Maite's POV
"Tell me more about yourself Hayden… I like to know who I work for?"
"Well I'm good at my job when given a chance but I really have no life outside of work…"
"I doubt that… You seem like you know how to have loads of fun." I take my wine and have a sip it paired so well with the chicken.
"That maybe so but I am really prone to trouble, so I am trying to turn a new leaf and have growth and all of that."
"Maybe you just need some friends."
"Well my sister is kind of my best friend and we used to hate each other so that kind of tells you everything huh?" she just tilts her head and I guess expects me to agree.
"Well I'm pretty new here so I don't really care what you did in the past sometimes you have to let it go and move on. I am probably not the best person to take that advice, but I know I am trying now."
"When did this proposal go from business to therapy?"
"I truly doubt that this counts as therapy. I just find you so interesting considering the notoriety attached to you. You are an enigma and I want to dissect it. I mean no offense though…"
"I learned to stop letting what Raymond Berlin did get to me. I killed Rachel Berlin and I'm living on my own terms now, but the past always seems to catch up to me no matter how hard I try to run from it."
"Maybe you shouldn't run from it just bulldoze it and move past it."
"Is that what you did?" I feel my breath being taken from me. I shut my eyes for a second and hold myself.
"I barely got myself through. I only picked myself up because it wasn't just about me but now, I am learning to do what you do… live life on my own terms. I refuse to be a victim of my circumstance."
"Your father's death doesn't make you a victim of circumstance…"
"My father's death isn't what I am talk about. My father was my greatest champion… my biggest fan. I try to emulate how he worked because he was the best work ethic I have ever seen. It's not only what we do… it is how you do it. My father instilled a healthy sense of competition so I could achieve what he always wanted."
"What was that?" Hayden moves forward like it is a secret she really wants to know what it is.
"The same thing my grandfather wanted for him. For his children to be better than he was, and I plan to succeed like my father did." My parents insisted on making us as independent as possible within boundaries. Making us flex our decision-making skills as early as possible. It has helped me be more assertive and to not let others push me.
"Well it seems you are on your way there." She holds out her glass and I assume she wants to toast, and I clink glasses.
"I like to think so. I won't rest until I make my mark." I didn't think that I would have an opportunity so soon. I thought I might have to move to Texas to seize another opportunity.
"I'm just glad I get to come for the ride." We talk and drink some more and she let's me know she will call a board meeting to introduce me to the members. I picked up the wine glass to hide my grimace because I know damn well that Michael will be there, and this is not a space I want to see him if I can avoid it. We get the check and she insist on paying for it, so I let her. We wait for the elevator and it I feel so full and just a slight buzz, so I text Kiki to uber here and then drive me home. I hear the ding of the elevator and I'm like finally! As I take a step forward Hayden grabs my arm.
"How about we just take the stairs?"
"Hayden you cannot be serious?! You will twist your ankle going down the stairs! We are drunk don't be silly." I cross my arm around hers and drag her into the elevator and there's this man in there and he is hot. His muscles are well sized not too big to look crazy but he's not puny. He definitely works out…
"You should mine the company you keep if you are getting into bed with this one." I didn't expect Senor Mazado to speak… we don't know him. I decide I don't like the way he said this though!
"Is that you want to do? 'Be in bed with this one…'" I point to Hayden. My goodness I feel like a giant because Hayden is so tiny.
"Maite!" Hayden tries to grab me and push me to the other end of the elevator; I didn't realize I got closer to Mazado.
"Hayden, he didn't say no?!" Unless he objects I am going to assume he wants it.
"Believe me that isn't what he wants okay!"
"He never denied it Hayden, so I choose to believe it." I look at him and give him a wink and he just look at me. The elevator gives a slight shake and it feels like we are stuck. A disembodied voice comes on and says they will fix the technical issue to have us out in a few moments.
"Excuse me Mazado can you give Hayden a ride?"
"One, what does Mazado mean and two why should I give Hayden a ride?" I almost want to giggle when he said ride. My mind is in the gutter and I can't help myself.
"Mazado means you are sexy muscle guy and if you cannot tell we are drunk?! Hayden needs you to drive her wherever she needs to go." I give Hayden a big wink, but she puts her head down. I am being a great amiga. I feel the tension between the two of them and it's making me feel hot.
I walk over to Mazado and get in his face and start jabbing my finger in his chest.
"Will you make sure my friend gets where she needs to be safe?" I look at Hayden and she looks like she wants to throw up. Maybe we had too much wine…
"Can't she take an uber or a cab?" I roll my eyes at Mazado.
"She will need her car later and you are already here." Isn't this obvious?
"You know I am a busy man I can't chauffeur people least of all Hayden. How about I call you both an uber?"
"I don't need an uber thank you very much! I maybe drunk but I am responsible I called my friend who is sober to come and drive me home. Well more likely not she will probably be pissed I got drunk well technically I am buzzed right… but she will be slightly disappointed but there's more drinking in my very near future."
"I will find my own way responsibly. I don't need you to call an uber for me." It's been a long while since Hayden spoke, I go over to hug her.
"Hayden you don't look so good. Mazado can take you… no uber." I steel my voice and give him my look that my sister's say is my Dateline look. I whisper in her ear "You're welcome." The elevator shakes and it's working again, and I clap.
"Fine I will drive Hayden where she needs to go." I run up and hug Mazado and my goodness does he smell good. Hayden is gonna have some good sex with this guy.
"Drew you really do not have to do this…" The elevator dings open and we are in the parking garage.
"Where are your keys?" His name is Drew… short for Andrew most likely. She gives it to him, and I tug on her arm and she gives me a look, but she is attracted to him and vice versa. I see Kiki at my car, so I run to her.
"Hi Keeks!" I give her a hug, but I also need to hold on to her for a sec because running buzzed is not the best decision.
"Are you drunk?"
"Just a little… you can catch up. Bye Hayden… bye Mazado…" Hmm I really do not mind helping Hayden with that assist. I get in the car and Kiki and I decide to get a bottle of wine from Total Wine and throw some back at my apartment.