I covered my mouth with my hands as I yawned loudly. After stretching like a cat and standing out of my desk, I noticed that nearly the whole floor was empty, only a few were still working.

Was I that immersed in the work that I hadn't noticed the time?

It was lunch break. But was I hungry?

Hell yeah.

But did I have any companion with me to grab lunch with?

Hell, no.

So, what do I do?

Skip lunch.

Perfect idea.

But did my stomach agree with that? That would be a big hell no because it loudly growled making me sigh, thank god, no one heard that.

Maybe, I could ask Jen to accompany me?

But what if she doesn't want to?

That's the question even I have.

Wait, am I seriously having a conversation in my mind, with my conscience.

I must have really lost it.

Before I could comprehend what's happening, a young man in a grey suit entered my office, whom undoubtedly I had an encounter with, in the morning, it was Maver.

''Hello, newbie'' He smirked as he elegantly placed himself on the chair across mine.

''Hello Maver'' I greeted with a polite smile.

''Ah, you don't have to be all goody two shoes and polite with me'' Maver rolled his eyes. But this was my first day of work, how do I know this was not some conspiracy against me?

Hmm, I have read and watched enough office dramas to know what happens.

''I am not after your job'' He rolled his eyes yet held an amused expression.

''Shit, did I say that out loud?" I exclaimed with widened eyes.

''No'' he lightly chuckled, ''but I could see the wheels turning in your head and the way your eyes were narrowed at me'' He explained, with an amused glint in his eyes while I groaned.

''I assure you, I am not after your job'' he mocked surrendering his hands making me turn my face away from him in embarrassment.

''I wasn't thinking anything like that'' I lied holding a hard expression, which much to my dismay made him laugh.

''If you're done laughing at me; did you need anything?'' I asked slightly annoyed by his behavior.

He pursed his lips as if he was trying to hold to his laughter.

''Yeah, I knew you wouldn't have anyone to grab lunch with, so here I am, let's go and grab lunch together'' He told me sending a boyish grin in my way. I looked at him with a smile on my face. I thought by now, everyone must have forgotten about me. Were they this good with everyone or was it just the ones who were new? I guess time will speak for itself.

''Give me a minute'' I said, putting my phone in my purse. He nodded and leisurely scrolled through his phone.

Just as we were ready to go, the shrill sound of his phone ringing echoed on the floor. He checked the caller id and rolled his eyes, before putting the phone in his ear.

''What's up?'' He asked casually.

''Yeah on my way'' he continued.

''Already done'' He glanced in my way and grinned.

''Okay, see you there'' he hung the call and motioned me to follow him.

''It was Jen, she was asking me to bring you along with me, which I already did'' He smirked.

''Are you guys this friendly with everyone?'' I asked raising my eyebrow. This question was eating me.

''You could say that, but I guess it's more because you are new in this company'' He replied shrugging. '' and because you don't scream 'trouble' '' he added.

''Wow, is that supposed to be a compliment?'' I asked stepping right beside him, to which he responded with a chuckle.

On our way, I and Maver spoke a lot; we decided to have lunch in the café downtown which was near the office. The more we talked the more I realized, no matter how cocky or irritating Maver seems to be. He had a heart made of gold. It's not just because he asked me to grab lunch with them. It's because, on our way, he introduced me to every person on the way. He cared enough for me to get comfortable. At least that's what I thought.

''Do you have a girlfriend?'' I asked him casually but it seemed to make him stop in his tracks.

''No'' He laughed and continued walking ahead. I got the gist, he didn't wanna talk about it so instead, I asked, ''How many siblings do you have?''

This made him laugh even more making me scrunch my eyebrows, is he insane or something?

''I have a little sister, she's your age'' he replied with a glint of softness in his eyes.

''How many siblings do you have?'' he asked.

''I am two brothers, one is two years older than me and another the other is younger. He's 17 years old, a junior in high school'' I replied.

My life with my two ugly annoying brothers was always full of fun and annoyance. It was infuriating how protective both of them were. I mean Jake, I get it, he's a caveman. But Theo, really, he's supposed to be the carefree and cool one, but no, fate had written three cavemen in my life; Jake, Theo, and of course Dad.

''Life with two brothers must be entertaining'' He stated, opening the door of the café. It was a beautiful café themed with brown and green, giving the café the life of nature.

''You have no idea'' I rolled my eyes and waved at Jen when I noticed her. Before I could walk towards her a hand clutched one of my fingers, making me turn around and look at Maver with a questioning look.

