Substitute for Lawson

5

Emily went back to the office and locked herself away from everyone, if not with a key, then just in herself, in the place where she was assigned to work. Now the girl was damned ashamed, she had completely ruined her first impression in front of her superiors, and how could she continue working here? Quit? Or...once again, try to pull yourself together and not retreat from the dream? And as rude as Lawson was, wasn't he right? The girl was getting mumbly and smudgy, this is not good.

There's no one left in the archive for a long time. A desk lamp was burning, giving the huge room with its shelves a kind of mystery, like something out of a horror movie. Emily didn't pay any attention to it at all, but sat at a small desk with a laptop in her hands, typing in a database of new documents. The girl must have yawned ten times or more in the last minute. She was very tired, but she tried hard to prove to herself that she could do more. If you checked her watch, her workday was already over, but no, stubborn wasn't going to leave.

The girl shuddered at the sudden interruption of her peace. It was Sarah again. The young employee was already packed up and seemed about to leave the office.

— What is it?" Fox yawned again and wiped the tears from her eyes. Wow, I'm so tired that my eyes are already watering.

"You can be free for today," the receptionist smiled benevolently, adjusting the long strap of her bag on her shoulder.

— But I still have a lot of work... - the trainee sighs in frustration, looking around at the mountains of folders around her.

"Well, you haven't been working here for the last day," she grins. "Come on." You're tired, aren't you…

"I —" Amy can't help but remember how late she was.

— And don't say anything about being late. Mrs. Kim told me that you often wind up a hurdy-gurdy about being late, but that's okay. Who doesn't? Do you think I wasn't late? He shakes his head reproachfully. "Come on, no one's going to pay your overtime anyway."

With that, Sarah left Emily alone, closing the door on the other side. After sitting still for a while, the trainee once again looked at the mountains of paper trash, and feeling her stomach twist with hunger, she got up from her seat. Putting all her things in her purse, putting on her jacket, she looked thoughtfully at the bag where her ruined shoes were, and after a moment's hesitation, she looked down at her feet with the same look, paying attention to the shoes that fortunately they gave her today.

- How pathetic I am... - She sighs in annoyance, and after making sure that she has turned off all the devices, leaves the archive, closing the door with a key.

The normally lighted corridor, with good lighting and panoramic windows, was plunged into darkness. Most of the offices had been dark for a long time, and there was no more commotion than there had been in the morning and afternoon. Apparently the working day is really over.

Calling the elevator, she closed her eyes for a second and realized that just a little more and she would definitely fall asleep. A moment later, there was a distinctive sound and the girl was forced to open her eyes and enter the elevator. There were a couple more people standing behind her. The man was already relaxed, standing in the far corner, leaning against the wall, typing something on his phone, and two young girls were flirting and talking among themselves. Emily couldn't help noticing that if she was placed next to them, even though she was already sitting next to them, she would look even more pitiful.

"My God, he's still such a darling!" The painted blonde fawned dreamily. As she spoke, she pulled a lipstick out of a small purse and began to preen herself, looking at the mirror reflection of the elevator walls.

"And don't tell me..." the other woman confirmed just as dreamily. "And his figure…

— I think he wants me already, - the blonde fatly applied red lipstick on the tip of her lips and smacked her lips and showed off in the mirror.

"Brie," her companion says, and lowers her voice a little, hoping it will make their conversation less audible. "Do you think this will help you finish your probation period faster?"

— Why not?" Maybe I want to date such a handsome guy! She clicks, turning to her friend.

"I don't think he's capable of a serious relationship," the other woman shakes her head and gives Emily a quick glance, narrowing her eyes.

"As if I could!" But even getting laid with him, I think it's like going to heaven.

— I'm told he doesn't spend more than one night with a girl." While the girls are whispering without even being embarrassed by the man who doesn't seem to notice, Emily unwittingly witnessed this conversation.

How irritated she was by such people now.

"And why is it that men are attracted to them? They're just ... dummies. Not fair! Damn, and when is this first floor... " - thought the girl. She tapped her foot nervously and glanced at her wristwatch.

"But, did you hear? Remember that girl who was late? Emily could feel them staring at her now, and not just feel them, but see them through the reflection in the door.

"Well?"

