~ WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND ~

A/N: Hi guys! I've been meaning to write something outside my comfort zone for a while now and I came up with this. Finally, a Rated M story. I hope I could deliver something up par with your expectations.

I give this story a Rated M because I wanted to try something new. I've always loved reading challenging stories where the characters are old enough and wise enough. It makes me feel that I'm reading something from reality.

Please enjoy and tell me what you think.

~ WHAT IT TAKES TO STAND ~

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." - Winston Churchill

Chapter 1: The Attentive Passer-by

Here we go again. Another day of embracing the wafts and scent of the deck of papers, the aroma of freshly bought coffee from Starbucks, the scratching sound of the pen and paper collision, the tikkkity-tackkity of every pressed key from the computer keyboard and every clicking of the mouse, and the continuous buzzing of the telephone. Another day of senseless, tedious work. Another day that needs to conclude as early as it started.

I observe everything from where I sit. I know that Mike hovering over Jessica's workload and telling her her errors was just an opportunity for him to stare voraciously at her fake boobs for a long period of time. I know that Jessica has been secretly and discreetly sending Eric provocative messages from her personal e-mail in between Mike's lectures. I know that Eric, the stud that the people think he is, is secretly having an affair with Tyler, who is an open gay. I know that shy Angela Webber, with her awkwardness, sharp eyeglasses and demure make-up, is once again blushing from her reading of erotica novel wedged in between her lap.

I could tell what happens to everybody, and what all their secrets are. This is the power of having no life, and absolutely nothing to do but stare.

I looked to my left as the glass of the ground-floor office building revealed to me the world, as it always does. I like watching how people interact throughout the day. There's always that someone who looked like she had just been intimate with someone else the night before as she wears her smile, with her bedraggled look, like no other; There's that someone always on the phone who is considering his career his only lover and his wife; That someone who seemed sharp but had that hooded eyes consuming all her thoughts, which most of the time is central on her difficulties; That someone who makes the streets catwalk – assured of her allure against the opposite sex; That someone who is drooling over her; That someone who looked like lost in love; That someone who looked like beaten from love…

I could go on and on about the things that I see. All the colors, all the buzzle, all the miniscule details that other people generally overlook. Again, the power of having no life and nothing better to do.

I sensed Mike's arrival and tried to look sharp.

"Miss Swan, I want you to finish all the E-News for the day before lunch."

"I thought that was Jessica's job?" I knew his answer before he even says it.

"Jessica – you know how she could be." He shakes his head. "I don't want another error on the recapitulation. I'll tell her to do it tomorrow instead. She's currently preoccupied with correcting her errors yesterday. I tell you – that girl has a brain but doesn't know what to do with it."

"Okay Mike. I'll send it to you before lunch."

"That's my girl. I knew I could always count on you."

He pats my shoulder and very inconspicuously skimmed his hand on my right breast as he withdraws it. I tensed. I always do. And always pretended it didn't happen. He strolled away with that perverted smile.

I took a sip of my Black coffee before I concentrated at my computer screen. I began to scroll all the news related to our company that Jessica always is exempted to do.

At lunch, I took out my packed sandwich. If I could list the things that I hated to do, at the top would be to know that Mike's roaming lecherous eyes are settled on me, and the second would be to go to the office canteen together with the other employees. I could at least tolerate Mike's eyes for a minute before I shiver. However, the other people's eyes…

I cringed.

Taking one bite of the Tuna sandwich, I settled my eyes on my window again. I would always be thankful of the day Magee decided that she'd had enough of the mundane office life we have and quit, pirated to another company. I now have her former place, which gives me the view of the street. Observing people from the outside, not interacting with them, gives me the opportunity to while away time – a time that at least isn't any more invested on taking pity at myself.

I settled my eyes on a tall blond girl who have legs that could go for miles. She was one of those catwalk people. A lump in my throat formed once more as I observe her. I grind my teeth. Not again, Isabella Swan.

Taking my eyes from her, I scanned the streets to look for my next subject of musings – that is, until they lead me to him. My breath hitched.

There's always that someone who exudes unworldly pull wherever they would go. This person is one of them. Tall, reddish-brown hair, good build, he definitely takes the crowd's attention. A few people stopped on their tracks just to watch him. He was on a business suit, flattened to his shape.

Whenever I see people like him, I wonder how perfect their life must have been. They wouldn't worry how to interact with other people, nor think of ways just to get someone else's interest – things that I would rather die alone for than attempt to do.

Just when I am assured that I am an invisible observer, his eyes landed to me. He blinked twice. I did too. Shocked, I snapped my head away from him. My heart drummed. I felt blood leave my face. I tentatively fidget over my lunch. He couldn't possibly be looking at me still…

I drew my eyes to him again. He was still staring at me. His eyes were like hawk's, also observing me the way I observe other people. I tensed more. It was like I was discovered as a peeping tom. And then, his attention diverted on his pants' pocket. He drew out a phone and held it to his ears. I took that opportunity to hide myself with the computer monitor. I didn't look towards him for the next minute. When I finally convinced myself to at least take a glimpse of him, he was gone. I can't explain how relived I felt at that moment.

"There you are, as always." For the first time in a long time – maybe even my life – I jumped at someone's uncalculated presence. I always sense whenever people would be near me. The stranger outside momentarily took my composure away.

"Are you alright? It's like you've seen a ghost." Mike looked a bit concerned.

"Yes. I'm fine. What is it?"

"Well, I was just about to say that I received your e-mail on the e-news. Thanks. Also, the CEO wanted a speech written for him about his fundraising activity tomorrow. I want you to write it. I'll send you the details about it."

I was only capable of nodding.

"That's it. Thank you." Perplexed, he headed away. I released all the tension from my body and slumped on my seat.

The day finished the way it usually does. However, the striking handsome guy didn't escape my thoughts even as I drew my blanket over my body that night.

A/N: What do you think of the pilot chapter? Please leave your reviews below.