Serena awoke to an arm draped around her waist. She wasn't used to sleeping next to anyone and it made her a little giddy. Turning around, she looked at Adam who was deep asleep. Carefully lifting his arm she slid out from under him and stood up. He let out a groan and rolled over. She was sure nothing was going to wake him up.
When she walked into her sparkling clean kitchen Serena's smile grew. She thought she could get used to this, waking up to a gorgeous man who also cooked and cleaned. She checked her phone and saw it was already eight. Her smile turned into a frown, she hadn't bothered to set the alarm not wanting to wake Adam if he had turned up, but assumed her rhythm would mean she would have woken earlier than this.
With the intention of only taking a half-day Serena didn't bother to shower. She remembered Piper's casual attire from last week and decided to wear work out clothes to work, that way when she was finished she could go straight for a jog.
After she brushed her teeth she was quick to head downstairs. As predicted nobody was there to notice her tardiness. She fired up her computer and debated on checking her e-mail. It had been a few days. Her student account showed nothing new. When she brought up the log in screen for her personal address Serena couldn't bring herself to login. Today was a good day and she didn't want to start it off by bringing herself down.
Serena wasted no time diving right into work. Piper was right about not needing to work forty hours to keep up to date on all the accounts. Everything was entered in the spreadsheets and Serena was back to updating files. She kept her music turned up and when the door opened Serena didn't bother looking up from her screen.
"You're a little early for a Friday," she said. "It's barely 10 am."
"I am surprised to see the habits of the other employees aren't rubbing off on you," Malcolm said.
Serena looked up and stood at the same time.
"I'm sorry I thought you were John."
Malcolm looked her up and down.
"Well I suppose that's one way to approach casual Friday," he said.
"I didn't know you were coming by today," Serena said. "I am ahead on my work, so I was planning on taking a jog as soon as I left here."
"John said you are quite the worker," Malcolm said. "I know I stressed the importance of taking this job seriously, but I know that you have been. Please feel free to adjust your hours accordingly and dress how you see fit. I want you to feel comfortable here"
"I do," Serena said. "Thank you."
"We never got your direct deposit set up," Malcolm said. "So I am here to drop off your check."
"Thank you," Serena said.
"There is a bank in town where you can cash that if you like," Malcolm said. "Maybe open up an account too. Then I won't have to have this delivered each week."
Serena took the envelope from Malcolm's hand.
"Big weekend plans?" Malcolm asked.
"I have few things I plan on doing," Serena said.
"Maybe Sunday night you could come for dinner again?" Malcolm asked. "I know Kay would love to see you."
"I would love to, but I have a full plate," Serena said. "Maybe next week?"
"You could bring Mr. Parrish," Malcolm said.
Serena could tell speaking those words was difficult for Malcolm. She wasn't sure what Malcolm's plan was with that and gave him a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe it's time me and him buried the hatchet," Malcolm said. "Is that still a saying?"
"Yes," Serena said.
"Bring it up to him," Malcolm said. "He knows how to get in contact with me. Maybe you should use some of that check to get yourself a new phone, one that actually works out here."
"That's not a bad idea," Serena said.
"Have a pleasant day," Malcolm said. "Really you're the boss at the moment, so close up shop whenever you think necessary. I care much more about you getting the work done than the amount of hours you put in."
"Thank you."
Malcolm nodded his head and turned around. The door closed and Serena sat back down. She opened up the envelope and her jaw dropped. There was no way this figure was right. Serena stood back up and ran outside just as Malcolm was getting into his car.
"Sir this isn't the amount we discussed," Serena said.
"Well, you worked all last weekend and you've accomplished what I thought would take months in days. I believe that kind of behavior should be rewarded."
"Does this mean...if I finish everything early my internship is over?"
"Quite the contrary," Malcolm said. "Once everything is digital, this job could be done from anywhere. If you decide you want to spend the rest of the summer working for me from France I would oblige your request. Plus, I am hoping that this might make you consider becoming a full time employee after you graduate. We could set up an office for you anywhere in the world."
Serena was ecstatic. She was about to thank Malcolm and speak his praises, but then it dawned on her how weird this was.
"Why?"
"You're a hard worker," Malcolm said. "And a trustworthy individual."
"There are lots of hard workers out there," Serena said. "Why me?"
Malcolm looked at her with concern. He opened his mouth, but then closed it again.
"Your background check revealed a great loss in your life," Malcolm said. "I don't want you to interpret this as pity, because it's not. I just think you deserve some good things to happen to you."
"Lots of people have loss," Serena said.
She watched as Malcolm broke.
"You remind me of someone that I used to know a long time ago," Malcolm said. "I suppose that might make me treat you a little differently, but I never want to come off...what was the word...creepy? I guarantee if you ask any of my other employees they will tell you what a caring employer I am. I would like to see you succeed."
