The publisher

I’m on my way to the office, stopping at my favorite coffee shop on the way. I walk in, getting a greeting from the same barista I see each morning.“Hey, Luke, How are you this morning?” I ask. “It’s been a busy morning Clara, would you like the usual?” Luke asks. “Yes, please,” I replied. Luke nods and goes back to make my caramel macchiato.“Here you go, Clara, see you tomorrow,” He says with a bright smile. “Thanks, Luke. Have a good day!” I replied, returning the smile and giving one last wave as I walked out the door. I make it to my office building, only a few blocks away from the coffee shop. Walking in, I scan my ID card. “Morning, Phil!” I greet the Security. “Morning, Miss Mason!” Phil says with a friendly smile. I wave goodbye to Phil as I head for the elevator. Once on the elevator to the thirty-fourth floor. It’s crowded, as usual. We are sardines in here, I feel something graze my ass, and I search for the culprit, and it’s some old creep smirking at me.“Please don’t touch me,” I say. Creeper wasn’t sure how to act at being caught, so he turned to look the other way. The elevator opens, and everyone piles out. I head to my office, Scott & Grace publishing, and when I open the door, It’s hectic with people rushing around to get to their desks. I make it to my desk and set my things down, and of course, Megan is already here. “Clara? is that you?” She shouts. “Yes, Megan,” I responded. “I need that new Manuscript from yesterday,” She says. “Okay, I’ll be there in a moment,” I tell her as I grab the manuscript from my desk and walk to her office.“Here you go,” I hand it to her. “Can you get me a cup of coffee?” She asks. “Sure, Megan.” I walk out of her office and head for the break room. I enter and see Scott, the owner of the company. Now he is something to look at, which makes my job a lot easier. But he doesn’t know that I exist. I get to the coffee and pour a cup, and he stands right next to me. “Good Morning, Miss Mason,” He says with a smile. I’m so shocked he spoke to me that it takes me a few minutes to answer.“Um... Good morning, Mr. Lawson,” I stutter. “You seem surprised,” He replies with a smirk. “I’m sorry, Mr. Lawson, I didn’t know you knew who I was,” I declare. “No apologies necessary. Of course, I know who you are. I hired you for my sister Megan. It’s hard to keep a good Assistant for her.” He explains. “Oh, I never knew,” I say, then giggle. “Yeah, she is a handful,” He chuckles, taking a sip from his mug. “Well, it was nice talking to you, Mr. Lawson. I better get Megan her coffee,” I say. “It was nice talking to you as well, Miss Mason.” He smiles and I walk away, but I can feel his eyes watching me leave. I get back to Megan’s Office, handing her the coffee.“Is there anything else you need at the moment?” I ask. “No, not right now, Clara, but please let my callers know I’m busy and take a message,” Megan says. “Of course,” I agree, then head back to my desk. As I take a seat and turn on my computer the phone rings. “Good morning! Scott & Grace publishing this is Clara speaking, how may I assist you?” I answer with a smile. “Yes, I need to speak with Megan. Is she available?” A woman asks. I grab a pen and paper ready to take a message. “No, I’m sorry, she is out at the moment. Can I take a message?” I ask politely. “Could you tell her this is Elaine? calling about my book stormy nights I need her to call me, please” She says with irritation in her tone. “I’ll get the message to her as soon as possible,” I tell her in a friendly voice. “Thank you,” and she hangs up. It’s Lunchtime, and I walk to the cafe down a couple of floors. I take a seat near the window and pull out my laptop to write a little. I dream that one day Megan will read my manuscript and see my true talent. I get pulled away from my thoughts as a man sits down at my table. “Um...” The words are taken right out of my mouth as I am face to face with Scott. “Hello Again, Miss Mason,” He says, grinning. “Mr. Lawson, should I move?” I ask. “No, I sat here so we could talk,” he declares. “I’m sorry if this sounds rude, but Mr. Lawson, you have never talked to me before, Is there something you need me to do?” I ask curiously. “No, I don’t need anything. I find you intriguing and would like to know you better,” he states. “Is this a joke? am I being punked?