Microscopic

“There she is! Get her in here,” Evero spat.

Securing the holster beneath his suit jacket, Zaron moved to open the glass office door for the boss’ secretary.

Always impeccably dressed, after two days absent she showed up on time, Evero’s favorite cappuccino in one hand, and a white flowering potted plant sporting a sleek gift tag in her other.

“Good morning, Zaron. Good morning, boss.” Her delicate heels clicked confidently over a glittering carpet of shattered glass. “I see you already made a mess this morning.”

Zaron kept cool, but Evero snarled. “Don’t start with me. Where did you put them?!”

Melissa pursed her glossed lips. She set the coffee by a pile of paperwork, and next to that the flowers. “You will have to be more specific boss.”

Zaron bit back a smirk. There was something different about her today. Perhaps it was the trauma from the attack, or the stiff bandaging around her neck, or that he was in need of his next injection, but there was something. Maybe she stood a little taller, or perhaps it was a detox? The dryad looked gaunt and tired, but her poise felt… deeper? Was that a thing? Perhaps a female thing — Zaron stopped his wondering there, and resumed assembling his sidearm.

“My tickets! To the gala?” Evero seethed. “I did not build up this Circle for ten years only to miss out on, not only the most important event to date, but a personal invitation!”

“You took them, sir.”

Evero glared at Melissa. “I did not.”

She patted her hand over her heart, wearing a professional, long-suffering expression. “You put them in your breast pocket. Three nights ago at supper you gifted me mine, then pocketed the other three saying only you could trust yourself with them.”

If looks could kill. Evero gripped the edge of his desk, knowing full well it was his oversight. He gritted his teeth. “Then, go. FIND. Them! I want them on my desk by noon!” the Koshari circle Boss roared. “And take this — What is this?!” He ripped a leaf off of the plant.

Melissa flinched. “A ginger lily, boss.”

Zaron looked up, a deer caught in the headlights.

Evero shoved the potted flower away, forcing Melissa to catch it. “I don’t care what it is. Why is it here?”

“It was delivered to the lobby. The gift card is addressed from –“

“Eli, I do not care who it is from. Get that green trash out of my sight. And you!” Evero shouted at Zaron. “Wipe that stupid look off of your face and get to work!”

Parroting their respects, the two fled out of the office before more glasses were broken. Zaron hesitated at he watched the secretary march away. It bugged him even more now. There was something in her that was different, and it forced him to address the new and confusing thoughts that had begun taking root in himself.

“Miss Melissa.” It was both a call and a command as he strode after her.

The dryad stopped by the elevator doors and turned around. “Mr. Ward?”

Zaron extended a hand for the plant that she reluctantly surrendered. “I will take this, and check on the cleaners myself.”

Though puzzled, she offered a grateful nod. The two of them almost never spoke, and he had certainly never offered assistance before. “Thank you.”

Zaron pushed the call button for the elevator for her. “No, Miss Melissa. Thank you.”