Chapter 4
“Wait- what?!”
You held your phone away from your face as Saff screamed in your ear.
“He got you a job?!”
“I think so?” It sounded like a question the way you said it. “I mean, I still have to submit everything but-“
“Bug, I just talked to you like an hour ago, how the hell did he get that set up so fast?”
“He said there was an opening-“
“Wait!” She cut you off and you winced at her tone. “Oh my gosh I forgot to ask, where does he work?”
You took a moment, bracing yourself for her reaction. “…Alchemax.”
“What?!”
Again, you pulled the phone away from you ear as she shrieked. “I hope you’re not still at the gym screaming like that.”
“I’m leaving now.” She said dismissively. “Dude, Alchemax? Seriously?”
“I know.” You said leaning across your kitchen counter.
“Who is this guy? I thought he was just some hot single dad with some kind of modest but well-paying job.”
You huffed a laugh. “A modest job? Like what Saff?”
“I don’t know, like an accountant or something? Or maybe a bodyguard, the dude is jacked.”
“I know, I didn’t think he- wait what are you doing?” You paused mid sentence when you heard the sound of her tapping away on her phone screen.
“I’m looking him up.”
“Saff! Why?”
“Honestly bug, we should’ve done this the night you moved in.”
You stood up and went over to your desk where you’d left your laptop.
“Dude, holy shit.”
“What?” You said trying to hide the worry in your tone.
“This guy is kind of a big deal.”
You pulled your phone away from your ear and placed the phone on speaker as you started to look Miguel up as well. You quickly came across a ton of different articles talking about his discoveries and scientific findings.
“Holy shit this dude must be loaded!” Saff’s voice brought you back to the present. “Your building is nice, but he could literally live anywhere!”
You shrugged as you continued to scroll through the many search results. “I don’t know, maybe he likes living there?”
“Ehh, yeah maybe.” She said. “Looks like he used to live somewhere else, but quickly moved into this building about a year ago.”
You quickly closed all the tabs you had open and slammed your laptop shut. “Saff, this feels wrong.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I feel like a creep! Looking into his personal life behind his back after he just got me a job.”
“Bug, we always look up guys we like! It doesn’t look like he has any social media though.”
“What? I never said I liked him!” You said and despite your words your face grew warm. You pulled your legs up onto the chair and hugged them to your chest.
“Oh, don’t give me that.”
“I’m serious! I don’t even know him that well.”
You could practically hear her eyes rolling. “Well, ok sure. Let's say I believe you. Regardless, he’s obviously into you!”
You roll your eyes, but it doesn’t stop the warmth from flooding your cheeks. “No, he was just being nice.”
“Bug, if he wanted to just hire anyone he would’ve.”
You were quiet for a moment, thinking. “I don’t think it’s cause he’s into me or anything like that.”
“Why don’t you make the first move and find out?”
_______________________
You were able to manage the schedules between the two jobs quite easily. Your weekends were still free, and Miguel had been right, Alchemax paid very well. Your main job didn’t start until later in the day and your new job at Alchemax was an early shift so there was never any overlap.
On your first day Miguel had promised to be your guide but, five minutes into the tour his watch beeped loudly. He apologized but asked someone else to continue on with showing you around. A pretty woman name Miranda in an extremely well tailored suit looked you over when Miguel introduced you. She happily and hurriedly agreed when Miguel asked her to take over for him. After he walked off her expression immediately changed. She looked like she was disgusted with the idea of helping you.
Despite her being slightly younger than you she was somehow very intimidating. She mentioned how she started out at Alchemax immediately after college. It was like she was trying to make you feel like you didn’t belong. You shook off the feeling and continued to follow her.
The building was enormous and covering all of its floors took almost two hours. As time went on Miranda started to get dismissive when showing you certain areas of the building. “You probably wont need to go past the first floor. These floors are for the actual professionals.” She said as the two of you stepped into the elevator to go back to the first floor. You rolled your eyes when she turned her back on you to hit the button.
As the elevator quickly made its ways back to the first floor you noticed Miguel standing near the empty front desk. He stood there, his hair slightly disheveled, with his hands in his pockets. Miranda must’ve noticed it too because she stood up straighter and adjusted her suit jacket. She turned to her reflexion in one of the chrome walls of the elevator, adjusting her hair and making sure her makeup wasn’t smudged.
