Ace Blackwood

I did it. I finally finished the project. At least my part of it. I have been working on it for weeks now. I hate work, and yet I can't stop myself from doing it so much. That's all I've done in weeks. Work. Even months. I lost count at this point. I'm tired even, but no matter how much I do, I never am done. It's now 10:24 pm, I got to my office at around 9:00 am, and the office closed at 7:00 pm. I've been working on this project for 13 hours and 24 minutes.

I haven't done anything other than type, drink coffee and stare at a screen for more than half the day. Closing my laptop, I start to stand up, but quickly fall back into my chair, forgetting how to stand due to sitting down for so long. I finish the last bit of coffee I had in my mug, hoping that it will give me the energy that I don't have. I try to stand up again, finally managing to find the balance I needed to pack up my things.

I put my computer in my bag, alongside some files. I start walking out of my office, with my bag on my shoulder, and my now empty mug in my hand. I start walking to the kitchen, so I can put my mug back. On my way there I pass by my boss's office, and I'm surprised to see him sitting at his desk, typing on his computer, with his serious face. That's the only face I've ever seen him have other than when he is with Nina. Nina was his wife, and when he was with her the seriousness that I'm so used to seeing was like it never even existed. He would always have a smile on his face. One only for her. They both adopted a daughter, but sadly she ended up running away a couple of years ago and they never found her. I still remember when he first told everyone about her, he seemed so excited to finally have a child, but when she left. He was never the same after that, he kept looking for her but could never seem to find her no matter how hard he tried.

I continued walking, not wanting to disturb him when he is working. I knew better than to do that. I finally arrive at the kitchen, placing my mug in the sink, I roll up the sleeves of my suit and start to wash the coffee-stained mug, not wanting someone else to have to clean up after me. I put the mug on the drying rack, drying my hands on the towel next to it. I start to hear footsteps coming from behind me, they grew louder with each step. I turned around slowly, already knowing those to whom the footsteps belonged. My gaze slowly met him.

Vincent Draven. My boss. He still had the same serious face that I told you about earlier. This time though was a little different. This time he was staring at me, and somehow that made it worse.

"Mr. Draven, can I help you?" I say giving him a quick smile while placing the towel down on the counter. I lean against the marble surface waiting for him to respond.

"No, I'm just wondering why you're still here. The office closed 3 hours ago."

"I just had some work I wanted to finish before the presentation tomorrow." I say, trying to escape his intense stare.

"I hope you're ready for it because if this goes well with them, their company will fund our next tech project and if that takes off, we could be looking at a new partnership." He says it like it's nothing important. And then continues talking, "I need you to pull this off, the future of this company is depending on it."

Well, that's great. Simply great. When I finally think I'm done there's always something that reminds me I'm far from where I think I am. I hate people.

"Don't worry sir, I got this under control." I say, lying through my teeth.

"Good. I look forward to seeing what you and Caleb present tomorrow. Goodnight Ace, I'll see you at the meeting."

"Goodnight, sir."

I'm so done for. I forgot about Caleb. He was one of my coworkers that I was partnered with to deliver this presentation tomorrow. I hope he finished his part of this project. If he didn't, we were going to be screwed. I take my phone out of my pocket, go to my contacts and search for his name. Once I finally find it, I click on the number and hit the call button.

It goes straight to voicemail. My phone buzzes with a text message from him, "Hey, Ace I can't answer the phone right now, but I wanted to ask if you could finish my part of the presentation before tomorrow?"

I should have known he was going to get me to do his part. He didn't even do anything other than print his name like it would mean something. I sigh, running my hand through my hair because of how much this guy is making my head hurt from his stupidity. Looking back at my phone, I start typing, "Sure I'll finish it."

"Thanks, man. I owe you one."

I sent a thumbs up, not wanting to waste any more time talking to him. I walked over to the coat rack in the room and grabbed my black coat. I pick up my laptop bag and start walking down the long office hallways that I'm so used to seeing filled with people. It was so quiet now that everyone left. I could actually hear myself think. I finally get to the doors, walking out to my car, so that I can finally go back to my apartment and finish this project before tomorrow.