Getting Drunk At The Bar Part 1

"I can't handle this shit anymore!" I screamed as I slammed my hands on Mark's desk. Mark looked from his reports and smiled sweetly at me. "And what is this shit that you're talking about?" He questioned.

"I am talking about how you have been depriving me from doing any work!" I yelled through gritted teeth.

Mark really didn't lie that he wouldn't leave me alone after that incident with Snake, but he wouldn't let me do any work either! Every time if I would ask if there was something that I could do he would spew one of his lines such as "You only need to sit there and keep me company" or "Just drink your thee" or he would even just bluntly answer me with a "No".

I have been doing nothing this whole morning except for playing some mobile games and naming each hair strand on my head. I felt so utterly useless as if one of my purpose in life have been snatched away from under my nose. This man wouldn't even let me make my own tea for God's sake!

Mark propped his elbows on the table and rested his chin on the back of his hands. His crystal blue eyes blinked confused at me. "But why would you need to work when I can provide everything for you?"

'Did he really just say that?'

My feminist rage took the reign of my body as I narrowed my eyes at him. "Misogynist bastard! You can't be seriously saying that! You cannot make me depended on you!"

Mark stared at me silently before going back to his papers. "But I can." He stated calmly.

I glared at him in disdain, feeling my body shake in anger. "Then why did you even bring me here?" My voice hardened as I spoke.

"To keep a sharp eye on you." He said as he scribbled something down on his paper. "You somehow get yourself in trouble whenever I don't look, so I figured that keeping you by my side is better than leaving you at home."

I let out an incoherent sigh and ran a hand across my forehead. How can I get out of this? He obviously isn't planning to give in no matter what I say and-

I shifted my gaze to Snake who was standing behind Mark. It's not like I can just bold out of the room without being worried of getting caught by that two-faced jerk. I have to somehow convince Mark that letting me work is the best option.

I kept pondering for a solution and was able to think of something, but I am not sure if it was going to work. However, knowing Mark, it may be able to shake him even for a little bit.

Covering my mouth with my hand I let out a pretentious cough, trying to get his attention. Unfazed by it Mark didn't turn his attention away from his work. "I am not going to let you work." He said resolute.

I frowned forlorn, but didn't flatter and instead put my hands on my back and started to fumble around with my feet as I tried to give him the most innocent expression that I could muster. "I may start to like you more if you let me work~" I sang and glanced down at Mark, trying to gauge for his reaction.

His ear twitched slightly and his hand immediately stopped moving, leaving an inked dot on the paper. "What?" He said coolly, but a slight tremble together with curiosity could be detected in his voice. Which was what I wanted.

My mouth turned up a fraction of an inch. 'I've got ya!'

I cleared my throat and continued. "I find guys who know when to yield to their girl super attractive, you know. Especially when they give them the right amount of freedom."

The room fell silent as I waited for Mark to speak up. After what felt for eternity a heavy sigh could be heard from him as he placed his pen down, letting his fingers rake through his hair. "Fine" he muttered petulantly. "you can go back to your seat to…resume your work." His tone was stiff and surely as if it hurt him to even utter those words out loud.

My face broke out in a wide-spread smile. "Really!?"

"But!" He said as he held up his hand. My smile fell from my face. 'Of course, I should have sensed a 'but' coming.' "What?" I grumbled.

"We will leave work early, so make sure to keep your phone close so that I can get in touch with you."

I blinked confused. "Is that all?"

He arched his eyebrow. "Why? You want more?" He asked amused.

I shook my head vehemently, waving my hands urgently in front of me in refusal. "No!"

With a smirk Mark handed the written report over to Snake and picked up his pen to finish writing the others. "We still don't know where 'Snake' is hiding himself, so I don't want to risk getting ambushed by him when it is stark dark. Leaving early is the best option, also there are cameras hanging everywhere in this building so I will still know if you are about to do something idiotic." He explained.

'He just called me an idiot, didn't he?' I thought annoyed and couldn't control my face expression that was scrunching up disgruntledly. I turned around in my heels and waltzed out the door with the damned phone with me.

The chatters in the office ceased and I was met with pin-drop silence as I arrived in the office. Glancing nervously around me I could see many eyes being aimed at me, different emotions being carried in them. My female colleagues didn't try to hide their anger, envy, disgust and jealousy while on the other hand my male colleagues gave me a certain unsettling look.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Cher waving enthusiastically at me. I exhaled relieved, thankful that I at least had one ally and went to my desk, situating myself in my chair.

Letting my hands roam over my desk I couldn't contain my cheerful smile. 'I never knew that I would ever miss sitting behind this desk.'

"Hey A." Cher whisper-called me. I stuck my head out from behind my monitor, looking at Cher who had this mischievous smile plastered on her face.

I know that smile. I glowered at her. "Nothing happened."

"Uh-hu sure Miss 'I sit on my CO-CEO's lap while I drive together with him to work'." Her sarcastic words flowed out of her mouth slapping me in the face.

"Ugh." I groaned miserable as I hide my face in my hands. "It has already spread around, hasn't it?" Even though my sentence came out like a question it was more a statement.

Cher laughed at my pain. "You guys came in like a grenade, how can no one know by now?"

