'm not as awkward and I don't feel obligated to hang out at any other time.
"Hey, still packing up?" I ask politely, a small smile on my face. I watch as Amy shoves her phone into her purse.
"Yes, can you wait for me?" She glances up for a moment before returning to her laptop. "I just need to power everything down, then I'm ready. How was your day?"
Shrugging, I lift a hand to run through my hair. I'll never admit it, but I've been thinking about another certain red-haired stripper. Especially not to Amy. That would just be awkward and painful for me to endure. I can already picture the terrible stuttering, shaking, and sweaty hands. Even the urge to vomit. Thinking about it now is causing a sweat to break out on my forehead.
So, I clear my throat and rub the back of my neck with wooden-like movements. "Fine. I checked over game codes to make sure they're good. Went to lunch with you, checked more codes. The usual, though. Nothing too special. How about you?"
Amy clasps her bag closed, then stands. She pulls on her black leather jacket and grabs her hair from under it. "Perfectly fine!" Stepping from around her desk, she hops over to me. "I wanted to know if you'd like to go for that drink now?"
Silently, I curse. I had hoped she'd forgotten about that and I had hoped she was content with our lunches out together. Apparently, she isn't, and she's been thinking about the drink all of last week and this one.
"Uh... Amy, I kind of had—"
"Please, Sutton!" she interrupts to beg. "All we have are the lunches and I definitely want to see how you are outside of work, you know?"
An involuntary sigh leaves me as I look away from Amy. It's on rare occasions where I truly wish I could change the way I react to people. Confidence to say no, more eye contact. I want to reject this invitation out, but I don't want to hurt her. My plans are—were—to go to the strip club once again to see my Ariel. I can't do that if I'm out with my coworker.
"Okay... but I don't drink and I'm not sure I'd enjoy the club very much."
Amy purses her lips as she steps next to me. Without another word, we begin walking to the elevator. "Maybe a bar then? I know some great ones where the food is good, liquor is cheap, and there's singing!"
Wincing, I think about how many people will be at the bar on a Friday night. Probably a ton and I'll most likely end up brushing shoulders with some random people the whole night. Lifting a hand to the back of my neck once again, I rub it to calm my nerves this time. My cheeks grow red as I think about ways to say no to Amy without hurting her feelings.
"It'll be fun! I promise," Amy assures, pressing her pink manicured hands against my arm. "How about this... if you still want to leave thirty minutes in, we can go."
Honestly, that sounds reasonable to me. I'll go, check out the place, then leave after half an hour.
I nod. "Okay, yeah, sounds like a plan."
Amy's response is a squeal as the two of us step into the elevator. It makes me wince and wonder what I've just gotten myself into.