Theo

Entry number one- hundred-sixty-three:

I don't get it. Why him? Seriously, he's a loser, Cass. What's he got that I don't? Money? Hell no, he works for me. Looks? Fuck no, have you seen my eyelashes? The only thing that Gary guy has on me is being friendly. But hell, I can be friendly.

For example, last month I fired someone on their birthday instead of the day their father died. See I can be friendly, right?

The door springs open and I quickly shut the journal. I look up, seeing Lily walk in as I put it away.

Before she left for lunch break, she told me she was going on a date with Gary from the third floor today and I've been frustrated about it ever since.

"Hey, Muffin!" She greets me

"How was your date with the loser, I mean Gary?"

She drops her bag next to her desk as she sits down. "It was great." She mumbles, avoiding eye contact with me.

When she begins fidgeting with her fingers, I know she is lying. "Lily." I deadpan.

She looks up, her eyes watering, "He never showed up, Muffin!" She replies, shaking her head as tears fall.

I stand up quickly and rush to her. Kneeling at her knee level, I take her head in my hands, making her look at me.

God, I hope I don't fuck this up

I was terrible at comforting people, but I wasn't going to sit here and let her cry, so I at least needed to try.

"Hey, hey, talk to me. What happened?" She continues shaking her head as she cries, and I lean closer. I hold her shoulders, making her stop, "Breathe, Lily, breathe."

Nodding, she wipes her tears and tries to calm down. She sniffs. "I went to the coffee shop where he told us to meet yesterday. I waited and waited, but he never showed up. I had even brought my fancy sandals!" She says, moving a strand of hair out of her face.

The asshole part of me was happy she didn't go on a date with that dick-head. But the soft part of me that seemed to only come out when Lily was around hated seeing her like this, especially about a man whose name was fucking Gary.

I rub her shoulders until she is fully calm. Once I know she is okay, I stand up. "I'll be back, alright? Just stay right there."

I walk out of the office hastily. Once I get to the elevator, I press the button number three irritatedly and when it finally reaches the third floor, I get out.

"If one of you don't tell me where Gary is, you're all goddamn fired."

The men and women point to a small office with the door closed and I make my way there. Opening the door, I find Gary leaning in his chair with a bag of pretzels.

He notices me and sits up quickly. "Mr. Acquire! Didn't expect to see you h-"

"Do you have a wife or a girlfriend, Gary?" I sit on his desk as he rushes up and stands in front of me.

He frowns, "No?"

"Children?"

"No?"

"Pet? Second job? Class?"

"No. I'm sorry sir, but why are you asking m-"

"Were you busy at all during your lunch break?"

"No. I was on the pho-"

I nod as I stand up. "Awesome, let's go Gary boy." I say, walking to the door.

"Wait, why?"

"Well, I'd much rather knock your teeth down your throat myself, but I think Lily deserves that pleasure far more than I do." I smile and face him as he gulps, "Don't you?"

"Look sir, I can expla-"

I stop smiling as we step into the elevator. "Open your fucking mouth again so I can break your jaw. Do it, I fucking dare you. It's been far too long since I've knocked someone out and I'm a little on edge about it."

He turns away and I smirk, standing on the side of him. When the elevator gets to my floor, we step out and once we make it to my office, I shut the door behind us.

Lily turns around and gasps, "Why is he here?"

I smile and as I am about to hit Gary, I think of my favorite move. I headlock him in my arms and Lily screams, "Oh my goodness!" She shouts, getting out of her chair.

"Go on, tell her why you're here, Gary boy." I squeeze tighter when he doesn't immediately reply.

"To apologize! I'm here to apologize!" Lily stands in front of him in shock as he tries to get out of my hold like an idiot. "I'm sorry, Lily! You're a great girl, but you're just not my type."

I squeeze tighter, "You were just looking for a quick fuck, right?"

"Y-yeah. I'm s-"

I look at Lily. "Do you hear this punk? Knee his balls, Lily."

She gasps again and shakes her head. "No! That'll be so mean!"

I loosen my hold so he can stand up. "Tell her to do it." I demand Gary.

"Do it!" He grunts

"Do it, Cheerful Carol, it'll make you feel better."

She smiles, "You said the nickname!"

I'm choking a man infront of her and she's worried about me saying a stupid nickname. Fucking adorable.

"It's not happening again."

She blows a breath and steps forward. Grabbing his shoulders, she closes her eyes before kneeing his balls. He falls to the ground with a groan.

Lily opens her eyes and turns away, seeing him on the ground, "My Lord, I am never going to see the gates of heaven." She whispers.

He doesn't respond, only tries to stand up. When he finally leaves, I wipe my hands on my suit pants and sit back down at my desk chair.

"He's fired. You don't have to worry about him anymore, alright?"

She turns back around and glances at the floor and the door before smiling softly. She walks to my desk and sits on my desk, "That was real mean, Muffin." She leans forward, "But also very sweet."

Lily hops off the desk and presses a small kiss to my cheek. "Thank you." She mumbles and walks to the file cabinets with a giggle.

I feel my cheeks start to heat up and let my head fall to my desk with a groan. I close my eyes and laugh to myself.

God, you're so pathetic, Theo. Who blushes over a cheek kiss?

I hit my head on the desk before sitting back up. Staring at Lily tapping her foot against the carpet to an imaginary song, I smile. A sudden realization comes to me and instead of freaking out or getting mad, I laugh.

Oh fuck it, the worse she can say is no.

"This woman." I start and Lily turns around, "She makes me feel, like… feel. Does that make sense?"

Her facial expression changes to one of sadness and she looks away, only two seconds later clear her throat and turn back to me.

"That's good! That means she's making you less of a grumpy pants." She smiles at me before facing the cabinets again.

"You don't understand. I can't stop thinking about her. She's in my head, my dreams. I can't escape. And I don't want to. That's what's messing with me."

"Wow." she replies and chuckles

"She's so beautiful. She swears she's not, but to me she's perfect. If she could see herself through my eyes, she'd know what it feels like when I look at her. Everyone and everything disappears."

"I understand her." She lowers her head but quickly lifts it and faces me, "But tell her she's gorgeous no matter what!"

"Lily, this woman is amazing. She sees the beauty in everything and everyone. She's so nice and caring. I swear she's like a butterfly in the midst of snakes. See, look at me! She's got me saying mushy shit like this!"

"I'm happy for you, Muffin." She mumbles, and I shake my head as I stand up.

She just doesn't get it, does she?

"Lily." I say, walking towards her slowly.

She turns around with a sad expression, "Yes?"

"I'm talking about you."

She turns around quickly, "What?"

"It's you." I step closer, "I like you, Lily. Like a lot."

"W-"

"I want to-" I rub my hands together and scratch them before continuing, "I uh want to take you out."

"Oh my!"

"On a date! Not in the murderer way, Lily. I want to take you out on a date. Or some shit. Please."

She smiles widely and wraps her arms around me. "I would love to go on a date with you muffin!" She replies, hugging me tightly.

I breathe a sigh of relief, "Fuck that was hard."