A Millionaire, His Suit, And Poor Me

I managed to get home without collapsing. I took off my Louboutins and the borrowed dress, which no longer made me f invincible. I turned on the bathtub faucet, letting it fill up and went to get a glass of wine, then came back into the bathroom and stood in the hot water.

I relaxed immediately. I stayed submerged for about an hour before getting out, my fingers wrinkled from too much time the water. Over my underwear, I pulled on my favorite mid-thigh sweater, grabbed my teddy bear, some ice and settled or the couch.

I heard the door open and a shiver ran down my spine, knowing I was going to be reprimanded by Jace at any moment. H walked in and stopped to stare at me as 500n as he saw me, I gave him a shy, uncertain little smile.

“You've got your bear, your ice cream and your wine. Shoot. Now.” He ordered immediately, putting down his laptop and sitting down next to me. I handed him the ice cream and he started eating, waiting for me to start talking.

“I think I got the interview” I said in a low voice.

“Oh my God!" He said in a squeaky, excited voice. “He was the Valentine, I'm telling you, honey! Was he sexy in person? Di you touch his hair?”

“Jace...”

Seriously. When is this? 1 better be in the same room with this hunk...

“JACE!"

“What?” He said, glancing at me, taking another spoonful of ice cream.

“First of all, he was fucking perfect in person. I don't think he's real. Secondly, he's British. No wonder he has a sexy accen No wonder. Third, that damn suit fit him perfectly. It was a custom Gucci, Jace. Gucci. Custom.”

jace’s chin hit the floor and he tried to speak but I held up a hand, stopping him.

“But he was... cold?” I tried. “No, he wasn't... he was intense.”

“What do you mean?”

“He practically caught me in a lie from the first minute, then he scared me and then he upset me. And then he slammed r up against the door...

“AGAINST THE DOOR?!"

“Jace! Let me finish,” I said. He sighed and continued eating the ice cream. “He was two inches from my face and said, and quote, “I don't think I scare you. I think I turn you on. I think you want to f**k me. I denied it, and he told me I was lying." “You were lying?"

“Of course I was. He's a hell of an angel. But he's scary. And he's mean. A perfect asshole.” I finished slowly.

Jace watched empathetically as I cuddled my bear, then he reached over and pulled me closer to him. I sighed and curlec up, finishing my wine in one gulp.

“Ym sorry, baby,” he said. “I didn’t think it would be that bad”

Frustrated, I put my head in my hands. That was the problem. He was awful. But at the same time, I was indescribably attracted to him.... I don't even know how I managed to get home without fainting”

“Just don't tell them you're there and everything will be fine’

“But he knows! He already knew, and he was damn pleased with himself. He read me like a book. It was the most intense encounter I've ever had with a man, and he barely touched me."

“You look like you could use a good fucking,” Jace laughed. I shot him a look and he quickly changed his tune. “So, when’ the interview?”

“Friday.”

“Well, you probably won't even have to see it and it'll be totally worth it when you see that smirk disappear from Victoria face.’

“I think you're right” I replied with a small smile, imagining our boss's surprised expression. “Will you make me pancakes Jace laughed at my change in mood, to which he was now accustomed, and stood up. I followed him into the kitchen. As usual, he pulled out his bright fuchsia pinaware before getting started.

I poured us each a glass of wine and sat down on the kitchen counter. Ten minutes later, I found myself with a huge stack perfectly golden pancakes in front of me.

I immediately started eating with Jace sitting next to me, happily eating and drinking together while I tried to shake off tt thought of Henris Steve's penetrating gaze.

The next day, at work, I waited impatiently for the 2 p.m. meeting to announce to Victoria that I'd landed the interview. At exactly 1:54 p.m., Jace stormed into my office, two cups of coffee in one hand and adjusting his lavender bow tie with the other.

“This thing is way too tight," he complained. “Meeting in five minutes, quick so I can see Victoria's face when you tell her about the interview. Seriously, it’s going to be great”

Laughing, I stood up, grabbing the files I needed and my laptop. He handed me my coffee and I hugged him tightly in gratitude before following him out of my small office. We crossed the corridor in silence, sipping our coffees and tending our cell phones.

