"Lana, I don't think your tiny brain can fathom how many fucks I don't give. If the Spanish want a damn alliance tell them yes."

"But she's a woman, sir-."

"You're a woman. Shall I fire you?"

"You just called me stupid." She stared at me.

"Because you are. Not because you have fucking tits. Jesus fucking Christ. You know what, just leave, breathing the same air as you is making me lose brain cells." I waved her away.

Ellie walked in after she left. "Bloody hell. What was that all about?"

"El, I don't really have the patience to deal with your sarcasm at the moment. I might throw you into Loch Ness."

"Eh, I can swim, and Nessie doesn't scare me."

"I should hope so, you have bigger problems than driftwood." I laughed.

"Yes, like that family dinner on Saturday."

Shit.

"I am not going to that."

"Mum is expecting you too, and I told her you would so you're not escaping now."

"I have...things to do."

"You can't use the 'mafia' excuse on me brother. I'm not stupid."

"According to my assistant you are." I smirked.

"Did she say that? I'll shoot her. What's the bitches name again? Lara? Lena?"

"Lana and she didn't call you stupid, she thought I called women in general stupid."

"Can I shoot her anyways?"

"Er, no. She has a family. That's the only reason I haven't fired her. She doesn't do a bad job, she just lacks... intelligence."

"Uh-huh." Ellie nodded. "Well... I'll see you on Saturday then."

"No, you will not."

She was already walking out of the office. "Come sober!" She yelled walking down the hall.

"There is no way in hell." I laughed to myself.

My phone buzzed.

Elf
If you need someone to pretend to be your boyfriend, I can hook you up with one of my friends. today 12:43

Me
I'm not going. today 12:43

I sat down and spun around in my chair. I heard a light knock on my door.

"Come in."

"I have some files for you, sir." Lana set a stack of files on my desk.

How wonderful. Exactly what I needed.

"Thanks." I waved her away.

It was a bunch of pictures. Mostly people getting onto planes. Rosa Sanchez, her wife, Prime and Marco Accardo, and another man.

Another very cute man.

"Hey, Lana!" I yelled.

She had barely made it down the hallway and was back in the room within a second.

I handed her the picture of the man. "Do you know who this is?"

"Avox Rivera."

"Do we have a file on him?"

"I believe so."

"Get me it. And find him."

She nodded.

A few minutes later she walked back in with his file. I didn't bother looking at any of my other work.

Not married. I found myself smiling.

Stop.

As far as we knew he wasn't currently in a relationship.

I looked in the traumatic events slot.

My heart fell through the floor.

I found a good picture of his face. He was smiling.

I found myself needing him.

I'd never met this man before. I'd heard of him, but I never had the opportunity to connect the name and the face.

As soon as I had a location I'd find a way to introduce myself.

I couldn't scare him away.

...
I was walking through the street. Lana said he would be here.

Then I saw him. He was taller than I'd imagined. His face was clean-shaven, unlike the photos.

He was struggling with some luggage. What a perfect opportunity to introduce myself.

"Do you need some help with that?" I asked him.

"What? I- uhh." He looked at me for a moment. "Uh yes, if you wouldn't mind." He smiled politely. I was fucked.

I helped him with his bags. He thanked me. I almost asked for his number.

But then when I 'accidentally' ran into him later I wouldn't be able to tell him it was fate.

This was creepy. This was very creepy.

You need to stop.

And yet, I found myself unable to stop smiling as I walked down the road. It was a short interaction. I moved a couple of bags a few meters.

Still. I'd never felt this way before.

...
I have no idea what this chapter is. I might rewrite it tomorrow.