Knock Knock

Chapter 2

Pov: Hael

Frustration cloaks me, thicker with every page I turn. Another error, staring back at me with mocking indifference. "Sir, did it reach your expectations?" the intern dares to ask, eyes hopeful, so confident in his half-baked work.

Did he really just ask that? My patience, shredded, barely holds my composure intact. How could he even think to ask that, when this magazine isn't our style at all? It's a mess. The subheadings are misplaced, thrown to the left side, as if for a joke, while the brand name is practically invisible, drowned in cluttered design choices. Nothing fits. Nothing breathes. I bite back a sharp exhale, running a hand over my temple. How many times have I told them what our style is?

"Seriously?" I ask, tone flat and deadly. Being in utter disgust with the magazine's appearance. I see him flinch slightly. Good. He should. He stands there terrified, his face a cocktail of worry and confusion. I can see it in his eyes—an innocent desperation, though my words could shatter his dreams. But I won't soften it; he needs to know. That I have the exact words to sound his fears.

I hand the magazine back to him and muster up the courage to tell him the cold, harsh truth he deserves. "It's trash," I mutter, pushing the file away as if it offends my very soul. "Do it again. Out." The words come out in a breath, a nearly silent command, but he understands. He hurries off with the file, head down. As he disappears, silence falls. It's just me now, in an empty room, longing for a sip of coffee to bring me back to life. This morning chaos grates on me, frays the thin threads of patience I keep so tightly bottled up. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. Last thing to drown me out of this.

I found myself across the vast glass windows, wandering my gaze over the polished hall below. My mind drifts, lingering on the sudden flash of red hair. My pulse skips. No. It can't be. But I can't look away. Red curly hair, a butterfly top, a denim skirt. Familiar?. Too familiar. Panic nips at me, a quick, hot rush that I try to smother with vain reasons. No, no, no, it can't be her. Obviously, it isn't. How would she even be here? But the absurdity of it draws a laugh from me. Just my imagination. "Where is Caelus?" I mutter, hoping for him to appear behind me with a cup coffee. Just a cup. One cup to steady myself.

The scent hits me before I even hear him—a dark, bitter hint of black coffee, snapping me out of my thoughts. I turn immediately, an instinct. "Sir your coffee, and please check these profiles, as the new models will be here by 12" I heard Caelus speak behind me, soft and respectful. "Will these come today?" I probed, pointing towards the files on my desk. I take the cup, inhaling deeply, savoring the steady heat in my hands. I flip through the bio data and profiles, noticing the diversity. Runway models, versatile talents, each a well-curated asset for the brands we represent. My hands work mechanically, until one face stops me dead.

Every part of me freezes. Rage? Disappointment? Shock? I can't even pinpoint what surges up as I stare down at the face I'd once known so well. Her—someone I loved, who had no love for me. Anger crackles beneath my skin, hot and prickly, as my hands unconsciously crumple her form. I hoped my eyes would deceive me, I hoped my heart didn't scream her name out. "Who is she?" I ask, voice barely above a whisper. Now Caelus would say it's not her, that I am hallucinating. Caelus came a little closer and spoke "Ah this is Eleanor-" .

"Gal Valentine." I murmur, the name slipping out unbidden.

"Yes sir, Eleanor Valentine, she is quite famous now" Famous. Naturally. She used to mock my taste in fashion, calling it uninspired. She'd scoff at my designs, laugh at my face.

"What perfect timing, she is already here, may I take my leave sir?" Caelus spoke, always professional although I had other plans. I glance up at him. "I will go with you" I say, standing from my chair. Caelus frowns, confusion shadowing his face. "You never engage in trivial matters like this one" Caelus asked me, hesitating as he opened the door passing by. I answered him. I shrug, keeping my voice casual. "They're new. Let's make them feel welcome." The thought twists my lips into a smile. Surely, I'll make it a living hell for her.

...

The elevator opens, and the scent hits me first—a familiar perfume, somehow sharper now, triggering a rush of memories I'd buried. I follow the scent, my pulse quickening. Here goes nothing. I was tempted to take a peek at her.

"You haven't changed, red?" I say, the words escaping my mouth with no emotions. Does she remember me? Who cares! The longer she stays, the worse it will be for her. The receptionist introduces her. "Good morning sir, this is Eleanor Valentine our new model" El—Eleanor—keeps silent. She doesn't look at me, doesn't meet my gaze, as if willing me not to see her. She kept looking around her with shaky hands being in denial.

"Welcome to Klein, Miss Valentine" I uttered while her cat eyes tried their best to seem shocked by my presence. "Hael?" Looks like someone remembers their prey. "Hael Klein, I guess my name is enough" I say, letting the words sink in, watching as she processes. Yes, that's right. She should know every line on my face, every damn mole. She should know exactly who I am.

"It's a pleasure to work with your sir, hope I bring blessings, just like I did before" She says with that familiar smile, extending her hand for a handshake. I look at it. Really? Is she serious? I take her cold hand, my grip firm. "We'll see". This time her eyes met mine, and there's something in them, something I haven't seen in years. "And please put the AC temp up, it's cold here" girl will die in cold but won't voice it out.

Hello cuties, new chapter up. Hope you like it. This was a new style of writing let me know if you all like it. P.s my editor is back as u can see (just for this chapter though). I have been very cautious about the chapter length, hence let me know if you guys like reading more then 1k words in chapter.  

Like, share, comment and vote for more. Hope all are healthy and wealthy. This chapter was exhausting +_+