It was a mundane day at the office. Just how I liked it. Everybody minding their own business while I could scour my brain for some mind boggling ideas for my first ever story. Working as an Accounts Assistant wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Or maybe I was biased because I really loved this field. That, and my senior, Jessica, was just very helpful and nice.

I couldn't remember what got me into this sudden interest of writing but something told me that everything in this world was worth writing. Even if that meant some numbers from the accounts.

My brain was churning various scenarios from the world of fantasy as I busied myself with filing all the bills and vouchers by their dates. It was going all well until someone tapped me on my shoulder.

I looked up to see Ryan giving me a full blown smile. He was cute, possibly the only cute, young and single dude in my office.

I returned his smile, but I was pretty sure it came out a bit shy.

“You not coming for lunch?” He asked.

I quizzically glanced at my computer screen to see that it was almost 2 O’clock. “Oh! I didn't even see the time.”

“Then you must really love your work,” he joked, laughing softly.

This time my heart managed to skip a beat. Not only was Ryan cute, but he also happened to be my crush. Ever since I started working here a year ago, it was him and Jessica who made me feel like I was at home. So, it was a given that I leaned on them more.

“Jess didn't come today?” Ryan asked as we walked toward the cafeteria.

“Nope. She messaged me that she's feeling under the weather,” I answered. “I thought you knew.”

Ryan gave out a chuckle. “My department lives in a dark corner, works in a dark corner and stays in a dark corner… well, most of the time,” he said. Looking at my horrified expression, he quickly continued, “Don't worry, I was just kidding. It was a really busy day today.”

I just laughed as we entered the cafeteria. Ryan was in the purchase department, also labeled as the coolest department of our company. And he was also known as the best in his work, which made me respect him even more because never once did he let it show through. He was always so humble and I could count on him to help me out when it came to work related problems.

Taking our trays, we sat down on a table next to the floor to ceiling glass window, overlooking the busy street outside.

I awkwardly ate the soggy pasta, not knowing what to say because it was usually Jessica who helped flow the conversation between us. Thankfully, he must have sensed it too because he put all his attention on eating his lunch as well.

The hall was bustling with silent conversations as it was a really peaceful day. Well, it was… until I jinxed it because the very next minute, the cafeteria doors burst open as if for some grand entry. And grand entry it was, for in came the same handsome guy accompanied by our boss, Sasha Bones.

Ms. Bones was in her mid fifties but she never let the age come in the way of her business or career. It was like she was born to hold her own empire of imports and exports business. Most of the time, she was found only inside her office room so it came as a surprise to see her interrupting her employees’ lunch.

Everyone was astonished to see their boss but I was even more so to see the handsome guy. Not because he was so good looking, but because he was holding my shoe. The one and only that I had thrown out the window at a stranger.

Did that mean he was that stranger? I could feel my whole body going up in flames. I couldn't tell if I was mortified, or would be caught red handed, angry because it was also his fault, or - or - I couldn't even understand what I was feeling at that moment.

And here I thought that he was the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Brown. No! He was there to see me.

But what concerned me even more was, how did he even know my office address? I didn't think that he would go so far as to find me. He must have come here to humiliate me in front of my colleagues. My chain of thoughts were interrupted when I felt Ryan's gaze on me.

“Are you okay, Kris?” He was looking at me with concern swirling in his brown eyes.

I didn't know how to answer that. Should I lie and tell him that I was doing okay? Or should I tell him the truth and quickly leave the cafeteria? And possibly also quit working here.

“Kris? Please tell me, what's wrong?” He prodded further as he placed his hand on my arm in a consoling gesture. It did nothing to calm me down though.

“I… I am okay,” I mumbled with a forced smile.

He didn't seem convinced but before he could say anything else, Sasha spoke up. “Hi, guys!” She waved with both her hands before gesturing towards the guy standing next to her. “This is Wesley, my nephew.”

Wesley gave everyone an uninterested wave as if he himself couldn't believe what he was doing.

Sasha hesitated before continuing with her next statement. “Um… Wesley wants to - I can't believe that I am doing this.” She seemed embarrassed and I couldn't help but match her expression. “Anyway, so, Wesley here found a shoe… that he believes belongs to the girl of his dreams. His Cinderella.” She visibly cringed as she said that.

Almost every girl in the hall started chirping with excitement and happiness. Some even raised their hands. I mean, who wouldn't? I would have loved the idea of being someone's Cinderella, too. But, this was all a scheme. A scheme to catch the person who hit him with a shoe.

“I'll leave you to it,” Sasha said to Wesley and patted him on his shoulder. With that, she left the cafeteria, leaving behind a mess of excitement and giggles.

Wesley, the handsome guy, stood there with a frown. The same frown of adamance to find someone.

“What a tool,” Ryan commented as he scoffed.

“Huh?”

He cleared his throat and said, “I mean, what is the need for all these dramatics? Doesn't he feel weird for doing this? And to top it all, in a working place?”

“Maybe…” I trailed off, looking at Wesley. “Maybe he knows that she's here.”

I turned back to Ryan to see him furrowing his brows in confusion. “You also believe in this crap load of bullshit?”

Exhaling heavily, I picked up my tray. “I think you were right, Ryan. I am feeling a little dizzy. See you later?” I didn't even wait for his reply as I made my way toward the gates of the cafeteria.

I thought that I was being sneaky, without catching the eye of anyone and more importantly, Wesley's. But all moments of pride must come to an end.

“Wait.” He stopped me by putting his arm in front of me.

I avoided his gaze but he kept looking at me like a hawk. “What?” I asked him haughtily.

“I don't think you can leave just yet. You haven't even tried this on,” he told me while showing me my shoe.

“I know, but I don't feel well,” I informed him while looking down at the untouched food in my tray.

“How about…” he eyed me suspiciously. “How about you be the first one to try this shoe on then?”

I opened my mouth to straight out say no to him, when Ryan came up in front of me. “I think she's made herself clear. She is not feeling well.” He stressed out on the last word.

That's when a look of recognition crossed Wesley's face. Scanning my face more closely, he was even satisfied. Slowly, a small smile started blooming on his handsome face. “Fair enough.” 

‘Damn him for having that beautiful smile.’

“Good,” Ryan muttered, unimpressed. He then guided me out of the cafeteria and towards my cubicle.

“Thank you for saving me there, Ryan.” I gave him a grateful smile. Quite literally. He saved me from an embarrassing moment of my life.

He just shook his head and spoke. “Don't worry about it, Kris. Sit down and take some rest, okay?”

I nodded and waited for him to leave. As I absent-mindedly stared at my computer screen, I could feel a question swirling through my head. What was that smile? It was as if he knew all my secrets.

That's when it hit me. He was smiling knowingly. He really did know it! I was doomed! Now he would tell everyone, and especially his aunt and she would soon fire me.

‘Did I make the biggest mistake by trying to escape his “shoe fitting” moment? But if not that, then I would have been forced to wear the shoe. That would have led to “public humiliation”. If I will get fired anyway, then I don't want people to find out about this incident before I leave.’

Groaning, I banged my head on the desk. ‘What if he went to the authorities for assaulting him like that?’ At moments like these, I wish I had Jessica beside me.

Seeing as there was no other option but to accept whatever came my way, I got back to my work. The least I could do was prepare myself from the blow.