"After Damian scolded her, I didn't feel up to it all day. I didn't even have time to approach him! Poor… this b***h ruined the mood of our bunny…

"Ugh, I would…

So they're talking about Mr. Lawson? How did Amy not know that right away? And what did she think of him now? And she's the b***h? If she'd been bolder, she would have told them long ago what she thought of them and their beloved Damian. And it seems that the forces are there, but fortunately the elevator doors open in the hall of the first floor. Fox is the first out of there, catches her breath, and rushes through the turnstiles to the exit after saying goodbye to security.

Damian was a bit late today, too. It was time to get busy with the accumulated work, to distract himself from the neurosis and thoughts, he was on pins and needles all day. The clock was already showing half past eight in the evening, and it was time to leave, but I didn't feel like it. Moving to a horizontal position on the sofa, the man closed his eyes for a second. And what's wrong with it? And why would you find out about the poor girl? After all, the usual, frightened, and brought almost to a white handle. Maybe Alice was right? Shouldn't you have cut it off from the shoulder?

"How much longer?" Damian flinches slightly at the words and opens his eyes. His friend is standing in the doorway, staring at the body lying there with its arms folded so ambiguously for several minutes, looking surprised. "Or are you going to retire altogether?"

For some reason, Damian didn't want to answer, didn't want to, so he closed his eyes again and let out a long sigh. Without waiting for an answer, Lucas clicked his tongue and walked deeper into the office, stopping at the deputy's desk. He was attracted to a small indoor flower that Damian had bought himself. Breaking a small twig with a flower on it, he went back to his friend and made a face of concentration as he tried on the best place for Lawson to put it. There was no place for him better than between the fingers of his folded hands, so after evaluating his creation, he nodded to himself with satisfaction.

— What is it?" Damian opens his eyes abruptly, staring down at a sprig of broken flower.

"I've finished your boring composition," Lucas grins as he sits down in a businesslike chair.

— Why did you break off Ludovic?" - Zam clicks, sitting down on the couch and looking at the flower in his hand.

"Who?" Louis? The general manager is even more surprised by his friend's oddities. — You called the flower Louis?"

Making a dying face, Damian returned the scrap to the pot and tried to stick it back in place, then simply buried it in the ground.

"I almost had a fight with Alice about you, by the way," Lucas says, watching his sullen friend as he slowly moves around his office.

— What?" She looks him over a little excitedly. This was definitely not in his plans.

"Well, I stood up for you, and she told me that if that's the case, then live with your Lawsen," Lucas says, resting his head on his fist in a relaxed way that doesn't seem to bother him at all.

— Moving in with me?" Lawsen grins, knowing it's not that serious.

"Me then?" Lucas starts to smile and already has a plan in mind. - She'll blow up and forgive you like a cute girl…

- Look, you will agree — the still dejected deputy grins. "You'll sleep in the guest room.

***

And so, once again, Emily almost failed. The girl almost passed her subway station, because she fell asleep. A walking setback, or a disaster ... yes, there's no better word for it. Trudging wearily down the dark alley, the girl could barely move her legs, and now she wouldn't be surprised if a maniac attacked her. Although, what kind of maniac? The neighborhood is quiet, and it doesn't look all that attractive, even the biggest p*****t wouldn't want it.

The tiny apartment met her with darkness, but turning on a small night light in the hallway, the girl relaxed and took off someone else's shoes, collapsed on the floor. She was so tired that she was ready to fall asleep here on the rug, where the letters "Welcome "were already almost erased. No, definitely not sleeping right now! You need to prepare dinner, and even better, take something with you tomorrow, so that you don't show up from the archive again, God forbid you run into the management team and don't create unnecessary problems. And in General… This Alice, she is so friendly, and it would be great to have such a friend, but it's strange, she would communicate with someone of equal status, and not all day defending a non-native intern, and after all, at lunch, she said that she came to eat with a friend and acted as if they had known each other for many years. Here in London, Emily didn't even have any friends. No, there were a lot of female friends, but to be friends, no. Or did Alice just want to annoy Mr. Lawson with it? Did you use it?

With a long sigh, the girl got up from the floor. Going deeper into the small living room connected to the kitchen, she reflexively turned on the TV and simultaneously pulled off her clothes and went to take a bath. Maybe this will help wash all of today's bad luck off her body?

