Ignited Devotion

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Poppy

"You have exactly two more minutes to cry then you have to shut up about this and move on," I tell my reflection in the mirror mere hours after the most embarrassing moment of my life thus far.

My eyes are puffy as hell and I look like a drowned rat.

I let myself relive the moment one more time.

It was just like any other morning. I was splitting clothes – which ones I would do myself and which would go to the dry-cleaner. It was the same process I'd always used and never once had Carolina complained.

I didn't hear her at first because I was wearing my ear buds and listening to Taylor Swift, jamming out to Reputation, when I felt someone tug my ponytail. I was floored when I saw Carolina standing there, shouting at me.

She was shoving her gold Valentino mini-dress in my nose and accusing me of...trying it on?

The thought of doing that was so unfathomable to me.

First of all, it was totally unprofessional.

Secondly, there's no way in hell I would wear a dress that showy.

No offense to Valentino. But gold glittery mini-dresses are not really my style.

And thirdly, which Carolina so politely pointed out to me, I cannot fucking fit in Carolina Amato's clothes. She's 5' 11" and has the frame of a supermodel. I am just about 5' 6" on a good day and my ass is big enough to see from Jupiter.

I'm not an idiot. I would never do that.

I was flabbergasted when she slammed her palms on my chest and pushed me down. The basket full of clothes scattered everywhere as she stood over me, screeching about her dress being ruined.

Carolina was never particularly friendly to me, but she was never so outright cruel.

Worst of all, Mario showed up in the midst of all that madness.

"Ugh," I groan out loud in the present moment and splash my face with cold water.

How mortifying!

I cried in front of my boss. In front of Mario Marino – my lifelong crush.

God, how pathetic.

And to top it all off, I'm pretty sure I am the reason he kicked her ass to the curb and now their engagement is in shambles.

Logically speaking, I know I am not the reason. I know there has been a lot going on with that long before the dress 'incident.' But still. I can't help but feel guilty over it all.

I wipe my eyes.

Two minutes up.

Yet, I can't stop thinking about him.

Not as I'm working on a commission piece for an author looking for new cover art for her romance novel. Not as I'm helping Mom cut vegetables for dinner. Not as I'm listening to Calla run lines for her English presentation. Not as I'm sitting at dinner, completely numb to the conversation my family is having around me.

Mario was so...

I was surprised, honestly.

He'd been trying so hard to keep Carolina happy the last year. She asked him to fire me and he flat out refused. Not only did he refuse, but he kicked her out. The ramifications of that must be great.