Why was it that everything she said seemed to amuse this man? Mairen had to actively keep from lifting an eyebrow in response. At the same time, something about him made her curious. She couldn't say what, exactly, had her wanting to stay regardless of his clearly not having the papers ready for her. Maybe it was that she couldn't quite figure him out, where she so often was able to judge others. She'd spent most of her life observing rather than participating, so it wouldn't be the first time she had learned about someone through some observance.
“You're not a fan?” She asked, sitting forward and failing to keep the hope from her voice. “You've no idea how annoying it is when people befriend you because of your dad.” She crossed her arms, leaving the clipboard to attempt to balance on her leg. Mairen left out the part about it being why she hardly ever had or made friends. Trusting people wasn't something she did easily. Sure, she would admit to rather liking people, but trust? No, that took effort on their part as much as hers. She couldn't help but pout for a second before shaking it off.
Mai had nearly snatched up her clipboard to leave the office when his words stopped her. She sighed quietly, relaxing into her chair and tilting her head to the side as she watched him not-as-subtly as she intended. Whatever he was smiling about, she had a feeling it wasn't something she wanted to ask after. Probably one of those inside or personal jokes one remembers at the worst times.
He's not half bad.. A voice pointed out quietly.
She nearly frowned. Awkward. At least she wasn't one of those people whose thoughts accidentally became actual, audible words. But stranger, even, than the fact that she'd thought it was that it wasn't even sarcastic. She'd only seen him around a couple times, then been in his office for no more than five minutes. It was times like this when Mai wished she had a sister. Strange, perhaps, but true. She could go home after work and rant on about the blonde who was far too interesting and the sister would have then been able to tell her she was mental.
Then again, Mairen was doing it anyways. Telling herself she was mad, that is. Being interested in a guy was never a good idea, she had found, because it just never worked out. Hence her having strange male friends who, like Cael, weren't strange as individuals. No, they were more strange because they put up with all of her sass and talking too much. Instead, she decided that she would just try and get on with people, see if the friends thing worked, and if he was stupid enough to make a move she might consider it.
The only problem with that, though, was that she couldn't seem to get the right words around, nonetheless as many as usual around the lawyer sitting in front of her. Besides the obvious reasons for his thinking she was strange, she was but an intern. Oh. That reminded her.
“Speaking of Ms. Cabot,” she began almost timidly, “I suppose you know how she is with cases?” Mairen attempted. How much trouble would she get in if he decided to rat her out for talking bad about her employer – especially in the office? She'd already started, though, and if she was stupid enough or liked him well enough to have already said something, it was too late. “Always has to pick them herself. Won't take suggestions. Well I've stumbled across one that could be desperately important. And now I've no chance of working on it.”
She eyed him warily for a minute before deciding. Yes. She usually managed to badger people into things. Why would it be any different this time? “It's a shame you can't keep track of paperwork, Mr. Malfoy,” she teased lightly, lifting her chin challengingly, “otherwise I'd suggest you help me with it.” She shrugged off-handedly, as though brushing it off. If she had read him wrong, her chance at figuring this out would be lost. No chance for promotion, no- She stopped herself, but the thought came anyways.
No more spending time with Mr. Malfoy.