Or Damian Lawson, who didn't strike her as alluring as he'd been described. Or was it because of his tyranny that she didn't notice his beauty and charm? The girl was already thinking about this while in the bathroom, enjoying the foamy, hot water. She should pull herself together and show her best side, win his trust, and not try to hide in the archive, as she had thought before. But what needs to be done? Should I ask Alice? Yes, it is.

***

It was the first morning in months that had turned out very well. Or did she think so? Amy jumped in early and had time to pack her lunch, put on makeup, and pick up her clothes. Now she has decided that instead of uncomfortable shoes with heels, it is better to choose shoes to which the heel will certainly not break at the most inopportune moment, they have long been gathering dust, as well as trousers that she rarely wore, and now strangely it seems to her that these trousers emphasized her lean figure. Instead of a tight bun, I made a ponytail on my head, and also for the first time in my entire career life put on the red lipstick that her mother gave her.

"So much better?" She stared at her reflection in the small mirror that hung in the hallway by the door. — Maybe I'll get lucky today." Well, good luck! - The girl closed her eyes, inhaling deeply and exhaling, and then nodding to herself, left the apartment.

Damian's was just the opposite. The morning wasn't going well, for reasons he didn't understand. I almost overslept, the coffee was not delicious, the apartment was a mess, and I didn't want to go to work at all, for the same incomprehensible reasons. Oh, and now it's stuck in traffic. His body ached unusually, because a trained guy was used to starting his morning with a jog, and not with a mat and running around the apartment.

A little more and the deputy himself would be late, although of course, the authorities are not late, but delayed, Damian was afraid that he would not avoid Alice's grins.

— Well, what a deer there is ahead... - now Mr. Lawsenan's Aston Martin, also on a par with all "mortal" cars, was standing in a dead traffic jam, which was also very strange and rare. What are these strange magnetic storms that haunt it? In general, at such moments, he wondered why his car at such a cost and various gadgets still can not fly, it's a shame, you can say the money is wasted. "No, there's a herd of deer..." he moaned in a long drawl, trying to distract himself by turning up the sound of the radio louder.

**

Amy was bolder today than she had been yesterday, though there was still a little fear in her eyes. Putting on her pass card, she went through the turnstile and greeted the security guards, who either joked or really didn't recognize the girl, asking if she was here for the first time. As she went up to the legal department, she prayed that she wouldn't be assigned to do anything with the two girls who'd been in the elevator yesterday just dreaming about f*****g what she thought was a tyrant. In her hands, she clutched a paper bag containing borrowed shoes that she needed right now. it was necessary to return it. She had hoped to give them to the secretary, but instead found Alice herself in the waiting room of the office.

"Good morning," Fox smiled modestly, drawing Alice's attention to herself. The woman who was now talking to the secretary froze in place without finishing her thought. Both girls looked genuinely surprised, as if they didn't recognize her.

"It suits you," was all Sarah said.

— Good morning, Emily, - the lawyer quickly woke up, giving the intern her warm smile.

— I wanted to give you... - deciding that there was no need to delay, the girl, falling into her awkwardness, handed the same paper bag.

"You?" Just like last time, Kim's lip curled after the formal address.

"Oh, I mean... you..." She was instantly recognizable now, even the new image didn't save her, still the same, as Mr. Lawsen would say, mumble.

"Come in," the deputy director pointed to the open door to her office and went through first, not waiting for her to respond to her suggestion.

Closing the door behind her, Fox paused at the door, forgetting that she was about to give up her shoes, and continued to hold the bag in her hands. Settling into her chair at the desk, Alice looked up at the intern and clucked her tongue at her confusion.

"Yes, my God, sit down," she pointed to the chair in front of the table that was being offered for visitors, and the latter, as if on cue, collapsed into it. "And relax.

"I'm still a little embarrassed," Emily admitted, but tried to straighten her shoulders. The girl finally placed the bag on the table, pointing at it with her eyes. "Y-you helped me out yesterday… I'm grateful, because if it wasn't for you…

"I have a suggestion for you, even two," Tu Kim interrupted before she could finish, because even without that, it was clear what she meant by all this.

"What's that?"

— Would you like to be my assistant for a couple of weeks?"

"An assistant?" Emily asked, a little puzzled. A question popped up in my head, because Sarah was sitting in the waiting room right now, wasn't she the assistant?

"Yes," she said. - And, let's be friends?

— What?" The shock in her eyes was stronger than ever.

