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Nova

I slept through my alarm, and now, I'm going to be killed.

I didn't get much sleep last night- I stayed up over-thinking Roma's words about seeing Theo not being a coincidence.

I don't want to believe it- but the more I lose sleep thinking about it, the more I lose my ability to think clearly. This leads me down the rabbit hole of considering that maybe, just maybe, it's not just a coincidence.

It's not very enjoyable thinking like that, but like with many other things: I don't know how to tame my brain after it starts moving.

But, getting no sleep also leads me to sleep in late, which causes me to be late for my job. Just great!

I was terrified when I called Mae. There were only two ways for her to take it: either she got upset but said it was okay, OR she would get upset and fire me.

When I called, the phone only rang twice, my voice was shaking when I told her I was running late, but she was weirdly upbeat about it and told me to take my time.

I don't know what drugs she's on, but I'm not exactly complaining.

It still unsettled me because it was Mae and I couldn't tell if she was serious or not. I still rushed to get ready because the bottom line is- I am late for my job.

I took a quick shower, and when I got out, my phone was ringing. It was Roma, so I picked it up.

"Hey, Ro," I said as I dried my body.

"Hey, Babe," she greeted. "Are you at work right now?"

"No, it's me." I laughed, "I slept through my alarm."

"Mae is going to kill you- I hope you know that," Her voice was laced with humor.

I rolled my eyes, "You'll get front row seats at my funeral."

"Why would I want front-row seats at a funeral?" She asked. "You would just be lying there. Nothing interesting."

I laughed a dry laugh, "I find joking about my death quite amusing."

"Me too!" I could hear her grin.

I finished getting dressed and started brushing my hair.

"Was there a reason you called?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you didn't take what I said last night seriously," She said, "Although I don't take back what I said, I don't want you to overwork yourself."

I smiled. Roma knew me too well. I welcomed the warmth it brought me- knowing that someone cared enough to know my habits.

"Thanks, Ro. I'm not overworking myself over it," I lied.

She gave an incredulous, "Uh-huh."

"Fine, maybe a little," I said quietly.

She laughed, "You didn't even believe what I said!"

"I know, but it's like making me think about it in every way." I sighed.

"Here, let's make a deal." She proposed.

I stayed silent, not wanting to agree to anything before she spoke. Roma was very creative with her deals. 

She got Tony to stand in the snow with a bikini last Christmas when Tony lost a bet over gingerbread houses.

"If you see him again in the next three weeks, you can start worrying, but if you don't see him, I'll keep my mouth shut about it forever."

I knew there was no way for me to see him again anytime soon. The meeting was done, we didn't live close to each other- as far as I know, and we have two completely different careers.

"I can agree to that," I smiled.

We didn't talk for much longer. I said goodbye and got dressed.

My outfit consisted of an ivory baggy short-sleeved button-up with the first button undone, black high-waisted pants, and a brown faux leather belt. I threw on some gold jewelry, grabbed my stuff before walking out.

I chose to take a taxi because walking to the metro would take too long. I realized I had forgotten to grab a coat just as I exited my building and felt the rush of cold air circle me. Some of the trees on the sidewalk had paper pumpkin decorations- signaling the oncoming Halloween.

Orange leaves sat scattered across the sidewalk.

I hailed a taxi- surprisingly fast, and stared out the window for the entirety of the drive. I made small talk with my driver- an old woman who smelt like powdery perfume and answered her casual questions.

When we got to Emmerson, I paid and rushed into the building. As I was walking in, I saw a homeless man on the sidewalk. I felt bad because I didn't have any cash on me. If he was still outside by the time I had my lunch break: I would get him food. 

I greeted Amy and signed in.

"Nova, you never told me you were dating anyone," she said, watching me sign my name into her clipboard.

I gave her a weird look. Of course, I didn't tell her I was dating someone- why would I tell her something that's not true?

"I'm not dating anyone-?" I said.

She made a fake wounded expression, "I thought we were better friends than that."

Amy and I weren't closer than the average work buddies- she went to NYU and worked at Emmerson for side money.

