Hide and Seek: The Office Edition

Unbeknownst to most people, Xander actually enjoyed hide and seek as a child. It was a game that allowed you to not interact with the others and you would still be considered an active participant. The fact that he could hide for hours ensured that he could be alone as much as he wanted. Now, hiding in his office, he stood conflicted by his desire to avoid confrontation and the expectant thrill of being sought out. He was a coward, and the sent text which read “Congratulations for a fine performance. Will see you later. Work came up.” was proof of this.

If only Victor would have waited one more day to unleash his pettiness, then maybe he wouldn’t be virtually trapped in his office right now. But since Max told him that Victor was lurking around backstage, he was sure that there would be no delay in Taisa finding out about the transfer.

Outside of his confinement, rapidly approaching steps were tramping their way through the long corridor. Before the marching steps could reach their destination, they were abruptly intercepted by a familiar HR representative.

“Hello again, Taisa.” A very poised Lorelai scrupulously eyed the brunette.

“Yeah, hi. Look, I’m kinda in a hurry to see –“

“I know who you’re here to see. That’s why I thought I should let you know that he is in a meeting.” Lorelai was crossed by a schadenfreude chill, probably because she sensed the urgency in Taisa’s voice.

“When will he be done with it?” Taisa’s steely gaze reminded Lorelai of the burns of past confrontations.

“He said he will be busy the entire day and not to be disturbed, so I would reschedule.” The redhead kept her chin high and her expression steady.

“This is all such bullshit…”

“I still see you use a sailor’s vernacular.”

“Just move already before I move you myself.” Tones were incrementing with each reply exchange.

“You know I can have you thrown out, right?”

“Oh, please! Why don’t you just-“

“What’s going on out here?” Xander’s head appeared from behind the ajar door trying to figure out what was causing the commotion outside. When he saw Taisa, there was no need for any more investigation.

Whirling around to get a good look at him, pure fury crossed her face. He just opened the door wider and moved to the side to let the wrathful woman inside. Taisa passed him without sparing a glance to either him or Lorelai.

“Sir, would-“

Xander waved to dismiss Lorelai’s questioning. “Meeting again. Hold all calls like before.” The door was closed with a click.

Taisa was standing in the middle of his office, practically feeling the tides of anger rolling off her small frame.

“Have a seat.” He motioned for her to sit down on one of the couches while he made his way to his desk to lean against it.

“Don’t talk to me like I’m some business associate.” Little did she know that, had a business associate come barging in unannounced, he would have told them to go jump out the window instead of offering them a seat.

“I assume your visit has to do with you finding out.” Maybe if he would calmly explain his motives, she would be more receptive to forgiving him.

“Where do you get off?!?” So much for the calm approach plan. “Paying off debts WITHOUT even telling ME? And thinking you could cover everything up?”

“I meant no offense.” It was very hard to look her in the eye.

“Oh, you have offended me. Big time.”

“My intention was just to help. I don’t see the need for all this yelling and fuss.”

“I see the need to yell! I’m not some goddam charity case. Do you realize you would have practically proved Victor right?”

“Would I now?” Xander inquired while narrowing his eyes.

“Well, not exactly, ‘cuz, you know, it’s not true, but…Ugh, you get it!” She grasps her forehead with her palms in frustration.

“You already had a debt to a friend, would it have been such a big deal if it was moved to another?”

“God, you are so pig-headed! You and Victor are more alike than you think…”

With an air of displeasure, he crossed his arms and scoffed at her. “If you were aiming to insult me, you have succeeded.”

“Stop digressing from the matter at hand.”

“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry for trying to make your life easier?”

“Shove your condescending ‘apology’. I can’t tell you how glad I am that the transfer bounced. If you really can’t understand why this is an issue for me, then we’re better off being just strangers.”

Xander was simply staring at her, trying to shake off the surprise and digest her words. She was threatening him. Having your own business involves learning proper negotiation skills and sometimes responding to threats, but this was a whole different ball game. She was threatening him with their friendship.

“You know I don’t respond well to forced coercions.”

“And I don’t respond well to shitty power play maneuvers.”

“It wasn’t anything of the sort.”

“I still see it like that. And if you can’t see it like I do, then I’m out.”

“Out of… what?”

“This.” She gestured her hands between the two of them. “Whatever ‘this’ is. Or was.” Taisa dropped her arms beside her body, dejectedly looking off into space.

“I was only trying to help.” His subdued demeanor startled her. “And probably in some part, compensate - for the whole Victor fiasco. And not knowing what to get for your graduation gift.” He walked in front of her, took her hands and guided her to sit down on the couch, seating himself on the coffee table, elbows on his knees.

“I’m sorry if my actions caused you distress. That was never my intention.” He seemed truly sincere with his apology, even a bit remorseful.

She carefully studied him; his eyes, his face, his hands that were hovering slightly above her knees. While she had been all but oblivious to Victor’s feelings, mostly due to her ignoring all the signs on account of their friendship, now she was having difficulty gauging Xander’s feelings.

Reading a person whose actions were dictated by moods and unpredictable obsessive patterns was like reading a badly translated fire prevention instruction during a fire hazard on the Titanic. You kind of understand some parts, expect in some way what it’s going to say, but you’re always left doubting if you understood the information correctly.

“You didn’t have to get me anything for my graduation…” And with a coy smile, she laid their divergences to rest.

He grasped the outstretched olive branch like a hungry koala. “At least a celebratory thing. Drinks, food, whatever is customary nowadays.”

“Celebratory drinks and dinners are still a thing. Not much has changed since you graduated in the Mesozoic.”

“I’m not that much older than you.” He leaned back, fixing her with a fed-up stare.

“Anyway, you don’t have to fret about it; I already have post-graduation tacos scheduled with the boys.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Both boys?”

“Yes. Vic is repenting for his transgressions.” While he was pleased that she was no longer upset, it unsettled him that Taisa and Victor might patch things up too well.

“How… nice of him.” Even saying cordialities about the man hurt him physically.

“We can celebrate separately, if you’d like. I don’t plan on keeping you two from locking horns all night.”

“Probably for the best.” With more perkiness in her attitude, she got up and bowed slightly to maintain eye level with him. A few locks of hair fell out of place from the ear they had been tucked behind, captivating him.

“Great. I’ll see you later then.” He caught a whiff of her shampoo, something aqua blue.

“Later.” She straightened up and he instinctively followed her movement. Walking her out of his office, he lingered for a little longer than needed, watching her exit the hallway and disappear behind the closing lift doors.

A pair of eyes from behind the first desk of the HR team took notice of the longingness that followed Taisa with every retreating step.

‘Another one hopelessly hooked. How does she do it?’ Lorelai bitterly mused.

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The chilly summer wind gently tickled her flushed face and invigorated her from the stuffy atmosphere from Terry’s Tacos. It had been a very relaxed celebratory outing, with both Max, Victor and a few of her student mates attending. Taisa figured that there would be less pressure if more people were present, and it felt like she had been right.

Maybe she’d continue this buzz by calling Xander, but she wondered how that would be interpreted. Unlike with Victor, she wouldn’t have minded if Xander saw her in that way. Her cheeks tingle slightly from the surge of blood that was prompted by that thought. ‘Oi, calm down lass.’ Still, a text wouldn't hurt, she thought.

Stumbling out of a nearby bar was probably the only person that had the power of obliterating her good mood.

Bloodshot eyes met green ones clouded with apprehension. “You’ve got to be shitting me…”

“Hi to you too, Lorelai.”