She immediately spoke as soon as the doors opened. “Well, that completes our tour!” She made a big show of gesturing around the building, her tone completely different now. She turned to Miguel and pretended to only just notice him. “Oh, Miguel, there you are.”Miguel’s eyes were focused only on you however, despite her less than subtle actions. “How are you finding everything?”
“Pretty good. I’m gonna need a map of this place to get around.” You joked and he gave a small laugh. Miranda laughed too, though it sounded a bit forced.
He turned to Miranda, “Did you work in a break for lunch during your tour?”
“Unfortunately, no we didn’t.” She gave a pout. “I wouldn’t mind you joining me for lunch now though.”
“I think I’ve bothered you enough for one day.” He gave her a friendly clap on the shoulder. “Thanks for your help.”
“You’re welcome.” Miranda responded through gritted teeth, her perfect smile now seemed strained.
Miguel put his hand on your shoulder and steered you gently toward the door. “So? Not as scary as you thought, huh?”
“Eh, I guess not.” You shrugged sarcastically. “There’s still you though.”
“Oh, I’m still scary?”
You smiled brightly at him, “Terrifying.”
“Oh wow.” He said sarcastically, opening the door for you. “So did you drive in today?”
“Nah, I took the bus. I wasn’t sure what the parking situation was.”
“Good plan.” He pulled out his keys and you heard the sound of a car unlocking. “Can I give you a ride home?”
______________________
About two weeks into your new jobs, you were feeling more comfortable finding balance between the two. Now that it was finally the weekend you used the day to relax and plan for the week ahead. After spending the day out with Saff you were finally back at your apartment building. The two of you had been out shopping all day but you only bought a few things. You walked into the complex with the two bags in one of your hands when you saw Miguel standing by the elevators. A small grin spread across your face until you noticed he was cradling something small in his arms.
You continued to approach him, your legs moving on their own. As if somehow hearing your silent approach he turned to face you. You could see now that he was holding his daughter in his arms, and you stopped in your tracks, hesitating. You remembered what he had told you when you first met him.
“Should I go?” You mouthed to Miguel, carefully watching the back of the head of the child in his arms.
“Oh, no it’s ok.” He whispered back. “She’s asleep.” He turned just slightly so you could get a view of her. Her face was gently smushed into her fathers' shoulder facing away from him as she slept soundly.
Without even thinking you reached a hand out and smoothed some of her disheveled hair from her face. “Aww..” You sighed as you took her in, she was adorable.
At the sound of your voice, she stirred slightly. You worried that she would wake and see you when her eyes peeked open just slightly. But she tiredly just turned to face the other way. Tucking herself in to the nook of her father's neck. Unbeknownst to you, Miguel was watching your expression closely. An unintentional grin spread across his face at the sight of his whole family together.
Once she settled in his arms again, he turned to face you. “So, how was your first official week?” He whispered.
“Not too bad. Boring, like you said.” You whispered back.
“See? Like I said, easy money.”
The elevator dinged and Miguel gestured for you to get in first. The two of you stood there quietly for a moment before you broke the silence.
“I don’t think I ever truly thanked you for helping me out with getting me that job. So seriously Miguel: Thank you.”
His warm smile made your heart skip a beat. “Of course, Y/N.”
“Why don’t you make the first move and find out?” Saff’s words echoed in your head.
You cleared your throat trying to prepare yourself for what you were going to say next. “Maybe I can repay you sometime? Over breakfast? Or lunch if that works better.”
Miguels smile never faded, “Sounds good.” The elevator dinged, signaling that the two of you had arrived on your floor. “I’ll text you and we can work out a date that works.” He said as the two of you walked down the hall to your doors.
“Sounds good.”
“Good night, (Y/N).”
“Good night, Miguel.” You peered over his shoulder at the still sleeping girl. “Good night, Gabi.” You turned and disappeared into your own apartment giving him a small wave.
Miguels heart was still hammering in his chest as he laid Gabi into her bed. That couldn’t have gone better if he had planned it. Somehow, you were drawn to Gabi. He could see it in your eyes when you saw her. Gently he pulled her shoes off her feet as tried to not to wake her.
“I saw her papa…” She said, a sleepy smile over her face.
“Hmm? Who’d you see?”
“I saw mama…” She mumbled, a sleepy smile on her face. Miguel paused as he pulled the covers over her. His eyes widened for half a second, only calming when he saw she was already back asleep again. Maybe she’d think it was just a dream and forget it had even happened. But even if she didn’t, Miguel wasn’t worried. Soon you would be the one tucking her into bed at night.