Taylors POV

"Mrs. Greyson," I heard my name being called from the doorway of my office, followed by a soft knock. I looked up and saw a new employee that started working here not too long ago.

"Yes?" I asked.

"I have a question," her face seemed embarrassed.

"I have an answer, what's up?" Over the past years, I have learned to treat all employees with respect and still contain the same authority. I was a supervisor which also happened to be under the manager. Lucky Me.

"I know I've asked you several times before, but, how do you work the machine near the printers?"

I smiled at her, "It's alright Caitlin, really, it takes time to get used to everything. Come on, I'll show you once more."

Getting up from my chair, we walked down to the printers and other necessary machines. Once we reached the work room, I showed her how the machine worked and made sure she understood as well. Once that was settled, I walked out of the room and headed back towards my little office. I needed to get that paperwork done before the end of the day.

Turning the corner, I ran into someone. His firm hands held me steady so I won't fall.

"Sorry," I mumbled, gaining back my balance. Looking up, I froze, it just so happened to be Thomas.

"It's alright, are you okay? You should pay attention," he said.

"Pay attention?" I blurted, "If anyone, should pay attention, it should be you." At that moment, I didn't care if he was the manager or not. I don't want anyone with higher authority getting away with rudeness.

He smirked, "Fiesty now, are we? You should be careful. You could get yourself fired, Mrs. Greyson." Without another word, he left.

Number one, what happen to the Thomas seven years ago, and Number two, he thankfully didn't recognize me through my blonde hair and make-uped face.

I turned around on my heels and stormed back to my office.

The nerve of him. I slammed my books down in response. A short time later, Jim jogged into my office. He was an average man, and quite frankly, also a supervisor. He looked over the upper criteria of the agency, while I took care of the lower. Truthfully, I only saw him as a friend, but there are days when he tries to expose his feelings towards me.

His hair was neatly combed to one side and his plaid shirt was tucked into his black dress pants.

"Is everything alright? I heard a bang as I was passing by," his expression showed concern.

I smiled at him, hiding my frustration. "Yeah, I'm fine, just that new manager is giving me a headache."

"Oh? Thomas Steele?"

"Yeah," I nodded, leaning against my desk. Jim walked towards me and leaned against the desk as well. "But it's nothing really." I ended quickly.

His hand massaged my back. I had to admit, but it felt great after all that stress. I closed my eyes, feeling a bit relaxed. "I still don't believe you," he whispered, trailing his fingers down my back. My eyes flew open when he reached the top of my skirt.

"Okay!" I quickly got up. Straightening myself up, "If anyone sees us, they'll assume the worst, now get back to work!"

He playfully rolled his eyes, "Loosen up Elise, your office is literally at the end of this agency,"

I sighed, "Jim, you know I refuse to take risks, besides, I've worked hard to get here."

"We all did," he said quietly before he left, he asked, "would you like to join me for some coffee after work?"

"I can't," I replied, immediately thinking about Paula, "Paula has been waiting for me to take her out for some ice cream today." I looked at his face, which visibly fell. He knew that I had a daughter, but he wasn't really a kid's type of guy.

"Do you think you can give that Abby girl extra hours?"

Are all guys like this? It took all my strength not to groan out loud.

"Jim, no, I can't, she's a high school student who also needs time off. If you had kids, you'll understand. Kids come first. So maybe next time. Not today." Giving Abby extra hours also meant that I'd have to give her at least 30 bucks for her babysitting. Money doesn't come cheap you know.

I did, however, feel bad for rejecting Jim. He wasn't a bad looking man. In fact, he was pretty attractive, just not my type. One day, he'll make some other young lady happy, but right now, we are only business partners.

Jim left and I got to work on those reports.

○○○

I trudged to Thomas's office. I really wasn't looking forward to any conversation with him. But since I held a pretty high position, I pulled myself together. Otherwise, people will start to notice my behavior.

Knocking once, I walked in. He was sitting in his chair behind his computer. When he saw me, he sat up. His green eyes searched for an explanation as to why I am here.

I cleared my throat, "I brought the reports, where do you want them?"

"You can put them on the rack right here," he pointed to a black rack in front of him with a bunch of other paper. I walked forward and placed them there. His office was pretty tidy, but his desk was a mess. As a young high school kid, he never was that guy who loves keeping his bookbag clean. His excuse for not having his homework was always, "I came down with a terrible case of, 'having trouble holding onto a pencil,'" or "A sudden wind blew it out of my hands and I never saw it again." Where he got that kind of stuff was beyond me.

Before I left his office, an oddly familiar picture caught my attention. Since Thomas was busy looking at his computer screen, I looked closer at it. Sure enough, the woman in the picture was me, around the age of 17 maybe 18, petting a baby white-tailed deer. My hair was a brownish color back then, beautifully braided and turned into a bun with a few strands pulled out.

Pretending to be curious, I asked, "Who's this? Your daughter?"

He stifled a short laugh, "No, I don't have kids," False. I thought to myself, thinking of Paula. Doesn't he remember that one-night stand? "She was a fellow classmate and friend of mine," he continued, "something happened and she just disappeared without a trace."

"Oh." I said, eager to hear more of his story, but not sound too nosy since he technically doesn't know me except as his colleague. "Do you miss her?" 

"Very." Was all he said. I took that as my cue to leave. I closed his door, leaving him in peace. But automatically running into Joy, the first person I've made friends with since I've ran away. and by far, the only person who knows almost the whole story of how I got to LA. 

"What were you doing in Thomas's office...?" She asked skeptically, looking me in the eyes. 

"I uh..." I stammered. 

"Wait, don't answer," she interrupted me, "you...have a crush on him..." 

I face palmed myself, "Where did you get that? That sounds absurd."

"Well, number one, you've been very quiet since he got here," Her goofy look turned into utter concern.

"Joy, everything's fine, honest, I just needed to turn in my reports for this quarter." 

"Oh. In that case, I apologize."

I rolled my eyes, "Come on, do you need a ride home?" Knowing that she usually walks home or takes the city bus since she lives not too far from here.

"You know, that would be awesome, I need to be home early today, Arthur wants to take me out to a nice restaurant tonight." She said, referring to her husband. 

"What about the kids?" I questioned, opening the doors that led into the parking lot.

She shrugged in response, "Nanna will take care of that, or we can ask my mom."

They called their neighbor, Nanna since she was always willing to babysit if needed. But when she said that they might ask her mom, that's when I sighed. Their mom was just over 70. Just earlier this year, she had lost her husband due to cancer and old age, so she is still in that trance where everything seems like a dream but really is reality.  

I didn't have anything against her mother. In fact, she was a wonderful woman to talk to, and she was great with kids. But due to her current state, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give my mother that responsibility. The thought of mothers turned my stomach. I haven't talked to my parents in such a long time.

Putting that thought away, I spoke up as I started the ignition to warm up the car. "Bring them over to my house,  Paula would be thrilled to have a few friends over."

"Elise, that's wonderful! I'll call you if Arthur agrees." I winced at my fake name. Though I'm used to it, it only reminded me of that horrid day. 

I put on one of my many fake smiles that I've grown accustomed to, "Sure!" I said enthusiastically, "I'd love to watch them while you're gone on your date."

Joy blushed at the mention of 'date'. 

I drove her to her place with small talk here and there. We said our good-byes as she got out of the car and into her house. I let out another sigh before driving off to my house. I needed a long hot shower.