<div align="center"><em>Matilda "Tilly" Haraldsen</em> (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=83967.msg3707421#msg3707421)<br/>(http://pics.livejournal.com/liona5/pic/00c5xaz9)<br/><em>Arriving to work on her first day...late, as usual.</em></div><br/>Tilly was late. As usual. It was amazing how she still managed to be surprised every time she looked at the clock and cursed at the time. After all, when someone arrived to every appointment at least 15 minutes later than intended, you would assume that person would begin to expect this. Not Tilly, though. No, she always told herself that<em>next</em>time would be different. She'd even be early! No...the only time Matilda was ever early was if she arrived far ahead of time, because she was mistaken of the actual appointment.<br/><br/>Today was no exception, and as she rode the subway, she tapped her foot restlessly in a subconscious wish for the underground train to move faster. An older woman in a smelly coat next to her turned and glared, and Tilly sighed.<br/><br/>"Sorry."<br/><br/>She forced her leg to stop moving, and soon she felt the automated voice call out her stop. Finally! Rushing off the car, she ran up the stairs and stopped once she reached the street. Trying to remember which way to go, she finally decided on left and began walking quickly, not really paying attention to where she was going. When she arrived, she almost passed it up, but she looked up at the sign and smiled. She wasn't but 7 minutes late, and to her, that was relatively early.<br/><br/>"Finally."<br/><br/>Pushing the door open, she saw some people already milling about in the lobby, and then...oh God...her boss. Blushing crimson in embarrassment, Tilly tried to walk past Aline rather nonchalantly, as she didn't want to interrupt her conversation with the...ooh...very attractive gentleman...but...<br/><br/><em>Pull yourself together Tilly!</em>My God she was easy to distract. Sighing, she gave an apologetic smile to Ms. Myobi, and turned to give a slightly subconsciously flirtatious smile to the well-dressed man. She could hear people in the gallery, and she hoped they were the models they were expecting. She'd been briefed on what to expect, but she was still new.<br/><br/>She made her way to the cherry wood (http://www.montavista.com/catalog/images/JapaneseCherryWoodDSC00047.jpg) desk (http://www.furniturewholesalers.com/prod_img/MAYDE00733/gallery/reception-desk.jpg), her black high heels (http://www.zappos.com/images/714/7142251/827-262107-d.jpg) clicking softly on the elegant tile flooring. (http://www.californiaconstructioncenter.com/images/floor2_lg.jpg) She wore a black and white houndstooth sweater dress (http://www.fredericks.com/Houndstooth_Sweater_Dress/21346,default,pd.html?cgid=cl7), and her red curls were pulled back with a black headband. Her make up was light, but pretty, and she only wore a pair of black chandelier earrings. (http://www.arizonafoothillsmagazine.com/afm-style-files/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/lee-anglel-crystal-drop-earrings-black.jpg) She set aside her black handbag and put it beneath the desk before adjusting the chair to her shorter height. Looking around, her heart rate finally calmed down a bit, and she focused on her boss and the handsome man. Would she be fired for being late her first day? She hoped not, as she really needed this job...badly.