Consequences

"Don't you think you can improvise on this a little?" Bryan asks me, as I was focusing on making a few changes in the document he had given me.

"I could. What do you want me to change?" I ask him.

"I've highlighted them for you." He says and gives me the folder back.

I sigh as I look at the number of highlights he made. I'd have to stay back at the workplace, again. It was four more days for the weekend. I always looked forward to the weekends, because I'd get to see Ivan. Well, not every weekend of course. His schedule was unpredictable. But nevertheless, he always managed to make time and check up on me. Little things like this made my day.

My life had become significantly more stable than it was last month. There was immense work load but it only meant more improvement. I was also working on the story that Andrew had asked me about.

"Ms. Malitz, before you leave, what's the progress on your story?" he asks.

I look at him surprised. Did he just read my mind? I was thinking about the exact same thing.

"I have a couple of things I need to discuss with the editing team about." I say as I clear my throat.

"Is this story based on fact or fiction?" he asks me seriously.

"It's, it's um, imaginative." I say.

"It's a very interesting concept. Makes me wonder, it's very rare for people to come up with ideas like these." He says as he types something on his computer.

I look at him, I was a little afraid. Bryan could be very intimidating if he wanted to, but things were different with me. He frightened me. I didn't have an answer for the questions he usually put forth.

Unlike his brother, he hardly smiled.

"I just, it just popped up. I wake up one morning, and the idea is just there." I say and laugh nervously. I was fidgeting my skirt and he looked at me hands and smiled.

"Did I do something wrong, Mr. Radcliffe?" I ask him nervously.

He looks at me, he seemed confused and surprised at the same time.

"No. You're doing good." He says and I get up.

"It's not my place but my brother seems to have developed some liking towards you." He says and looks at me.

I make eye contact with him and clutch my laptop and the documents harder.

"He can be very complicated. I hope you can keep up. Usually people can't." he says and interwines his fingers and rests his head on it, looking at me.

I open my mouth to say something. "Good luck, Sofia." He says and extends his hand.

I shake hands with him and smile weakly. Our eyes are fixed onto each other.

Bryan looked at me like he wasn't pleased at all. To be honest, I couldn't shake off this feeling. It felt like he didn't want me to be with Ivan.

He walked out of the meeting room and I picked up my stuff, slowly, lost in thought.

I spent the rest of the evening fixing the documents and editing whatever Bryan had asked me to do. I was playing my favourite song and humming softly. There was no one else in the office except me. I go to the cafeteria and make myself a cup of coffee.

I was in deep thought when I hear footsteps approaching and then halting abruptly. I walk towards the door and see that no one was around. Fear creeps in. I rush to my cubicle and grab my phone. I needed to let someone know I was here.

I hear a thud and shriek. I was too afraid to turn around but I gather my courage and look. A hooded figure suddenly moves behind the wall and I freeze. My chest feels cold as ice, I was numb. Was I going to die?

I quickly dial the numbers and hear footsteps. The hooded figure was holding a bag, he or she approached me slowly and then started running. I scream at the top of my voice and the hooded figure comes closer to me and closes my mouth. I punch him in the gut with all the power I had and he screams. The man falls to the ground and his bag lands beside him.

"Owwwww. Sofia! That wasn't necessary" I hear a familiar voice.

"Ivan!" I get down on my knees and look at him, turning in pain.

"I am so sorry" I tell him, almost in tears.

"It's alright, don't." he says and holds my hand and kisses it. "I got us pizza" he says and I look at him and smile.

We sit down and dive into eating the pizza. I realized I was famished.

"Mmm. Just what I needed." I tell him as I take a large bite and try to get in as much cheese as possible.

"Slow down, dinosaur. I won't eat your food." He says and laughs. He seemed to find it funny, the way I was eating, but this was serious. I didn't want him to finish my food, I was very hungry and I wasn't willing to share my pizza although it was him who got it.

"Sure, Mr. Pizza stealer. You have your own pizza, why don't you eat that." I tell him with a puppy face.

"Yeah, but yours is better."

"But yours has chicken in it, I don't eat that. So, I have limited option. My cheesy margarita. Where as you, have 2 options. Not fair." I say, still focusing on my pizza.

"I didn't know you don't eat meat." He says while focusing on his food.

"I eat it, just quite rarely. Fish n chips are my favourite and of course, potatoes in any form." I chuckle.

"I'm just glad you're eating. You've been stuffed with work lately."

"So are you. I'm glad we're having food together." I say and give him a peck on his cheek. "Thanks for this, Iv. Moments like these, make me very happy." I say and smile.

"Let me drop you back?" he offers.

"That won't be necessary." I hear Bryan say and both of us look at him. "I'll drop her home, don't worry about it, Ivan." He says and looks at me for approval. I nod my head and look at Ivan.

"I'll come along too." Ivan says and grabs my stuff. Was he always such a gentleman? It felt nice to be taken care of.

I follow him and look at Bryan while we were getting out of the office. He seemed pissed.

Uh-oh, this meant trouble.