Shivers

Breath through it rose, what’s the worst that can happen?. Walking past the lobby, with my head bowed gently, greeting people so early without my morning coffee wasn’t something I would do, on a day like this

Anxiety flicks in, as my thoughts are haywire. I had ignored his message, but I kept staring at it all through the night. Did he want to say sorry for being so inhuman yesterday?, or maybe he just wants to come fix up a dumb puzzle, he could be up to anything for all i care, he asher Lopez, he's capable of anything.

Not today, the shoot for the advert would be made today, i had put my all in this , making countless calls, being creative, and i won't let some stupid event ruin it, never, walking towards my desk, i take a quick peck at his office, he's not around

Phew.

Taking a seat hurriedly, I hope he doesn't come now, i can't really think right now, not with his weirdness lingering around, but it all comes to an end when whispered audible .

Asher?.

He comes strolling, till he stops before me, he had just the mid hair packed loosely, letting strand fall the back of his hair, holding the front so firm, damn , i can't help but admire, how thick it grows by the day , trailing my eyes down his shirt, his sleeves were halfway open, and nicely tucked beneath is khaki.

Breath, rose breath…

“ How is the advert going?” he said, breaking the seal he had casted the moment he stood before me, “ uhm advert?, oh yes i totally forget, uhm they would be trooping in” , i said, checking my time, it's 6am at the dot,

“ they would be here by 8” i added, with a quick nod he walks into his office, i watch him seat, as i had prayed he turns the light off, like he always does, but he doesn't, he makes me watch him so closely for as long as my eyes could feed on him, why the sudden change?Does he mind? I didn't reply to his text, I didn't reply to Axel's text either.

Forcing myself to stare clear of his glory, I fought the urge to walk in to explain the reason why, but each time I tried practicing the words, nothing worth hearing seemed to pop in my mind. All I needed to do was concentrate, then all this would be over .

Hours passed and it was just time for the models who would be cast in the advert start tripping in, haven't felt the pressure of being an assistant until now as Asher sits in his office tossing pen bare and forth while I guide the cast on what to do.

Moving back and forth like a restless coaster my feet burn…

“ action!” The producer said as I clipped the tape, they start with their normal activity , while i try hard to make sure it's just as scripted, the goal is giving the best and nothing but the best at all times. That is what I intend to do.

Looking down the stats, everything was going as planned, walking back to Asher’s office, I had contemplated texting this information, but speaking directly has never felt this better as I stood before him, he hasn’t looked at me ever since I entered his office and it feel more better that way, “ the video has been done,” i said.

He had his back rested on his chair, his arms spread like a child with no worries, “ ok?” he said nonchalantly not even looking up, for all I care he could remain like that for the whole day.

“ it would be available in a day, the producer demands your presence as well, before the shots are being taken” i said, “ hnmm” he nods gently then flicks a pen between his fingers, I want to ask further questions, I hoped I had more to say but nothing worth hearing.

“ I would take my leave” I said l, before walking out.

Some of the shots were cosmetic shots, all from different companies, each model had a role, while I was there to make sure each shot screamed with perfection as I watched all previous shots taken while I was away .

“hey mister asher, it's nice seeing you” i hear, as a sudden figure overwhelmed me from behind, “ welcome” asher said, as he stares at me, then back at the man ,his scent hits me hard as my heart quickened, my mind jitter same with my now sweaty palm.

Why is he so close?, looking over at the side, his aura hovered around me, as I felt entrapped between him and the director just before me, clearing my throat, I made my way out of their mind clutching the middle but just then, I felt a warm grasp on my hands.

My heart took a big leap, looking back, Asher held unto my hands then tucked in his pocket, frozen I stay mute unable to move or think, I sure do know I wasn’t breathing properly but it felt like the only way out

it's the first time he actually held hands with me, he rubs his thumb on my hands, as he squeezes them, my mind wonder as my free hands clenched and unclenched, “ i had requested your presence, i just wanted to you to know i would offer the best result” he said

Asher nods, I feel his thumb move again, this time so slow, I feel every inch in my heart, as it weakens my will to move, “if i must say, your assistant over here was really of great help” he said beaming at me, i passed a smile as quick as I could, hoping it didn’t sound like a cry for help.

“ She's good at what she does," Asher said. That was also the first compliment ever since I started working, what's going on here?, “wow such perfection, don't get me wrong you guys really look perfect together”, I felt him stiffen as he clenched my fist in his pocket.

I see his face turn glum in a split second, “ you are a bussiness man, you should know business has nothing to do with pleasure” he said leaving my hands as he takes him by his shoulder as they both walk towards the models packing up after their shoot.

mixing business with pleasure?, wow?, I watch him talk on and on, while his words come ringing over and over in my mind, pleasure?, he just held my hands in his pocket,all of sudden, and he calls me pleasure?, I should have known I was just an assistant, nothing more.

A lady you could call up to come fix your dumb puzzle, nothing more.

tears pricked my eyes, and for some weird reason i felt the urge to scream , as my emotions caught up with me, swiping my hand over my eyes, i exited the room hurriedly walking toward the restroom, there I left it fall freaky as I sobbed into my arms.

Looking back at my reflection as I seated on the toilet seat, the glass door reflected the mess I had just made of myself, my eyes were puffy from sleepless night, I had been to worried he would be pissed as I had ignored his message, while he comes into the office looking as stunning as ever.

Now he’s out there people a boss, while I cry myself out like a little girl, fuck, what am I doing?, cleaning my eyes clean of all trace of agony I stand, packing my hair up in a tight bun, as I wiped loose tears off my eyes, that was stupid, he’s nothing but a boss at a workplace and mixing business with pleasure was something illogical.

“i don't mix business with pleasure”

Taking a deep breath, I let it slide, as I recited a mantra, “ you are ok, you are fine’’ continuously I said this till I left the restroom, then into the room I had just left just to be faced by my worst nemesis.

Axel lopez