I shook my head, "I don't know who told you I was dating someone, but they lied."

She smiled, "Enough with the theatrics- although you should get an oscar. Everyone in the building knows."

This is why I can't talk to theater majors. Who says 'theatrics' in an actual sentence?  

Who was telling everyone I was dating someone- what an odd rumor to spread at an office.

I gave her a quick smile and took my elevator to my floor. I felt confused and low-key scared about what Amy was talking about, but I tried to focus on something else. She probably just had a misunderstanding.

I don't do relationships.

When I stepped out, I immediately took notice of the number of heads that turned towards me. It unnerved me. I wasn't unknown at the office, but I also wasn't popular. Getting any attention definitely made my palms sweat.

I offered them wary smiles, but that didn't take away the curiosity that etched their features.

I could feel the heat rising to my face, so I walked faster to my desk. I wanted to set my stuff down before I talked to Mae.

Just as I turn the corner to my desk, I saw someone already occupying my chair.

My copy of It Ends With Us I had left at my desk was in their hands. Dark hair falling over their forehead as they read where my bookmark sat.

I clenched my hands. Was this why people thought I was dating someone? Because this idiot decided to come to my fucking job. God, I need a break.

I chose the latter- a few people watched me as I approached my desk. He didn't lift his head from the book until I tapped my finger on the hard surface- twice.

He looked up and gave me a dazzling smile, "How nice of you to finally show up to your job."

I grit my teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"This is a great book," He said, ignoring my question, "I read it a while ago."

I let out an annoyed sigh, "Answer the question."

"I was in the neighborhood and decided to tour some of the buildings." He gave me another smile.

I still felt the eyes of my coworkers on us as we spoke. "You wanted to tour a law firm?"

"I've been wanting to buy one," he answered.

Can he have one conversation without bringing up money?

"I still need a proper tour... if you don't mind?" He smiled.

"Right," I smiled a dry smile, "Let me show you the exit!"

"So hostile," tsks.

"So repetitive," I tsk, "Do you not have any other insults?"

"Who said it was an insult?" He asked, shifting to get more comfortable in my chair.

I pursed my lips. "Seriously, what are you doing here?"

"I had a meeting." He looks back down at the book.

The book is fucking upside down.

"Here?" I ask incredulously.

He innocently nods.

I sigh and set my stuff on the floor next to my desk before walking into Mae's office. She greets me with a smile, and that is how I know that the world is on some godly level of weed because Mae would never smile at me after I was late to work.

I warily look at her.

She gets up from her desk, revealing a baby blue pantsuit, and wraps her arms around me- pulling me into a suffocatingly tight hug.

Seriously, what in the name of baby Jesus is going on?

I awkwardly return her affection and just let the air be squeezed out of my lungs.

"I owe you the world." She says into my shoulder since I'm like 5 inches taller than her.

"What?" I ask.

She pulls back, hands holding onto my shoulders, "You got us the deal with Black Corporations!"

My eyes widen. The realization of what happened settled into me. Theo gave Emmerson the deal... and it probably had something to do with his relation to me.

"That has nothing to do with me," I told Mae. It was more to assure myself.

She shook her head, "I would love to believe that." She said. "But when your boyfriend- we're gonna talk about that-" She said, pointing at me- "Insisted that he would only give us the deal if we let you be part of the team that represents. I have to believe that it has something to do with you."

He did what!?

"I'm a fucking intern!" I whisper yell. "What does that even mean?"

"You would just attend all of the meetings, do some of the paperwork, and handle conversations with them."

"Why would you do that without consulting me?" I asked.

"You weren't here on time," She shrugged.

I groaned.

"He's not my boyfriend, by the way," I said, giving her a pointed look.

"I wouldn't complain if he was," She smiled. "He's rich and hot."

I rolled my eyes, "Those seem to be his only personality traits too."

She grins, "I love a good Enemies To Lovers trope."

I glare at her, and her smile widens.

"Take the deal, Scott." She says quietly. "It'll do good for you."

