That Coffee Accident

Prologue

        "Eleanor!" 

    I almost drop the folders I am holding because of that voice. I was about to do photocopies of the draft to proofread but one of the company's editor just called me. 

    I sighed and smiled at her.

        "Yes, Miss Katy?" I asked. 

    I swear. One more errand and I will jump at this floor. It has only been two hours since the morning shift has began and here I am, feeling that my arms will going to fall at any minute.

        "Make a coffee. I was up all night editing articles that are due. I cannot face Dwayne like this." she ordered. 

    She did not even let me speak. She just turned around to walk away. My jaw fell open. I cannot believe her. I was hired last year and I never did anything but to do photocopying and making coffee for her. 

    I never thought that this will be my future. I was so happy when I learned that I will be working under this company. Dwayne Taylor's publishing is one of the successful publisher at the country. They own the number one women's magazine. 'Alpha Women'. I thought that from learning Charlotte Bronte and William Shakespeare can get me to write my own column at Alpha Women's issues. 

    If I had known that I will be making coffee for the ignorant great 'Katy Spencer', I would gladly join my mother in Korea. I could've get a decent job by teaching english to korean students.  

        "Eleanor Walter! What are you waiting for?" She snapped her fingers while looking at me at the other side of a glass partition.

    I sighed heavily and put the folders on my table to make coffee for her. I entered the pantry. There are two woman sitting and talking animatedly while eating their bagels. 

        "Someone saw Sir Dwayne at the bar last night making out with his ex-fiancee. I heard it was a very hot making out." the blonde woman said.

    I stopped stirring my coffee as I tried to focus on what they were saying. Seems like the Great Dwayne Taylor still cannot get over from his broke off engagement last year. Rumor has it, Ivana Greene wanted out from their engagement because she had an affair. Also, it made Dwayne cold and distant. 

        "Come on, you should check the internet. It's all over the news." the other woman typed to her phone.

        "Oh my gosh! Are they back together. That kiss was very wild." the blonde woman shrieked.

        "I know right. I don't know what will his father say about this." 

    I bit my lips and nodded. Jonathan Taylor, on the other hand is definitely not on good terms with his son, Dwayne. He's supposed to inherit their business but Dwayne did not agree to it. It made Jonathan because his only son doesn't want to manage their company. Dwayne fought his father to pursue what he want. 

    And that is to become the CEO of the number one publishing company in the country.And here we are, very known according to the surveys nationwide and internationally. 

    Even though, I wanted to listen more of this Dwayne and Ivana's making out, I had to go back and give Katy her coffee. I don't want her snake eyes on me for the day. Besides, I have to stand in front of the photocopier and make a hundred copies of the survey forms for this month's issue.

                                                                                           ***

        "Hey sleepyhead," I heard a very familiar voice behind me. 

    I rolled my eyes as I put the one-hundredth copy on the table. Calvin sat on the office hair and watched me fix the papers. He's a dear friend of mine since college. He's my senior and the one who made me submit a resume in this company. It made him guilty to see me doing my job everyday that's why he makes sure to have a closed eye on me. I always assured him that I am fine. Besides, this job pays me good money after all. I can rent a whole decent flat to my self and  buy things that I want. 

        "What's up? I heard Katy made you do the photocopies again?"

        "Yeah. Obviously, Cal." I said, showing the papers. 

    He stood up and held the survey papers in his arms. 

        "I will talk to her again. She might listen to me. You're not supposed to this things. You can be a proofreader or a copywriter. She just doesn't want to trust fresh graduates." He said. 

    Katy's almost his age that's why he has the guts to tell her. But I know, Katy. She's stupidly close minded. She's smart and efficient as editor but she's the type who doesn't trust inexperienced people.

        "Ugh. Try harder, Calvin. In this rate, I cannot write anything until my retirement. Shall I find a new job?" I asked. 

    Calvin furrowed his eyebrows in worry. I laughed at him. Well, Calvin is a breath of fresh air in the office. He's cute and tall. And I like him romantically. But I guess, I am only a sister for him. I remembered everything he said when we're on the same college organization. 'I am just a sister' to him.

        "Do not worry," he held both of my arms assuring me that everything will be fine. 

        "I will talk to Katy, again. You will have your break, okay?"

    I nodded and smiled. He went back to his table to check on some emails while I proceed to the marketing department as Katy instructed me.

    I went directly to the marketing department because a hundred page of photocopied surveys and folders were too much to handle. I stood outside the door, figuring how will I open the large wooden door. I have to twist the doorknob for it to open but my both hands are occupied. 

        "Oh, fuck." I cursed under my breath, preparing myself to look for someone who will pass by the hallway for help.

    I cannot put down the files as they are important to get soiled. Two minutes and I saw someone passing by. I immediately called him, not wanting to lose the chance for help. I did not even look at his face.

        "Hey, you guy wearing black!" I called on his back.

    He stopped on his tracks but he did not bother to face me. Okay?

        "Hey, can you open the door for me?" I asked again.

    This time, he faced me. My eyes opened widely like they saw a ghost. I was so shocked that I lost grip of the files I am holding. The papers scattered on the marbled floor.

    Dwayne Taylor was standing in front of me, looking like a model straight out of a magazine. He's not wearing his business clothes. He's wearing a plain black shirt partnered with a faded jeans. He looked a bit stressed, maybe because of the partying last night.

     He looked at me with annoyance and about to say something when his phone rang. It quickly diverted his attention from mine. He sighed and answered it. He turned his back on me and continued to walk his way while attentively listening to his phone, leaving me like a stone.

   "What the f**k is that, Eleanor? You almost got yourself fired." I whispered to myself.