Meet Up

Slightly disappointed the young man in the coffee shop hadn't called yet, I marched over to my desk and sat down in my black leather chair. Stretching my legs out under the desk and leaning back in the chair, I surveyed my office whilst fiddling with a gold engraved pen. The wall with the door was empty apart from a piece of artwork I wasn't even sure if I liked. The wall had been wallpaper though in a subtle grey print. The left walk, was a wall of dark shelves and cupboards. The top half of them were mainly square holes with books and files. In my the bottom half though were drawers and doors, behind and in of which was the more official filing system. The wall opposite the door was not a wall at all but a window instead. One large glass window, giving me a large view of the city.

Some days I really appreciated the view, taking in all the building and the peak of sky above them. Other days though, they all just seemed like a sea of gray concrete towers. Today, I quickly looked at the variety of buildings but mostly noticing the sky. It was a vibrant blue with very few clouds and the sun was beaming. It looked like a lovely day but having been outside a couple of times today, I knew that wasn't the case and the autumn weather was very chilling and windy today.

The right wall of my office was painted in a deep red. Various picture frames littered the wall in no particular pattern. In the corner closest to the door, my right wall hid a a closet where my coat and other things hid away in. My oak desk then sat in the centre but slightly more towards the right side. Two dark leather chairs sat in front of my desk for my clients and on my desk sat a computer, lamp and three gold pens.

I was quite proud of my office but it wasn't really mine. Well it was mine in the sense I owned it but there was nothing sentimental or anything that meant something to me. Even the pictures the hung on the right wall had no meaning as they were just fancy prints that matched the decor'.

A knock on my door awoke me from my thoughts and I sat up straighter. "Come in." I called. The door then opened slightly and my father stuck his head in. "You busy?" He asked, concern hidden in his voice.

"Always." I replied standing up. "But I can make time for the great Jack Williams." He laughed entering my office more, closing the door gently behind him. I walked over to give him a hug and he kissed me on the cheek before holding me at arms length. "You look stunning." he said after quickly looking at me. I rolled my eyes, shrugging him off. "You say that everytime."

Dad laughed at that as he took a seat in one of the chairs across from my desk. "That's because it's true every time." I took my seat and smiled at him. "Maybe." I said screwing up my nose. "So what can I do for you?" I questioned. Dad wasn't the kind of person to just pop in and visit. He always came with a reason. He shook his head, smiling weakly. "Nothing." He said simply.

"I just miss the place," He paused for a minute and I understood. Working so hard for this place is a great achievement and mum and dad built the company from scratch. He had retired in the past ten years and missing it was always expected.  Dad looked at me suddenly remembered I was there. "And your mother with the wedding," He inhaled sharply. And I gave him a sympathetic look. "Well, Im glad to see you, but why are you really here?" I questioned, tilting my head and squinting my eyes at him. He chuckled lightly at me.

"I'm worried about you." I sighed. "Why?" I asked now a little annoyed. "Darling, I retired nine years ago and you took over, which I am very proud of you for, but you're working way too hard!" He sat up straighter and lent forward slightly. I stood up and walked around to the window. "Dad, running this place isn't easy. You of all people should know that." I now had my back to him as I stared out at the city. "I know, but your four, nearly five months ahead. You're overworking yourself. You should spend more time doing other things." I spun around.

"Like what?" It came out sharper than I had intended but Dad was the only person who had always understood my dedication to the work. "Take up a hobby, read a book, you have a boyfriend, spend some more time with him. You must barely see him with all the hours you're putting in" He shrugged and had a guilty look on his face. Mum must have sent him. Especially with the comment on my boyfriend. My non-existent boyfriend. "We see each other. He's a businessman to though." I cringed at my lie. There was something about lying to my dad I hated. I mean, I didn't love lying to my mother but I had never really lied to dad until I had told my parents I have a boyfriend.

Nine hours, four coffee's and six meeting later, I gave up for the day.I was very tired and it had got to the stage where I was moulded into my chair. Standing up, I stretched, then shut my computer down, shoved some accounts and contracts into my bag, before heading to the bathroom quickly. When I returned to my office, I noticed Ellise was still here as her computer was still logged on. Looking around for her, I spotted her at the photocopy on the other side of the room. If any one worked as many hours as me, it was her. After pulling on my coat and grabbing my bag, I came out of my office, to find her at her desk again. I wished her good night and told her to go home. "I will very soon." She promised. "I just like to stay till you leave, in case you need anything." I smiled at her gratefully. "Thank-you, but it's time to go home. Night."

I came back from my thoughts to see my dad staring at me oddly. "Are you okay?" I sighed and nodded. I couldn't tell him the truth. "Fine. I'm fine." The look on dad's face said he didn't believe me but I ignored it. "And you can meet my boyfriend at the wedding of the century." I strode over to my shelves at picked up this months accounts and a contract for one of the magazines we published. "I heard." Dad said as I returned to my desk, plopping myself in my chair fairly gracefully. "You've obviously got work to do," Dad said getting my attention. I looked up to see him standing. "But don't let your mother or sister get to you. And If I get to you, I'm sorry." Dad looked sincere and I couldn't help feel ashamed of my rudeness. "Sorry, I am surviving though aren't I?" I said shrugging. Dad smiled, "Yeah, you are. Love you." He said as he let himself out, not even giving me a chance to say goodbye.