What a great way to start the morning, a steaming hot espresso, a blueberry muffin and the latest addition of Vogue... what more could a girl want?
Oh, and did I mention I was being paid for this?
My inner valley girl squeals at how kind life has been to me and then I spot the black cloud on the horizon, and it's heading my way.
My boss...Marcus Brent, he's a couple of years older than me, sandy coloured hair, denim blue eyes, he's about 5'7 and built as though God designed him him-self, Needless to say we dated, and as he steps out of his office and glares in my direction it's needless to say that it didn't work out... stupid reunion!
Ducking my head and pretending to be completely engrossed in vogue I hope this is one storm that will just pass me by, I'm feeling way too happy to let him rain on my parade. Unfortunately, the clouds look like they are settling in over head
"Miss Swift..."
A small groan escapes me but I try my best to disguise it as I raise my eyes to meet his and plaster on my best fake smile.
"Marcus..."
I try to sound enthusiastic but my smile is faltering as I notice his eyes, which had been fixed on mine and are now roaming south...
My self pride screams at me to slap that smarmy smile right off of his face and I would do it too... if he wasn't my boss, and if I hadn't spent a really, really long time trying to get this job.
So instead I pick up my edition of vogue and hug it close to my chest, it provides me with some protection from his prying eyes
Gazing wistfully at the espresso that is no longer steaming, I hope that this is over quickly, because ever since we broke up he's been determined to make my life a living nightmare
"How can I help you Mr. Brent?"
It's polite, it's courteous..
"The designs that you submitted aren't up to scratch, actually they're in my bin as we speak..."
In a split second I'm on my feet and my hands are planted firmly planted onto my hips.
I can tell by the lecherous smile that's creeping across his lips that he's less intimidated by my stance than he is turned on.
Please let this be a reminder to me to stay away from short skirts and fitted black shirts at work. In future I actually think I'll wear a sack... a long one at that!
"You can't do that"
It escapes my lips as a whine may escape a small childs
"Can't I? and here I was thinking I'm the boss and I can do whatever I like"
His sarcasm is nothing more than a red flag to a bull
"My designs were good!"
"They were below par"
"The client liked them!!"
"The client had more money than sense. I don't like them, this is my company, what I say goes and I want new designs on my desk by Saturday"
Today is Thursday and I worked on those designs for two weeks, there is no way I can redo them in two days and the jerk standing in front of me knows that too, that's why he's grinning at me as he places a hand on my shoulder. I shrug it off but that just makes him smile wider.
I really want to kick his ass right now- I know for a fact I could... but I really, really want this job
"No problem Marcus, I'll have them ready for you by Saturday"
His smile falters but I don't hang around to see it, instead I drop into my chair and turn my back on him
"Oh and Tayz..."
I hate when people call me 'Tayz' so I ignore the fact that he's speaking as I reach out a hand that is trembling with anger and take hold of my luke-warm coffee cup.
"Think 'classy' not 'trashy' "
I spin around in my seat, ready to risk it all and scream profanities at him but I find him almost skipping back to his office, he's so pleased with himself so satisfied that he's won
I spin back and begin counting to ten, I get to four and then abandon all hope of calming myself, instead I decide to call Alissia.
Scrolling to contacts I click on the 'As' and then keep going, right through the 'Bs', the Ks... I hit the T's and find my finger stops.
He's been on my mind ever since our conversation...could I call him again so soon?
I know the sound of his voice will make me feel like everything's going to be okay, but I just called him last night and I don't want to seem too... enthusiastic, but the truth is he's been on my mind ever since the reunion.
Should I call him again?
Would he think I was stalking him?
Would he want me to???!
I'm shocked from my indecision by Evas voice and I look up to find her standing in front of my desk with a dirty piece of paper in her hand
"Tay, isn't this one of your designs for the Sports Wear campaign?"
I take a closer look, and yes, it is one of my 'below par' designs...
"Why's it disguised as a paper aeroplane, where did you get this?"
The look on her face tells me she doesn't want to say
The look on mine tells her that she doesn't have a choice
"It kind of... flew at me?"
"It flew... all by it's self?"
"Out of Marcus' window actually"
As the last words leave her mouth Eva ducks her head and her face disappears under an avalanche of black curls as she hurries past me
I'll kill him!
I swear to God...
But the he'd sack me!!!
Grabbing my phone I hit the 'T' button, a greeting is barely mumbled before I say in my lowest... most sincere tone
"Terry, are you sure I can't just kick his ass?"