“Theres this aspiring model who tried to get the gig for tomorrow's shoot,” I said disgustedly. “In her portfolio photo, she was wearing an Abercrombie dress.”

“Oh, shut up! Let me see,” Jace laughed, taking my phone and looking at the photos. “But also no."

I laughed as we entered the meeting room. Alice was the only person there. I sat next to her and held a seat for Victoria next to me, Jace in front of us.

“Alice, do you have the fabric swatches Victoria wanted to see?” I asked, opening my laptop.

“Yes, what good will they ever do you?” He asked, handing them to me.

“I don't know. I think they're for the August photo shoot Aaron's organizing” I replied. And just then, Aaron walked throug the door with his laptop in hand.

Please tell me you have the samples for Victoria” he pleaded, slumping into the chair next to Jace. I showed them to him, smiling. “Oh, thank goodness. Alice, you're a lifesaver.”

“I know,” he smiled. “Oh my God, did you hear that Ralph Lauren might be attending the show in person next Friday?” “Really?!” I exclaimed enthusiastically. She smiled and nodded.

“Yes, I heard Victoria talking about it on the phone. It's going to be great!”

The fall fashion show was just around the corner. Everyone was nervous about it as we tried to tie up loose ends, includir this latest problem with the samples. We were talking about the show, all excited, when Victoria walked in, dressed head- to-toe in black. We instantly fell silent.

I handed her the sample and a sheet with the points to be discussed at the meeting, to which she gave a quick glance before looking around. “Are you all here? Good. Let's talk about the issues. Alice, I assume your paper is ready.”

“Yes, itl be on your desk by the end of the day."

“Good,” he said. “Aaron, is everything ready for tomorrow's service? We have to do it quickly. We only have the photographer available for three hours.”

“It's all set. One model canceled, but I hired his equally talented sister. They look a lot alike, so there won't be any problems”

“Hm. Jace?”

"Yes?" He replied immediately.

“Your idea about the leather section. Have you found any parts we can use?”

“I have a good part of it. A file is being prepared as we speak and I've already emailed the designers to ask permission.’ “OK. All the authors have been informed. Everything about this event seems to be going well. Oh wait, Noras,” he said, looking at me. “Did you try to get Steve's interview?"

I replied, shaking my head and biting my lip, hoping to sound a little annoyed.

“E..?" He teased me. I could see the sneer about to reveal itself on his lips. I quickly looked at Jace out of the corner of m eye, seeing him grinning mischievously.

“Ill take care of it I announced proudly. Murmurs echoed around the room as Victoria's chin hit the floor in shock, the smirk gone as she stared at me. It only took a few moments for her to regain her composure, but her expression remaine unmistakable.

He raised his head and turned to the papers in front of him as if it were nothing. “Right. And when is that?”

“Friday at eleven. I thought Alice could do the interview. She's our best editor and I know she could come up with the perfect questions to ask her”

“Hm, I thought you could do the interview. It would be your first big task as an apprentice. Not very important, but important enough.”

My heart rose in my throat at that simple thought. I turned to Jace, who shrugged slightly. I knew I had no choice. “Uh-uhi Yeah. OKAY. II could do that,” I stammered. “Could, uh, Jace help me take some notes?”

“Whatever,” he replied with a wave of his hand. “Now, about next week's show.”

I was lost in thought for the rest of the meeting, already dreading the moment when I would have to see Henris Steve again. Stuck in a room with him for at least an hour, asking him questions. The only silver lining was that Jace would be there with me. Steve might have decided to be less intense.

But he didn't seem like the kind of person who easily let others stop him from doing what he wanted. At the end of the meeting, 1 ran out of the room, locked myself in my office and opened my laptop. Jace knocked on the door and I yelled a him to leave.

I found myself on Google, looking at pictures of Henris Steve instead of thinking of questions to ask him during the interview. Damn him. Damn him for being so attractive.