Peter was disgruntled to say the least as his dear uncle's wish was acted upon. The office gossip was buzzing with the news. Hasty glances toward his office and whispers hidden within conversations were the least of his worries. He truly loved his uncle and did not mind being the new boss. Peter didn't mind Maria being his right hand man as much as he hated how clumsy she could be but he did mind his cousin Mark being his adviser. He frowned as he set some files down on his desk. "Mr. Peter? It is your four o' clock appointment. A Mr. Beslymin to talk about metal shipments?" Maria poked her head through the doorway and smiled in at him. Peter let out a calming breath and nodded to Maria to let the client in.
Mr. Beslymin was a round and jovial man with white hair, who was quite informal in any case. "Hello Peter! I just heard the good news. So you are the main hancho around here now, huh? Well congratulations! I am sorry to hear about your uncle. A great fellow through and through." Peter managed a smile and gestured to a nearby seat. "Thank you Mr. Beslymin. May we discuss the metal shipments?" Mr. Beslymin ignored Peter's statement and went on. "Yes sirree bob! Your uncle and I worked together for years. I wonder if he is up to playing me at golf? He never was good at golf...." He rambled on as he adjusted his glasses onto his nose. Peter tried to maintain a smile but was beginning to wear thin. Just at that moment Maria came through the door with a tray of coffee. "So Mr. Beslymin, when will we be getting your wonderful metal?" Maria commented as she put the tray on Peter's desk. "Oh. Well it is to come later this month. This is your special order too!" Maria wore a small smile as she served the men their coffee. She knew how to deal with the talkative old man and how to calm down her employer. "Mr. Peter have you had anything to eat yet?" Peter shook his head as he started to massage his temples. "No and I don't need anything right now. Thank you, Maria. Please get back to work." She gave a quick frown then recovered quickly with a bow to Mr. Beslymin. "Enjoy your coffee." Maria left to her desk to work on her computer when Mr. Beslymin said, "Now Peter....don't be so mean to her. She is only looking out for you. I know you have a habit of not eating when you are into your work but it isn't healthy. It makes everyone worry. At least try to eat a sandwich or some chips." The old man pulled on his suspenders and leaned back in the chair as he watched Peter organize his desk. "Sir, please don't start up again. I know that I need to eat but I can't summon enough appetite. Maria is overly friendly and needs to be more professional, so I have to be mean to her. It is only to help her career." Mr. Beslymin let out a wise chuckle and looked to him with a knowing look. "Just don't over do it. Now I must be off. Call me once I get back to Texas. See you around Peter." After they shook hands and the jovial man left the office Peter sat back and stared at the ceiling. Why did that man have to be so annoyingly happy all the time? It was as if he could read everyone's life and didn't have to worry about anything. That greatly irritated Peter but he brushed it off as he heard someone enter his office.
"Peter." He knew by their voice who it was. "Mark." Peter looked over at his cousin who was turning off his ipod. "You aren't allowed music at work, Mark. Now I only agreed to this for uncle. I guess you did the same?" Mark furrowed his brow and stuffed his ipod away in his pocket as he slid onto a leather seat. "I am doing it for many reasons. Yes, one of them is for uncle." His brown piercing eyes bore into Peter's skull. Peter glared back at him and was silent for a moment. "If you are to be my adviser then you must give up your bad habits." Mark gave a devious smile as he shrugged. "Why, what habits do you speak of?" "No video games first of all. Take a thirty minute break like everyone else and never be late." Peter tried not to clench his teeth or ball his fist. "I can do the break thing and be punctual but video games stay. I have to keep up my high score or I will lose my rank." Mark put his feet up on the desk to show off his scuffed shoes and white socks. "What the hell do you think this is? This isn't high school, Mark! This happens to be a serious business and you are now close to the top of it thanks to our uncle. What was he thinking when he chose you?" Peter's voice got louder as he spoke. "You don't even care about what's going on here and you weren't even close to uncle. Why would he choose you? Maybe pity? No! Maybe it was because he was ashamed of your position here." Before Peter could go on Maria stepped in to the office. "Mr. Peter! The secretaries are afraid for their lives from your yelling. Everyone outside of this office thinks you are about to commit murder in here. Mr. Mark you are to interview for your assistant in fifteen minutes down near the lobby." Peter watched as Mark visibly gave in and did what he was told. Maria looked over at Peter with an angry pout. Peter chuckled at her spunk and how such a short woman could be so demanding. "What are you laughing at?" Maria asked getting even more riled than before. "Nothing. You just always come in right when I need you. Thank you." Peter replied giving her a heart warming look. His dark blue eyes sent waves of goosebumps over her skin. She shivered and tried to compose herself as she picked up the tray she had left earlier. "Your welcome!" She turned abruptly and returned the tray to the office kitchen. She felt blood rush to her face as she thought of Peter smiling at her. Why did this have to happen? She tried to remind herself to be professional and not think of her boss in that way. "But that is why I got this job in the first place!" Maria thought as she strode to her desk.
Maria had felt the tension in the air when she had been in the office with Mark and Peter. Mainly it was Peter sending death glares to Mark. Maria shook her head as she thought about Mark. He was a terrible worker but he was a wonderful friend. Mark had helped Maria out years ago and still lent a hand when ever she needed it. Kind of like the week before when her tire popped and she was stuck in the rain. A snappy call to Mark and he was there fixing her up with a new tire. He even went as far to bring some dry clothes and a towel. "Why couldn't Mark be that dependable at work?" She thought as she rinsed out the coffee pot and began a new batch.
 Zabethlyburn · Sun Jul 25, 2010 @ 09:49pm · 0 Comments |
