I hated Mondays.

Work was usually so stressful on Monday, having to record the sales the company made over the weekend, which was usually much.

But I loved my job, even though I hated Mondays. The only thing I liked about Mondays was the sweetened hot coffee the staff got every morning.

It was really something to look forward to.

“You don't look your best today.” My friend, Kiara said to me as I put the last of my stuff into a brown paper box.

“What?” I asked, pretending to not have heard her the first time.

I didn't need to be told I didn't look good. And not because of my work outfit because I always looked good on that part, but I was usually the cheerful one and today I was doing anything but smiling.

But how could I smile? I was so lost in thought. The weekend had been very eventful for me. From catching my ex in bed with my supposed best friend to having a one night stand with a man who turns out to be my father's best friend.

At this rate, my life could be a movie.

“I said you don't look your best today. Is everything okay?”

I didn't reply, and that alone told Kiara that everything was indeed not okay.

She walked closer to my desk and sat on it, watching me as I threw papers and pens and boxes of paper clips into a large brown box.

“What happened, Maria?”

I paused for a moment and took a deep breath, “I broke up with Franklin…”

“Oh my God, finally. I thought I’d never see the day.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, eyebrows cocked.

“I’ve never liked the guy. The way he dictates your life. And let's not talk about the fact that you're like his mom. Paying the bills and stuff like that. A real man wouldn't let you do all that. And he even had the audacity to cheat on you. He's a whole downgrade, babe. You deserve better.” Kiara said casually, as she swung her legs.

“I guess I needed to hear that right now.” I smiled, “I mean, I would have felt better but there's something else.”

“Ughhh. Don't tell me you went back for closure and then you guys had sex and now you think you should accept his sorry ass again?”

“What?” I laughed, shaking my head. “No. And please, lower your voice.”

“So then what is it?”

“I went to the club to cool off and you know just forget about it all. And I met a guy….”

I could see the smile forming on Kiara's face.

“.. and we had a time. We…uh …we talked for a while.”

“Is that all? That can't be all!”

The supervisor, Miss Kate ‘Get back to work’ Patterson, who was passing by at that time, looked over at my desk.

“Miss Hills, don't you have anything better to do than gossip.”

Kiara rolled her eyes, “I'm explaining some things about this week's sales.”

“And what would that be?”

“Uhh..”

“Yeah I thought so too. Get back to work, immediately. If I get you slacking anymore, it's going to reflect in your monthly benefits.”

With that, she walked away with her Christian Louboutin heels clicking in her wake.

Kiara eyed her as she left, “That bitch. Thinks she's better than everyone. I hate her. I wonder how many tables she had to dance on to afford that.”

Word on the street was that Kate was a supervisor by day and midnight ballerina and that was how she was able to afford her designer stuff.

“Now back to your story…”

“Oh, yeah. Well, it was a night. He uh he might have had me moaning and begging for more.”

Kiara’s hands flew to her face and her eyes widened, “You fucked a man you just met at the club!”

“Shh,” I covered her mouth with my hand, “I'd appreciate it if no one else has that information.”

“Maria, I thought that was my thing. How could you be so careless?” She laughed.

“I had too much to drink. I don't remember much.”

“Girl, that is so crazy. This is definitely not the story I expected to hear on a Monday morning. But give yourself grace. You've been careful for the part twenty one years of your life. One careless day won't change your life.”

“He showed up at my parent’s house yesterday. Turns out he's my father's best friend.”

Kiara's eyes bulged even more, “You're joking. You're joking.”

But I shook my head. “I do wish I was.”

“This is too much for me to take in, right now.” She said, clutching her head in mock faint and then she laughed.

The buzz in the office stopped abruptly as the Human Resource Manager, Mrs Levaughn, walked in , clutching her clipboard to her chest.

On seeing her, Kiara stopped mid laugh.

“Everyone, can I have your attention for a moment please.” She said, even though everyone was staring at her. Satisfied, she continued, “We're having a surprise inspection today. But it wouldn't be conducted by me or the usual team.”

She paused to let that settle, “Instead, it will be conducted by the CEO who is in town. So he'll be personally overseeing it.”

Gasps came from all parts of the room. Most of us had never even seen the CEO, not to talk if being inspected by him.

I felt my stomach twist. I hated inspections and now the CEO was doing it himself. Too much pressure.

Kiara leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper, “This is not good, Maria. I barely caught up with last week's report and I'm already a mess today.”

Most times, I was the one who helped Kiara with her work but as I was moving to another office, I could no longer handle that.

“Gee, you better get to it then.” I said as I threw the last of my stuff into the brown box on my desk.

I silently prayed that the CEO was nice. My promotion was still fresh and the last thing I needed was an arrogant man or woman breathing down my neck.

Mrs. LeVaughn raised up her hand to silence the murmurs, “I expect everyone to be on their best behavior. He will be here in less than thirty minutes. Tidy up and be prepared.”

With that, she left. The office exploded into chaos with people trying to get their space in order before the CEO came in.

I sank into my chair, staring at my box as the suppressed thoughts of Petyr rushed into my mind.

I remembered the previous night. How he had pressed his body into mine, his need. It had taken a lot of self control for me not to sit on the counter and beg him to eat me up.

I shook my head , then opened my laptop and started pulling out reports I had worked on.

If the CEO was indeed going to be here, I needed to look like I knew what I was doing.

Some minutes later, the office became unnaturally quiet. The elevator dinged and all eyes turned towards the door.

Mrs. LeVaughn walked in with a tight smile that looked like a warning, and held the door open.

Then he walked in.

Tall, broad-shouldered, with an air of superiority and quiet authority that made me hold my breath.

His suit fit him like it was made for him, his dark hair was streaked at the temples.

My breath caught. I'd know that hair even if I was dreaming.

It was Petyr.