"Wake up wake up" my alarm clock shouted at me. Ok atleast its like shouting when someone says you to wake up so early in the morning. I looked at the clock and to my realisation I was already late for my office. I woke up as soon as I can and rushed to freshen up. I rush out of my apartment just to realise it was the most annoying day i hate to live, the valentines day. I reached my office really late.
The elevator doors to the Mode offices opened. Besides the typical work frenzy, I walked into on a daily basis, the reception area and glass-walled bull pen where the cubicles were located. As i walked deeper i saw Love shaped balloons scattered all over the place. No surface of the most popular fashion magazine’s office space was spared. Cupids shooting love arrows hung from the ceiling. Hearts clung to the walls. And red roses petals everywhere. Each employee table seemed to have a vase of roses. The urge to run in the opposite direction consumed me. I hated valentines day a lot whereas others seems to enjoy the day a lot. But in my defence i hated it a lot for the reason that i have very heartbreaking ncident which i seem to never get over with. But to miss work because of my personal issues was unforgivable. So, instead, I prayed. I prayed to pass the area unnoticed by anyone but to my annoyance i couldn't.Unfortunately, like my every unanswered prayer, my prayer for a swift death was interrupted by a wave of confetti and the shouted words of “Happy Valentine’s—”The greeting cut off at about the same time when I was about to enter my cabin without being noticed."Where are you trying to escape without meeting us baby" kate giggled and asked me.I gave her a vague expression.“Who died?” kiara, the top-knotted, hipster-glasses-wearing receptionist asked, referring to my black on black waterfall cardigan and my denims.“My soul. I was thinking of not getting noticed and here i am bathing eith confetti all over my body” I said, sliding my scowl toward kate and kiara. And glared at them for interrupting my sweet escape. Then suddenly someone threw confetti all over me again.I swear i was going to flip at that person but to my disappointment it was the person whom i could never get angry with, my life long best friend since childhoodand my crush for life Daniel Salvatore.The confetti shower chilled me to the bone. I took a deep breath and enunciated each word I spoke. “Please Daniel not you too. You know i don't like it?” I narrowed my gaze at the naughty culprit who thought he was being cute.Daniel shook his head so hard and winked at me saying “spare me my share of valentines day celebrations” He waved his hands for emphasis . . . or as a defensive maneuver against possible attacks from me, I didn’t know.I glared at him with questioning look asking him why? Because he knows very well that i hate valentines day.Clasping his hands together, Daniel said, “why are you being gloomy. For god's sake its Valentine’s Day and it should be a happy occasion.”A guilt took over me for glaring at him once the realization hit that my friends were just looking out for me. I willed the annoyance away as i ran my fingers through my thick chestnut waves tamed by product.“Clean this up before Miss Pierce gets here.” I pointed at the mess.Kate gave me a evil grin as kiara and Daniel scampered away to i guess get brooms to clean up the mess."Don't tell me she is already here" my heart made a beeline for my throat while i checked my watch. “She doesn’t usually get in at this hour.”“She’s been here since an hour".A different kind of annoyance ignited in my chest. I always got here before my boss. Always.“Did she tell you why?” I asked her not bothering to mask the rising panic in my tone.“She’s been on a conference call all…”The second the words conference and call were uttered, I didn’t bother listening to the rest of Kate's sentence. I hurried to my desk located outside Miss Pierce’s frosted glass office. The door was closed. The dark silhouette inside indicated her presence.Dumping my bag on the floor, without bothering to take off my coat and scarf i bent over my computer and cued up today’s schedule. I cursed under my breath and inhaled sharply, my lips disappearing into a tight line. At the top of the list was the conference call. I’d been so distracted this past week that i’d completely forgotten about the prep.Milan Fashion Week in March was one of Mode's biggest events of the year. It took, at least, six months to plan and coordinate the trip. Logistics alone was a nightmare. Meetings, fashion shows, dinners with designers . . . the list of things to do went on and on. As her executive assistant,I held the sole responsibility of pulling everything off without so much as an unplanned hiccup.I again went through the schedule and realized i was to recieve some japanese delegates and welcome them here but i guess i was already late as i could see them sitting in Miss. Pierce's office. I clicked print and straightened as the printer spat out the schedule. I pulled off my scarf and shrugged off my coat, composing myself to enter the lions den and thinking of the appropriate apology for being late. Much groveling may be involved. Maybe even some self-flagellation.Not bothering with a deep breath, I knocked once and pushed in. The best editor-in-chief in the business stood behind her desk with arms crossed. She wore a sleek suit covered entirely in peacock feathers with exaggerated shoulders. One of the perks of her position was having all her clothes custom made by the best designers. It was almost like she was a goddess and the designers were supplicants giving her offerings so she showered them with her blessings. Making it into the pages of Mode