Ophelia Hale is surely a character. Ian had once mentioned her while he was talking about Ms. Martin. Or should I say, Alice. Suffice to say, I had seen one of my best friends having likes and then making girlfriends, almost everyday because ladies could just not resist his charm but Allison, as he said, was quite different from others. She didn't have the attitude that most of his past flings had and was hard working too as I have reviewed her records. Ian did say that we might meet soon and here we are.

I wasn't actually planning to come but then I had to grab a few gifts for my sister's belated birthday. Lillian had been busy with her tournament, missing out on her own birthday. Although I was willing to attend the game, some last minute meetings prevented me. She won, not surprising at all. She was awesome at her tennis! So, I got down to grab a gift. Hence, I agreed to come with him because he has a better understanding in the entire gifts department. Once we reached here, he called Allison, who he says is just a friend, but I know everything. He likes her, clearly and I wish so does she, because I definitely want to see him settled.

We met Allison here and talked a bit before she headed back to get a piece she wanted, leaving her bag with Ian. He being the idiot he is, left the bags to me to follow his love. 

Idiot.

If only he was here on time, I would have had a better meeting with Ms. Hale, but this was interesting as well. She had guts. I would say that. I mean who just walks up to you, scares the crap out of you and knees you without breaking a sweat? I'll now have a name to answer with when someone asks me.

At first I was totally confused, but then she looked familiar. I have checked the work of all the interns once so that explains it. Once realisation dawned on me, I tried to talk to her but damn this woman is fast! She scolded me, a person who is known to have been scolded rarely before because I just try not to do things wrong! I did not know whether to laugh at her antics, be furious at her, appreciate her moves or adore her beauty.

And beauty she was! Pure, serene beauty. Even a blind person could say that both were pretty but Ms. Hale was mischief and I just had the first-hand experience. Though her eyes held the fire that could burn your world down, they still had the warmth to compel you to confide in her. She was confident when she kneed me and she was still just as elegant when she found out who I was.

I would lie if I said it didn't hurt but the change in her expressions was all worth it. Her eyes glimmered in realization and then anger.

"That still doesn't explain why he has her bags Ian. And if this is some crappy joke, you might fix an appointment for a dislocated shoulder already!"

Wow! Just wow! I don't know but instead of being furious like normal people, I am finding this quite amusing.

"Oh, for the love of god Lia! Allison had gone for something so I went after her and she gave her bag to me which I gave to Stellan. You could have asked him once. But I felt like either of these days, one of the guys in Brooke Falls was gonna get it and unfortunately its my best friend Stellan. Sorry for you man!" Ian muttered, giving me a half hearted shrug. 

Sorry? Him feeling sorry for me when I could tell he was somehow holding in his laughter? I am inclined to say he was rather enjoying it. Shaking my head, I turned towards Ophelia and found the signs of guilt in her eyes.

"I guess, I should have. I am so very sorry Mr. Walker! I should have asked you but me and my big mouth. I am truly sorry. I just wish you speedy recovery!" She would have been nervous but then who wouldn't be? She just kneed her future boss. I would be scared too but it was all too amusing for me to shout at her.

"It's alright Ms. Hale. You were just doing the right thing as per your morals and just saving your friends bag. You did not know who I was, so it's not your mistake completely. It's fine but the next time just listen to a guy first. Some of us are Samaritans. And thanks for saving my face. God knows how much I require that modelling career!" A grin stretched on her face as the others bubbled a laugh.

"Well, you do have a career there. You could always try but I am sorry again!" Giving me a final smile, her glaring eyes set upon her next prey, Ian Henderson.

I saw fury in her eyes as Ian took a step back.

"I did not do anything wrong. Don't put this on me." He backed away as Ophelia leaned her head to the side.

"Oh really? But I suppose I could let you go for that. But what about your not so clever, stupid brain and ruined memory? Why did you not tell me that he was your friend? We did mention him once but you didn't say anything? Why didn't you tell me he was gonna join us?" If looks could kill, her glare was enough to send a man to hell but she did bring my ego down a few notches.

Once. Only once? And I thought people talked about me! And he didn't even feel the need to mention about my potential presence?

Then again, if he did mention about me joining them, I might have been greeted with false courtesies and companies.

Though Ophelia didn't look like someone who would fake something. Or if she could be fake, for in the past 5 minutes of our interaction, the one thing I became sure of is that Ms. Hale was incapable of being fake. But I was to tempted to ask why she was bothered by my presence.

"What if he did tell you I was gonna join you people? You wouldn't allow me to come along?" She cringed at my words. Okay, it might have come out as rude but cut me some slack here. For all I know, she could just have plain hated me.