— Maybe it sounds silly, - now Alice is a little embarrassed. — You know, when I was a kid, it was a lot easier to make friends. And now, such a phrase "let's be friends" in the ears of my interlocutors becomes an incomprehensible wall, they begin to suspect something or think that I need something from them. And I just want to communicate with a person…

He shakes his head in agreement. — It's just that it's unusual, they didn't even want to talk to me before…

— And I understand you,-Alice smiles kindly. "So, that's why... it's just Sarah, she's going on vacation, and when she gets back, they'll probably transfer her to another department, and I'd like someone close to me…

— And that's what you're offering the intern?"

Alice nods her head positively and holds out her hand with a small smile, as if to greet her on their first day together.

- yes. And don't you want to prove Mr. Lawsen wrong about you?"

The temptation was great. Wasn't that what she wanted? Emily almost instantly grabs the hand that's outstretched for her, and then squeezes it tightly.

— I agree!"

Now everything has become much more difficult. Emily had only been following Sarah around for about a week studying and learning what was needed for her so-called position, but she was happy. After all, the trainees were now just running errands, and she was now an assistant, which was good, especially considering the fact that the painted girls didn't get anything proper, as well as attention from Damian. Ah, and now about him. The girl tried not to show herself to him, although it was quite difficult. After all, on behalf of her boss, she ran all over the office and also bypassed Damian's waiting room, it was rare, and he looked in himself. He never spoke to her, became arrogant, and didn't even pay attention. It made Emily feel better, and she often watched him, especially when he was talking to Alice. I didn't understand how it came out, but it was interesting to watch the focused deputy.

— Emily, - Alice herself appeared from her office. "Can you finish for me?" She was holding a small folder. — There's nothing complicated, just a small contract.

"M-I can..." the confused receptionist nods back. You don't always get the opportunity to finally put your knowledge into practice.

Today, she was busy, running around the office as fast as the intern herself, and was often absent from the office.

"Thanks," Kim says with a sigh of relief, " I have an appointment, so I don't have time for anything… Oh, Lucas told me to stay home, " she chuckled, and Amy noticed for the first time that the deputy was packed up and apparently leaving the office. "Oh, well, when you're done, take this to the Dam, okay?"

"Damian Lawrence?" Fox asks, a little uncertainly.

"Yes, — she says. — And don't be afraid of him, he doesn't bite, especially with girls. Okay, I'm gone!

Fox watches her boss leave, who has really become a friend of sorts for her during this time. They went out to lunch together, although they didn't need Lucas or Damian anymore, but they didn't need them. They both got to know each other better, talked about their lives, and just gossiped. Emily couldn't believe that such a thing could ever happen, but she would seem withdrawn, relax from Alice's behavior and jokes, and start behaving like this. The problem was that the office started to whisper in a strange way, and it's clear who will like the fact that you are treated in a special way, but not for the others. Alice didn't seem to care, but Emily, who wasn't quite used to such attention, was embarrassed.

Remembering all her knowledge, the girl concentrated on the contract. You can't make a mistake in front of Damian.

After checking everything ten times, the girl looked pleased with herself and proudly lifted her nose as she headed towards the elevators. Everything should work out today! She stands next to a small crowd of employees who are waiting for the elevator just like her.

"It'll work," she says, barely moving her lips, and steps into the elevator, pressing the button for the penultimate floor.

"I'm sorry, what?" The man standing next to her still heard what she was saying, but he couldn't make it out.

Startled, she looks up at him, meeting his soft expression, blue eyes, and beautiful smile. "No, nothing! She answers quickly, blushing deeply as she looks away.

Emily is constantly looking at the electronic dial, puffing and for some reason starting to worry. Why is it taking so long? No, he will appreciate it! Just a little more, yes, the doors are closing again and she's getting ready to go out the next day. And here it is, a distinctive sound and a female voice announcing the arrival of the elevator on the floor. The doors open and the newly minted receptionist steps out onto the glossy white floor, walking briskly toward Mr. Lawsen's office.

The man who had just visited the general's office made it safely down to his floor and followed Emily out of the next elevator. The girl flew forward without paying attention to anything and didn't seem to notice him. Damian was scowling down at his feet, hands casually shoved into the pockets of his trousers, not because he was angry, but because he was thinking. Suddenly, he was annoyed by a strange sound, that is, the click of shoes, so the black eyes moved smoothly to the feet in front of him. Women's, rather thin, stockings, pencil skirt, eh, not even a normal ass. His eyes roamed over the woman's body, and finally we got to the torso and head. Strange can't make out who it is? And you can't outrun them either. Filled with curiosity, Damian follows, only to realize that the girl is opening the glass door to his waiting room.