I shake my head, "I'm not letting him, of all people, hand me my success."

She sighs. "Look." She starts, "I don't know about your background with him, but he's doing good for you."

Wrong.

He's never doing good for me. This is his way of having something else to use against me- another chance to say, "You aren't better than me."

Mae sees my face and says, "You don't have to take the deal- I won't make you do something you don't want, but you should, Nova." She speaks, "This could make your career skyrocket."

I want that- if this was anybody else, I would have taken it, but it's him.

"Give me time," I say to Mae.

"Okay, but talk to him too."

I nod, give her a wavering smile and leave her office.

He's still at my desk, making conversation with a coworker named Henry.

Henry and I are close. He's probably the person I'm closest to, second to Mae. When I approach them, Henry smiles at me- his dimples showing through his ebony skin. Theo just looks at me.

"Nova, I got you coffee," Henry hands me a cup of hot coffee- he does this every morning, and I love him for it.

I smile and take it from him. I can see Theo clench his jaw. What does he have against my coffee?

I take a sip and set it down on my desk. I shoot a glare at Theo when he picks up the cup and looks at it. Is he studying my coffee?

"Nova, do you want to get lunch? I finally got my break back." Henry asks, leaning towards me.

"Yeah. I'll have to check my schedule," I give a pointed look at Theo- who is intently watching Henry. "I recently got new complications added to it."

Theo's lips twitch upward, but he covers it with his hands.

"That's fine, we can go tomorrow," Henry says, changing the placement of my necklaces.

I suppress a shudder at his touch. Henry has always been very touchy- I've just adapted to it.

Theo clears his throat, shooting a glare at Henry.

Henry gives me a smile and leaves, and Theo turns towards me. "Your boyfriend seems nice." He says.

Why is everyone so obsessed with my dating status?

"He's not my boyfriend," I take another sip of the coffee.

"So you act like that with everyone?" He takes the coffee out of my hands and sets it down.

Theo-

She shoots me a glare. Her crystal eyes scan over my face before breaking into a smile. "You're jealous."

She takes the damn coffee back to her lips. I grit my teeth. The Henry guy was too flirty- he made my blood boil.

"Why would I be jealous, Scott?" I take the coffee out of her hands again and stand up.

I'm taller than her by a lot, but she's not short. 

She takes the coffee, and I hold back a groan.

I take it out of her hands and set it further away from her. She rolls her eyes, and after a few seconds, she reaches for it again. I take it out of her hands and throw it into the nearest trash can.

"What do you have against that coffee?" She asks, taking her place in her chair.

She looks, so professional and it suits her- it always has.

I lean against the side of her desk, watching as she put things back to where they belonged- ruining my special organization.

"I worked hard on organizing your mess," I told her.

She let out a dramatic sigh without looking at me.

She pulled out some paperwork and started to read through them- her eyes sliding over each word with efficiency.

She looked so put together, but I could tell that me watching her was bothering her. Her hands shook every time she lifted them to turn the pages.

"Don't you have things to do?" She asked, still not looking at me.

"I do, but this is far more interesting," I said.

Her eyes shot up to mine. Nova Scott- always so temperamental.

After a few seconds, she got up and started walking. I, naturally, followed her.

"Did you tell people we're dating?" She asked casually.

I laughed, "Absolutely not."

"Then why have two people already asked me that?"

I shrug, walking to her side, "People love to assume things."

She nodded, walking up to a glass door. I reached above her head to push it open for her. She wordlessly slipped in. I felt so dumb- following this girl around her office, acting as her assistant.

We were in the mailroom. No one else was in there.

She walked to the other side, and I leaned against the wall- watching as she dragged her finger across the names, looking for hers. I let my eyes trace over her figure.

Her hair was scattered over her shoulders- it used to be longer. Her frame is small, but it suits her features. 

When she finds what she was looking for, she silently picks it up and turns toward me. She watches me like I'm her fucking prey.

"Why would you propose a deal that involves me when I'm not there?" Her voice is stronger than she looks.

I knew this was coming.

"I can't change my agenda because you slept in," I say.

