Destination: Beautiful (It's back!)

Chapter 5

I got in to work, and there was a note on my desk that my boss needed to see me.

Oh great.

I walked out of my office, down the long corridor to my boss's. I knocked twice and let myself in.

"Have a seat." she said emotionlessly. My boss, Mona, was a tall, sophisticated woman. She was the kind of woman who wore lip-liner and could intimidate you with one stare. You never knew if you were on her good side, you always just stayed in the middle.

"You're probably wondering why I called you in here today." I nodded firmly and let her continue:

"I'm very fond of your work Ms. Jones. I admire your writing style and have noticed that you are a very organized person, am I right?" She didn't pause to let me answer. "That is why I have a large task for you. Elle, I want you to conduct the organization and planning of the DOC."

A small gasp escaped my lips. The DOC stood for the Designer's Open Convention. It's a huge event where unknown designers compete. The winner gets 1 million dollars. The coordination of the event is a big deal. I wouldn't have to do any of the actual work, but I would be the one telling everybody what to do and making sure it got done, I wasn't sure I was ready for that.

"Of course you will be assigned an assistant. Miss Winfred, she's new here. She'll be moving into your office tomorrow." She paused and peered at me from behind her glasses.  "Are you up for the challenge?"

"Yes, yes I am." I said with as much confidence as possible.

"Thank you Ms. Jones, I know you will not disappoint me."

She smiled and with that, I left her office.

I spent the rest of the day thinking about what my new assistant would be like. Maybe we would be good friends. We could gossip during work in our shared office, get drinks after a long day, and even become so close that we hang out on the weekend. It would be so much fun!

I left work around six, full of energy from my great day. The fact that traffic outside my building was at a stand still put a damper on my mood though. I couldn't see a cab anywhere around.

"Where are you headed?" I heard a familiar voice ask.

"Home. What are you still doing here?"

" People drink coffee in the afternoon too, you know. And why home? You're not going out?"

I laughed. "Out? I have nowhere to go."

He gave me a mischievous smile that I didn't quite trust. "You do now, come on."

I reluctantly followed him down the street. The was just something about Hollis that made me want to trust him.

I had been saying that a lot actually 'Theres something about Hollis...'

Maybe there's just more to him than I originally thought.

--

Hollis took me to a small bar a block from my work building. It was a little dumpy, but I wouldn't call it a dive bar. 

He sat at the bar and ordered two drinks. When they came, I sipped quietly while he looked at me curiously.

"What?" I asked, checking my hair with my hands self-consciously.

"Nothing." He gave me a smug smile and his eyes darted to something, or someone, near the door. I turned to see a petite blond coming out way. She had long, blown out hair, tan skin, and small, pretty features. She walked quickly to where we were sitting. I watched as she sat on Hollis's lap and pecked him on the cheek.

"Hi honey." She said sweetly. She turned to me and gave me a small hello her eyes filled with judgement.

"Hey babe," he returned. "Kate, this is Elle."

"Nice to meet you." The words rolled off her lips, dripping with subtle sarcasm.

"You too, Kate."

The rest of the evening was dreadful, so I decided to bail early. I left the bar feeling a strange emptiness, I couldn't put my finger on why. 

I didn't give a rat's ass if Hollis had a girlfriend, he could do what he wanted. Its not like I cared. 

Maybe its just because she was a bitch. Well, I thought she was a bitch. After the initial hello, she didn't say anything else to me. Which classified her as a Class-A beeyotch in my book.

It was nice enough to walk home, and it wasn't too far, so I did. I still wasn't used to being out alone in the city really late though, it freaked me out.

I strolled slowly, but as the sun went down, I quickened my pace, causing me to arrive home around 7:30. I received dirty looks from my roommate, as I entered, not unusual. 

I trudged to my bed, and laid down on top of the comforter, clothes in all. That's how I feel asleep.

----

I woke up ridiculously uncomfortable. I got up  slowly from my bed and looked down at my clothes. Same thing as yesterday. I had tiny imprints from my necklace on my collar bone. I showered quickly and changed into some clean clothes. (Of course they're clean, why the heck would I wear the same clothes!)

I grabbed coffee and breakfast at a Starbucks by my work. For no particular reason other than to have a change in routine.

My cab driver on the way to work was especially nice. It always puts me in a better mood when you have a good driver. Its like the whole 'a good mood is contagious' thing. I only think that applies in certain scenarios.

When I got to work, I went straight into the building, ignoring Hollis when he called me over to him. I really didn't want to think about him and the c-word (I to this day, have never said it.)

I walked up the stairs, trying to make the healthy choice considering my eating habits lately.

I went down the hall and into my office

And there.

Sitting at my desk.

Was the devil herself.

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Its short, I know. But I had to end it here:)

Thanks so much for the support guys this story has really come far really fast!

Love and kisses

-Abbey