Part 2 | H E R • F L A W S

She stared into a pair of amber eyes.

Her blonde hair fell in loose curls around her face, her skin was a pasty white with rosy cheeks, lightly sprayed with freckles.

Josephine untangled her robe and it fell to the ground, revealing her naked body.

Josephine's fingers slowly caressed over her healed scars on her body that were caused by her parents as a child. She frowned and wondered what she did wrong to deserve these.

No child should ever experience what she's been through.

Her eyes fell to her favorite tattoo of a sunset moth on her right hip.

She has been very fond of moths ever since she was a child.

A moth represents tremendous change, but it also seeks the light.

Just like Josephine.

As a child, her classmates always made fun of her because she liked moths and the other kids were terrified but she didn't care.

She sighed when her eyes fell to her faint stretch marks on her butt.

Josephine was insecure about her body at a young age but as she grew older she learned how to love herself.

Stretch marks...Tattoos...Scars...

They all tell a story of who you are and what you've endured.

Josephine steps into a huge glass-in shower, she steps under the shower head turns on the shower, allowing the warm water to ease her sore muscles.

She shuts her eyes and tilts her head back as her mind drifts off to Elizabeth.

She wonder's who Elizabeth is engaged to.

Probably a celebrity, an actress or singer.

Josephine was never a fan of marriage, when she was a child, her dream was for a prince to sweep her off her feet and run as far away from her parents.

But then she gave up hope when she realized this is reality not an illusion.

After her shower she dressed up and skipped breakfast, deciding she would grab a cup of coffee on her way to work.

- ❧ -

She inserted the key into the keyhole before unlocking it as she walked inside her studio.

The smell of fresh paint and wood brought a warm smile to her face.

Josephine sauntered into her office, she removed her coat and hung it on her chair, setting her bag behind her desk, she dug her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out her phone.

Josephine checked the time and realized that Mrs. Martin will be here any minute.

She stepped out of her office then paused when she noticed a woman standing by the door.

It's Elizabeth.

"Oh, I was not expecting you to be here so early." She said, stepping further into the room.

"Forgive me Miss. Hansen-"

Josephine interrupted Elizabeth and said. "Call me Josephine." She gestured politely. Elizabeth chuckled nervously and corrected herself. "Josephine..." She trailed off.

Josephine glanced at her outfit.

She wore a black sweater dress with thigh-high boots topped off with a brown coat. She had minimum makeup and her dark hair curled into beach waves.

"My fiancé and I will be very busy today so we suggested we come see you right now. I hope it's okay." Elizabeth explained.

"It's okay." She lied.

Josephine never liked it when her clients would always mess up her schedule, she would usually call them off but since this is Elizabeth Walker, Josephine will let it slide.

As Elizabeth was sharing the details with her, Josephine became distracted when a man entered the workshop.

He is dressed in a black polo-neck and black trousers with black oxford shoes topped off with a long grey coat.

She also noticed that he wore a lot of rings, Josephine counted 7 rings on his long fingers, including a huge tattoo on his left hand.

He must love rings. She thought to herself.

His dark hair was messy, drawing attention to his sharp jaw, covered in dark stubble. He was big, over six foot.

Her throat went dry when the man was now staring at her.

Butterflies burst in her stomach.

A good feeling ignited under her skin.

He is the most beautiful man Josephine has ever laid eyes on.

Josephine looked away when Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

After what felt like hours they both pulled away from the kiss and turned to Josephine.

"Josephine, this is my fiancé, Elijah."

That's a beautiful name. Josephine thought to herself.

Josephine didn't know why but she started to envy Elizabeth.

She's very gorgeous, rich, is a model and has a very attractive fiancé.

What more could she ask for.

Josephine finally had the courage to speak.

She took a step closer and she noticed that his eyes were grey framed by thick lashes.

She had been right that he was tall, she had to tip her head back to meet his gaze.

Slowly, she drew out her hand.

"Nice meeting you Elijah."

He accepted her kindness and shook her hand.

"Likewise, Josephine."

His voice is deep and soothing with a hint of an Australian accent.

    She realized that she's been holding a breath since Elijah walked in. She drew in air-with it, his scent: Cigarettes and expensive cologne. It caused her to be weak in the knees.

Staring back at those endless eyes, she felt as if he could see her-the part where no one could understand, the part where the world drained her from everything she's had. The part that is desperately seeking for love and affection. The part where she will allow her lover to read her skin like poetry.

It made her shiver.

She is the sun and he is the storm.

What created it, was the art of eye contact.

"Follow me." She said and they both followed her into her office.

Josephine plopped herself on her chair and the couple sat across from her.

"Alright so as I told you yesterday our wedding is in four months-." Elizabeth explained.

Josephine reached for her note book and grabbed her pencil.

She turned her laptop on then cleared her throat.

"And you want me to sculpt for you." Josephine said.

Elizabeth nodded.

"What do you two have in mind?"

"We want it to be carved, with clay."

As Elizabeth explained how she wanted the sculpture to be, Josephine typed it down on her laptop.

"Full body or -." Josephine questioned.

"Half." Elijah spoke as he leaned back on his chair.

Josephine paused and caught his gaze.

"Alright." She declared then typed it down.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to talk but closed it again when she heard someone call out Josephine's name.

Elijah observed Josephine, she felt her cheeks redden and she suddenly blurted. "Excuse me."

Josephine adjusted her dress and walked out of her office.

"Mrs. Martin." She cheered.

Mrs. Martin smiled and removed her jacket. "Morning Miss. Hansen."

They both hugged.

"Should I get ready?" Mrs. Martin questioned.

Josephine smiled.

"Give me a minute." She said then rushed back to her office.

"I think we will end it here for today." Josephine told the couple.

"Oh, is there a problem?" Elizabeth questioned Josephine, she sighed and shook her head. "No, it's just-."

Elijah cut her off. "No need to explain Josephine. We will continue this tomorrow."

She looked at him and smiled. "Thank you." His smile matched hers and her heart skipped eight beats at once. "No problem."

Elijah stood up from his chair followed by Elizabeth. "Let's go babe." Elizabeth announced then locked her fingers with Elijah.

The couple gave Josephine their number and left.

Josephine could finally breathe,

She pressed her body against the wall and shut her eyes.

She just met Elijah and he already has an effect on her.

In a good and bad way.