SIX

Starr was distracted for the umpteenth time that day, thinking back to the time she had with Chris. She smiled to herself a bit, feeling like a teenage girl with a crush. She couldn't help it. Anytime she tried to focus, her body reminded her of how good that night had felt. It took everything within her to remind herself that she had work to do and needed to get back to it. She shook her head, trying to get back to work when Magnus busted into her office. "Girl, you are glowing," Magnus said with a smile as he walked into her office, the brightness of the day making his brown skin pop. 

She frowned a bit, trying to hide the truth from Magnus. She knew he could smell her, smell her out. He could smell when something was going on, or had gone on. "What?" she asked, keeping a straight face. "Don't I always glow?" 

He shook his head. "No, b, you don't always glow," he said with a smile, taking his seat in the chair in front of her. "You're always just so frowny." 

Starr let her face loosen up a bit before she replied to him, "That's not true. Of all humans, I smile to you the most." 

He nodded, knowing that. "I do know, but what of the rest of the humans?" 

Starr sighed. "What's your deal, Magnus? Don't you have work to do?" she asked in a firm tone, looking at her perfectly organised desk, grabbing a paper and pretending to go through it. 

"My deal is that I want the tea," Magnus said with a shrug, crossing his right leg over his left and leaning on the chair. "So, who is it?" 

Starr didn't reply, looking away. 

"You know I can sniff you like a fucking dog, and I can tell you have been getting it from somewhere," he said as he narrowed his eyes, waiting for her reply. But, she still didn't, looking away. Realising she was going to do her possible best not to open up, Magnus used the method he had been using for years. "So, I did go home with Valentine that night," he began, still not earning a reply from her "We went home with the dude I met him with. And guess what dearie, we had a gang bang. You know the most fun part about it. It was when Luke, you know, the other guys. When he-" 

"Oh my gawd, Magnus, I don't give a fuck about your sex life; shut up." Starr groaned, causing Magnus to laugh.

"Continue, I shall. Until you spill the tea." 

Starr looked away, becoming shy. A wide and wild grin crept its way to Magnus' lips. 

"Oh, this is going to be juicy; I can smell it." He intertwined his fingers, 

Starr sighed. "It was nothing," she finally let out after a bit. "It was just a one-time thing with Christopher Chariton, that's all." 

Starr didn't know what she was expecting, since Magnus had been the one to low-key set her up with Christopher, but Magnus was completely unfazed. "Honestly, I didn't know he was going to hit it so soon. I thought you were, you know..." He shrugged. "...going to give him a tough time." 

Starr rolled her eyes. "Well, I was sex starved, and a man was at my door; what were you expecting? After all, you also just met Valentine some days ago." She paused, her eyes widening a bit. "Or have y'all met before?"

Magnus shook his head, popping his full pink lips. "Nope. But I know what I want and go for it." 

Starr shook her head. "Yes, you want to be an official whore." 

"Well, it's something. It's way better than not knowing what you want." 

Starr looked away, knowing that he was probably referring to her. She knew that; she never really knew what she wanted, even though she thought she knew what she wanted. 

"Chile," Magnus said, changing the topic. "How was it?" 

Starr shrugged. 

"No, how was it, Starr? A shrug means it wasn't it. But your evident glow says otherwise. So, Starr, spill me the truth. Or I'll call Chris." he shrugged, causing her eyes to widen. 

"You wouldn't."

He smiled. "You know I can." 

She looked away, knowing he actually could. "Urgh. Fine. It was well…" She paused to think of the word, but couldn't come up with one. "I don't have the words." 

"That good?" Magnus asked with a grin, so wide she feared his face might split. 

She nodded. "It can't really tell, though. I was sex-starved, and my body was really edgy. So…" She shrugged. 

"Did you cum?" Magnus outrightly asked 

Starr nodded. 

"Then, he did a very fine job." 

Starr chuckled and looked away. 

"So, what now?" Magnus asked, sitting up. "Any plans for him and yourself?" 

Starr's face creased into a frown. "I literally said it was a one-time thing," she replied, trying not to raise her voice. It was a one-time thing, and she was sure. Chris was a guy she knew she had to avoid from the start, so pushing whatever they had further was only going to get her in pain and aches. She was very sure she wasn't up for such anymore. 

Magnus sighed, placing his elbow on her glass desk. "You know you deserve happiness, right?" he asked her, staring into her eyes. 

She didn't look away as she replied. "I am happy; I don't need a man for that."

Magnus nodded. "Yes, I know that. I know you don't need a man for that, but you do need someone. No one deserves to be alone. Loneliness kills. Literally," Magnus let out in concern, remembering all she had been through. 

But, Starr wasn't thinking in that direction. She didn't want anyone apart from Magnus to keep her company. She didn't want to feel, because feeling was only going to weaken her. Weaken the strength she had managed to gain. She fought the memories from creeping back in as she shook her head and replied, "Well, what's loneliness if the company also leads to death. No, thank you Magnus I am not interested." She ended things. 

Magnus sighed. "Starr, you don't have to get emotionally attached to him; it could be just sex." He shrugged. "I mean." 

Starr shook her head, although she was secretly considering it. "Magnus, don't you have work to do?" 

"Well, I do. But, you are-"

"Thank you, sir, but I can handle my own business." She switched off and turned cold, staring away from him. She wanted him away. She didn't want him to give her reasons not to be alone, because she knew she was going to consider them and be hurt all over again. She was too much of a softie. 

Magnus sighed, standing up. "Just give it a thought. And whatever thought, discuss it with Christopher so it doesn't seem like you're using him." He made to leave, but stopped at her door. "You deserve happiness too." With that, he walked out. Leaving Starr to her thoughts and conscience. 

Starr tried not to think too much about all Magnus had said, but her tender heart couldn't handle it. She found herself slipping into deep thoughts about it, considering it. Telling herself of maybes. Maybe she didn't need to be lonely. Maybe just sex wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe this and maybe that. But then, whenever a glimmer of hope popped up, her brain would ring like an annoying morning alarm, reminding her of all the possible negativities. She didn't want to be hurt; she didn't want to be belittled; she didn't want to feel so insecure anymore. She wanted to feel high and mighty. But maybe, just maybe, a second chance wouldn't hurt. It might not even have to be a second chance; it could be a no-strings situation. 

Her mind was racing, thinking of this and that, that and this, when her office landline rang out. She almost jumped out of her skin from the suddenness of the ring. She abruptly picked it up, knowing it was Amber. "Mr. Christopher Chariton is here to see you Ma'am," Amber said in a cherry-like voice, giggling. 

Christopher Chariton! 

Starr froze as the name rang.