1: The killer boss

**“Miss Stella Miller, you are a brilliant talent. I am sure you will soon reach the zenith of success” His honey sweet voice floated into my ears.

This is what I wanted to listen from my boss with whom I had been dreaming to work since I entered in the spring Of my youth.

“Mr. Stokes Thank you so much. For considering me over thousands” I squalled and my heart was trying to jump out in happiness.

This is it for what I left my family and country as well and dwelt in this unknown city in which many others came with their dreams .

“Miss Miller you can start from whenever you want.” He again stole my breath with his raspy voice.

I was trying to reply but words were not coming out. What happened to me suddenly whereas he was smiling like the God Apollo.**

“Stella!”

“Stella!”

Someone was jerking me. Oh this voice is so familiar yet annoying.

I snapped open my eyes only to find my best friend glaring at me with her signature whined expression. Here my dream is going to be true and this crazy girl is behind me like an enemy.

I am not going to spare her if this chance would slip away from My hands.

“Stella, girl come out of your dreamland and put your ass on the real world” she yelled near my ear.

“Stoppp… hurting… my ears.. Megan!” I screamed giving her a death glare as I emphasized on every word with the motive of showing her my frustration.

Pulling the duvet off from my body, she pointed her finger at the clock and my eyes widened to its extent.

“Freakkkk I am getting late for my interview!” I shrieked and jumped down from the bed. Morning lethargy had long gone from my body.

“Drama Queen.” She rolled her eyes and went to the cupboard. After pulling a towel she threw that at me. "Go and get yourself stink free till then I will take out your outfit” she chipped.

“Love you so much.” I gave her flying kiss before dashing inside the loo.

Megan is my roommate, here in this new city, New York, I don't think I would have survived without her.

She is the reason of my survival. Megan is

perhaps as same as of my age. Some other girl would be jealous of her in my place as she has all the womanly charm like of a romance movie heroine but her heart is more beautiful. She never showed off before me. I am average with average height and pale brown skin and curly hair from the tips.

She is a Scottish from origin and settled here in Washington to persue her masters in old Greek literature. She has been living in this apartment long before me l. She is the best thing happened to me, if she have not been my best friend than I would have lost my identity and perhaps myself in the oblivious charm of this city. When I say that, trust me, it is very hard living on one’s own with no moral support.

“Stella.” She sang again from the room just as turned the shower off.

I snapped out of my thoughts. Tying the towel near my cleavage, I came out of the bathroom only find that She was standing with a beautiful maroon knee length dress.

“Wear this for today. I can bet He

Will be hard under his pants when he will see you in this!" she grinned like a devil.

However, I was not going on a mission to seduce my boss and become his second woman with no particular identity as his mistress! I was rather going for an interview that would help both of us make a living in this city together.

After having spent three months together in this place we decided to help each other. Be it in terms of financial help or for that matter moral support. Any ways, when I glared her playfully for having used such creative words, she laughed out loud.

“I am going for a job interview Megan… Not on a date or on a mission seduce my would be boss” She gave me a nod with a roll of her eyes before she laughed yet again on me.

“This is not less than a date dear… after all He Is Your Crush!” She smirked whereas I looked to hide my blush from my evil friend.

Just the mention of the word ‘crush’ got me falling weak in the knees. Gosh, I have not met him in person yet and already I was behaving like we had something. But she wasn’t wrong though.

He was the most desired man in the recent time. His body was a torture itself that women only asked for mercy right after setting their eyes on him. He was the CEO of ‘Array & Thrice’, a young man, who is not less than a perfect specimen of Masculine charms that God carved by His own hands.

Array & Thrice is the leading company in fashion world in the New York city, it started few years ago but now it is the leading brand in the fashion world.

“Stella , don’t pressure your pea sized brain and try to understand. This is the world of fashion you are willing to enter to show the skills of your creative mind and fingers on fabric. It also expects the same from you . You will see it yourself once you step there. My words sound weird but after you would set your set in this industry, you will realize that ‘everything works on a scandal!’ You will see that yourself” Saying this she kept the dress on the bed.

“I am going to prepare the breakfast.” And moved out side the room.

My eyes travelled from her retreating figure to the dress. It was indeed a perfect choice. I thought she was right. Firstly, I need to look presentable if I want to impress him.

I need to get this job on any cost. I have spent my day and night preparing the designs. Stella millers, you know you are prepared. Just focus and don’t fret.

Sleeping into that skin fitted dress I put on my silver Indiano Pelletteria stellitoes. I didn’t put kohl in my eyes as my black rimmed glasses were giving me a perfect look. I braided my raven black waist length hair loosely. I

Applied the deepest shade of red on my lips and took my handbag with all my important documents and left the room.

“Light and energetic breakfast” Megan smiled pouring oats in my bowl with a glass of fresh avocado and artichoke juice.

“Thanks Megan” I chipped hurriedly gulping the mild hot oats.

“Easy girl! There is still an hour for your interview and even the head office of ‘Array Thrice’

Is only two miles away from here “ Megan advised with concern coated voice.

“But I don’t want to get late by any mean!” I said. “You booked the cab, didn’t you?” I looked at her.

“It will be here soon.” Came her reply.

_ _ _ _ _

Outside the Array & Thrice's head office,

My cab stopped before the huge office building of ‘Array Thrice’ in fifteen minutes earlier which was a sign of relief for me. With nervousness overpowering my confidence, I entered inside the building. The interiors were intimidating for an ordinary girl like me. Everything was just lavish.

I made my way to the receptionist lady. She was an elderly woman. I hesitated first before approaching her.

“Excuse me Mrs. Dorsey!” I called her name out politely which was written on a nameplate.

She was typing something on the keyboard when she snapped up her round big eyes at me through her golden rimmed specs.

“How may I help you.?” She sounded more like a robot than a human.

“I am Stella Miller, umm I have an interview for assistant designer “ I said trying my best to sound normal.

“Miss Miller, Mr. Stokes will see you in a couple of minutes. Go on the top level. The elevator is in the left corridor.” She answered monotonously pointing at the inner entrance. “And please be punctual if you want to work here on a long term. Mr. Stokes hates late comers” she added further.

I so wanted to kill that witch but it wasn’t more important than my dream job’s interview.

Reaching at the top most floor, which was completely vacant, My eyes travelled to the huge glass door. My heart dropped to my knees while my legs became jelly.

“May I come in Sir?”

I asked for his permission while I looked at the initial MS on the door of his cabin.

‘First impression is the lasting impression’ keeping this in my mind I chipped with all the politeness I could put in those three words.

“Come in.” Came his reply whereas the door slowly opened and a tall man’s s back came to my view. He was looking out of the window while his hands were pocketed.

“Umm good morning Sir” I wished him.

“I know you are here Miss Miller so take a seat please.” He said in a deep sweet raspy voice while turning his front to me. My heart just escaped. The famous tycoon of fashion industry Max Stokes was standing few inches away from me!

No, I don’t believe this is even true!