Strictly Business!

Dave

"Lisa??" I let out while she struggled to get up and get her things.

"Wait… please… wait…" I quickly chimed in, trying to stop her but she wouldn't listen or stop.

"Thank you for your service, you're so kind." She retorted while I looked weird.

"Service? Let's talk please…" I said and then went after her.

Lisa didn't stop and before I got outside, she already hopped into a cab which zoomed right off. I stood there watching the backlights of the car thin out while I raked my hand through my hair.

I just made out with my new roommate, and as awkward as it is, I enjoyed every bit. She tasted like my favorite ice cream.

"Why did she have to ruin it and remove my mask…." I thought to myself as I fantasized the more about her.

From the moment she walked in with her friends, I've had my eyes on her. She looked breathtaking and I was deeply attracted. She didn't look like she wanted any company so I didn't approach even after she left her friends.

I finally got a chance when I saw her being harassed. I became her knight in shining armor and saved the night.

The moment we stared at each other, we were hooked and it took unmasking each other to pull us apart…

"Downtown?" I said to the driver while I hopped in.

I got home and as I expected, she had locked herself inside the room. I went to her door and for some seconds, I contemplated knocking or not. I later kicked against the idea and went to bed.

"We'd probably talk about it in the morning." I thought to myself as I tried to force myself to sleep. My whole head was filled with thoughts of her and I couldn't get rid of the aftertaste of her sweet soft lips from my throat.

I wanted more…

"Good morning…" Lisa said softly as she made her way into the kitchen.

I raised my head and smiled at her.

"Good morning, I hope you slept well?" I asked while she nodded.

"I did…"

"Actually, I was hoping we could talk about last night. We are both adults and I think we can both agree that whatever happened was just a fling and unintended. I would like us to forget about it and start over as roommates." She let out firmly.

I was a bit taken aback by her bluntness. She seemed really into it last night so it was offsetting to see her that unbothered but since it's what she wants, then I would respect her decision.

"That's fine by me, so friends then?" I let out and stretched out my hand to seal the deal.

"Roommates first." She said and then turned to leave.

I stood there with my cup of coffee and kept staring till I heard her door shut. All I could think of was if my decision to get a roommate was a good idea.

I moved to California just a month ago and though I was able to bag a job almost immediately, I didn't know the living expenses would be that high. In the end, I decided to get a roommate and it only took me two days to get one. It seemed like a good idea then but meeting her now, I was starting to have a change of heart.

I had my breakfast and hurried to work. Jessica was at the front desk gossiping as usual. She turned to face me the moment I walked in.

"Dave! Come over here!" She exclaimed while I let out a frown.

I was hoping to sneak past her, anything to get away from her boring gossips.

"Guess what?" She let out excitedly.

"Just tell me what it is, Jessica. You know I'm terrible at guessing." I said tiredly.

"You have a new partner. She was interviewed yesterday and she's so beautiful. You're going to like her. I know how much you want a girlfriend, maybe this is your chance to finally get one." Jessica exclaimed while I rolled my eyes.

"If she's my partner, then I can't date her. Remember this is a work environment and there are rules." I said and then started to walk away ignoring her response.

Jessica might be a gossip but she's not a liar. If she says she saw something then best believe, it happened.

"Who could this new beautiful partner be?" I thought to myself as I entered my office and got started on work immediately.

My head was buried deeply in my computer when I started hearing footsteps approaching.

"Dave!" I heard my name being called while the door flung opened and the boss, Rachel, entered.

"I love what you've done with the place!" She let out.

"Oh thank you." I replied with a smile.

"You're not sick, are you sick?" She asked once she saw my eyes.

They were still a bit swollen and red from the drinking last night. I should have used my glasses.

"No, nope, nope. I'm perfectly fine." I quickly chimed in.

"Ohh thank God. Cause you look sick and you know we work from home when we're sick." She retorted and I nodded.

"Okay then, remember I said I would be getting you someone to work on the project with. I've gotten you one and she's here…" she let out and then turned around.

"Come in please… there you are!" She let out while the lady walked in and not in a million years did I expect who it was.

"Hey, um, Dave, I would like to introduce you to our new fashion designer, Lisa. She's your partner and you two are going to be working together for our fashion show launch. She has assured me of her creativity and I trust your work too so I want you two to think original. I want you to think fresh, sassy, exclusive, all right?" Rachel let out with beaming smiles while Lisa and I kept sharing knowing glances.

"Alright, we got it ma'am." Lisa replied.

"Huh huh… no ma'am. Rachel is okay." Rachel quickly cleared.

"Yes, got it, Rachel." Lisa affirmed.

"Alright, well, you two got it. Don't f*ck this up." Rachel let out as she brisked out of the office.

Once the door was closed, I got up while Lisa approached the table.

"Okay, you gotta admit it, this is funny. It's kinda hilarious. We keep running into each other, it's like we are fated to be in each other's lives. It's funny, right?"I let out with a smile while she just sat there and looked at me funny.

"No, it's not and I'll have you know that I barely remember anything that has or not happened between us." She let out.

"Hmmmn okay cool, so why are you tripping?" I quizzed.

"Because we are at work and this is my career so you have to stop with whatever you're doing, I'm on probation and I don't know about you but I need this job. So roommates at home and partners at work. This is strictly business!" She said and then stretched out her hand to me.

"Strictly business ma'am!" I retorted but then ignored her gesture. To jerk her memory, I used the same tone and voice she used in the morning when she also ignored my deal handshake…