I was glad only that we communicated with the authorities only at work and I did not hear more barbs and other offensive words from him. Except for that security case, of course. Yes, and the fervor of Sergio cooled down.

And now, after the next race, I collapsed exhausted into a chair, stretching my buzzing legs. It's already four o'clock on the clock. Two more and home. Wow, how quickly time flies when they try to kill you. I missed lunch again today, a couple of crackers on the run don't count.

The door to the waiting room opens, and I creep up in a panic, feigning intense fascination with the computer screen. But it's not the boss. Simon, one of our IT specialists, decided to visit us. He is sweet, never yells at anyone, unlike some. Red curls on his head make the guy look like the sun, which he is. He is always glad to listen, does not take offense at anyone, and generally resembles a cute plush lion cub. Freckles and a couple of spots on his face make it clear that in his teens, this cutie must have become the object of ridicule. Although, maybe it was just me being teased for natural things like blackheads or not too straight teeth. Or flaky and cracked skin on the hands, how do you like that?

Either way, I'll never know what teenage Simon was like. Now he is a handsome, fit guy with a wonderful character and stylish glasses.

- Hey, Bee! Is it all in the works?

“As you can see,” I can’t help but smile back. There are such people, positive energy emanates from them directly in waves.

We wanted to go to a bar today. Well, me, a couple of guys from the IT department and a few advertisers. Will you join?

I would like to. I really wanted to. But the question is: will I live to see the evening?

- Oh, Sai, I don't know. By evening, I only have enough strength to get home and go to bed. So, probably without me. And you are risky guys, if in the middle of the week you can break like this. Will there be no bo-bo head in the morning?

- This time there is a reason - the guy looks away in embarrassment. - Birthday. I have.

- Come on? Congratulations! - I jump up from my seat, forgetting about the buzzing legs, and fly up to him. Why were you silent before? I don't have a gift. Let me hug you!

I throw myself on the guy's neck, he awkwardly hugs me with one arm. Exactly at this moment, the boss enters the room.

Well, everything. You can order a coffin.

- I didn’t understand something, is it now a lunch break or what? - well? I told you. - Four o'clock in the afternoon! You, - points to Simon, - march to your department. And you - already on me - print out the statement from the post office. Alive!

Here it is! Why haven't I called him yet? Was it a tyrant? Not? I do not remember.

Simon nods sullenly and, walking back to the door, asks:

- See you this evening then? Come. This will be your gift. We'll be waiting for you in the lobby.

- All right, Sai. See you.

What kind of person? Took, spoiled the mood of the birthday man.

With enthusiasm, in anticipation of a good evening, I go to look for a letter with the necessary document. I send it to print, and when I'm already picking up a warm sheet with a table, Mr. Barrett comes out of the office.

Phew, just in time.

- Here, hold, - I rush to him, holding out a sheet.

- I do not have time. I'll be back in an hour and a half, then I'll take a look. Maybe a bit later. In any case, be sure to wait for me.

Without looking up from the phone in his hand, the chief moves towards the exit.

- Em. Good. Shall I take her to your office then?

- Not. There will be assignments for you. Let it be with you. A guarantee that you will not run away to a party.

party? He said in such a tone as if I visit various entertainment establishments every day and then come to work with a hangover. Arrrgh! Okay, I'll wait, where do I go.

But Barrett didn't show up after an hour and a half or two. I had to call and apologize to Simon. It was clear from his voice that he was upset, and this made his soul even more disgusting. I promised him that as soon as there was a free evening, we would definitely go somewhere.

When the numbers on the clock have exceeded nine hours, there is no more strength left for resentment. Leaning my head on the table, I fall asleep unnoticed by myself.

Theo.

What the same all-??? investors are tedious people. We said goodbye fifteen times to this balding businessman. And that's just what I thought. So I return to the office only closer to eleven o'clock. There is some charm in these empty corridors. And the silence is beyond words. I would love to work only at night, but not all my partners are owls.

I loosen my tie and, as I stretch my stiff neck, I notice Miss Lewis lying on the table. Not completely, of course, only the upper part of it. She put her hands under her head and sniffles, smiling blissfully at something. Decided not to go home today? Well, well, her right, I am also staying overnight in my office today. Early in the morning departure to the object, from the office building the road will take at most half an hour.

Already holding the door handle, his eyes fall on a piece of paper on the edge of the table.

