Taint Me More ☑️

Chapter Three

On my way to work that morning, I thought of many ways to smack that idiot across the face. If only I could find him. I'd throw the painting at him—and I hoped it hit him right on his amazingly shaped nose—then I'd give him a piece of my mind. How he got my address still baffled me. Gabby thought everything about my story was juicy and hot, except the part of him being engaged.

She'd said, "oh. He's hot and all, dreamy in fact, but no, no no no no no, Aria, we do not do men who have serious involvements."

I totally needed to return his 'gift'. I thought to do just that as soon as I got home from work that evening. But during work hours, it was all I could think about. I'd been in my cubicle putting together an article for the monthly magazine—Modern Painters, when I came across something in a blog on my computer. I needed to gather as much information as I could concerning my write up. It was something about a review. The name Aaron Sanders drew me in and underneath it was an email and postal address.

It was like the heavens just provided me with just what I needed. I contemplated sending an email right away, giving him a piece of my mind but I decided against it. I copied the information down instead and finished up my work.

At some point during midday, my stomach rumbled loudly, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything in over twenty four hours. I didn't have time to eat yesterday because of the busy day at the exhibition and then the issue later on with Gabby and Heather.

"Do you pull off every damn outfit you have on?" Brandon swaggered into my cubicle, filling the space and I chuckled at him.

"You call this pulling off an outfit?" I asked gesturing  up and down myself. My usual blazer and skirt style was almost in disarray today and I didn't even brush my hair, so I just threw it in a messy bun.

"Damn girl. You'd pull off everything and anything," he said with a wave of his hand.

Brandon had to be that kind of guy who was friends with everyone because he was always so cheerful. He kind of reminded me of those fashion designers from huge clothing lines, but he wasn't the mean kind that wanted to transform a girl's outfit to something else though. He seemed to love everything I wore, even though he'd only seen me in like two outfits.

It was always fun working with him around.

He asked if I'd like to have lunch with him and Samantha. I agreed instantly. Brandon brought us to a cafe across the street and the place was amazing.

"Guys, it's a big fundraising gala. Miss Lopez gave me an insight. It's not our first but it's going to be big," Samantha said with excitement as we had lunch. "She said it's still in the beginning of the planning phase though and she's not sure of funding yet but I strongly believe funding will not be a problem for us." Her excitement was almost infectious.

"So you and Barbie are buddies now? Thought you hated each other," Brandon said and I snorted a laugh at his nickname for Andrea.

"Oh shut up, you," she said smacking Brandon's arm, "we just happen to be spending a lot of time together at work these days, since the company let Hannah go."

I wanted to ask who Hannah was but my phone started to ring. It was Gabby.

"What's up?" I asked turning away from the conversation Brandon and Sam were having.

"You said you wanted to go clubbing tonight, right?" She asked sounding a little out of breath like she'd been walking.

"Yeah?"

"Well, great. I found this new place downtown and I heard some fun stuff about the cute bartenders," she said and giggled a little bringing her voice down to a whisper like there was someone beside her and she didn't want the person to hear, "I even heard the bouncers are cute."