Anticipation

Jeff’s POV

“Hey, baby, it’s already late. Are you still looking at those drafts?” I hear Claire’s voice come from the doorway of my office, and I only barely resist the urge to groan.

“Hey, Claire. What are you doing here? Yes, I'm still looking at the drafts. I need to finish up fast and pick out the ones that meet the criteria. Time is going fast. Most of the ones I've been seeing aren't what I'm looking for.” I reply, not looking up from what I’m doing.

Frankly, I don’t need this distraction right now, but of course, I can't tell Claire that, since I don’t want to hurt her feelings.

“Ah, I see. That's a pity. I just came to see how you're doing.” Claire replies, coming to stand beside me to peer at the drafts too.

“Thank you.”

“What crap is this? Do these people think that this competition is a damn joke? Who the hell submits this child's play to a competition as serious as this?” Claire asks, sighing dramatically as I take a look at the next draft.

Her voice is brimming with the self-importance of a woman who knows that no one’s work comes close to hers, or so she thinks. She's a famous fashion designer, after all.

I barely refrain from telling her that she might be in for a rude shock, because I’ve actually seen more than a few drafts that could give her a run for her money, yet I'm not even halfway through with them, so I'll definitely see some more designs.

Once I'm done going through all the drafts, I'll go through those ones again to make my final selection, and I already have a feeling that hers won't be among my first choices. I want the best for my company, so I'm not going to be biased in my decision-making.

“You shouldn't be looking at these, Claire. You sent in your drafts, too, so you're one of the candidates, and shouldn't be given access to other people's works.” I tell her, setting aside the drafts.

“Oh, please. These people have got nothing on me, even if I do say so myself. Anyway, why are you the one checking out the drafts? I thought that would be the job of your assistant or someone else.”

“A lot of these are simply not good enough, which is why I'm going through them myself. I just want to be thorough.” I reply, but that’s a lie, or at least, not the whole truth.

“Cool, I’ll sit with you and help you choose the good ones.”

“No, no. There’s no need for that. Like I said, you're not supposed to see them since you're competing as well. I was on the last one for today, anyway, so I’m about to head on home.” I tell her, a little more harshly than I intended, but being Claire, she purposely ignores the hint.

“Okay then. That's perfect! We can grab dinner together.”

“That’s also not a good idea. I have to be back here early tomorrow, so I need to go home immediately so that I can go to bed early. I’m not even sure that I’ll eat anything tonight.”

“Alright then, that’s fine. I’ll see you during the weekend. I have some designs that I want to show you over the weekend, apart from the ones I entered for the competition.” She says, her voice tight, showing that she's mad, but I don't care. 

“Alright. No problem.” I tell her, happy to be rid of her.

For a moment, I wonder what on earth my problem is. Claire is a very beautiful and talented woman, whom many men would give their nuts to date, and she is very obviously attracted to me, but for some reason, I can't think of her as more than a friend.

Not long after, I leave the office, but bright and early the next day, I continue to peruse the drafts. Around midafternoon, my fingers freeze on a particular draft.

This particular draft is the one I’ve been subconsciously searching for this whole time. It is her! Even before my gaze lands on that small logo that I’d definitely recognize anywhere, I know that it is her. I’d know her style anywhere, any day.

It both galls and makes me weirdly proud of her that her draft is so good that it immediately stands out from every other one that I've looked at the moment I glance at it.

Putting the draft down, I get up and pace the entire length of my office, feeling the familiar rage bubble up within me. Ashley … after all these years, we’re going to meet.

It’s indeed a small world. When I first decided to organize this competition, I figured that it was very possible that she would apply for it, after all, she’s a very talented fashion designer, or at least, she used to be.

Now, I see that that hasn't changed, and she's still as good as ever, if not better. Well, good for her. Anticipation bubbles up within me. She must have changed so much. The last time I saw her was five years ago, and now, I’m very eager to see her again.

Once upon a time, my world had revolved around her, but now, all I want to do is punish her. Only one word is in my mind, and that is the word … revenge.