Crap. Buyer table. Completely out of my head. He promised to return to the office and take it apart with Ashley. That's why she is still here. He said to wait for me - she is waiting. A disgusting sense of guilt begins to scrape on the soul. It hasn't been like this in a while. I rush my eyes between the door and the girl, making a decision. To wake her up now means to force her to return home through the dark streets or, God forbid, in an empty subway car, and not with some ghoul. It's too cruel, even for me. And so she will earn a curvature of the spine.

Fuck.

I'll probably regret it later, but now, opening the office door wider, I loosen my cuffs and walk towards the girl, trying not to make too much noise. Although, what am I? When the door to the waiting room slammed, she didn’t even move her ear, and then just once, she would wake up from my steps. Kind of crazy, to be honest.

Does she eat at all? Her clothes weigh more than she does. The ribs are palpable under the light blue shirt. How can you be so careless about your health?!

Ashley begins to toss and turn in her sleep as I lower her onto one of the two leather sofas in my office. I think it was the word "goat". Yes, someone badly annoyed her, since even in a dream he is remembered with an unkind word.

There are already several folds on the sleeves on the jacket, but I will not undress her. Still won't understand.

By the window, on the left, there is a biometric sensor, to which I put my thumb. With a soft click, the hidden door rolls aside, revealing itself inside the wall. I often stay here overnight. What difference does it make where you sleep: at home or here? I still order food from a restaurant, so I don’t need a refrigerator here. Shower - here, please, the door to the right. I hang the jacket in the wardrobe, from there I take out a blanket with which I cover my secretary.

Asleep. How killed. She easily fit on the sofa, only her legs had to be bent - long. The main thing is to wake up before her tomorrow, otherwise she will be frightened, poor thing.

I wake up exactly a minute before the alarm, which I still decided to set, just in case. Usually I wake up exactly when I planned - years of training the body give results, but this time I decided to play it safe. The first thing I do is call the restaurant and order myself breakfast: fried eggs, a mini steak and a couple of sandwiches. It's good when you can call the owner of the establishment early in the morning and not be sent to hell for it. The order is promised to be delivered within forty minutes. There is no point in going for a run, so I immediately go to the shower. And only when I put on a shirt, I remember that my secretary is sleeping through the wall.

I completely forgot about her when I ordered breakfast. The courier is most likely already halfway to the office, and although I enjoy some authority, I will not be borzet and drive him back and forth. Also cooks to re-strain. Maybe she's on a diet? Look, all the bones are sticking out. Or even a vegetarian. But on the other hand, sitting and eating alone is somehow not an option either. Therefore, I decide to call a pastry chef I know, which I almost immediately begin to regret. I forgot how annoying she was. After a couple of joint nights, I barely got rid of her. Referring to urgent business and an ambulance to Australia, I ask her to send a courier to my office as soon as possible. You don't get much chocolate, but I remember that Ashley loves white chocolate, which means she will turn a blind eye to this. He, of course, is not Swiss, but also quite good.

Yeah. I involuntarily chuckle, remembering the past “chocolate” story. When I first noticed the familiar red and black wrapper on her table, I immediately understood from whom. Sergio's favorite chocolate. Expensive, Swiss and very bitter. I had to explain again to a friend to leave my secretary alone:

- What did I tell you about Ashley? - I threw them, instead of a greeting, with a loud knock, putting the tile on the table to a friend.

- C'mon! I just wanted to treat the beauty. He himself said that there was nothing to hold on to. Here, I wanted to build up her shape.

"Sergio," I growled, "don't touch her for the next month." Please. And then, if you don’t burn out, then take it at least as a secretary, at least as a bedding. But don't go yet. You will have fun, and then I will listen to her whining through the door.

So that for sure none of them had the opportunity to intersect outside of work, I tried to load Ashley as much as possible.

I also remember that her clothes, most likely, were shamelessly wrinkled. So you have to make another call. This time in a clothing store. Please bring some office blouse and trousers, after looking at the size on the tag on Ashley's shirt. I catch myself thinking that I'm too much swagger for her.

All deliveries arrive almost at the same time, and after picking up my breakfast, a snack for Miss Lewis and clothes for her, I return to my office, making two lattes on the way. The clock is already eight in the morning, and my assistant does not even think of emerging from the realm of Morpheus. Smiling at something in a dream. Or someone. Either way, it looks pretty cute and contagious. It makes me want to smile back. Just as I am about to shamelessly interrupt her sleep, I notice that her breathing is changing and her eyelashes are fluttering. Her eyes widen and she stares up at the ceiling.

"Good morning," I called attention.