I try to act aloof by reading the sugar packets but accidentally spill the syrup container while reaching for the brown packet. Trying quickly to wipe it up I manage to splash Aria with her water and almost knock Evaleen's milkshake completely over.
"Let me get that, Drake." Evaleen cleans up my mess as I give her a small smile and turn to look out over the diner. Usually this place is packed but there are several empty seats today. I'm thinking the cold snap is keeping people away. The sub-zero temperature is a deterrent even for the thick skinned Chicagoans.
"So you stalk Mr. Payne?" Evaleen questions while tossing the napkins in the corner of the table.
"No I don't. Today was the first time I have ever been to his building and only because he asked me to pick up his dry-cleaning for him. That's all."
Our food arrives.
"You have had the hots for that man from day one, Morgana." Aria happily points out while popping a french fry into her mouth.
"What?" Evaleen's voice rises as her eyes bulge.
I really didn't want Evaleen to find out I like Mr. Payne. It's embarrassing enough to have a thing for the greatest asshole that ever was or ever will be, but then to let people at the office know makes it worse. Much worse. I know they will stare at me sitting alone at my desk and shake their heads in shame. They will judge and I will agree with them.
"So what if I think he's good looking. I'm not the only one. I know for a fact Grace loves him. Even though she's the building receptionist and is stationed in the lobby, she is always in our kitchen on the twenty-eighth floor waiting for him. Anytime I bring his name up she gets that blissful faraway look in her eyes."
"That is true, Drake, she has been in love with him for two years when she first started at Mimir. Every time he needs a new assistant she submits her resume. She never applies to any other job in the company, only to be his assistant. But, as for you, Drake, that is a different story. You've spoken to him; you know what a tremendous dick he is. I'm quite intrigued by your attraction." She wiggles her eyebrows at me while leaning her chin on her hand.
"There is nothing to tell, I ..." My breath catches when I see the man himself walk in accompanied by a stunning brunette. The woman is close to his height, age and in that moment it hits me that if I didn't know Mr. Payne I would think they are the most beautiful couple to ever walk the earth.
Shit.
He guides her to one of the empty tables and I can't keep my eyes off them as he helps her remove her coat. She does the usual date type stuff for him. The woman blushes, lightly touches his arm and throws her head back laughing at something he tells her. I want to slap her.
"Morgana, what's wrong? You look like you did that one time your brother threw the last piece of cake in the trash from your birthday."
I can't speak only grit my teeth.
"Look who just sat down." I hear Evaleen say and see her pointing in Henrik's direction out of the corner of my eye.
"Who's that?" Aria turns to see what we are focused on.
"It's him. The Payne in the ass!" I bite out.
I know I shouldn't be mad. If I think about it why wouldn't he have a girlfriend? He's rich and handsome so I shouldn't be surprised some money grubbing whore got her teeth into him. Wow, that sounded awful. I need cake.
"Oh my god that's him? Jesus he's fucking studly. Wowza he can do some dusting of my cobwebs anytime."
That snaps me out of it. I turn to look at Aria and notice Evaleen is staring at her too.
"Aria, just eww!" I shake my head at her.
"What? That's a saying."
"No it is not and I pray to God it never is uttered again." Evaleen joins me in the shaking of heads.
"Whatever. He is smoking though. But is that his girlfriend?"
I glance at Evaleen who shrugs, "I have no idea if he has a girlfriend. That man's private life is more secure than a key locked in a safe. No one knows if he has dated anyone in ten years."
Those words don't help me feel any better. We agreed to a truce and now I know why.
"Ms. Drake."
I look up to see Mr. Payne standing beside the table with the brown haired skank beside him. He nods at me but then notices Evaleen and starts to squint his eyes.
"Bechmann."
"Payne." She replies back to him.
He glances at Aria and I feel her hand give me a nudge shaking me out of my haze.
"Oh, uh hi, Mr. Payne. This is my friend Aria. Aria, this is my boss, Mr. Payne."
He reaches out his hand to shake and I hear Aria giggle. Yes, giggle. He has reduced her to a twelve year old in just seconds. After a couple of tries he manages to tug out of Aria's grasp and wraps his arm around his brunette bimbo.
"Ladies this is Tiffany. She is ..."
Before he can finish, Tiffany pipes up and thrusts her hand in my face.
"I'm Henrik's girlfriend and you must be Morgana. I have heard some interesting stories about you."
Well fuck me!
Chapter 15 - THE Joint ...
I'm blinking right now. Blinking like I have never blinked before. If there is an eye fluttering contest I will win it. I blink, trying desperately to understand how Mr. Payne can look me in the face, standing next to his girlfriend, knowing how he has fingered me up my vagina!