Denial & Desire [ #Wattys2017 ]

Chapter 5 : First Impressions.

I'm not one to dress and go beyond. I don't even wear makeup every day if I do it's quite simple but today was not any other day, today is the day that I start work at Carter & Co.

Mom always said that first impressions are important.

I was so anxious that I woke up super early this morning before the sun even brightened my room and got ready. I was ten minutes early to meet Ki. I stood in front of the tall glass building which towered over me.

At the entrance, there were people leaving and coming quite frequently, so I stepped to the side. I turned to see my reflection in the mirror walls and I was still stunned by how good I looked.

I hadn't dressed up like this in a long time and it was empowering. Compared to the 'unflattering' uniform I usually wore at Dave's, today's outfit screamed bow down bitches!

I wore long fitted black pencil pants I got from Macy's, it hugged me in all the right places. My butt was nice and round in it and it gave me a Coca-Cola bottle appearance. It peered nicely with a white chiffon top I fished out of Layla's closet last night. It was light and flowy and had a girly feel to it.

I threw on a royal blue blazer over the top and a matching blue and silver necklace. The look came together with my black peek toe stilettos. I tried my best to comb through my thick curls but it was labor intensive. Layla insisted I slicked it up in a high-top bun exposing my face. I don't usually do this.

I admired myself once again in the mirror and gaze at my watch, it was 8:27 a.m. and Akira was not here as yet. Unlike me, she's never late. I decide to call her so I rummaged through my purse for my phone. As I proceeded to unlock the screen I felt a pressing presence behind me. A familiar feeling of being examined from head to toe. Like the main actor in a horror movie, I turned gradually cautious of my movements and my mouth instantly went dry.

" Hello Empress, you look lovely." He smirked and pushed his hands into his pocket while walking closer to me to get a better view of my rarely flaunted appearance.

WTF!

"Ché, what are you doing here?" I rasped

"What do you mean? I start work here today partner," he stated while making small circles around my stature.

He very well knew what I was asking, what does he mean by partner? I instantly got a queasy feeling deep down in the depths of my stomach.

"Where's Akira?" I sounded horrified.

"She switched partners with me, I'm your partner now Empress." He smiled widely.

I dialed Akira's number immediately there's no way she'll just switch partners, especially to be Hephie's, besides she really wanted to work at Carter and Co too.

" Hello, Ki? Why aren't you here yet!" I said. The concern in my voice was evident.

"Oh, I switched with Ché, sorry I forgot to tell you boo." She sounded amused.

"How could you forgot to tell me, Ki, you really wanted to work at Carter & Co also so why?"

Her voice changed, she sighed and began in a serious tone.

"I took one for the team. I took one for you Imani. Give him a chance."

I was lost for words give who a chance, why would I want to give him a chance, it all leads to the same outcome.

"Ready to go Empress. It's about time we go." Ché said while he motioned to the building.

I nod and followed him. His appearance was distressing, he wore a navy-blue pants with a white button-down shirt showing the depression at the base of his neck and a textured gray blazer. We were somehow matching and I felt slightly self-conscious about the thought. He walked like he'd own the place his unruly almond hair still wet from this morning's shower. I knew this look that he confidently owned was going to bring me difficulty today.