meant making it in the fashion world. So, yeah, keeping Miss. Pierce happy was a full-time occupation for designers.She spoke in rapid-fire Spanish just as i nudged the door closed. Someone at the other end replied via the phone’s speaker and she shook her head. She spoke again and crooked a finger at me. The walls of my throat closed at the sharp look she gave me. She was a strikingly beautiful woman. If she didn’t love the behind-the-scenes more she could have easily been a model like my mother.Forcing my feet to move, i approached her desk cluttered with fashion magazines, newspapers, and sample swatches. While she continued to argue with whoever it was she was speaking to, i clipped her schedule on a board hanging on the wall then proceeded to tidy up.Then I saw to the sidelines to see Yoshiyuki Hatori, an upcoming designer from japan who is the main designer for our March issue and Milan fashion week. I greeted him with a smile.Then my eyes met the most dark and sexy blue pair of eyes i had ever seen in my life. He was the tall man in a gray three-piece Brioni suit i last saw in the spring collection catalog. That suit wouldn’t be available in stores until next year. The fact that he wore it meant he had considerable pull and a lot of money. He stood beside Yoshi with the poise of someone who knew what wearing a good suit could do. He had his hands in his pockets, which emphasizes just how broad his shoulders were. A linebacker couldn’t have done any better. I had worked with more than enough male models to know the way that perfectly-tailored suit sat contently on his body meant he sported some serious muscle underneat.For some reason, I was unable to tear my gaze away from Yoshi's companion. His jet black hair was combed away from a face that boasted of high cheekbones and a clean-shaven, square jaw. It wasn’t his stunning looks alone that drew the eyes to him. It was the air that surrounded him. He was a man who stood on solid ground and was comfortable in his own skin. Someone who didn’t care what others thought. At least, that was my impression of him at first glance.I stepped forward and dusted off my Japanese. He hoped to hell he wouldn't mess this up.Yoshi noticed him first and eyed me then grinned as he whispered to his companion, “Otoko wa kawaiku mieru. Kare wa utsukushī. watashi wa kare o motsu koto ga dekiru koto o nozomu"(Trans: The girl looks cute. I could have her).A sudden blush washed over my face. I’d just been called beautiful and cute by a designer with features so manly they rivaled those of the models in this shoot. I stood frozen, not because of the flirty compliment but the look that came from the man in the Brioni suit, but from staring into steel blue irises—eyes that seemed to undress me.Being in the fashion industry seemed like the perfect fit for me from the get-go. An internship at eighteen propelled me to my esteemed position today. A million people would kill to be in my Prada loafers. It didn’t matter that my boss also happened to be my mother’s best friend and de facto godmother.Then suddenly someone pulled me by my elbow and speak up " sorry gentlemen for the commotion but i want something to do with this fine men hear" Miss Pierce pulled me outside her cabin."Tell me why are you late" she asked."I am sorry GM. It won't happen again" i replied her pouting."Ok only this time. Now go entertain the gentlemen inside for sometime for me".I went to them and greeted them with a smile.When i entered Miss Pierce's office i saw the two pairs of eyes boring inside me. My sight shifted to guy in the brioni who looked at me with intensity as if he is going to undress me just by glaring at me. "Kare ga hadakadattara ī nā. Watashi wa tēburu no ue ni kare o koko ni oku koto ga dekita." the guy in the brioni said to Yoshi. And they smiled at each other.(Trans: I wish he was naked. I could have him here on the table) "Dareka ni tsuite warui hanashi o suru no wa warui manā janai?" I asked him with an annoying expression in my tone.(Trans: isn't it bad manners to talk about someone that way). Yoshi laughed out loud at my reply and I saw the guy sitting next to him look down at his feet with embrassment." I am sorry for my friend here. He didn't meant to offend you" Yoshi said to me still laughing."No its ok" I replied with a smile." So you are" he asked with a smile." Ā watashi no manā o mite. I am sorry. I am Haru Salvador. I am Miss Pierce's assistant and a designer" I
Remembering the events from few hours back. It hit me with realisation that he was getting married. The boy i loved and crushed and my best friend is getting married to another. It broke me from inside. I wanted to be alone so i asked Zen to drop me home." Are you ok?" He asked in concern."I just want to be alone" i said to him. He drove away in silent understanding my urge to stay alone at the moment. Next morning i felt my head brust in pain. I guess it was the effect of crying almost the whole night up. Remembering the events i felt like as well hang a “Mug Me” sign around my neck. Plus, i felt like a drowned rat with my bedsheet wet. I could feel the pain i was being caused last night and the last thing he needed was the press of countless bodies hurrying to work surrounding me. I didn’t have the strength to go with the mob flow. Thank goodness i didn’t have to come in until the afternoon. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day Miss Pierce gave the entire office the morning off. I
