Trapped

Chapter Two - 1331

Three Weeks Later...

Wearing a white button down shirt tucked in a Fizer floral-jacquard mini skirt and a pair of beige pumps, I leave the house.

It was a bright and sunny Sunday morning so I decided to walk and grab a frapuccino from Starbucks.

As I was opening my wallet to pay for the frapuccino, a pale-haired man put down a couple of bucks on the counter.

He smirked - an evilishly handsome smirk - and said with a deep English accent, "My treat for the beautiful lady."

I narrow my eyes up at him and smile.

"Thank you," With that said, I left the store.

----

Wait.

Wait.

"Wait!" Huh?

I turn around and sure enough, the blonde guy from Starbucks was chasing after me.

"I-I didn't-whew-catch your name," he said between catching his breath.

"Do you even need to know me?"

"Well, yes. I mean I did pay for your coffee," he smirked.

"Is that what you say to every girl you victimize?"

He laughs, smooth, beautiful, and tenor, making me warm inside my bones. And it hit me. Maybe it all boils down to this: people will do anything, anything, for a really nice laugh.

I couldn't help but laugh too.

"You know, this is actually the first time I treated a girl coffee," he smirked.

"Oh really? I don't believe you. Anyway, I really have to go. I still need to go somewhere," I say.

"At least tell me your name."

I smile and say, "Taylor. Taylor James."

----

"Good morning, Miss James," Anna, my secretary, greeted as I entered the doorway. I smiled and gave her a nod.

"You seem to have a spring on your step today, Miss," she said with her cute Scottish accent.

"Always so observant," I laugh.

We continue to walk until we arrive at my office.

I sit down, clasp my hands together on my desk and ask, "What's my stat for today?"

"Well, you have a meeting with Miss Sadana Sanchez, CEO of Sadana & Alogena Clothing Line in," - she looked at her watch and continued, - "2 hours. And then Mr. Pirocci is going to come here to talk about your modeling contract. And after that, you have to pass your portfolio to Mrs. James," she finished with a smile.

I sigh. "Okay. That's all. Thanks, Anna."

"Anytime, Miss," she said before leaving.

I pull out my sketchbook from one of the shelves and scan through the drawings.

I loved the sparkly ones the most because it reminds me of myself when I was younger - full of light.

Sometimes when my mind seems to be seething from destructive images, I isolate myself.

Right now, I can't think of anything other than the man from the coffee shop. He seems nice except for the fact that he came completely out of nowhere and approached me. I mean, why would he do that?

Maybe he likes me. Nah. Pale skin. Brown hair. Brown eyes. I'm okay. Nothing spectacular, but sometimes special. I look in the mirror and see this medium average person. A little tired, a little sad, but not falling apart. Not yet.