Blue.

A pair of blue limpid eyes that belonged to a stern-looking man captured mine and stared at me far too long, making me feel a bit insecure. I could feel his eyes undressing my very being, not the type of thing those regular guys down at the bar would do to make your skin crawl. No, it felt like much more than that. It was like he was seeing through my many layers—straight to my soul as if he could see the true me and I could feel it under the weight of his stare. With just eye contact, it made me wonder what was wrong or if there was something about me that bothered him.

Is it the dress that I’m wearing? Is it…bad?

But what made boggled my mind was the feeling of how familiar he was.

For a second, I thought I'd met him before—I couldn’t point out why—however, if I had, I’m sure I would’ve remembered his face.

The man’s face made my whole body burn as if flames were engulfing me where I sat despite how cold it was due to the rain. Not to mention, he was incredibly handsome. A man who could move heads and make you look back twice no matter if you were a woman or not.

“Miss McKenzie?”

As soon as those eyes landed on me, they quickly left along with the owner who walked further into the halls of Dixon Enterprises. His suit matched the color of the gloomy sky and the pristine tiles on the floor. The whole scenery just screamed the definition of what the business world is—rigid and unforgiving.

Snapping back to reality, I turned to look for the person who said my name. Seeing that it was the lady behind the reception table, I quickly approached her in hopes of receiving good news. My hands were full as I carried my coat and bag, as well as a folder filled with my documents. I slightly wobbled my way to the woman.

“Yes, I’m McKenzie.”

Quirking an eyebrow and staring at me through her thick lashes, the woman averted her eyes and went back to her computer. “Please proceed to level six for your job interview.”

“Thank you.” I bowed slightly and hurried off. Even while I was walking away, a good distance from her, I heard her mutter. Deciding not to dwell on it, I quickly got into an elevator that was packed with employees from different departments.

Today is just another busy day for them.

Fiddling my fingers, I waited for my turn to get off. The employees’ vacant stares and the occasional coughing didn’t calm my nerves at all. This was, after all, my first job interview.

The elevator doors slid open to floor six and I stepped out at once, not wanting to delay anyone. Careful not to trip, I hurriedly search for a line or a room that was being used for the job interview.

That woman didn’t even tell me which room to enter…

Keeping my annoyed huff to myself, I took a deep breath in and exhaled in hopes to relax. My eyes scanned the place, and I thanked the heavens once I saw people sitting down near a room. It didn’t take a genius to know that they were applying for the position. This was unfortunate for anyone who was low on funds.

Sitting next to another woman who looked like she swallowed a lemon, I took out my compact mirror and tried to tuck back stray blonde hairs that escaped the neat bun I did this morning. My hazel-colored eyes stared back at me. Running my fingers through the short tresses, I pouted softly.

I’m still not used to how short my hair is compared to my hair back then, which went past my shoulders. Applying another layer of lipstick, I pursed my lips before pocketing everything. Despite doing so, my hands itched to touch and fondle something to keep my head from buzzing too much, nerves close to being frazzled.

You can do this…I mean, how hard can it be? This is just a desk job, it’s not like you’re applying for a bigger position like the CEO or something. Do CEOs even have to wait in lines to get their job?

I cleared my throat and forced a smile on my face. However, my smile was slowly faltering as I waited for my turn. Some applicants came out with a huge grin on their faces while others came out and looked like they were about to cry. I’d be lying to myself if I said I wasn’t feeling afraid. I was absolutely terrified. Clenching my fists, I bit my lip and tried to keep calm.

“Reese McKenzie.”

Swallowing my fear down, I got up from my seat and went inside the room. My feet were shaking slightly making me mentally curse at how cowardly I looked.

Chin up! Don’t let them sense your nervousness. This is your chance to prove something…

The woman behind the desk raised an eyebrow, stared at me from head to toe then back again.

The question is…what am I even trying to prove?

“G-good morning, Ma’am.” I managed to speak without biting my tongue, happy that I didn’t humiliate myself. Yet.

Probably satisfied with the greeting, the woman gestured to the seat in front of her. “Please take a seat, Miss McKenzie.” Once I was seated, she asked for my resume. Handing over the envelope to her, she took it and began reading.

Silence occupied the room for a few seconds as she read the file. My heart was almost pounding outside my ribcage and my fingers, having a mind of their own, fiddled on my lap. She then looked up and spoke after what seemed like an eternity.

“Your name is Reese McKenzie, twenty-six years old, and…you don’t have any work experience?” The look she gave me was enough for me to know what was going on inside her head and I’ll admit, she’s right. I mean, who would want to hire an employee who has no experience in any field at all? Everyone had to start somewhere, even at a young age…

The answer was already clear to me, so I prepared for the worst. “Yeah…I have no work experience.” I smiled sheepishly before adding another statement. “But I’m willing to learn, and I want to begin here, at Dixon Enterprises.”