I walked into the chaos of the Mode offices with an extra bounce in my step. Kiara looked up from her desk as i was coming in and paused mid-call. She put whoever she was speaking to on hold and got up, rounding her desk to side up next to me. “I heard about Ian. Are you ok?” she asked, assessing me. "I don't wanna talk about it" i said to her. "But thanks for the concern", i added. "Any messages for me?” i asked her changing the topic. Kiara reached over her desk’s lip to retrieve several pink sheets and handed them to me. “You have several confirmations for PFW and phone calls you need to return, especially to the photographer for the fashion shoot for our new spring collection.” I rolled my eyes heavenward and prayed for strength. “Did the art director change his mind again?” "No" she answered."And is Miss Pierce here yet"."Miss Pierce isn’t in yet,” she said in an annoyed tone, as if giving me her undivided attention. “Thank you,” i said, pursing my lips and shaking his he
Time flew very slowly today. Not to mention the loads of work i had to do. Till evening i was totally exhausted but the thought of me going on date with Zen refreshed me up. Ringing of my phone brought me out of my thoughts. It was Zen on other end."Yes" i recieved the call and said." Are you done yet" he asked me from the other end." Ya""Ok if you are done should we?" He asked. I hummed in agreement."I am waiting at the entrance of your office""Ok. I will be there in a minute""Take your time" he said and disconected the call. I giggled to myself. I was excited and thrilled at the same time. How it would go. First time it was a dissaster for me. I hope this one is the one. I was done with my work so i went to elavator to proceed downwards. The door of the elevator chimed and opened at ground floor. I walked towards the entrance and saw a black SUV standing right at the entrance and Zen had his back leaning on it. He saw me and waved at me. I walked to him. He pulled me into a
Later that night, i ajusted my the black domino and left the restaurant after he left me hanging. I called for a taxi and got into it and instructed the driver to take me home. When i was in the taxi i remembered about what Daniel said to me this morning. According to Daniel, they were shutting down one of the hottest clubs for the night to accommodate the party, some sory of masquerade ball. He asked me to come with him there. I don't know how he got the ticket because not many people could do that. It would take a considerable amount of money. Which was why the invite Daniel got was the hottest ticket in town. So i thought why waste the ticket so i called him telling i was intrested to go. And asked him to meet me infront of the club. I instructed the driver to take me the club rather than home. While on the way i bought a mask for the ball. I reached the club before Daniel and waited for him on the entrance. “Stop fidgeting,” Daniel murmured from behind me. He reached out and sque
Thirty excruciating minutes later, i found myself outside Zen's apartment, breathing hard, skin overheating. Sweat soaked through my domino. Slipping through the front doors. Sprinting to the elevator. Yet, at Zen’s door, i hesitated. What was the plan? Ring the bell and ask him to fuck my brains out? I was harder than he had ever been in my entire life. That damn chocolate the crazy man had given me was working my hormones like a slave master with a whip. My skin prickled and my blood boiled. I was so aroused that even a gust of wind made me moan. Lust infected every cell of my body like a deadly virus and the only cure was behind the door i was standing in front of. Then the thought hit him: What if Kaz wasn’t home? But this state of arousal was so intense, i could barely think straight. Painted into a corner, i pressed the doorbell. A pleasant ring reverberated from within the apartment. At first, the place sounded empty. I bit my lower lip, squirming. Even that was enough to
Next morning i could feel a tingling pain in my part. I remembered everything that happened last night. I looked around thr room and recognised it from the last time. The shower was running. So i assumed he was in the bathroom, so i decided to run before he came in. So to help me with my embrassment. I rushed out his mansion and booked a cab and instructed the driver to take me home.I was really embrassed at my actions. How can i go to him this way. What have he thought about me. I smiled at the moment i spent with him last night.************* I walked through the elevator to the Mode offices. Kiara looked up from her desk i he was coming in and pause. She put down every work she was doing and got up, rounding her desk to came to my side. “There’s something different about you,” she said, assessing me.I was about to say something. Someone squealed from behind me. "Oh my God!” kate interrupted. “You got some last night!” “That’s it!” Kiara pointed at me.“You have that just-fucked
Ten days since Zen note-boomed him with “You Are Mine,” and then nothing. What the hell was the guy trying to pull? Ten days of me startling every time the phone at his desk rang. Ten days of staring aimlessly at the elevator doors as if by magic Zen would walk through them. I was at the photoshoot of the Milan Fashion show. “Pull your head out of your ass, Amy,” someone said through chattering teeth. “What the hell are you doing out here?” Daniel called from the entrance of the tent. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” I closed his eyes and sent up a silent prayer for strength. . “Come on!” Daniel whined. “I’m freezing my cute tush off.” "You know i am still mad at you for taking me to place like that" i yelled at him. "I already said sorry for that you remember", he answered me. I laughed at seeing him pout. Then i went to where the shoot was. They were taking photos of someone modeling for them. I couldn't see the person because the light board stick in my sight. I walked