The Darker Exterior

Chapter 12

Walking into work was more awkward than seeing an ex after a breakup. As I walked into the corridor, my shoes made small clicking sounds as I passed the filled cubicles, my heart was panging hard in my chest. I could almost feel my anxiety flying off my body in small waves. Atticus said he took care of it, and I trusted him too, but I was still never given an answer on How. 

I was also half an hour late, which in my terms, seemed like hours.

As I set down my tote bag, I glanced cautiously at Ford's office. He was sitting inside, his ever-present frow adorned on his pale lips. It looked like he hadn't slept since I had last seen him.

"Hey, Aurelia," Nathan greeted, setting a small coffee down on my desk, "I brought you this. It might be lukewarm now, but I was thinking of you. I was worried when you didn't show up yesterday," he leaned on my desk, kicking his feet back.

"Sorry, I've had a lot going on. And now, I have a lot to catch up on," I remark, setting my laptop down once again.

"I bet. You've been staying pretty late lately. Ford has these past few days too," he said, glancing into Ford's office. His door was shut for once, which was strange. He almost always had it open just a crack.

"His mother showed up yesterday for a new promotion campaign, and I think it stressed him out even more.

"His mother?" I ask, my jaw falling slightly agape. 

"She was a sight to see. She was more plastic than human, but she was very kind. She wasn't a complete narcissist like her son. I could see where it comes from, though," he gossiped, taking a sip from his own coffee.

"Well, that's good to know. Thank you for telling me," I respond, glancing back into the office.

"I better go talk to him."

With that, Nathan nodded me off and I dried my sweaty palms on my skirt. I had chosen an outfit I wouldn't normally wear, just to spite Ford, but it was backfiring. Silk doesn't absorb sweat very well.

I braced myself before knocking on his door softly.

He uttered a small come-in, and I opened the dark door. When his eyes met mine, I could see the frustration forming on his brow, "can I help you?"

"I was wondering if you needed anything specific from me," I asked. He was clearly agitated, but he wasn't making any angry moves.

He stopped what he was doing and relaxed slightly in his chair, thinking for a brief moment.

"Actually, there is," he replied, running a hand through his, yet again, perfect hair.

"What is it?" I ask, hopeful he might turn over a new leaf.

"Another work meeting, similar to the last one, but here in New York. It's with Alkine's Publishing. They're having a small business dinner. You'll be my date again."

He met my eyes with a small smile. Although it was the first smile I had seen on him in what felt like years, I could sense the malice behind it. He had an evil glint in his beautiful eyes. He was a devil, plain and true.

"Why do you need me to be your date?" I ask, confusion filling my head.

"I just do, Aurelia. Check the schedule for dress code and time. Meet me at the event center when it's time and we'll enter together. Now, go, you have work to do," he motions me out with a flick of his wrist.

I nod, resisting the urge to call him every name under the sun, turning on my heels sharply. I wanted to scream. I was still his puppet. 

I sat down at my desk and checked the schedule as he instructed. I had a week to put together a semi-formal outfit. That was plenty of time. Yet, I didn't see anything indicating this event required a date as the last one did.