Before she can slam the door, someone grabs the handle and follows her inside. Brittany looked up from her computer screen and raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise.

— Will you give this to Mr. Lawsen?" "The bravehearted girl is pretty confident, and she doesn't need to be a coward when she's not talking to Damian."

— What have you got there?" A gruff voice comes from behind her, making the girl's eyes grow several times larger. And where had her courage gone? She quickly turns around and shies away from too close contact with the deputy. She and the man were only half a meter apart. He held out his hand, as if to suggest that she pass the documents directly to her hands, and not through the secretary, but the girl clutched the folder even more tightly to her chest in fright.

- Come on already — - the man was even more annoyed and took a confident step, snatched the folder and the girl's almost trembling hands. Hell, she was trying to prove to him that she was worthy of his respect, or at least a neutral attitude, and yet she was still making a complete fool of herself. He quickly flips through the contract, runs his eyes over the white paper in concentration, and suddenly stops at one page with a frown.

"Who made it up?"

What kind of voice? Is he not happy?

"I..." He answers almost immediately, but for some reason begins to realize that praise is not worth waiting for.

"You?" — What is it? " he asks in a slightly shrill voice. "Really?" Are you completely out of your mind? Who draws up a contract like this?! What the ... what the?" What is the responsibility of the parties? That is, what are the new conditions in this clause? Whose favor are you making up for? What kind of extra... " he doesn't finish and nervously flips through the stapled paper. Abruptly, he throws the folder to the floor and glares at the girl. — Are you completely out of your mind?! Who gave you permission to do that? Are you taking me out on purpose?! Damian snaps, causing Fox to cringe her neck into her shoulders in fright. "Oh, my God! You... both of you... are getting to me already! Tell Alice needs to redo everything herself! To avoid getting even angrier at her presence, he quickly retreats to his office, but I can hear his voice clearly even from there. — And don't let me see you again!"

And here he was, a complete failure, and she, wasn't she doing something wrong? I just didn't quite figure it out.

**

Working hours are running out, and with them the energy for this so-called work. The weekend was looming on the calendar, so Damian decided not to stay too long.

"I left," he says shortly, walking out of his office.

"See you on Monday, Mr. Lawsen," she snaps back, also finishing her work.

- yes. He opens the door and turns to look at her as he's about to leave the waiting room. "Don't stay too long. Go home. He chuckles good-naturedly, winking at Brittany before finally slamming the door.

He decided that there was no need to focus on unnecessary things, just relax, and maybe have fun with someone. Yes, that's a great idea. He was glad that he didn't have to worry about getting married lately. Humming songs to himself, the man took the elevator down, and at the exit, joking with the security guards and wishing them a good weekend, almost danced out of the building. The cool evening air was refreshing, and it made me shiver a little, but it didn't matter. Damian quickly slipped into his car and started the engine, turning on the radio out of habit.

Now his plans included a visit to the house, a little relaxation in the form of dinner in front of the TV, and then he could wave to the Ministry of Sound, because he had already ordered a VIP zone for a long time, dreaming of relaxing in the company of his old London friends. It was useless to call Lucas now, for a reason that everyone knew, and if you took that very reason with you, it wouldn't be any fun.

He pulls out of the parking lot and stops the car at a traffic light, looking relaxed at the people hurrying through the zebra crossing. He taps his fingers on the leather steering wheel cover, moves his head to the beat of the music, sings along, and notices a familiar female figure in the crowd of strangers.

"Oh, that damned girl..." he frowns as he watches Emily hurry to the other side of the sidewalk. I ruined the whole mood. But why did she annoy him so much? Usually, Lucas was the angry boss, often scolding employees, and sometimes even getting fired, finding fault with every detail, and Damian tried to behave more calmly in this regard, instilling the trust of a loyal boss who calmly pointed out mistakes, but not in this case. This person had annoyed him terribly, from the very first day. Even a photo in your resume.

Damian almost glanced at Fox and hurried off, forgetting that the traffic light had gone off long ago.

"There you go! Again... " he sighs in a long sigh, hearing the car horn behind him.