Her face hardens. "I'm not taking it."

I nod.

She purses her lips.

"You wouldn't directly be working with me," I say, hoping it'll get her to reconsider. "You would be working my team of reps."

She bites the inside of her cheek. She lets me see into her thoughts for a split second before she closes herself back up and walks towards the door. I hold it open for her and follow her to her desk.

She sits down and wordlessly starts working again. "I liked the coffee," She finally says.

I look at her confused.

"The coffee you threw away." She clarifies.

I bite back a smile. "It didn't look very appealing."

"It tasted good."

"I'll bring you a better one tomorrow."

Her eyes look at mine, "You are not coming back tomorrow," She tells me.

"We'll see," I say.

"Theo Black-" She says- making my name sound like a death wish, "Get out of this office."

I shake my head, prop my elbows on her desk and rest my chin on my palm.

She groans and fake reads her papers while I study her features.

"Is the girl at the front desk single?" I ask, causing her to drop her head to her hands.

I'm only asking to annoy her. When I walked in, there was a guy at the front desk, so I don't even know who I'm talking about.

Nova-

He just asked if Amy was single.

What is wrong with him? I still don't even know why he's still here.

"Nope," I lie.

His face falls before he smiles again.

"What about her?" He asks, pointing to a woman named Zahara.

"She's married," I lie again. I don't even talk to her.

"Really?" He asks, suddenly very amused.

I nod, "5 years."

He bites his lip to hold back a smile. "Are you sure?"

"Mm-hm." I nod.

"Send my condolences to her husband, then, because she asked me out just before you arrived." He doesn't fight his smile this time.

I close my eyes and laugh a real laugh.

He still has his chin on his palm with a smile as he watches me. "You almost had me," He said.

"Almost," I repeat.

It's always almost and that the problem. I'm almost over him; I'm almost away from him; I'm almost done with the part of my life he was in. Then, I'm almost never correct.

I shake my head. "Just don't sleep with any of my coworkers, alright?"

"What if I did it without you knowing?"

I considered it, "Can I sleep with your coworkers?"

His smile vanished, "No."

"Then there's your answer," I tell him.

He rolled his eyes but didn't object. We didn't speak much after that.

He got a phone call and stepped away to answer it. I walked towards where we kept snacks and grabbed two bags of chips- one for me and one for him.

I shouldn't be nice to him, but he was here and something kept me from being rude right now. 

He was already leaning against my desk, talking to a girl. He smiled and brushed back her braids. She blushed.

I waited until she left to walk to my desk.

"I was gone for two minutes, and you already broke a rule," I shake my head.

He playfully narrows his eyes at me, "I didn't sleep with her."

"Yet," I say.

He rolled his eyes.

I hand him the chip bag, and he takes it with a confused look.

"We have a snack bin," I tell him.

He nods and just stands for a second before saying, "I have to go."

I nod, "Good."

He shakes his head, "I'll see you tomorrow, Ms. Scott."

"No, you won't, Mr. Black."

He doesn't say anything as he turns the corner and disappears.

I finish the majority of my work before my lunch break, so I open up my book and flip to where the bookmark is, but I see a 50 dollar bill with the note: Charity work for the day ;)

I hate this motherfucker so much. I wish I had opened the book earlier so that I could give him the money back.

I decided to give it back to him tomorrow if he comes, but then I get a better idea. I got ready to lunch with Henry, and when we walked out, I walked up to the homeless man from earlier and gave him the 50 dollars.

He thanked me with a large smile, and my heart felt at rest.

I had my own money, and Theo's money would be put to better use. Henry and I got a quick lunch, and when we returned to the office, I finished up my work.

Mae had asked me to grab a file from my desk, and when I reached for it- a yellow sticky note fell out.

I unfolded it and read: I think my hair looks healthier than your, - T.

I slid it into my pocket. For some reason, I didn't want to throw it away. I found others like that. They were all short and random.

I even found one with his number- I put that one on the back of my phone case.

By the end of the day, I had 10 sticky notes stuffed into my pockets and one in the