Unwelcome

There are many reasons why people are annoying to them. However, right this minute there was nothing more annoying than when someone sets a deadline and you can't do your part because you're waiting on theirs. Three days and he still hasn't shown up. Carter was a darling over a couple of days but there want nothing else left to do but wait. This was so infuriating. Especially when he told me my job was on the line for this.

I sat there in anguish wondering if this was part of his plan. I was more than annoyed. I looked at my laptop in anguish. I then heard the sound of the elevators. I was able to peer over the counter but I had a clear view. I watched how she seemed to hesitate at first. I don't she noticed me at all. I began asking for God's blessing because I knew from the first moment that she came through those elevators. I was in for a hell of a storm.

The first time we met I didn't know if I should like or dislike her. One thing that was clear was that damned attitude of hers as if she were so superior to you and that you were fortunate to even be sharing the same space as her. I thought it was a blessing not to see her around, but then I thought why hasn't she visited her husband? Then again, I didn't really need to know, except that she was trying to sneak past me.

Of course, Flowers wasn't here and for some strange reason, I think she knew. I don't know, maybe she would have been cool but really it was that pretentious attitude that held me back. If I had to admit she was good-looking, with long black hair that was immaculately kept, eyes that could make you feel guilty without you doing anything, and a hell of a trim figure. I could bet she knew it too and certainly showed in how she dressed too, with those expensive loose blouses and short, tight skirts to go with her presentable heels.

Why she was working here? Or even had an access key in the first place. Her husband is successful, yet absent. I rolled my eyes at the thought, I really don't want to know. It was bad enough that she was even here. She certainly didn't need to be here. Just by how she kept herself, I could imagine how she made sure everyone knew how wealthy she was and how great her life is. Now I had to deal with her foul temper and attitude as well. I was having a shitty day already, I really didn't need the added-on water-down liquor. I saw as she took aim for his office.

"Hello…," I stood up so she could see my presence. She immediately halted as if she was surprised to see me. She looked at me as if she was confused at first but quickly snap out of it.

"How may I help you?" I asked politely. She gave me a fake grin.

"Aha… your that girl from that meeting," she titled her head slightly. "What's your name again?"

"It's Soraya Harrison," I turned the smile. "Jules… Hayes, right?" I finished my words.

"Oh… Miss. Harrison." Funny how she pronounced it like it was a curse. I sighed. I won't let her ruin my nice, quiet day.

"So, how may I help?" I paused to look at Flowers's clipboard list of meetings, and I saw none. Though, I knew that already.

"I don't see you listed for any meetings today. Is there something I could help you with?"

"Oh no," she waved her hand at me. "I'm just going to my husband's office. I won't be long," she said as she continued to walk through his door. I gently ease myself around, blocking her just a few feet away from me. She paused to look at me as if I had done something wrong.

I knew my job and was pretty good at it, but I wasn't really hot on procedures and protocols. Clearly, I wasn't that ambitious, to intervene. But surely, I wasn't going to allow Flowers to hang me. I had gotten through the day and was happy to go home at five, and was even happier for the weekend with George. Since Flowers wasn't here no way I was going to her spoil it for me.

"Excuse," I said to her. "Since there is no meeting… and frankly no need of my assistant. I'm going to ask you to leave." Her face screwed and she hissed under her breath. This certainly seemed to throw her off balance and she looked with such vexation.

"Did you forget a few second moments forget who I'm?" she began, "You have no right whether or not I step into my husband's office. Clearly, he's not here and I don't need your assistance in getting what I want." She began walking around me and again I stepped in her line of view.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be cap… but wife or no wife. I'm just following strict formalities," I said, at her useless excuse. I guess my statement certainly took her by surprise. That her face turned red.

"Oh dare you! Hmph, so you're following that dried-up plant's instructions. If you are not careful, you might just drop half a pint full of regrets." She gave me a look at me with a mixture of revulsion and disgust that only made me feel more annoyed.

However, she did confirm my suspicions. She was definitely not allowed on this floor. A thought of reprisal flashed across my mind. Maybe I should let her pass me and sneak around his office for whatever she was looking for. Then I remember Flowers's viciousness I might or not have to contend with. Just to be on the safe side I need to resist.

"How funny," I said gazing at my stares elsewhere as if I was wondering.

"What's funny!" She said hot on her heels.

"I don't get paid to deal with this much turd," she gasped when I said this. "Maybe if you came around more often, maybe he would stick around." She came over to me shooting me more dirty looks, but I didn't care and I could care less at that moment.