“I don’t know…” The woman mumbled, looking through my files. “In this position, you should at least know how to handle specific files. Not to mention, you would need…” Her words trailed off. My heart began sinking and I lowered my head slightly.

You don’t have to take too long…I can take the rejection. Just end this agony as quickly as you can. Heck, why did I even decide to apply here when I have no chance at all? I guess, despite not having any work experience, there was no harm in trying.

My goal was to get a job so I could sustain myself in this unforgiving world filled with miserable individuals. My parents and I got into a car crash last year, according to the doctor. I woke up in a hospital bed, unable to move anything, except my fingers and eyelids. The worst thing was, I couldn’t remember what happened before the incident. I lost my parents and my memories the moment I woke up. That alone was enough to make a person feel depressed or go insane, constantly wondering…

Who am I?

Devastated by the loss, I would cry myself to sleep. I was all alone with no one to turn to. Unlike those portrayed in movies, I didn’t go crazy like I thought I would, which I am thankful for. However, it didn’t stop the feelings of sorrow that were lurking to get me.

One rainy day, I decided to help myself, and surprisingly, it worked. After a few months, I accepted their deaths and moved on. I knew the money they left for me wouldn’t be enough to sustain me soon, so I decided to go and get a job.

At the memory of the accident, my hand reached up for the slight bump on the left side of my head. It used to be bigger and had ugly bruises around it when I woke up from my coma that lasted for five months, according to the doctor. The devastating incident was reported in the news the day of the car crash. Touching the spot, my hand jerked away from it as if I touched a live wire instead.

Now’s not the time for sad memories, Reese. Worry about your future, and think of the past later.

“I’m sorry, Miss McKenzie.” She sighed, setting aside my papers. “But I just can’t give you the position. I’ll be questioned as to why I allowed someone who has no work experience in this company, especially at your age. It’s just…not right. Perhaps, if you gain experience first, you’ll get hired the next time you apply here.”

Solemnly, I accepted the fact. I gave the woman a small smile as I began to stand up. “Thank you for your time, Ma’am.” Lowering my gaze in shame, I turned my back and reached for the door.

I could hear her flipping through something. She was probably reading my papers again. Guessing it wasn’t a big deal, I swung the door open and was about to head out when she mumbled my last name. “McKenzie…Your last name is McKenzie?” Her actions halted, causing me to do the same. “Your father is…Nicholas McKenzie?”

At the mention of my late father, I glanced up and turned in her direction with a confused expression. “Yes, he’s my father…Is there something wrong? Do you know him?”

The woman’s eyes widened and just gazed at me as if I grew a second head. It confused me greatly. I had no idea why the name of my dead father caused her to act that way. “I-I don’t mean to be rude, Miss McKenzie…but why would you be here—”

Ring!

Our attention went straight to the ringing telephone sitting next to the computer. Holding up a finger at me, she quickly took it after the second ring and held it against her ear.

“Hello…Yes, this is Mrs. Denovan speaking.” She listened quietly to the person talking on the other line. I rubbed my shoulder, waiting for her to dismiss me when her eyes went wider than the moon. “A-are you sure, sir? I don’t mean to question your decision, but she—”

Sir?

The sudden pause in her words made me glance up after staring at the floor, wondering when the best time would be to leave. After listening to the caller for a few minutes, she continued. “I…I understand. Right away, sir. I apologize. Thank you.”

Putting down the telephone, she took a deep breath, obviously unable to take in what was relayed to her. Just as I was about to ask her if I could leave, she smiled at me and stood up. I went still, not knowing what just happened.

Who did she even speak to? And why the sudden change of demeanor?

The woman reached out her hand, waiting for me to take it. Not wanting to be awkward, I took her hand, and she shook it. Even while doing this, my mind was still forming questions and possible scenarios that might lead up to this moment. Little did I know, shaking hands with her was a form of sealing the deal. Sealing my fate that would change everything I ever knew of myself and the world.

I guess you never know the impact of a single decision you make until you see the outcome yourself.

“Congratulations, Miss McKenzie! Welcome to Dixon Enterprises! You’re hired.”

The office nuisance.

That is what they call me and what they talk about every time I pass by. Well, I wasn’t expecting them to be smiling and all, especially when they found out that I got the job without any experience. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to be friends with them, or at least in a good relationship with everyone. My co-workers were not the type of people to slack off, and they were very friendly to me when I first got here. I wanted to improve and make sure that I brought justice to the position that was given to me by some miracle.

