Work, work and more work. And I still have to complete my Biology project later. Oh, joy.

Do read on, and don't let me ruin your mood :) LOL!

"Haruno, could you bring me some coffee, please?" That voice came from the inner sanctum again.

"Hai!" I called back and grudgingly got to my feet. Today was not the best of days for me, and he'd been making me brew the coffee for him ever since I offered to the other day. Usually a coffee-girl on the top floor would bring him his rich-people mix.

Dragging myself around the tiny kitchen, I managed to make a potful, and went to give him his damned cream coffee.

"Here you- WHOA!" Unfortunately, the person "whoa-ing" was me. Catching my foot on the edge of the rug, I fell on my boss. To make matters worse, he was drenched in coffee.

But...he was holding me so close! Almost hugging me!

And he was soaked in coffee.

He smelt and felt so good...

He was probably burning up!

"I am so sorry, Uchiha-san!" I leaned away from his body, but his hands still loosely clasped my hips. "I-I'm so clumsy, I-"

"Are you okay?" He interrupted, staring into my eyes. My throat went dry. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

Dumbly, I shook my head, unable to look away. I never knew just how black Sasuke's eyes were. They glittered like brightly polished onyx stones. There was a tension between us, so strong I could barely breathe.

"I-I'm so-" My mind wouldn't allow me to formulate words. All I wanted to do was kiss the man holding me in his arms at that moment. The moment the thought entered my mind, I banished it. Sure my body burned where he touched and I was all...squiggly in the tummy and my insides felt strange, but that was NORMAL when a gorgeous man was holding you like Sasuke was holding me right then.

"Thank you for catching me," I finally said and his arms loosened their grip and slid into his pockets. "I'm so bloody stupid, forgive me. I'm not feeling so good today." I laughed, hoping to dispell the tense atmosphere still surrounding us. I breathed heavily and managed a fake smile.

"Yes," was all he said and then the spell was really broken. The smile disappeared too.

"Huh?" I was so confused as to the meaning of his blunt little yes. "Um, I'll get you a towel, and-"

"I have a change of clothes here. Just get me some more coffee I guess." he began unbuttoning his shirt on his way to the private bathroom in the room as I closed the door.

Making a second pot with trembling hands was tough, but somehow, I managed it just fine. I kept feeling dizzy, the onslaught of his proximity was so strong. I knocked and entered the room I'd just left and the blood rushed to my face. I didn't know if it was the wrong time or right. How would you classify catching your boss in the act of zipping up his pants, topless?

"Ah, Haruno, sit down would you?" he spoke calmly even though I'd just caught him in a state of undress. "I've got to talk to you about your raise."

"A raise? What for?" It was hard to keep the excitement out of my voice. For two reasons

"Well, you work well. Mostly quiet, not that annoying and you do all your work very well. Besides, I heard that you're hard-pressed for cash, so I decided to give you a raise." My smile disappeared. My fists clenched in anger. He had that insolent look about him, which further added fuel to the fire.

"Excuse me?" I was furious. "I do not need this money. I do no need your pity. And I most certainly do not need you butting into my life and eavesdropping on private conversations, Uchiha-san." I was out of line for speaking so rudely to my boss, but I couldn't help it. He was out of line too. "I'd like to go home now. Please keep your money and your nose out of my life, I'd appreciate it very much."

The tears welled up in my eyes and before I could make my escape, some dropped from my lids and he saw them. He must not like girls crying, because his lips and fists tightened and he made a move towards me. I couldn't face him anymore, I had to go. My lungs were closing up and I needed to GET OUT. So I turned and ran. Skipping the elevator, I ran down the stairs avoiding the stares I got from the janitors and other handymen and I ran with all I had out into the rain. I was soaked, but I didn't care. My house was six blocks from work. Cabs were a luxury and an unneccessary commodity at such a time.

I ran the six blocks home in the pouring rain and when I got home I stripped and quickly threw all my clothes in the wash. It was not until I was halfway through my shower that my sobs finally broke through.

Sasuke was furious with himself. He knew he shouldn't have told her about overhearing her conversation with Naruto. The moment he'd mentioned it, her mood had changed completely. A myriad of emotions ran across her face but the most blatant one was the hurt. Her tears were the worst part. He's never have thought she was the type to cry so easily, but he supposed she had her reasons. Whatever they were, he hated them because the sight of her tears made his chest ache.

Sasuke slammed his fist into the large oak table and cursed. He should be running after her to apologize, not wallowing in self-pity! So he ran, and as he did, he noticed her purse and jacket still lying on her table. Snatching them on his way out, he was accosted by several workers greeting him and enquiring about his health, delaying him.

Knowing her address was the the result of a drunken night some fortnights ago. Ignoring the rain and his car, he ran all the way behind her, fervently praying she wouldn't do something stupid.

It was stupid, but hearing Sasuke talk about my financial status triggered this series of flashbacks. I remembered how suddenly dad died and how sick mum had become. The pain rushed in all at once and all the crying I hadn't done back then was being released now. I sobbed, thinking of how hard it had been to get treatment for my mother at the low wages I got as an intern. It had been difficult for me to give up my dreams, but small-town hospitals dodn't pay so well. The work at Uchiha Corp was easy and paid well, but it had been too late by then. Mother could not be cured...atleast I was able to provide a decent funeral.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had - in my PMSing mood - over-reacted. He must have been so confused, my reaction was crazily psychotic! I groaned as I remembered the things I said.

Stumbling out of the shower, I rubbed my hair vigorously in an attempt to dry up the excess water. Satisfied that I would not die of pneumonia, I wrapped myself in my towel and stood stock still in the middle of my cramped apartment. I stared blankly into space, most of my tears gone. I didn't know what to do, I had just insulted my boss and run out of work without permission and had most likely got myself fired.

I became vaguely aware of a loud banging sound but ignored it. I had just stepped in front of the main door, when it burst open and I was finally aware of my surroundings again. For the one person who could jar my senses like no other was standing in my open doorway.

"W-what are you doing here?"

CLIFFHANGER! (Dun dun duuuun) Hahah! The drama was kinda gay, eh? I doubt I'll ever get paid to write, lol! ^_^

BUT enough talk for now - gots to go fix them other chappies!

Review please, you'll make my day SO much better! ^_^