Chapter 35 - A moment in suspension (1/2)

The door slowly creaked revealing my workspace; it was just as I've left it. Nothing had moved, except for the last three samples I couldn't finish that night. A light knock on the door pulled me from my complexion. There in the entrance stood Mr. Ramdin.

”Good morning, Miss Kerry. Good to see you back but also concern you're back so soon. Still, I'm happy. Cause these past few days, I've been doing your work and now I'm working on fumes,” he stepped aside letting the tiny girl wearing a lab coat move forward. ”This is Anna Campbell, your new assistant,” he turned to the girl. ”And this is Liliane Kerry, the one responsible for quality control around here. She'll teach you all the tricks. Please, don't give her a hard time, she's a real asset to this company,” Anna nodded eagerly her dark red hair cascading over her frail shoulders. She marched towards me holding out a hand, I gave it a firm handshake.

”Happy to meet you,” she said in a high-pitched voice. She must be barely eighteen.

”The pleasure is mine,” I pushed my glasses up my nose and pulled my hand away. Mr. Ramdin turned toward to corridor ready to exit.

”Do I have anything specific to do today?” he tipped his chin to my screen.

”I've already uploaded the list, don't worry, I'll do some of them just to ease the workload. I don't want to crush you with labor. It's only your first day; I'll go easy on you,” he nodded at us then turned to leave. I stood there for a moment, not knowing what I was supposed to say. I cleared my throat and went to hang my bag at the usual spot. Then remembered what Grant had told me. I pulled my sandwich from it, slipped into my lab coat and sunk onto my chair.

”You don't buy your food at the vending machine?” she asked as I took a bite into the cheese sandwich. I gave her a cautious peek before answering.

”No, it's homemade. I don't eat at the cafeteria either,” I don't know what Grant use but this simple cheese sandwich tasted like a piece of heaven. I grinned as I chewed on it.

”You cook your own food? That awesome,” I rose my eyebrows at her. Her compliment appeared to be genuine. I licked my fingers when I was done and got my water bottle.

”I don't, my boyfriend cooks my meals,” I said the words before I could stop myself. I gasped at my own mistake. What the hell was that? Are Grant and Demos my boyfriend… with an S. That sound so wrong. Anna's eyes lit up at the mention.

”Super! You're so loved. My boyfriend, he can't cook to save his life. I'm not a good cook either,” she pouted.

”Me neither, I tried to cook fried rice only end up burning the pan,” we both giggled and I knew Anna was a decent person. Suddenly work was less of a burden.

As I ate lunch with Anna in the small patch of green out the building, EWink opened. I quickly put down my bowl of pasta.

Demos: Bonne appetite

Liliane: Thanks, how's your first day?

Demos: Good. Went through the basis. Met the team. It's lunchtime now so I'm free

Liliane: That's good news

Demos: And yours?

Liliane: I've got a new assistant. She's nice

Grant: I'm happy to hear you both are doing well

Liliane: Thanks for the food. It's amazing. Thanks for feeding me

Grant: I'm trying my best with the little resources I have

Liliane: Well, you're doing miracles. What are you doing alone at home?

Demos: Who said he's alone at home

Liliane: Where are you, Grant? Don't tell me you've got a secret life I don't know about?

Grant: *Laugh* I'm at some friends on the 63rd floor

Liliane: *suspicious* doing what?

Grant: When we sync you won't have to ask

Demos: can't wait for tonight

Liliane: Ok, guys I have to head back to work. Will see each other tonight

Demos: *kiss*

Grant: Text me when you're done. I'll pick you up

Liliane: Sure. Mr. Randin promised there won't be any overtime

Grant: *kiss*