The first two weeks working behind a computer weren’t really enjoyable. The occasional pain behind my neck and back was unavoidable. My eyes would even start to hurt the longer I stared at the screen. This was bound to make me blind soon, but it did pay the bills.

However, when the third week rolled in, they weren’t as welcoming as they were the first time. Even the lady who hired me, Mrs. Denovan, wouldn’t spare me a single glance whenever we met at the cafeteria. One time I tried to strike up a conversation with her, and she literally ran away as if I was the plague, claiming she was too busy to be conversing.

It annoyed and saddened me.

Any possible friendship fell to the wayside when the truth came out. From the gossip I heard, Mrs. Denovan blabbered about me getting the job due to the CEO. Word travels fast and the next thing I knew, I was deemed a slacker and an ungrateful person to them.

Whispers erupted every time I passed by a cubicle and then I would feel eyes staring at me. One time, I looked up to see who was burning holes behind my back only to see there were at least three of them.

Whenever I asked for any assistance, they would shy away and pretend I wasn’t there. Sometimes, they would even gossip near me, not caring I was right next to them. Every day, I was alone during lunch break. I didn’t want to spend any money, so I brought food from home. Eating at restaurants lost its appeal when I was eating all by myself with no one to talk to.

Nobody wants to have lunch with the office nuisance, that’s for sure.

The gossip was always the same. The strange girl got the job despite not having any experience despite being twenty-six years old. That I stole the job from a worker who could’ve been valuable to their cause and that I obviously bribed the man up top to give me the job.

I don’t even know the man! I haven’t even seen the CEO of this company so how could they say that? Seriously, he shouldn’t have given me the job and I should have walked out as soon as she said I was unfit to work here…

As much as I wanted to thank the man for giving me a chance, the mere mention of him just annoyed me for the same reason. It was unfair to those who worked their way up only to have the job given to someone inadequate.

How did I even land this position? What did the CEO see for him to call and ask his employee to hand the job to me? He doesn’t even know me! Was he under the influence of alcohol at the time? Was it pity?

The more I thought about it, the bigger my headache grew. Deciding to focus on work, I let everything slide and went back to typing.

Beggars shouldn’t be choosers…I should be happy that I got this job, even if others were not.

It was almost lunchtime when I heard it again—my office colleagues whispering. Rolling my eyes at the two females gossiping, I typed out the last paragraph of the document I was assigned to encode. As soon as I was finished, I brought out my packed lunch and nibbled on my sandwich. I didn’t want to waste precious time listening to mean co-workers.

“Do you think she is in a relationship with Mr. Dixon?”

“That girl? Are you even seeing the same thing I’m seeing? There’s no way Mr. Dixon would date that teenager. Just look at her!”

Teenager?

I couldn’t help but frown at the new insult, if it was one. I may be lacking in height, but I certainly don’t lack in other parts. And why would a teenager be working a desk job?

Suddenly, the chicken sandwich and mashed potatoes I made didn’t seem delicious to me anymore as the women whispered away.

Can’t they just shut up for once? Trying so hard for me to hear deliberately…

Probably sensing that it was no use since it didn’t capture my attention like last time, they grew quiet and the whole place was silent once more. I smiled to myself for finally getting peace, but it didn’t last long.

“Miss McKenzie…”

I blinked once, twice, not expecting anyone to say my name. I quickly glanced up to see who it was. Expecting my manager to chew me out for eating here instead of in the cafeteria, the person’s face shocked me. I was rendered speechless and unable to move from my spot.

The same blue eyes that stared at me three weeks ago in the building’s lobby were now focused on me intently. Now that they were up close, they took my breath away.

The man tilted his head a bit, his blond hair shining under the bright fluorescent lights. The small smile on his lips caught me off guard since he appeared to be really stern last time. Seeing his youthful, handsome face up close was refreshing but at the same time, it felt foreign. And those blue eyes of his, they weren’t narrowed nor guarded. No, it looked like they were smiling as well. They felt safe and welcoming, and nothing like the eyes of those who persecuted me. The people who said I was a nuisance now had eyes that were ten thousand times different from his.

I was instantly hooked by the charismatic man in front of me.

Hook, line, and the damn sinker.

“Miss McKenzie?”

Finally, out of my stupor, I gasped and managed to speak without squeaking. “Yes? I-I’m McKenzie. Is there something you want, sir?”

He stood up straighter this time, his smile wider, and showed a lot of promise. “Yes. I do want something from you.”

“S-sorry…but I don’t know your name—”

“My name is Cedric.” He grinned. “I want you to accept my humble request, Miss McKenzie.”

Request?

I wasn’t expecting him to hold out his hand and say the next words that shook not only my world but those around us as well. I must say, it was definitely a surprise.

“Miss McKenzie, do you want to eat lunch together?”