"No! But I wouldn't have come if I knew my future boss is coming. Me and crowded places do not have a very good history, Mr. Walker. Not to offend you but I wouldn't have come because I can cause a riot at a place like this in seconds! So instances such as burning this shop down or going all ninja on you are pretty much on the list."

Oh! I did believe every bit of those words just by the fire in her eyes. Never have I seen a girl deny to be at a place where I have been and to say the least, I was impressed! Not only was she honest but was open with her opinions despite the fact that she was practically suggesting her potential boss on how to earn a few minutes ago. I have to accept now that Ian sure enjoyed her company. But before I could open my mouth, my words were cut off by general announcement.

I saw Allison looking at Ophelia suspiciously as she looked anywhere but Allison.

"Ophelia, isn't that your car?"

Ophelia suddenly seemed very interested in the ceiling.

"That's a beautiful ceiling."

I saw Allison give her a deadpan look.

"But I remember we parked it at the cor--oh wait! You changed the spot, didn't you?"

"I mean Alice, it's still a pretty nice ceiling."

"Oh lord, Lia! It was only a matter of a few more minutes! What am I going to do with you?"

Ophelia rolled her eyes as her friend whined about her lack of enthusiasm for... shopping?

"Few minutes? Sure! I could have completed my project for all we know. And now that the mission is accomplished, there's no way in hell that I am waiting here. I need to go. Pretty please?" She gave a flashing smile that could blow your mind for a few seconds and then she turned to me.

"I am once again very sorry for my behaviour Mr. Walker but it won't happen again. And although you might have forgiven me, I will have to make it up to you. So, maybe you could join us during lunch to the coffee shop where we all go. You can come with Ian, but if you want you. Your treats on me! I am really sorry once again and it was really very nice to meet you but I wished we met in better circumstances!" And I wished we didn't!

And then just like that she waved Ian a goodbye, dragged Allison with her and was gone like a breeze as I looked at her retreating back.

"Now you know why I enjoy their company so much! They are not like the normal girls, especially Lia. I did enjoy it all actually and I am not sorry even a bit." Ian patted my back and I gave him a glare. Like I didn't already know that.

"So, would your highness like to join us at the coffee shop? If he wants to?" Ian asked in a high pitched voice. 

I debated with myself for a few minutes, my schedule clouding my brain as I unconsciously looked for some spare time. I wasn't a big fan of breaks. To say the least, I loved my job way too much to spare time for anything other than family, let alone coffee. But in this moment, here I stood, battling to pick a choice. I wasn't free tomorrow yet I took a second more to decide. And with a final breath, I turned to Ian, claiming my choice that sounded foreign to my own instinct of avoiding breaks.

"You know what man, I will! Just take me along and don't forget!" He just smirked a bit then nodded nevertheless. So now, all I had to do was to clear out my schedule. Or well, get it done. Time to call Mr. Richard.

Next day

Morales Coffee House.

As soon as the clock struck for the break, Ian was dragging me from my room and down to a small coffee shop at the corner of the block. The exterior looked old with few vines falling off its sides and flowers adoring its huge glass window. I followed Ian to be hit by a comfortable feeling. The place, at it's very first attempt, felt like home. It was well lit with a few tables and was largely filled with people having a cup or some snacks, busy in their own world. Yet the place emitted the warmth a hard worker would look for after dome work. Ian merely walked up to a table for four and seemed too impatient to wait. I inwardly smiled. I joined him as we gave in a few more minutes for the 2 brunettes. Ian suddenly mentioned that they were late than their usual time. I wondered if maybe they both knew about my arrival and ditched us at the last moment, considering how Ms. Hale didn't wish to be at the same place as me. Then again, she was the one to invite me. I couldn't ponder more on my thoughts as I heard the bell ring once, announcing the arrival of another customer. My eyes snapped back to the entrance to find two casual yet smartly dressed women walk in, greeting the old man at the counter, perhaps the owner. They seemed unaware of their waiting company, or more precisely, me.

Ophelia flashed a final smile to the cheerful owner Mr. Morales and weaved her way through the tables until her eyes zeroed on me. She watched me for a moment and then lifted one of her eyebrows as if trying to decipher but I wasn't that easy and neither was she. Allison was shocked too but she quickly came up, greeted us both and then took a seat. Ophelia, though, took her time as she came and took her seat. She watched me with those ruling eyes and then broke into a warming smile.