''Thank you for changing the subject earlier'' He whispered with a soft smile.

''Which subject?'' I asked raising my eyebrow, though I very much knew which subject. He shook his head and walked ahead.

''Let's go dummy bear''

What's with that nickname?

''Hey! Give me a nice nickname'' I huffed in annoyance which he ignored with a laugh.

We gently placed ourselves on the table where Jen was already waiting.

''You two are getting well, I see'' She told with an amused expression.

''She's annoying but nothing I cannot handle'' Maver sighed and ruffled my head, making me slap his hands away.

We ordered our food; while Jen ate salad, I and Maver ordered steak. The place blossomed with the smell of food and coffee, as I glanced around I noticed about half of the people was from our office. After the food arrived we elegantly devoured it. While eating, the three of us spoke a lot! It was refreshing to be in a group of friends after so many days. I also got to know that it's normally them both having lunch together, so it was refreshing for them to have company as well. I really hoped I didn't intrude.

''You know Ella, you have easily mixed up with us'' Jen said with a smile.

''It wouldn't have been easy if you two weren't comfortable or nice'' I told her with a smile.

''Aww, dummy bear are you calling me nice?'' Maver cooed innocently puckering his lips making me roll my nice.

''Stop with that nickname already'' I huffed while both of them laughed.

''I just want to thank you for accepting me, both of you'' I softly said with a smile. Maver didn't say anything but Jen pulled me for a hug.

''You just have this innocent vibe, which makes me want to protect you'' she explained, the smile not leaving her face.

''Okay, I am going to vomit right now. Can you guys please stop with this gross thing going on'' He exclaimed, making both me and Jen burst into laughter.

After lunch, all three of us went to our designated offices. I learned Maver was recently promoted to be the head of accounts and surprisingly Jen wasn't the receptionist, she was asked to wait there for me so that she could show me my office. She is the manager.

My eyes widened when I saw a figure dressed in a black coat standing in front of my desk and analyzing something on my desk.

Oh shit! The notes that I took.

The figure seems to notice my appearance for which he turns in my way and faces me with a hardened look.

''I am so sorry'' I squeaked. Oh god, my voice.

''I am so sorry! I am so sorry! It was lunch break and I went to eat. Oh my god, I shouldn't have gone. I am so sorry. Please don't fire me. Please!'' I rambled and desperately pleaded.

What was I thinking! Oh my god, I shouldn't have gone! What if he fires me! Oh lord, this is just my first day.

''Calm down'' His deep voice echoes in my office. My office? Will it be my office anymore after a minute?

''Calm down'' he repeated but my breathing rate didn't seem to decelerate.

''Calm down!'' He roared making me still.

'' I am calm. I am calm. I am calm'' I chanted, looking at the man standing in front of me.

''Have a seat'' he motioned me to sit, making me gulp.

''I have noticed you went through my work and noted some points'' he told, seating on the chair in front of him. I gulped again and nodded. He looked like he was in his 50s, which brought the question as to why was I replacing him, who was so experienced?

''What did you note?'' he asked raising his eyebrow.

''The way you worked'' I replied breathing heavily.

'' Ms.Brown, calm down. This is not the end of the world, I am not going to eat you'' He replied calmly. Making me more terrified. I mean, he could have sent me a small smile but no problem.

Time passed, he asked me some questions regarding my university and the ECAs I did there, furthermore, he sounded impressed when I told him I attended many big seminars of some great businessmen.

''We had a seminar in Washington as well, that was-'' he scrunched his nose to remember the date.

''Last year, summer'' I quickly filled him in. He looked at me and nodded.

''You attended that'' it wasn't a question it was a statement.

After some more questions he got up from his seat, I quickly stood up as well.

''You have got talent Ms. Brown, this position is very important and I couldn't allow some young lousy person to take this position but you have the capability, you didn't seem to directly banish the old ways, you tried to learn from what the previous person in the position did and that Ms. Brown impressed me, that you are here to learn, not only earn'' He told me with a nod, while his lips curved a little.

''Thank you so much'' I softly whispered looking at him.

''I will come by tomorrow and explain to you the new project, till then enjoy'' He shrugged with a smile and left my office.

I sighed. Well, that was something. I sat on my desk and closed my eyes. All of these seem so surreal. Nevertheless, there was one thing in his words that caught my attention,

''That you are here to learn, not only earn''