The Love Cube

Chapter 8 : Chance Meeting

It wasn’t everyday that Grace passed through 'Penal', the famous bar that was close to her workplace. Most of the time she was just going to pick up on gossip, especially with most of the secretaries, assistants as well as lawyers flooding it. She had nothing to worry about as most people had no knowledge of who she was and, with the fact that her boss rarely frequented such establishments, she always took it upon herself to fish for gossip on her behalf.Being a secretary for her did not just entail booking meetings and answering phone calls. She always ensured she was an even more valuable asset and she was well paid for that.

Heather was as much her friend as she was her boss and information was always power in their circles.The bartender had already refilled her second glass for the night and slowly the bar was filling up, chatter floating all through the room.

The yellow glow of light was already setting the mood for the night. This was when she would go in for the kill, slowly planting herself beside a group who would be having a discussion without their knowledge and she would pass as a contributor. In the heat of the discussions, no one would realize how out of place she actually was. All she needed was to spot the right crowd for tonight.

“ Can’t wait to find out who she is going against, but regardless of who, my bet is on her,’’ a booming male voice spoke from the back of the bar.

“ What are we betting on?’’ another female voice asked and this piqued Grace’s interest. She felt like she had an inkling to what it was but needed confirmation.

‘’ Heather’s new case,’’ the male voice that had initially spoken replied.

‘’I am all in,’’ the female replied and caused everyone to head towards the table, prompting Grace to move from her spot that was at the counter.

She made her way to the back where a small crowd had formed and a figure in the middle was hunched writing down who was taking part in the bet.

“ Who is the opposing counsel?’’ Grace asked. That was what she needed . Heather had not told her anything about them but maybe she could find out even more from the small group.

“ Want to bet on them?’’ the man who had been previously hunched over asked, his eyes twinkling.

‘’ Just curious,’’ she replied, taking a sip from her drink, holding his gaze.

The man went back to writing, not giving her a response. Around the table no one seemed to have an answer as they kept excitedly speaking to and over each other. She felt frustrated. How was she the only one curious about the other party?

'' Seems like you are the only one interested in the under dog,’’ a voice that was just too close to her ear stated. Turning, she was met by a handsome stranger's face who she had not earlier noticed and was smirking in her direction.

An interesting turn to the night, she thought, her earlier disappointment fading away.The gods had somehow had better plans for her.

" Everyone starts as an underdog ,'' she replied, smiling while sipping her drink, taking a better look at the man who had approached her beneath her glass. She could tell he had a good form by how well he filled his suit,smelled heavenly and completely easy on the eyes. Definitely her type.

She had always come to this bar and knew a better part of the community of lawyers around the area. They might not know her but she did them. She did not find her looks to be anything special and it was easier for her to blend in like a wall flower with ease. That was how she had gone for many years without anyone even knowing she was Heather's secretary or publicly pointing it out.

The man before her was a new face who she had not seen anywhere.

" You are new here,'' she said but the man just gave her a puzzled look.

'' Is that a statement or a question?'' he asked. Could the woman before him already sniff out his intentions even before he had carried through with them?

" A statement. I am a regular here,'' Grace replied. It was not really a lie. She did not frequent the establishment as much as she alluded but the man's face was not one she would have missed.

" And I thought I was blending in,'' Derrick muttered under his breath as he extended his hand towards Grace introducing himself. He did not ask what she did, avoiding the situation of her asking him about his occupation.They could work with her assumptions.

" How are you liking the city?'' Grace asked as they both got a table.

" Still the same, just a bit more hectic. I was born and raised here. I was just away for sometime,'' Derrick replied.

He looked at the woman before him. She seemed sweet and he could understand why she was close to Heather.

" So I will see you more often,'' Grace asked, hoping the eagerness in her voice was not evident.

He had approached her willingly, she thought, hoping not to have read the whole situation wrong. It wasn't always that men that looked like him approached her. She had no idea how her boss would flirt with the men who she was into but she needed to channel her inner Heather.

" You will,'' the answer came from Derrick but little did she know that the answer was not in relation to her but to the future. When he settled things with Heather, she would see him on a daily basis.

'' You are now my official drinking partner,'' he continued with a grin.

That was not the answer Grace had expected. This was worse than a friend zone she thought a bit bitterly but on the brighter side maybe she could work her way from that position to something.