Hey, everyone! I decided to update already because I now have free time and I promise it will be more descripted! Thank you to Nerdy Kyo-chan for the review and feedback, I really appreciate it! Well enjoy the story!

-Bea Bea

Chapter 2: Rick's Feelings

The next few days were uneventful and I started to develop a routine. Every day I would arrive as the night shift was leaving, start working on filing the mess Mr. Johnson's last assistant left me, fetch Mr. Johnson his coffee when he got to work, then work on paper work until late that night. Occasionally I would go with Mr. Johnson and see some of the things the Lab Boys were creating and it never ceased to amaze me. Mr. Johnson was a weird but in a pleasant and wonderful way that I couldn't help but admire.

Sometimes I would catch Rick staring at me with a feeling I couldn't quite comprehend reflecting in his eyes. Could it be respect? Or maybe lust? I was never good at reading people and the large brunette definitely was not making it easy for me because he would always turn away when our eyes met. He always says such nice things to me but Mr. Johnson always tells me that in this business there is no time for romance. I always find it ironic that he says that to me when he occasionally flirts with random women and I often hear people in the break room talking about Mr. Johnson taking home women then firing them the next day. For some reason I can't place it really annoyed me when they would start naming women that he fired and presumably brought home with him.

It was one of these moments in the break room that I sensed someone creep up behind me when I was making coffee. "Hey, Caroline! How ya doin'?" Rick said in his lovely western accent as I set the coffee cup on the table.

"Oh hi, Rick," I responded as I poured some cream into the warm mug.

"Enjoyin' your job?" he mildly asked as I felt him brush past me to get to the coffee maker.

"Yes it's quite amazing and everything I'd ever thought it was," I said and even I could tell how distant my own voice sounded.

"Everythin' OK?" he asked and I could definitely hear the concern that laced his voice.

"Yes just a little distracted I guess. I heard some people saying some nasty things about Mr. Johnson and taking women home," I told him with bitterness in my voice and maybe a little bit of…jealousy? What reason would I have for being jealous when there is nothing going on between us except a professional relationship? The thought barely crossed my mind when I realized Rick was talking again.

"…and that's the story of why his last assistant quit," Rick concluded even though I didn't hear a single word he said. I made a mental note to ask someone later about that story so Rick wouldn't know I wasn't listening.

"Well thank you for the story, Rick, but my break is almost over and I have some really important things to get back to," I said as I quickly finished my coffee and contemplated getting more for Mr. Johnson but decided against it.

"OK then, Little Missy, but how about we discuss this more over dinner sometime?" Rick asked in a seductive voice as he moved toward the entrance so I couldn't escape.

"I…I'm sorry, Rick, but Mr. Johnson says dating would only distract me and I work long hours so I wouldn't have time," I managed to stutter out through my shock. So I was right, Rick did like me like that.

"Hey, if you change your mind, you know exactly where I'll be," he said in his usual cheery fashion but that didn't stop me from noticing the hurt that flashed in his eyes first.

"Well, I'll see you around," I said as I pushed past him without making eye contact but mostly to hide the blush that crept along my cheeks at a bad time and now to return to my amazing boss.

So tell me how you like it and give me honest feedback! Thank you for reading and Chapter 3 is coming soon!