Love at First Page

Two

The smell of sweet maple syrup wakes my nostrils, my eyes and body soon follow after. After leaving Chantal's office I ran home in a panic, on my third bottle of rosé my body couldn't stand the fact of being alone so I called over Nik'u. I am not sure why I was in such a panic, it's been a while since anyone can make me feel such powerful energy with just eye contact. But then I thought I could have just been tipsy. Who knows.

"Good morning sleepy head" connecting eyes with Nik'u while she places the last pancake on the table. "Now I deserve an explanation to why in the middle of my one night stand, I get a call from Jordyn crying reciting Jhené Aiko lyrics to me at 3 am in the morning"

Sitting down at the table, feeling my cheeks and body get hot. I hate being put on the spot. "I am just really nervous about going into work today, I don't think the interview went well.''

Nik'u looks at me in disbelief "No way, you had no time to prepare. I bet you went in there and ate like you always do. Now stop lying to me"

I shake my head, stuffing a pancake in my mouth so it'll give me more time to avoid answering her.

"I don't care Jordyn. I know you" she says while getting up with her plate.

Nik'u leaves out early first since I am always running late. Leaving out my apartment in a hurry, I turn around from locking up my front door and make eye contact with Chantal. My body feels moist at this point. "What are you waiting for come here" her accent is going to take some getting used to. I hesitate before hopping into her matte black BMW. Her driver immediately drives away before my other foot even entered the car.

"Should I be concerned this is my kidnapping?" I roll my eyes, turning my head towards her noticing Chantals cheek red as an apple.

"Oh calm down, I would hope you are far from being a kid" Her eye contact made my skin fluster, I would be sworn she noticed because I watched her turned away and put on her Dolce Gabbana shades and looked away from me.

Biting my lip my mind gears start to turn and all of a sudden none of this made sense. How did she know where I lived? We met yesterday yet I feel comfortable, besides the fact she makes me boil inside. In all the best ways possible I felt equivalent around her. The car sat silent as we made our way into the city, leaning a little out of my seat I say "Are you going to tell me how you knew where I live? And why am I in your car right now?"

"Are you complaining?"

Not entirely sure where her eyes were I scoot closer, "Getting a ride into the city instead of waiting for the train and being around the Chantal. How would I be complaining? Concerned on the other hand? Yes"

Her voice lowers, "Okay expect it more often, are you busy tonight?"

Our heads slightly tilted forward we stared up at each other, her sunglasses sat on her nose. Having a strong feeling she'll know if I am lying, biting my lip I shake my head.

"Okay, I'll be outside at 8pm" At this point, my body felt cold, she placed her hand in mine and rubs my thumb slightly. "This is you"

I wasn't being sure what she was talking about, breaking eye contact I noticed we were right outside my work building. Goosebumps take over my body and my legs felt like noodles, standing outside the car her voice turns to normal. "Have a good day at work darling" her car drives away and I am left alone on the most hectic street in NYC confused as hell.

Walking into the office, the first face I see is Nik'u smiling with both of her arms propping her head up. I was hesitant to bring up Chantal around her, but I needed to know if she knew. "Did you see the black BMW sitting–"

"JORDYN" Fawn screams through the office, I sit up startled. I have had enough this morning. Walking into her office not even having a chance to take a seat she spits out "Your article, it has reached millions"

I shake my head "What do you mean millions"

"It's one of our most popular articles out right now, I'm amazed" This didn't seem real, I took a seat in disbelief. "Which is why I am promoting you to the assistant chief editor. You'll now be working under Kylie and you can move all your stuff to the office next to her. You have an hour to get your shit out before the new hire comes in"

"Wait, Fawn–"

"Do you not want the position?"

"No you're right, consider my shit gone"

I didn't even work today, the day was spent moving shit back and forth to my old desk to the new one. Setting the last photo and my new name tag with my upgraded position in front of my desk I back up in disbelief. Is Chantal a good luck charm? I look at my hand and her touch is too familiar. I get tingles everywhere and then forced myself not to think about her.

Chantal

Backing away from my desk, my phone lights up in my pocket. Ignoring it the first few times, they became persistent. Not even paying attention to the caller ID I lift the phone to my ear, "Anyone knows better than to call me on this phone"

"Even if it's someone that wants you dead?" The male voice immediately registered. "Don't forget how you made it on top"

"Someone will get the job done, if not myself" I throw my phone across the room, standing in frustration I knew the lifestyle I had before would soon catch up to me. Through all the changed names and living in different countries, nothing worked.

My thoughts stop when Aspen walks through the door, she is somehow always here in my most vulnerable times. But then I thought duh, she's my assistant. Aspen walks up to me and runs her hand through my hair, kissing my jawline leading down to my neck and before getting to my lips I stopped her.

"Looks like you need a pick me up" she whispers, unbuttoning her work shirt and taking off her stilettos I couldn't resist.