I Don't Mix Business with Pleasure

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝔀𝓮𝓷𝓽𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓮

                                     𝓕𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮

Only five minutes until I clock out. I ended up finding the courage to set up a couple of interviews with models for Monday morning. The beginning of the work day was hard, but this will be good for me. I can distract myself while being productive. That gives me the weekend to prepare and get back on track. It's what my dad would have wanted, and that gives me a sense of peace.

As I pack everything back into my briefcase, Mr. Armani pops his head into my office.

Of course, he doesn't knock. Nothing with this family surprises me anymore. 

"I apologize for not having the time to check in on you today. Fridays are the busiest day of the week around here. How are you holding up?" he asks, stepping in with his hands tucked into his pockets.

I wonder if he ever asked Landon how he was holding up after he lost his mom. I doubt it.

"I'm holding up the best I can right now, thank you for asking. I scheduled two interviews for Monday."

"I have a feeling you'll be my star interviewer around here. You're a natural. Working while going through it? Spectacular. If you need anything at all, don't hesitate, Florence. Enjoy your weekend, I'll see you Monday," he says, nodding and leaving the room.

____________________________

I make it into the elevator and just as the door is about to fully close, a familiar hand reaches between the crack, stopping it from shutting.

"Wow, nice reflex," I smirk, moving to make room for Landon in the already-packed elevator.

I wonder about the weight limit on this thing before it completely falls through the shaft. I push my intrusive thoughts aside and focus my attention on Landon when he responds to me.

"What can I say? I'm adept," he whispers.

"You must be," I giggle as we get out of the elevator.

"Did I mention that I wrestled in high school? You have to have quick reflexes. It also helped me get out most of my pent-up anger. I'll have to show you my medals sometime."

"You didn't. I would have taken you for more of a football kinda guy."

"That's what I wanted to do, and also what my dad pressured me to do. In spite, I never tried out. Shocking huh?" he laughs as we make it to his car.
"Very shocking indeed."

I roll my eyes as I get into the passenger seat. Slowly, he's been telling me things about himself on his own. Each new fact I learn, no matter how small, makes me feel closer to him in a way. It's a reward not having to pry out information. He must be getting more comfortable. It kills me that there's this weird sort of awkwardness between the two of us. I hope that it goes away but right now, we both have our guards up for good reason. Mine, because I worry about falling any harder in fear that deep down he's not exactly the person he's showing me.

Him, because he's simply... broken.

____________________________________________________

"You're positive your location is turned off on your phone?" Landon asks me as we carry our bags to our hotel room.

"Yes, for the millionth time, I'm sure," I laugh.

"After all the trouble I went through today, I can't risk screwing up the plan. If they find us here, there is no point," he sighs, a hint of frustration in his voice as he unlocks the door to our room.

"Everything is going as planned so far. Take a deep breath and relax. Our phones are off, there's no reason to stress out, okay?" I say, taking a seat on the bed.