Angel Switch

Chapter 6 – Meeting the Boss

 "Good night, Nathalie, thanks for today... I really had fun," murmured Nina as we lay her on her bed. Her one glass of martini became two, and before we knew it, she was having more than three.

I had to drive her car back to the house, and Maxon was nice enough to offer to follow us and help me bring Nina up here in our apartment.

 "That's why you only had lemonade," Maxon muttered as he watched me take off Nina's shoes and covered half of her body with a blanket.

I grinned, but actually, I have no idea Nathalie would have lemonade as her usual order, and I had no right to change her preference. At this point, I was only relying on the human's information around her. Everything would have been easier if Nathalie would let me access her mind.

"Coffee?" I offered as we go out of Nina's room. That's what humans do, right?

He lifted an eyebrow. It took a while before he answered, and then nodded. "I'd love to," he answered, smiling gently, then he followed me to the kitchen and watched me brew coffee.

He sat on the stool by the countertop table and observed the decorative plastic fruits inside the glass bowl on the countertop.

"This isn't really safe, Nathalie," he joked, taking the apple and pretending to bite it, but I stopped him which surprised Maxon, as I took the fruit from his hand.

"Don't. You might fall asleep and wake up in a hundred years," I teased him in a really serious tone as I return it to the bowl.

Maybe I was not good at making jokes because Maxon narrowed his eyes on me, and when I shrug my shoulders, he burst out laughing realizing I was simply sharing trivial things from an old fairy tale.

"I didn't know you had it in you. You're usually serious," but really cute, he added in his thoughts. I wish I could tell him the way ogle his eyes on me is making me uncomfortable.

I raised my eyebrows. "Am I?" I turned again to the coffee machine and poured the coffee into the cup. I gave him his coffee and pushed the creamer and sugar dispenser to him.

"So, will you go back to work tomorrow?" he asked as he takes the cup, and put some sugar in his coffee. I tried to remember, he likes his coffee black, just sugar.

"Most likely. My vacation leave was over, so I'd go tomorrow," I answered, although I did not mention to him Nathalie's plan of submitting a resignation letter.

"Anton would be pleased. He's maybe a brother, but he's mostly annoyed with him. Liam's attitude was kinda impossible especially after Corynne's death," shared Maxon. "He's not usually like that, but maybe he was tired of juggling his time between work and his kids."

"That's possible," I commented but I didn't add more.

"I wonder where you spent your vacation, Nathalie." he said, "Your new look suits you well. What have you been doing?" he eyed me curiously, sipping coffee.

"Nothing much. The usual. Flying here and there." I wanted to laugh at my answer, but I was telling the truth. Before I had this mission, that's what I do almost every night.

He nodded. "That's what they said, flying abroad is a good way to relax. Where did you go?"

I lifted an eyebrow and thought of the last place I have been.

"Dubrovnik," I answered, thinking dreamily of how beautiful the place was.

"Croatia?" His eyes flickered on me, then took another sip of his coffee. "Wow! How many languages can you speak? You must be good in speaking their language,"

"Maxon, more than 80% of them can speak English," I smirked, and as for the number of languages I speak, I didn't have to tell him I could understand and speak more than 6,500 languages.

He chuckled, "Yeah, yeah... Next time, bring me with you,"

I nodded and sipped coffee from my cup to prevent myself from talking.

Maxon sighed, "As much as I wanted to stay, I had to go," You looked tired already, he said in his thoughts.

I stand up and take the cup to the sink. Nathalie looked tired already, I repeated to myself. I walked him to the door.

"Thanks for the coffee," he said, smiling, and waiting for something.

I ignored his thoughts. "Thanks for helping me with Nina. Surely, she'll complain tomorrow," I rolled my eyes, and laughed briefly.

He chuckled, then went out the door. I had to close it right away, horrified with Maxon's thoughts of kissing Nathalie. I went back to the kitchen, washed the cups, and then showered.

I don't sleep, but being in Nathalie's body, I had to. Usually, I am active at night, just roaming around the city, listening to people's prayers, and making sure it'll be a peaceful night for everyone, but not now. I can't leave her body.

I say my prayers and then I lay down on her bed and close my eyes.

