Strange thoughts brew in your heart when you spend too much time with old books.
Aravind Adiga
x
Nobody did much speaking to Mr. Herondale. Everyone said he was a man of few words. Of course, they only said that because the only time they'd ever spoken to him was when he hired them for the job. He wasn't exactly the monster everyone described him as, but it was humorous coming up with stories about him during their lunch breaks.
It was Isabelle who introduced Clarissa to the secretary position at the company. They had been friends since high school and eventually found themselves sharing a dorm in college, then navigating their way through the adult world. Isabelle was a distant cousin of Mr. Herondale's, she liked to tote. Their families didn't talk to one another often, but it was always Isabelle in the break room, whispering about how she could call their boss Jonathon once their shifts ended.
Nonetheless, Clarissa didn't believe anyone particularly wanted to know about him. They were all just bored and somehow their product of interest was their manager and boss.
x
He was tapping his foot impatiently on the floor, his phone in hand. There was no service, she discovered belatedly. He raked his fingers through his hair, messing it up a little. "I'm sure a janitor will notice..." He sounded like he was talking to himself so Clarissa kept her gaze on her shoes.
She wondered if Simon would notice her late appearance. She nearly snorted. No, he'd only notice she wasn't home on time because he hadn't gotten his food.
She was jolted back to their situation when Mr. Herondale started banging on the elevator doors repeatedly. She winced at the piercing thwacks and leaned against the wall behind her, sliding slowly so that she was sitting down. He barely seemed to notice her. He was pressing the emergency button repeatedly and cursing rather colorfully.
After a few long minutes of complaints, he tugged off his jacket and released an irritable sigh. "You'd think paying a few million dollars for a building would get us decent elevators." He shook his head and settled in another corner.
It took her a second or two to realize he was speaking directly to her this time. She swallowed, "Uh, yeah." Her voice came out squeaky and nervous. She hoped he didn't notice.
x
Twenty minutes passed and there was no news that someone was coming to help them out. Clarissa doubted anyone would arrive. It was past the end of the workday and everyone always rushed out, eager to get back to their families or simply escape their bland routines.
It was silent in the elevator, but she didn't think much of it. She managed to discover that one of her game apps required no wifi to play. She curled her knees to her chest and kept her phone close enough to her eyes so that she could make sure her hunter was still on the temple path.
"You don't happen to-" Mr. Herondale started and she jumped a little at the sound of his voice, her hunter skittering against the railing and causing a group of monkeys to chase him. She swiped upwards repeatedly to avoid roadblocks and abruptly found a game over signal on top of her screen.
"Fuck..." She mumbled halfheartedly. She had almost passed her all time record.
It was only then that she moved her eyes to the figure beside her. He was staring at her, his expression unreadable. She looked away slowly, crossed both of her fingers, and prayed she hadn't just ignored her boss over a game.
"I'm sorry. I-"
He surprised her by laughing.
x
It was a pleasant laugh. She didn't think he was capable of making that sound. Clarissa flushed and shoved her phone into her pocket. Yeah, getting out was the priority.
"I was going to ask if you had anything to eat." He repeated slowly, as if he were talking to a child.
She pursed her lips and pulled her satchel to her lap. She never really bought lunch with her most days because she rather enjoyed eating out with Magnus and Isabelle. Still, she figured she had a few snacks for when meetings dragged on longer than usual.
"Aha!" She felt a wrapper and managed to drag it out of a bunch of folded papers and wrinkled folders. She frowned at the sight of the beaten up granola bar. Gingerly raising it up in the air, Clarissa tried to give Mr. Herondale a smile.
He rolled his eyes and took the snack. He uncrossed his legs so that they were laying out in front of him. It was strange seeing him so unwound. To be completely frank, even as his personal secretary, she didn't see him often. Oftentimes he wasn't in his office. When he was, he didn't get out till the end of the day. Isabelle said that he was traveling to different companies. It made sense. He wasn't just their boss; he was probably the boss of other branches as well.
"I actually haven't eaten today." He admitted, after taking a bite of the granola bar.
She knit her eyebrows and clicked the home button on her phone so that the time was displayed. "But it's almost eight."
He shrugged and loosened his tie.
Clarissa hummed softly. "Maybe you should take snacks with you if you don't have time for meals.."
Mr. Herondale smirked slightly. She liked the dimple that appeared on the side of his right cheek. "Seems like you guys always have snacks when I'm lecturing, huh?"
Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to try and come up with an excuse for her and Magnus' habit of going to the gas station and flooding the office with honey buns, brownies, and soda. She figured there was no way she could change the subject and simply replied, "We get pretty hungry, I guess."
They both fell silent.
x
Clarissa watched as he clicked the emergency button for the billionth time, but this time the button actually lit up. Involuntarily, a squeal escaped from her lips and she immediately muttered an apology. Her boss, however, wasn't paying attention or didn't care. He squeezed his face with both of his palms.
Before they knew it, a voice was asking them how many people there were in the elevator and advising them to stay calm. She couldn't help grinning. Her hands were sweaty and her hair had somehow curled even further so that she looked even more disheveled than usual.
x
It took about five minutes before they reached the main lobby and the elevator doors miraculously slid open. Mr. Herondale stepped aside for her and she trudged outside, glad to feel fresh air for what seemed like the first time.
Clarissa unlocked her car doors, but hesitated and whirled back to see her boss exiting the building. She must have been staring for awhile, because he peered over to her curiously and she quickly wiggled her fingers in a childish wave.
He startled her by nodding his head, a slight smile on his face. "See you tomorrow, Clarissa."
x
Oh, did she have stories to tell Isabelle and the others.
x
[a/n]: Hey lovely people. I hope you are all doing well and keeping safe during this time. I haven't written in so, so long. It feels so weird submitting this chapter, haha. I realize that I can't just wait for inspiration to come knocking on my door. I've got to just write.
If you haven't heard, please spread awareness about George Floyd's murder here in the United States. There's a petition you can also sign, simply PM for the link. Black Lives Matter.
Love you.