″ I whisper, leaning across the table. “No, Miss Mason, I assure you I’m serious.” He whispers back. “You can call me Clara,” I declare. “Well, you can call me Scott,” He smirks. He is so cute, but I need to end this now, or Megan could fire me. “I can’t call you by your first name, Mr. Lawson. Megan is very particular that she would fire me,” I replied softly. “She has no authority to fire you,” He proclaims. I get to my feet looking down at Scott. “Mr. Lawson, It’s been nice talking with you, but I should go,” I mutter. I pick up my things about to walk off when his hand catches my arm. “Clara, please don’t be afraid of me,” He says softly. I move my hand away from him gently. “I’m not afraid I can’t lose my job for fraternizing with my boss’s brother or more like the actual owner. This is my future and I have worked hard for this and I can't mess it up now. Have a good rest of your day Mr. Lawson,” I replied and walked out of the cafe, leaving him sitting alone, which I don’t think anyone has ever done. I’m at my desk going through some manuscripts when Megan calls me in her office. “Clara, come in here!” She yells and I get up heading to her office. “Yes, Megan?” I answer politely. “I have to leave for the day, but I need you to stay late to read over Elaine’s Book,” She demands. I wanted to yell at her for always leaving me to do her job. But I agree. “Sure, I’ll stay,” I mumbled. “Okay, I’m heading out now, so put all my calls to voicemail,” she says, then grabs her purse and walks past me, leaving for the elevator. It’s Around 7:30, and I’m in Megan’s office, reading Elaine’s Manuscript. I usually stay in her office when she leaves for the day. It’s less noisy to concentrate. I continue reading, realizing everyone has gone home for the day, so I look at the clock, and it’s now 9:15. I look up to Megan’s door opening, thinking it’s the janitor, only to see Mr. Lawson in the doorway. “Well, you’re not Megan,” He smiles. “Yeah, she asked me to stay late to look over a manuscript,” I explain. Scott tilts his head confused. “hmm... Isn’t that what I pay her for?” He asks. “Well, um... Yeah, but she had to leave for the day,” I say. He steps into the office, taking a seat across from the desk. “How is the manuscript?” He asks, staring down at the manuscript in my hand. “It’s terrific. It’s about love that can’t happen because of an arranged marriage.” I explain. “Will it appeal to our readers, though?” He questions. “Yes, I believe it will because every woman wants a love story especially one that is forbidden,” I state. “Is that what you want, Clara?” He stares lonely at me. “Well, of course, one day,” I replied. He looks at me with his gorgeous Hazel eyes for a moment too long, and I look down at the papers on the desk to avoid Scott’s eye contact. Scott stands, fixing the plate on the desk with Megan’s name on it. “Well, I must be getting home. It would be best if you did the same. It’s late; you shouldn’t be doing Megan’s job for her. I will have a chat with her first thing in the morning,” He says, turning to leave. “Wait! please don’t. I will lose my job,” I say frantically. “I assure you, Clara, you won’t be going anywhere.” He tells me, grinning. “Have a good night!” He says, leaving. I pack up my things to leave. Heading to the elevator going down to the ground floor. I walk to the security station to see Phil still on duty. “Phil? Are you still here? do they ever give you a break?” I ask. “Miss Mason, I could ask you the same, young lady like you should be out having drinks with her friends, not enduring hours of work,” Phil claims. He gave me a slight smile.“It’s what I have to do to make it in this industry,” I tell Phil. “Well, Miss Mason, if anyone deserves it, it’s you,” he replied. “Thank you, Phil, that is so sweet. If I make it big in this company, I will make sure you get a raise,” I say, smiling and waving at him while walking through the double doors. I walk to the bar not far from my apartment to meet my friend Lydia. I open the door and find her sitting at the bar, so I walk over taking a seat next to her. “Lydia!” I say, then hug her. She gives me a big smile. Lydia has been my friend since I moved to New York and our friendship is more like a sisterhood. She is gorgeous with chocolate eyes and dark golden brown skin which glows in the light and her natural curls displayed beautifully to one side. “You look stunning Lydia!” I announce lifting her arm to take a look at her. Lydia giggles at my compliment. “Thank you! but you look tired. Did you just get off work?” She admits. “Yeah, Megan had me go over a manuscript that I had to finish tonight,” I explain. “Girl, she is always making you work like that. It would be best if you were the editor. You do her work for her,” She snaps. “I know, but that will never happen. Megan is the owner’s sister.” I declare then take a look around the bar stopping my gaze towards the back. “Oh my God, no way!” My eyes grow wide.