It's My Mistake ~ PUBLISHED

Chapter 4

"Jesus, you're bloody lucky!" Olivia said, shaking her head slightly and taking her sip of rum and coke. It was always rum and coke when we were out in a bar like this. She had this thing about the straws, she said men found it attractive when women drank from straws. She did continue on about how she heard about it, but it was something crude and I had to quickly change the subject.

"I don't feel lucky! I'm back right where I started!" I groaned.

"But at least you have a job again!" Olivia raised an eyebrow at me.

"Miss Mark?" someone called from behind me, which made me jump. I turned around and to my shock I saw the face of that handsome dark blonde man that had interviewed me at the hotel. I just stared in amazement, my mouth slightly ajar. "I thought I recognised your voice!" He smiled and stepped up to our table.

"Oh, hi! S–sorry," I stuttered.

He looked even more handsome than before. He was wearing a lovely grey suit that looked very expensive. Like one of those tailor-made suites some men have when they have the money to splash out. Underneath was a black shirt and a slightly loose navy tie.

His smile widened. "What you sorry for? Or did you do something to my car after you left the interview last week?"

"What? No!" I gasped, as Olivia looked between me and my strange new handsome friend.

He laughed. "I was joking!"

"Oh."

"I'm glad I've bumped into you, actually. I tried ringing you last week but couldn't get through," he continued.

"You did?"

"Yeah, on Friday."

I frowned. I don't remember getting a call, except for that creepy guy that—

My face dropped in realisation. "Wait, I did have a missed call! I tried ringing back but a guy called Jason picked up?"

"Yeah." His face dropped slightly at the mention of the name. "Sorry about that. I was at his apartment when I tried calling you on Friday. I must have put my work mobile down or something. He has a habit of answering it. It's my own fault."

"He was bloody rude!" I frowned at him. Trying to feign anger. Although I was far from angry. I was mostly just shocked that this guy was choosing to talk to me, especially since my gorgeous friend was sat next to me.

"Oh God, did you hear what he yelled?" Mr Handsome said, his face going a little grim.

I nodded, and just settled with giving him a stern look.

"I'm really sorry about that, he likes to joke about. He's"—he paused, as if looking for the right word—"a bit of a player. He's a good friend of mine, a childhood friend. But, he's a typical guy."

I nodded but said nothing still. I didn't really know what he meant by that.

"I was actually ringing to ask if you are free next Tuesday?"

Olivia gasped.

"What for?" I asked, a little harshly and ignoring Olivia. I hoped the guy didn't hear her. I had noticed he had glanced at her when he came over to the table, but his eyes went straight back to me. It made me feel a little warm inside; a guy choosing to speak to me over my really attractive friend. I wanted to relish in the moment for a little, even though there was no chance he'd choose me over Olivia.

"An informal chat this time; no horrible interview panel," he replied.

"Thanks, but I'm busy," I said in a fluster. I hated the words that came out of my mouth. But it was true, I was busy. I started my new job next week.

"Oh, then maybe next Wednesday instead? In the afternoon? We could—"

I shook my head and interrupted him before he had chance to answer; "I'm working. I found a job. I start next week."

"Ah, that's a shame," he said, actually looking genuinely upset about something. I frowned at him, curious to know why he was upset. "Well, if you change your mind, or you have a free moment..." He dug into his blazer and took out a business card from a hidden inside pocket. "Ring me, the number on the front is my company number, and this"—he took out a pen from the same pocket and started to write something on the back—"is my personal number, just in case."

"Err, thanks," I said, unsure what else to say as I took the card from him.

Was he hitting on me?

I felt nervous suddenly. He was exceptionally handsome. I surely wasn't that lucky? Or was he just wanting me to come in to the hotel peacefully so that he could have a chat about what I did? Maybe I did something illegal and he wanted to press charges?

"Oh, and if you get through to Jason again, don't take what he says seriously, he's, err, how can I say this nicely? He has issues."

"Issues?" I asked.

He nodded. "He's an alcoholic."

"Oh, that's awful, I'm so sorry."

Something flicked across the handsome man's face, as if he wasn't expecting me to actually feel sorry for the guy, but instead feel disgusted. But I knew what it was like to know someone with an alcohol problem; I used to work with someone who had the same addiction in my last job. It was the reason I left. It was very distressing to see.

"Well, I'll leave you to it," he said. He smiled and went to walk away, but he turned back around as if remembering something and said; "Oh, and my name is Daniel Jefferies, but call me Dan."

I nodded weakly as he wandered off, after giving me another smile and a polite nod to Olivia.

"Fuck, he was hot!" Olivia finally said, fanning herself with a beer mat. I just hit her on the arm lightly but she just giggled.

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