---

Nathalie's body must be very tired because it was already past five when I woke up. I placed my hand on her tummy. I can hear it growling, so I tiptoed to go to the kitchen so I won't wake Nina up, but I was surprised to see her preparing breakfast.

"Good morning! I hope I didn't wake you up," she glances at me, then returns her eyes to the eggs she's cooking. "Sorry, morning person here," she explained.

I shook my head, "My tummy woke me up. Besides, I have to go to work early today,"

"Yeah, right.  The leave was over," she nodded, putting the omelet in the plate, and then placing it on the countertop. "I don't usually cook much, but I have a feeling you will join me for breakfast today," she beamed, looking excited at the thought.

I smiled, glancing at the cracked eggshells, "I wonder how many chickens you made miserable today,"

Nina laughed, "Usually, just one or two, but I was a bit nervous today. "Not really sure you'd join me for breakfast," she said. "Eat," She pushed the plate to me.

I excitedly took it and smelled the food, then I closed my eyes to say grace in silence, and when I open my eyes, I was startled to see Nina's face close to mine. Her eyes were wide in surprise.

"You're praying?" Her tone is like I made my very first sin of the day.

I raised my eyebrows and nodded. "Why?"

"Nothing," she shrugged, picking her fork to eat. 'but she's an atheist,' she said in her thoughts. Her mind continued to come up with a better explanation of my behavior of whether I had joined a cult, or I have been abducted by an alien that's why I changed.

I ignored her. I enjoyed the omelet and coffee, but Nina is Nina, and she loves to talk.

"Nathalie," she called.

"Hmm?" I raised my head and glanced at her.

"Next time, don't just invite anyone for coffee," she rolled her eyes and smirked, "I overheard you inviting Maxon for coffee last night," she clicked her tongue.

"Why?" I said picking up my coffee cup and sipping while waiting for the trivial matter. My mind right now is thinking of ways how to complete the To-Do lists, finding Mephistopheles and the ticket. Was it a thing, animal, or person?

"Because....that means you're having a good time and you don't want to end the night just yet... and you know, you wanted to prolong his stay, make out or something," she explained while waving her one hand in the air.

I stop sipping my coffee and recalled Maxon's thoughts of kissing Nathalie. I put down my cup and burst into laughter. "That's why," I blurted out. I flushed like an apple as I continued to laugh.

Her eyes widen, "You didn't kiss, did you?"

"Of course, not. Why would we kiss?" I said, shaking my head. I have kissed countless humans whenever I share a gift, but not the way Maxon was thinking.

She shrugged. "He seemed to like you a lot," she murmured, then stands up. "Just put the plates in the sink, I'll wash them."

"Are you sure?" I asked because I still have plenty of time to prepare.

"Oh, please... Nathalie, you must have enjoyed your vacation, you forgot that your boss is a crazy maniac about time,"

Crazy plus maniac, that's interesting. I placed my plate in the sink and went back to my room to prepare for work.

---

Despite Nina's offer of driving me to the office, I told her I'd love to walk. I walked and enjoyed the sunlight, and smiled at people who stared at me. At times I would look at my back, afraid that my wings are out because of how people looked.

Generally, they just find it weird that I am not among the others walking in a hurry. I was taking my time as I walk, greeting almost everyone on the sidewalk, even animals, and just loving everything I see.

The firm is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies worldwide and as I entered, I couldn't help but admire the structure and design of the high-rise building. I smiled at the security guard who didn't ask for my ID, he was just staring at me. I had to look back again, just to make sure my wings didn't pop out.

The two ladies at the front desk seemed to be indifferent about me, though, but I have no time reading their thoughts because I was too busy admiring the gold-tone statue of Asclepios. The art was exquisite. I even ignored the panic that is happening at the moment because I know it isn't a matter of life and death. Just the usual behavior when they see their boss.

"Nathalie!"

I jumped involuntarily as I heard the familiar stern voice. Its loud voice echoed in the lobby and I could tell the employees' heartbeat stopped for half a second. I tilted my head to see Liam's angry face as he crossed his arms when he called me. I raised my eyebrows.

'What now?' I wanted to ask. I furrowed my forehead as I heard their thoughts saying 'Nathalie?' as if they were seagulls repeating my name in disbelief.

I stared at my boss who looked dashing in his executive suits. I couldn't believe I am having these mixed emotions in seeing him, delighted and annoyed at the same time.