Serena nodded her head. That was as close to the truth as she was going to get right now. Malcolm returned her gesture and climbed into his car. Serena turned and went back into the shop. She wanted to go on her jog, but decided depositing the check was more important first. She grabbed her purse and closed up, hoping that John wouldn't mind when he finally showed up.
~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun was down and Serena was getting anxious. When she got back from the bank and her jog Adam was gone. She thought she would have made it back to the loft before he left for work, but it had been so long since she had taken a jog and apparently she had too much energy to burn.
Glancing in the mirror Serena realized she missed one section of her hair. She grabbed the curling iron and twisted the lock around the rod. Her make-up was light as usual, but her red and white dress made her small frame look curvier than it really was, she knew the red heels would make her legs look longer and go better with the outfit, but Serena dreaded the way her feet would feel at the end of the night so instead she went with her plain tan sandals again.
Serena locked her door and headed down to the street. It was just after ten, probably still too early for a big club crowd, but that only meant Serena would get some time to chat with Adam. It beat sitting at home on a Friday with her book.
The streets were more crowded than they were last week at this time, but that wasn't saying much. Serena wondered what it would be like to vacation this way, sleeping all day and staying awake until dawn. She shook her head, sleeping until nine was snoozing for her. Before she went away to college Saturdays at seven was standard for her.
The door to Serena's room flung open. She was putting in her earing and turned to smile at her mom.
"I was just coming to make sure you were awake," she said.
"Wide awake and ready to go," Serena replied.
"Aren't most seventeen year olds supposed to sleep in until noon?"
"Most seventeen year olds are idiots too," Serena said. "Doesn't mean I have to fit the mold."
"Sometimes I don't know whether to thank God I ended up with such a responsible child or question why my little girl went from twelve to forty and skipped her rebellious years altogether," her mother said.
"Are you sad we never got to do the fighting stage?" Serena asked.
"When I was your age I was sneaking out to see boys, drinking, smoking pot, hating my mother."
"How about tonight we split a bottle of wine in the backyard then?" Serena asked. "When you head inside I can wait five minutes and then we can yell at each other?"
"If you were any other girl I would say no," her mother said. "But that does sound like a fabulous idea."
"When are we leaving?" Serena asked.
"I thought we might take this weekend off..."
If Serena's mother was really looking for a fight than this was a good way to get one.
"The whole reason we moved here was to be closer," Serena said.
"But you've been here a month," her mother said. "Have you made any friends?"
Serena glared at her mother. Colorado was the final move before Serena turned eighteen. Her mother promised in exchange for Serena's agreement to try and make a real life here, but since senior year was already half way over she doubted it would happen until she started at the community college in the fall.
"Well what if we explored the town just the two of us? A woman at work told me about this amazing bakery. We could grab some cupcakes to eat with that bottle of wine."
"Maybe we could stop on our way," Serena said. "Dad always enjoyed cupcakes."
Serena watched her mother give a pressed lipped smile and nod. That was the end of their discussion.
"Hey watch it!"
Serena was snapped out of her memory and back to the present. She tried to apologize to the girl she just bumped into, but they had already disappeared down the street. She approached the entrance to the club, there was no line and the bouncer waved her right inside.
The dance floor was empty. The VIP tables were more than half filled though, but the lights were too dim to see who was sitting there. It didn't matter, the only person Serena expected to know would be working behind the bar. She spotted an empty seat and grabbed it.
"What will it be?"
A female bartender came over and put a napkin in front of Serena. She looked around for Adam, but he wasn't back there.
"Are you twenty one?"
Serena grabbed her clutch and pulled out her ID.
"The bouncer sees a pretty lady and always lets her in," the woman said. "My boss would kill me if I served a minor."
"Your boss?" Serena asked.
"You are looking for Adam," she said. "He's on table duty until midnight. I'm Grace, hopefully I can help you out in the meantime."
Serena wondered how often girls showed up to stalk him. Based on Grace's demeanor she figured often.
"I'll just have a beer," Serena said.
The bartender opened her mouth, but then shut it right away and walked to grab Serena her drink. Serena looked over at the VIP tables, she could see people moving around, but again it was too dim to try and figure out where Adam was. Serena felt a little self-conscious. She was alone in a bar, something she would have never considered doing before. She wished she had brought her book or a newspaper, anything to distract herself.
"Is this seat taken?"
Serena turned around to see a young man smiling at her. He was nice looking, but nothing to distinct about him.
"All yours," Serena said.
He slid into the chair.
"What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?"
"Who said I was lonely?" Serena asked.
"Fair enough," he replied. "I'm Ted."
"Serena."
"I've heard of you," he said. "I'm a local, the tourists don't start showing up until after midnight."
"Is there like a community newsletter or something?" Serena asked.
He laughed.
"More like I'm friends with John," Ted said. "He mentioned working with you. We have a private table. Why don't you come and say hi?"
Grace came back and dropped off her beer.
"You need anything?" Grace asked Ted.