"I could get rid of you this instant," she growled, but I had a feeling she didn't have any right. She was behaving big and bad for no good reason.

"Fancy… is it your reason for combing your hair like that," I smiled as I spoke. "So those horns don't show?" She chuckled.

"Carefully… these same horns don't come out without reason," She was a clever woman and I could see her mind turning over the possibilities and her options. However, I needed her to leave, before I burst.

Right there a then the elevator dinged and Flowers came rushing in. She immediately paused. Jules shot a menacing eye over her shoulder and further hissed under her breath. It was very obvious if you read the room, that she was very much unwelcome. Flowers seemed to hesitate in that instant. I couldn't tell me it was because of me or Jules.

"Aha, the door has opened. Maybe, if I throw a stick in there you'll leave?" I asked drawing her attention back to me. She was vividly pissed and Flowers's stance became more ****. She walked up to me, face to face. , and it didn't have any effect on me

"I'm really trying to see the best in people. But bitches like you make me want to stick to you," she quietly as she turned to face Flowers. "I guess you already training this one a few tricks already."

"Jules," I had never seen Flowers's smile vanish and her eyes narrow. "If I were you I'll leave. Before the stick goes up your ass." Jules walked up to Flowers, flashing her tail. She stopped right next to her before uttering to her.

"One day, I'll make it rain like lightning and thunder all up your asses." Flowers turned her face to look at her. She looked like would drag the woman by the hair and wipe the floor. She went to the elevator and disappeared.

Flowers turned to me as if she was apologetic and concerned. She seemed she was unable to speak, and I couldn't care less about that. I was more bothered by why he wasn't here to deal with his own problems. I couldn't believe this is what Flowers had to put up with and why on earth now I had to deal with it too. I walked towards the desk.

"Soraya, I… I can explain," I ignored Flowers's words. I grabbed the desk phone and handed it to her, She stood there trying to understand what was happening.

"Enter his number," I requested. Her eyes blinked between me and the phone.

"I'm not asking," making my intention clear.

*****

(Marcelo's POV)

*****

I sat there weighing the consequences, after what I just discussed with these gentlemen in front of me. These meetings were just mere introductions. Small and reserved, just to get things started just the way I needed them to be.

Then I felt my phone vibrating. I took it out, it was the office's phone line.

"Would you excuse?" I said as I stepped out into the lobby.

"Flowers, I'm a bit busy," I said.

"Flowers is a bit busy herself…" This voice wasn't Flowers. I listened carefully. "She just personally dealt with your mess, but I'm guessing that's always the case."

"What?" Honestly, I was a bit lost and stranded. Why was Soraya calling me? She didn't have this number, and the only way was for Flowers to give it to her. All of this was catching me off guard. "I hate when people use someone else like a drug. Always getting high, while we will fix all your problems. Do even remember our meetings, right? At least tell me you do." She continued.

I grinned. Was Soraya having problems already? I thought she could have handled it better than this. Flowers had informed me she had assisted her, with Carter's guidance. I thought it would at least give her some time to arrange a few things. Yet, something felt off. Where was this all coming from?

"I thought, you could manage. You don't need to feel bad, you could just admit defeat and I'll just get the assistance I need." I said, and I could hear her hissing breath.

"Well, I guess now I understand. Why everyone talks about you behind your back, it is more comfortable to do so. Why bother to face you?" She piqued my interest. She was on fire, a bit unheeding. The words she spoke were well intended for pulling a trigger. She was on fire. "But who said I was throwing in the rag though? If I did, wouldn't that just show how you've been making such incompetent decisions in the first place? And won't be classified as such, because of your ignorance,"

There was heat in her voice. She was pissing me off and I did not know in what way. Yet this argument started and seemed to now have escalated and it needed to be settled as soon as possible before unnecessary motives were established. Yet, I couldn't respond. Her temperament froze me.

"I guess it's no problem. I will get in the water and try to save what is left of it. Since your a bit… busy," her words shuddered at me.

"Who do you…" I heard the phone go dead. Did this woman just hang up on me? I looked at my phone screen unable to believe what had happened. This tic-for-tat exchange of words was a bit interesting at first, but now I was wondering if I should have honed this in from the very start. I ran my free hand through my hair. She was definitely a tornado, and she definitely spin and drop me off balance.

"Mr. Hayes, we waiting on you," I heard one of my peers existed to catch my action. I nodded with assurance. In all my time, I have had people call me out for my bullshit after I have driven them up a wall. However, I had never met someone who pushed my buttons like Miss. Harisson, and she wasn't afraid to address it head-on.