5

“So you mean to tell me that he denied you the job just because of your outfit?!” Lana asked in disbelief for the tenth time. I groaned. “I’m sorry I asked again but I know Ace very well, he wouldn’t do that.”

“Well, he did Lana. Can we move on to the next topic?” I lied to Lana not wanting to tell her about the reason why Ace didn’t give me the job. I didn’t

“You look and sound terrible. We’re not going to move on to the next topic because there isn’t any next topic. What we’re going to do is to call Ace and give him a piece of our mind.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you already did that but we’re going to do it again.” She paced in front of me while I fixed my eyes on the TV.

“Don’t make things worse for me. Who knows what he’s capable off? What if he calls other companies to tell them that I’m incompetent? And that I didn’t kiss him.” I mumbled the last part, making sure Lana didn’t hear me.

“He won’t do that because you have me.”

“Let’s just let this go. I’ll think of something else while I look for a new job.”

“But you don’t deserve to be treated like that.”

“I’m not going to waste my energy on him. Let’s just let this go. Okay Lana?” She didn’t respond. “Don’t call him or anything else. Let’s put this all behind us. He was your good friend back then and he is treating your best friend shitty and you want to protect her. Thank you very much Lana. But you know I always take care of things myself.”

“Oh. Reading between the lines, I’m seeing a lot of hints about payback.” She sat down beside me and winked.

“Whatever you want to think. I’m just going to watch TV.”

“I’m going to head out. Call me if you want to go out and have a drink.”

“I will not.” I laughed lightly when she pouted. “Bye Lana.”

“Bye Birdie.” She said and quickly ran out the door when I threw a pillow at her. I hated being called that and she knew it.

Feeling so bogged down, I went back and forth to my fridge to grab drinks, while sobbing.

I’m the emotional type though I don’t let it show. I can also be very dramatic. So I make sure that I don’t let my feelings get in the way. But after Ace called me incompetent, those walls holding back my emotions collapsed. That word is one of the reasons why I moved away from London. I allow anyone to call me anything but incompetent, because it brings along bad memories and a lot of negative emotions. I hate that it always did.

I moved from the living room to the gallery and went to stare at my paintings, hoping they would calm me down. I sat there for an hour and went to bed very early because I was drunk asf. This became my routine for the rest of the week. I wake up, get something to eat, stare at my paintings, get drunk, make sure to feed myself and go back to bed. I spent the rest of the week moping around. I lost my confidence after Ace called me incompetent. I hate him so much.

My sister and Lana called to check up on me but I told them I was okay. I used that free time I had to finish up one of my paintings that the landlord requested for. At least, it’s paying the rent. I stayed indoors until one Monday afternoon after I cleaned up my flat because it looked like it rained garbage in here, I heard a knock on my door. And then the person kept ringing the doorbell. I let down my hair after washing my hands and put on a clean shirt before going to answer the door.

“Will you be patient?! I already said that I’m coming.” I angrily called out. Without looking through the pinhole, I answered the door to find Ace Black at my doorstep. On instinct, I shut the door in his face. At least, I thought I did until I heard him cry in pain. I found his foot, between the door and the frame, blocking the door from closing. Smirking, an idea came to mind. I stepped on his foot before opening the door and scowled at him.

‘What do you want?”

“That is not a nice way to welcome me, Love.” He pushed past me with his hard body, his scent dancing its way up my nostrils. He smelt good, honestly and it was toying with my senses. But I won’t tell him that. I kept my distance when he made himself at home on my couch.

“I’m not your Love. And you should get the heck out of my building before I report you to the police, Ace.”

“There are two things you should know. One, I own this building.” I gasped.

“But you don’t own my flat.” I retorted.

“I think I will, in the next few weeks to come.” I groaned and walked towards him, stopping right in front of him and placed my hands on my hips. “It’s good you came closer to pay attention to me because the second thing you should know is very important, Love.” He smirked and I rolled my eyes.

“I don’t care what you have to say. I want you get out so that I can enjoy my day in peace.” I pointed to the door. Ace stood up staring into my eyes with his big blue eyes. I think I hate blue now.

Ace was so taller than me that I felt little. I almost cowered and that made me want to punch him. “That is no way to speak to your boss, Love.” Ace smiled, blinding me with his sparkling white teeth.

“You’re not my boss. You didn’t give me the job.” Ace moved his lips closer to my ear, sending chills down my spine. I froze when he whispered.

“I’m giving you the job now.” Ace placed a soft kiss on my cheek, letting it linger before he pulled back. I still felt his soft lips on my cheek, even after he pulled away. I watched him as he walked to my fridge and took out a bottle of water then he walked to the door.

“I’ll see you at my office at exactly 7am. Do not be late.” Then he winked at me and disappeared. He walked gracefully out of my flat and left me speechless. My emotions were all over the place. I wanted to smile, scream, laugh, cry. I carefully touched my cheek. Ace kissed me on the cheek.

“What I hate very much is a man who makes my feelings go haywire.” I mumbled to myself. This made me hate Ace even more. My body responded to him and I hated it. Like hell I’m going to step into that office again and let him be the boss of me. Never.