My True Valentine [ON HOLD]

Chapter 1 - Coffee Spills and Job Thrills

I sighed as I watched the temperature rise. Coming towards the last weeks of Summer, it tended to get hotter. I pulled down on my shorts and kept on driving.

Cassie doesn't usually call me in for lunch, especially on Valentines Day. She's usually with Daniel, her husband, celebrating their wedding anniversary. Sounds weird to get married on the day, February fourteen, but then again it is meant to be the most romantic time of the year.

What importance is this meeting anyways? I am sure she has to be elsewhere as I mentioned before. I hope I don't get fired. My coworker told me a couple days ago that she would be cutting people from the program, but I scoffed at the information. She wouldn't fire me, surely! I am the writer of our magazine, Trending so I can't possibly be cut from the team. See, I go out and do crazy, awesome things, like interviewing celebrities, writing about fashion, etc. I especially love the street talks. Talking to random people for their opinion makes me feel like a bit of a hero, acknowledging their thoughts. I know I like being noticed. Tell the truth, you do too, don't you? We all do.

I can't help but shake at the thought. This job means the world to me. I get paid well enough, and overall I just love the work. And if you don't love your job, then you shouldn't do it. I've learnt from my mother's mistakes. I was a mistake. I relax my hands and let my knuckles return back to their natural olive colour.

If you didn't notice, I have a... strong dislike for my biological mother (egg donor as I like to call her). I try my best to forget about her like my therapist says, but its hard when you are cursed with her looks. I don't complain, though. Luckily her complexion consisted of blonde hair and olive skin, paired with the signature 'Johnson' blue eyes.

Sadly her face and body were the only things that people liked about her.

I pull into the parking lot of the café and get out with a grunt. I also need to wash my car. Added that to my list of things I won't do.

"Summer!" Cassie calls as I enter. I make my way over to her. This has to be the most nervous I've ever been in my life. I guess I'm confident, or was. Todays encounter might change my view of myself, as overdramatic as that sounds. My eyes find her petite figure and I think I visably shake. She looks terrible, and considering that she's a fashion magazine manager, this isn't good. She always tries to look her best, but obviously right now she couldn't care less. I know that feeling. That feeling where you just want to sit, in your comfiest clothes and watch netflix. Eating ice-cream helps too.

What? I've been through a break-up before. Don't tell me you don't like attention and don't watch netflix lazily? You aren't normal.

But really, her appearance sort of scares me. Her usually slicked back, dark brown hair is now a frizzy afro/birds nest upon her head. You can even see grey hairs. Her skin is worse. She looks like she hasn't showered in days, a week maybe. I'm not one to mock my boss, trust me, but this is worth cringing for.

Sitting down across from her, she releases a shaky breath. Crying isn't a good sign. My mind nagged me. It could be tears of joy. My positive thoughts retorted. Sure, but when Cassie cries its never good, is it? I feel the urge to hold my head whilst I continued this war with myself. It will be okay. I will be okay.

"Let's get straight to the point." She sighed, sending shivers down my spine. Her voice sounds like sandpaper on rock, if that makes sense.

"Yep."

"Okay. First, where's this weeks piece for the fashion article?" She asked, tapping her sharp nails against the wooden table between us.

"Yeah, about that... I sort of need more time. Between the social column and the interview for Leo, I just need a couple days. Week tops."

Leo has been the star of Willows Creek lately. He was the first person in our small town to be in and win a reality show. Like the usual celebrity, big muscles, nice smile. He's my boyfriend of two years, actually. He also isn't like the other 'I'm rich and famous' guys. He's sweet. But we'll talk more about him later.

"Here's the thing, Summer. The magazine can't wait that long. Do you know how much money it costs to advertise us? And when its late? No profit. And no profit for me means no pay for you. Understand?" She snaps angrily.

I nod, holding back a scowl. She's never this terrible. What happened to the nice, kind, I-don't-care-as-long-as-you're-happy 68 year old?

"Sorry, sorry. I'm a bit upset after..." Her eyes drop tears and she begins to sob, loudly may I add. That was quick, she cracked like an egg. People around us started to stare.

"Daniel had an accident, Summer. H-H-He's in a coma." Her whispers were so quiet, I barely heard them.

"I'm so sorry." I gushed. "When did this happen?"

Just as she opens her mouth to reply, her phone rings.

"I'm sorry, I need to get this. Hospital."

She leaves the table, giving me the opportunity to grab myself a coffee (which was four dollars, but apparently is 'five star quality), sit down and think. Daniel? Accident? And in a coma? It made no sense. I'm no detective, but Daniel's always safe on the road. Always. At least the cranky mood, cracked voice, and unattractive appearance have an explanation.

Turning my head towards Cassie, whose outside on the phone still, I mouth 'What's wrong?'. She replied with an extremely depressing 'He's dropping'.

Now, that got me up. I grab my coffee and start rushing outside to her, and she hangs up hurriedly, stuffing her phone in her pocket.

"H-H-He's not breathing, They w-want to see me. I need to go."

"Go then!" I gasp, pushing her lightly in the direction to her car.

"Follow me to the hospital? Please, I won't be able to deal if he -" She cries, turning to go to her car.

"Of course I will! Let's go!" I call out after her, turning around in the opposite direction to get to my car.

A broad chests bumps into me, sending my coffee onto him and me sprawled onto the pavement.

"Ah! What the -" A manly voice shrieks, making me look up at his face. Oh my.

He's like he was in high school. Black spiked hair, chisled jawline and those piercing green eyes that you could look into forever. He looks more muscular, dressed in his now-drenched-with-coffee buisness suit. He would be attractive to the rest of the female population, but to me I look down at him like a dirty criminal.

Who knew that today, of all days, I would see Blake again?

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[A\N]

Hey!! Happy Valentines day! I hope you spend today with the ones you love.

I just want to thank you for your past support with my fail book before. It was amazing so I hope this novel gets all the support it can! Cover by arctic-kitten, go give her a follow and support for her amazing book, 'This Bites'!

Hey, you never know, if the support is big for this book I might end up putting it in the wattys!

Vote, comment, and follow please!

Love you,
Brook