Pure Feeling

staying neutral

"Are you alive somewhere in there, darling?"

I shifted up onto my knees so I could see over the top of my desk. Aggie was in the doorway of my office, smiling at me in amusement. "So many choices, Aggie! I can't choose!"

I had been sitting on the ground behind my desk, paint and fabric and carpet samples scattered around me. The plan was to narrow my list of options down before I presented them to Rachel but I'd only added more to the maybe pile.

"The many shades of white and grey are both a blessing and a curse," Aggie said solemnly. "I assume you've narrowed down the carpet samples to Axminster and Wilton?"

The two carpet brands favoured by all designers at Waterhouse Designs were usually all I offered my clients. Unless they specifically requested another brand, I didn't bother with others. Axminster and Wilton were both quality luxury brands, woven in Britain, and offered the best permanent ranges and seasonal collections. Other brands were suggested by my colleagues but I wasn't shy in my preference, nor was Aggie.

"Mr Styles was insistent that he have the best of everything, and well, they are the best."

"He was very happy with your work in his bathroom," Aggie told me. I raised my eyebrows, my interest peaking. "He rang me personally to sing your praises."

"It was an exceptionally good room, even by my own standards."

I wasn't afraid to recognise the quality of my work. Maybe it made me cocky, but I was good at my job; very, very good. There was a reason I moved up the ranks so quickly and had the highest client satisfaction rating. I was confident in my ideas and my ability and that only strengthened my ability to perform.

"If the rumours are true and Harry Styles has bought The Duchess, then I think you should put your bid in." Aggie's smile was encouraging and my heart fluttered at her faith in me. I'd strictly done residential work up until now but I was interested in expanding my portfolio to include commercial and hospitality as well. There just hadn't been the right client to make the move on. Until now. "It will be owned by a subsidiary, Styles Real Estate Development I believe, and Mr Styles does pay people a lot of money to make these decisions for him but he has the final say and he could easily set you up with the job."

"I want to earn it fair and square," I said carefully. "I don't want it handed to me."

"Do you really think Harry Styles is the kind of man who hands out multi-million dollar contracts to undeserving or unqualified candidates? I'm saying he'd give you the job because he believes in your ability to get it done to his standards." She eyed me curiously, her eyes falling on my fidgeting hands. "Is there another reason he may give you the job, Sasha? Is there something I need to know about, to protect you and protect my firm?"

"No, there is nothing going on," I said firmly. "I just worry, you know? Men, especially wealthy men who are used to getting what they want, see pretty things and they want them in their possession and sometimes I wonder if I'm just a shiny toy to Harry. I'm more than my body or my face and I really hope he sees that and values my work because it's good and not because he thinks I'm pretty and should be treated delicately."

"A lot of men are like that, Sash, but I don't think Harry Styles is one of them. He operates on acknowledgement of skill."

"Mm, I suppose we'll see, won't we?" Aggie nodded and moved back toward the door. "Hey, so what happened to supervising the Styles project anyway?"

"You seemed to have everything covered. I don't want to hover, Sasha, not when you are more than capable."

"Well, thank you for the vote of confidence." I gave Aggie my best smile before I turned my attention back to the samples around me. "I better get cleaned up, I have a meeting soon."