"And here I thought that you wouldn't show up. But now that you have, welcome to our humble abode. That guy, standing at the counter and smiling like their no tomorrow is our old man Mr. Morales. A very lovely guy so be nice to him and to everyone here. Despite being very recently acquainted, I do think you know your way around people who are nice to everyone." 

I raised an eyebrow at her challengingly.

"On what makes you believe that Ms. Hale? I could be evil or a major jerk! You have known me for not more than a day. You shouldn't be so sure." Was she wrong? Definitely not. There was no way I could mistreat someone much elder than me or someone who is as cheerful as him. But was I enjoying this? Definitely yes.

She gave me an amused look, her eyes locking with mine.

"Mr. Walker, I pretty much remember that I did hit you hard and I have been anxious from the past one day that I might lose my internship because of my act. But you still forgave me which proves you have high tolerance and why would you hurt a man when he has been nothing but nice to you? And the fact that you are yourself asking why I think so is a testimony to my belief." She finished with a challenging smirk and it looked devilish on that face of hers. I might have to join them every day if this is what I get because I swear, I could definitely enjoy this!

And so we continued talking, some thoughts about performance, new projects and some spared about our friendships within. Not only were these two women smart but were practical too. Now I see why dad has Ophelia working under his department. She was an asset, an important one. I wouldn't want to fire her. I will have to talk about this further with dad. They both were from Crystal Lake and were the diaper friends like me and Ian. 

We talked for a few more minutes until my phone ring reminded me of the next meeting. I nodded at Ian once, enough of a sign for him to know I had to go. Then, I turned to the girls.

"I would have loved to talk more but I need to leave. I wish we get a chance to talk again. Have a nice day, Ms. Hale and Ms. Martin. It was really nice meeting you, and a great treat for sure. " As I started to leave, Ophelia gave me a deadpan look.

"You can just call me Lia and her Alice, Mr. Walker. I know our names are quite a mouthful. You'll get tired of calling us then, and frankly I enjoyed your company too much to have you be tired of us already." The corners of my mouth turned up at her straightforwardness. But it was enticing. 

"Well okay then Lia and Alice, but at the condition that you can call me Stel as well. Mr. Walker is just too much over rated. And thanks for the treat Lia. I really enjoyed it." She nodded in reply and then I was finally out of the shop heading towards my car. I reached TWG  and headed straight to dad's office for a quick talk before the meeting. Time to make a few changes!

Next Morning

I knew why dad had called me as I headed towards his office. I had a good enough talk with him yesterday and my old man was just trying to look into any ulterior motives that I could have. Nevertheless, he agreed and so I was called. I walked into his office to see Lia standing in front of desk. Sensing my presence, she turned around and gave me small smile.

"And here he is, my son. So, I have already talked about everything with her. I am not surprised that you are taking her under your wings considering her records. She is a gem. You better take good care of her." Dad gave me a stiff nod, trying to act professional. But if anyone knew him, they would know why TWG had an atmosphere as friendly as it did." I returned him a soft nod as he turned to Ophelia.

"That would be all for now, Ms. Hale. Now you head to your new department with Mr. Walker here." I internally scoffed at the name as she turned towards me with a slight hint of blush still on her face. We headed outside and then she broke the silence.

"I seriously thought that you had reconsidered the idea of keeping me here as an intern. I feared that it was going be my last day here but then again I was too soon to judge. So now what should I call you? Boss or Mr. Walker? Stellan or the almighty?" I chuckled at her question.

The girl was crazy but a good crazy. It was justified considering the incidents of last two days so I wasn't offended anyhow. It was good to have someone as bright as her around.

"Whatever you wish to. But I guess Mr. Walker or Stellan could work, Ms. Hale. Though what do I get to call you, Ms. Hale, Ophelia or Lia?" I wish she said Ophelia. It might be a mouthful but it was a beautiful name.

"Whatever you want, Mr. Walker but I like it when people call me Ophelia. Then again it's a mouthful, isn't it?" I gave her a shrug.

"It might be but that's what I will call you then. After all, it's your name and you hold at least that much right, don't you?" She gave a small chuckle and nodded as we headed to introduce her to her new group.

Heyo!
What's up you guys? I got my results and I am more than happy......I get to eat sweets and I might get a new phone.....a fucking new one🤩🤩🤩 My old one is legit useless!

What about your life? I wish its going good.....meh, life knows its game 😂😂

So, how was the chapter? I am a girl so writing a guy's POV.....ahhhh its okay I guess. But you guys tell me, whose POV do I suck writing??????
Thank you guys for reading.....you guys rock 😍☺️!!!!!

Au revoir
😘