Love Has a Color

Date With the Devil

Okay, I may have underestimated this situation. Asher Black is an impossible man. It's only been two weeks and I'm already starting to feel a little regretful about this decision. He's does his job well, obviously, and our clients all seem to be happy. The problem is that we haven't agreed on one thing since this started. We walk around the office arguing like an old married couple. Or toddlers. More like toddlers.

The biggest problem at this point is me. Well, my brain. Or my heart or my stomach or whatever is causing me to stutter and sweat like a hormonal teenager whenever I see him. It's like as much as I want to hate this guy's guts, I just can't. Like, I want to despise his stupid jawline and his big dumb blue eyes. Why can't I do that? No, instead I have to get this weird fluttery feeling every time he smiles, and my palms get clammy when he says my name with his sexy voice. Come on Scar, what's wrong with you!

Trying not to think about him, I stomp down the corridor on the way to my office. I open the door and slink into my chair. Violet is out of town this week so I've been handling everything she normally does, plus my normal amount of work. I'm exhausted, my head won't stop throbbing, and my feet feel like they're going to fall off. But, the worst part is that stupid Asher has been here more often than necessary. He insisted that since I'll be doing more than usual that he needed to be here to make sure "I'm doing everything right." Condescending ass.

Luckily for me, he won't be coming in today. I also finished nearly everything for today since I was here so late last night, so I'll only have to deal with any client issues that happen to come up. I roll my chair closer to my desk and slip my heels off onto the floor. Oh, so satisfying.

I attempt to turn on my desktop, but to no avail. Damn. I guess it finally decided to give out on me. I roll my eyes and scoot the chair across the room to where I laid my bag. I slip my now-fixed laptop from the case and roll on back to the desk. I'm mindlessly scrolling through emails when my office door flings open. My eyes instantly shoot up to see the perpetrator when they land on a wonderfully chiseled man standing in the doorway.

"Can I come in?" He asks. His warm voice fills the silent room, bringing goosebumps to my skin. I can't even nod and he's on the couch with the door closed.

"Would it have mattered if I said no?" I ask. He just laughs and shakes his head. After a moment of silence and me just staring at him, I force myself to talk. "Do you need something? I didn't think you were supposed to be here today."

"I wasn't supposed to be here today. But I had to ask you a question, so yes, I guess I do need something. You were planning on going to the Gillian fundraiser tonight, correct?" He uncrosses his leg and leans forward, eyes locked on me.

"Incorrect."

"You weren't going?" He walks over and leans down with his hands on my desk.

I sit a little further back in my chair. "Nope."

"Great. So you have no date?"

"Why would I have a date if I'm not-"

"No boyfriend?" He asks, inching closer to the door.

I hesitate at the question. I nearly say yes, but remember that I indeed no longer have a boyfriend. Gosh, it's been over a month! "No. No boyfriend."
Wow, that actually wasn't too painful to say.

"Good. I'll pick you up at seven," he tells me.

I nod before I realize what he just said. "Wait, what?!" I don't get the chance to tell him no or even ask what the hell's going on because he's already out the door. I jump from my chair and run out after him. Unfortunately, I'm too late there too. He's already disappeared, and it looks like I'm stuck. I have a date with the damn devil himself. How did I let him trick me into this?! It all happened so fast!

I quickly run down to reception and find Cherry. "Hey, Cherry! Quick question, you didn't happen to see Asher did you?"

She smiles and points to the door. "Mr. Black left a few minutes ago."

Shoot! Did he run?! I smile back and thank her before dragging myself back upstairs. I close my office door and call Violet as soon as I sit down.

"Hey girl, what's going on?"

"Violet, we have a code red here!"

Her voice is immediately louder through the phone now. "What?! What happened? Tell me everything!"

So I did; well, I  tried to. With the speed of that conversation I'm still a little confused as to how it happened or why I just basically agreed to a date with Asher Black.

"Scar!" She screams. I grimace and pull the phone from my face. "This is awesome! Code green, girl! The hottest guy on this planet just asked you out. FaceTime me the second you get home. I'm helping you pick an outfit. Oh my God this is awesome!" Again, I don't get a chance to argue and the line is disconnected. What's with these two?

I stress the whole day. First of all, what is this? Is this even a real date or does he have a hidden motive? Second, do I even really want to go? I think we all remember what happened the last time I was at one of these. I've obviously been avoiding a certain dark haired man who I know will be there. I'm also trying to avoid the stares I'll get from anyone who was there during my scene. Lastly, what if he really does want me to be there as an actual date? Am I ready for a date yet?

I'm only just getting used to not waking up to Luke's face every morning. I know Violet thinks I need to move on, but I'm not sure it will be that easy. Lucas was everything to me for the better part of three years. The worst thing is that I haven't even talked to him this month, what's going to happen if I have to face him? This is too much.

I make my way home after work and collapse on my bed. I turn my head and check the alarm clock. How is it already 5:30? I jump up and run to the bathroom. I take a peek in the mirror, hoping not much needs to be done to my appearance. Of course that's just wishful thinking, because I barely have any makeup on and my hair is pulled back in a disastrous messy bun. I need to just start from scratch at this point.

I shower as fast as humanly possible and wrap a towel around myself. I then click my phone to check the time. 6:15. No! I go to run back into the bedroom and my foot gets caught on the rug, sending me sailing through the doorway. My phone slips from my hand and flies right into the wall. Smack! I pray it's not broken as I army crawl to it. I close both eyes and slowly flip it over, pealing open on eye. Oh, thank God. The screen lights up, a big 6:23 screaming at me.

I hop up and throw on some underwear and a matching bra, running back to the bathroom mirror. After wiping off some of the steam I slap on some moisturizer and do some makeup, skipping the eyeshadow. I need something to match my dress, and I have no idea what I'm wearing yet. I dry my hair and throw some loose curls throughout it, taking Vi's advice and pinning back the bangs with a little braid.

I then make my way to the closet where I remember that I need to call her to pick out some clothes. One quick phone call later and I am fully clothed. I pull on some red heels and stand in front of my floor length mirror to apply matching lipstick and neutral eyeshadow. Violet helped me decide on a short, sleeved, white dress which I paired with some silver jewelry. Thankfully before I can find anything I hate about this outfit the doorbell rings. Thank the Lord, I'm ready right on time. Now, let's just get through this night.