I shot her a glare past my fingers. "It's not funny Cher." I grumbled petulantly.

She smiled like a Cheshire cat; her teeth fully exposed. "You're right it's not funny. It's hilarious."

With a pouty expression I flipped her off and was about to start working until her voice which was freight with worry and concern managed to catch my attention.

"How is it going? The stalker still hasn't been caught?" Her voice became even softer and lower than before as she brought her head closer to mine.

With a cress fallen expression I silently shook my head. Cher hung her head low as she let out a heavy sigh, clenching her hands in to a pair of fists.

I smiled sadly, nudging her shoulder playfully with my fist. "He hasn't at least been sending me disturbing messages lately. Maybe living with Mr. Moore really solved it?" I chuckled lightly.

Cher's expression didn't lighten up as the whole stalker situation didn't sit her well. She hated how powerless she was and how she couldn't help me, especially because I kept refusing her help knowing that Mark won't be so nice about it. I really feel bad for deceiving her.

Cher's opal ring managed to catch my attention and I glanced down at hit. I simpered and took her hand in mine, giving it a slight squeeze. "How is it going between you and Brandon? Have you guys already set up a wedding date?" I queried, hoping to segued the conversation to something positive.

Cher's expression simpered as her eyes lit up in adoration as she gazes down at her engagement ring. She squeezed me back in the hand. "Everything has been going fantastic between us. We haven't been able to pick a date." She said. "I wanted to plan the wedding with my maid of honor, before picking out a date."

I felt a pang in heart, the guilt washing over me as I realized how I haven't been able to spend more time with my best friend. Ever since my life had been turned upside down, I haven't been able to spend as much time with Cher nor Brandon. Before, we would hang out at each other's places almost every day. We would have a movie night and eat junk food until we go into a food-coma, but now- now I don't even really see their faces anymore- I mean when was the last time that we went out and ate together?

Sadness clouded my features as I let out a lamenting voice. "We haven't hanged out in a while, have we?"

Cher smiled melancholy. "No."

I thought long and hard and before you knew my face expression transitioned from pensive to an enigmatic expression as I smiled broadly. "Then how about we go hit the bar tonight?"

Confusion overtook Cher's expression. "What? Really? Just us two?"

I smiled vindictively. "Let's drink with the team. We all deserve a break once in a while."

Cher nodded copiously as she squealed excited before she pulled out her phone to send a message around the department.

"Oh! And tell them that the CO-CEO will also be present, he pays." I added promptly.

And as if on que before Cher could say anything my phone went off. I pulled out my phone and looked at the screen to see that it was from Mark. I smirked and rose from my seat. "Sorry Cher, I have to take this call, be right back." I said quickly and excused myself.

When I knew that I was out of hearing reach I picked up the call. Before I could even place the phone against my ear, I could hear his pissed off booming voice.

"The fuck was that?"

I cupped my right elbow with my hand and placed the phone against my ear, smirking while I was leaning against the wall. "Exactly as you've heard I am going to drink with the team."

"Didn't I tell you that we would leave work early." He said lowly.

"Yes, you did, so how about you dismiss everyone from work early, so that we can start drinking early." I said smugly.

"Kitten," He growled warningly. "are you sure that you want to act this way-"

I cut him off using a weaponized word. "Freedom."

"What?" He asked incredulously.

"I really miss hanging out with Cher, with my colleagues- I miss having a normal life." My grip on my elbow got tighter as I could hear my voice slowly dwindle away. "You would really look awesome if you could allow me this bit of freedom." I said in a childlike voice, trying to thaw his will.

I could hear him groan from the other line. "I know what you're trying to do kitten and-"

"Please Mark?" I plead. "You'll be there too to keep an eye on me, that's why I said to Cher that you would also come. You don't have to worry if I will do something stupid as long as you're there and my phone will always be with me."

Worry started to enshroud me when I could only hear the silent static noise. "M-Mark?" I called hesitantly.

"…Fine." He grunts defeated.

"Really!?" I screamed in disbelieve before covering my mouth worried that somebody heard me. When I looked around and saw that nobody was paying attention to me, I brought the phone closer to my mouth and whisper-yelled,

"Really!?" I asked again.

Mark let's out an elongated sigh. "Yeah…I am weak to you when you plea to me like that. But you have to stay close to me, okay?"

I nodded callously. "Yeah!" As long as I could spent some time with Cher again.

We hung up the phone call and I walked back to my seat. I sat down and let out a breath that I didn't know that I was holding.

"April?" Cher Called. I hummed in response, still slumped down in the chair with my eyes closed.

"The whole team is going to attend." Cher said pleased as she showed me her phone screen, showing me the messages of all the people who had confirmed the invitation.

"Great." I asserted. Of course, they are all going to come when they hear that the CO-CEO will be present and will be paying. No way that they would let a chance like that slip by.

I smiled pleased seeing that the plan is going smoothly. The people will flock around Mark like new born chickens, keeping him busy while Cher and I can sneak away and have fun. That's the plan. And if he catches us, which he most likely will, we will just say that we were too drunk and got lost.

I smirked evilly.

'Let the drinking begin.'