“Hello boys,” Lorenzo’s father, William spoke up as he walked over.

Mercer looked up as he ran his feed over the entrance rug. He smiled softly. “Good morning, Mr. Mathew.”

Lorenzo, who was not too far behind Mercer, also waved at his father. Though there was a hint of mischief in his eyes and his father could tell. William looked back to Mercer and noticed a faint blush. He connected the dots, figuring out that something had happened to the two of them on the way to work, explaining his son’s cheeky smile and Mercer’s blush. William chuckled to himself and walked to his son, patting him on his shoulder, and then walked to his office. Lorenzo’s smirk turned into confusion when his father patted his shoulder. He looked over to Mercer and they both shrugged before going to Lorenzo’s office.

In the office, Lorenzo slightly loosened his tie, causing it to hand just below his collar. He them began opening morning emails, white Mercer did the same on his (well used) laptop from college. Mercer never had as many emails as Lorenzo, but today there were a few from William. Those emails were regarding William’s birthday party, which was happening in a few weeks. Mercer read the email quietly, restating every word in his head.

Dear Mercer,

I will be holding my party the first week of December. It will be on a Friday; all day party. Most of the office will be off for it, but for Lorenzo. He will have the Wednesday and the following Thursday before hand off too.

I’m planning an announcement at the party and the two days before, I have to work through some stuff with Lorenzo. You, yourself will also accompany Lorenzo as his assistant, to help with anything needed.

Thank you again. I hope the rest of the week finds you well,

William Mathew

After reading the email, Mercer quickly jotted down the three dates on his calendar. He realized the party was only a month away and it would be hard to clear Lorenzo’s schedule for three days with only a months advance. So like any other assistant he started writing emails out to a few of the clothing vendors and some other people, Lorenzo worked with when managing the company’s clothing line. Some of the people he had to call took rather long, due to them being big companies, but others he go quick email replies from, saying that they would postpone stuff for the requested days.

Once Mercer completed that rather stressful task, which took all the way to his lunch break, he was exhausted, knowing he still had a few other emails to deal with and whatever Lorenzo asked of him. Since it was his lunch break, Mercer closed his laptop and went over to Lorenzo’s desk. He looked tiny next to it. In fact it was much larger than his own desk. It was around the size of an eight person dinning table and his was only a standard work cubicle.

Taking a breath, he spoke up. “Mr. Mathew,” His voice almost cracked, still being slightly flustered around him from that morning.

“Yes, Mercer?” Lorenzo asked, not looking up from whatever he was doing. “What do you need?”

“I-I was just wondering what you wanted for lunch. I was planning on going out and thought I could pick something up for you.”

“Well in that case,” Lorenzo set down the pen he was holding and finally looked up. “We can go together them.”

Mercer’s eyes widened. Lorenzo was never available or wanted to go out for lunch ever. So it was a surprise and it it sure made his heart pound, when Lorenzo said yes. He could almost heat it in his ears. He swallowed trying to block out the noise.

After his long pause he looked back up. “Are you ah sure, sir? I’ll be bothering you and taking you away from your work.”

“It’s fine, Mercer,” Lorenzo rubbed his neck, a smile pricking the corners of his lips. “I need to take a break anyways. This new clothing line is bothering me and I want to get out to find inspiration.”

“Alright then,” Mercer fidgeted with his hands and slowly walked over to the door.

Lorenzo stood up and tightened his tie and followed after. He held the door open for Mercer and they both walked out.

A few coworkers were standing in the lobby once more, some getting ready to head out for lunch and some just talking. Walking out was a couple, Emily Mathew and Maria Sanchez. There were goth rather new to the company and both engaged. Emily smiled as she saw Lorenzo walk over.

“Well hello mister bachelor,” She giggled.

Lorenzo glared at her and rolled his eyes. Emily was Lorenzo’s cousin and since she was younger than him, she drove him mad. Every single time they had family events she would be stuck to his hip and constantly pester him. And ever since she joined the company, it made Lorenzo stay in his office even more.

“Heeey,” He dragged out through pursed lips.

“Me and Maria were just going out for lunch, would you like to join?” She said softer, now holding her partner’s hand.

Lorenzo froze, he’d never seen this docile side of his cousin and when he looked to find the source, he saw Emily’s hand linked with another hand; Maria’s. He took a close look at their hands and saw matching engagement rings.

“Wait, Emily you never told me you were engaged, let alone in a relationship,” He stuttered.

Emily looked down at her ring. “Well you never come to visit us any more idiot,” She brushed him away.

Lorenzo instantly glared back at her, as the calm before the storm leaves. “I have my own reasons,” He said flatly but also holding something back.

Emily brushed him off again and looked over to Mercer. “Oh! Who is this cutie?”

Mercer instantly blushed and looked down. Lorenzo got a bit protective and put a few steps between them.

“Emily, he’s my assistant so leave him alone.”

“Assistant, riight,” A cheeky smile plasters on her face. “But what happens in your office?” Her eyebrows wiggled but she stopped when Maria spoke up.

“Emily leave the two alone,” Her voice came out deep and almost intimidating. “It’s very nice to meet the two of you. I’m Maria. I have heard quite the cow about you from Emily,” She shook Lorenzo’s hand and then turned to Mercer.

“Though, I’ve only seen you running through the halls carrying files,” She chuckled.

Mercer snapped out of his flustered state and stood up straight while shaking her hand. “O-oh, I’m Mercer, Lorenzo’s assistant if you already didn’t know.”

“No no, I knew. I see you two together a lot. I’ve just never gotten the chance to actually talk to you,” Maria smiled.

Suddenly Emily cleared her throat. “Alright folks are we going out to lunch or are we going to eat all of these words up instead,” She put her free hand on her hip.

Maria smiled warmly at her lover and nodded. “Right, sweetheart. We should find somewhere to eat.”

The two of them started walking leaving the two men behind. But Emily turned back and ushered them forward. “Come Lorenzo and you little cutie, lets go have lunch,” She said Lorenzo’s name flatly but Mercer’s very warmly and bubbly.

Lorenzo groaned but Mercer smiled and followed them. “Come on Mr. Mathew,” He said softly.

Lorenzo melted at Mercer’s cute smile and soft voice, and gave in, following the group.

The four of them walked out, talking once more. Though from a rather large window on the top floor stood William, sipping a coffee. He watched as the group left the building and headed out on the busy afternoon streets with a smile.

“My boy, you are already fitting in. Now all you need is a wife to take over my company,” William said to himself.

Soon his assistant walked in. “William, I have a list of bachelorhood for Lorenzo that are able to come to your party,” The assistant said standing at the door holding a manila folder of profiles.

William took a step away from the window and sat at his desk. He waved his assistant forward and grabbed the folder before opening it. He scanned through the countless papered profiles of many women.

“Perfect.”