Navy; women are vile!

Navy’s POV

I walked into the reception of my multimillion dollar company and my employees went numb. 

That’s how much influence I have on my workers and I like it that way. 

I like to see the women drool when I walk by, and the men tremble nervously at my presence. 

But I love the effect I have on women more, making them wish their lives on me and never having it, no matter what. 

Yes, no matter what, no matter who.

I have only tried to love one woman all my life, Clarissa McDamon- my ex. 

I am yet to recover from the suffering agony and trauma she put me through. 

To me, women are all the same, despite how innocent they look, or how pure their eyes seem. They are vile creatures, despite what they wear, and their fake smiles creep me out. Like the smile on my receptionist’s face right now, fake, unreal, pretentious.

“Welcome, Mr Leonardo” she beamed.

 I nodded indifferently, scanning the expanse hall.

“Are you looking for anyone, sir?” She asked, sensing my curiosity.

“The Blogger…” I mumbled.

“She was here just a few minutes ago but I told her you won’t be available until 10am…”

I glanced at my wristwatch and the time was a few minutes past nine.

Just then, the rotating glass door beeped open and a woman, dressed in the most elegant dress I’ve seen recently stepped in. 

A thick milky crepe midi gown, paired with a classy crop jacket- a proper 80s outfit.

Yes, this was a vintage style outfit popular in the 80s and she had recreated it so gracefully.

My heart fluttered as the strange lady approached me, her strides were effortlessly graceful and confident, she was glowing like the sun, beautiful, elegant- just the type of women that would make you miserable.

I caught myself drooling at the sight of her, as she swayed her hips towards me. 

“Good morning, Sir.” She greeted from a distance.

Her voice stirred me awake from my daze bringing my eyes to the face of the closing in figure. 

“The blogger?” I muttered to myself, surprised that a mere employee had stirred such emotions in me. 

A frown crossed my face and my lips tightened involuntarily.

“You’re late!” I thundered.

“No, I’m not” she replied, softly, politely. 

“I was here by eight, and…”

“Quiet!” I seethed.

I know my agitation was a little uncalled for, but I couldn’t control myself. 

I sensed her eyes squint a little and I could tell, her irritation was equally building up.

I turned around and began to walk towards my private elevator. I watched from my side eye as she glared at me, taking deep breaths as the receptionists admonished her to use a separate Elevator to thirteenth floor.

“Thank you” she whispered, taking an opposite direction from me.

I couldn’t help the guilt for the aggressive tone I used on her. 

“She didn’t deserve that” I told myself.

The elevator dinged open and my gaze locked on hers, already waiting for me by the door of my office.

“I apologize for earlier, I should’ve waited for you to arrive.” She said when I drew nearer to her. 

Her apology caught me off guard and I immediately paused in my tracks.

“An apology for my crudity?” I blurted, surprised that she was apologizing when I was clearly in the wrong.

“You weren’t rude, you were just exercising your authority, sir. I’ll take it as a correction and do better.” She replied. 

My heart sank as her lips twitched into a soft smile, 

“Beware of her, Navy” I muttered to myself. Sweet faces like this were the vilest of them all.

I nodded indifferently, as I swiped my key card on the door, letting us into my office.

“Everything about your job description is on the desk over there.”

“Yes, Sir” she replied.

“I need a sample article within the hour. I am thinking of reinventing cotton clothes. I want your take on it.”

“Within the hour?” She repeated.

I slowly swiveled my head to her direction, a stern expression of disapproval etched on my face.

“You better not be incompetent. I hate to be wrong…” 

As I walked past her, a soft scent of flowers and warm vanilla filled my lungs and I felt intoxicated by it.

There is something about the blogger that quite intrigues me- she doesn't drool over me…

Just as I stepped into my office, my phone chimed in my pocket, I glanced at the screen and my heart fell in shock.

“Clarissa!” I exclaimed.

Rosé’s POV

The door slammed shut and I slumped onto the soft chair.

I am really working in the same office as Mr Eyesore.

“Rosé!” I sighed, releasing every pent up anger and irritation that was brewing inside me.

“Whatever happens here cannot be worse than what’s happened in Ontario. You can do it!” I encouraged myself, settling into the office table to begin the journey of my blogging career with Navy Leonardo.

The reinvention of cotton clothes has nothing to do with me for Christ’s sakes, but he asked for my opinion and that is exactly what I wrote on the sample article.

I was even prouder of the fact that I had produced something good within the hour, just as he wanted. 

After several heavy exhales of apprehension, I lightly knocked on the door waiting for permission to enter. 

I heard his stoic footsteps drawing nearer, then the door creaked open. 

“What do you want?” He thundered.

“Are you always angry?!” I retorted, - in my head of course. 

What I said in real time was, 

“It is done, sir.” 

“Come in, then” he ordered, walking back into the office.

I stepped into the office and I was awed by the numerous awards of recognition on the shelves. 

I breathed in the air of excellence that surrounded the office, taking the time to read each award on the shelf.

“Did you know…?” 

I jumped, startled by the sudden piercing voice.

Navy paused, corking an eyebrow at my reaction.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“Did you know that you can send this as a document without having to knock on my door?”

To be honest, I didn’t think of that. 

“Showing signs of incompetence on your first day is making me regret choosing you for this job…”

I hung my head in embarrassment, shuddering. 

“I… I’ll go do that now…” I stuttered.

“And what difference does that make?” He roared.

My heart clenched in confusion and pain as I bowed my head, even lower.

“I’m sorry, Sir…” I apologized, but it hurt that he kept calling me incompetent. It hurt even more that it seemed like I had no clue what I was doing. 

“Hand it over”.

“Oh, Rosé” I muttered to myself as I handed the Office’s iPad to him.

“Reinvention of Cotton Clothes, mistake, misfortune or boredom? There can’t be any good from it…”

That was the beginning of my article and I instantly regretted it as he read it out loud. I instantly regretted writing against his idea in such bold words. 

“Now he would really fire me.” I cried silently.

“Get out…” he commanded. 

“What?!” I exclaimed, almost gasping.

“Out of the office or out of the Building?” I wondered.

“Go back to your desk, please” he said irritably, clenching his teeth to show his agitation.

I contemplated walking away quietly, but the sight of his clenched jaw was quite concerning that I couldn’t just ignore.

“Is everything okay, sir?” I asked, worried about his simmering anger.

Navy dropped the iPad and looked up at me. 

“No.” He replied abruptly.

“What can you do to help?” He continued.

I suddenly felt stupid for butting into his business, why did I even care?!

“Sorry… I’m sorry” I apologized, scurrying around to leave.

“Wait!” He said.

“What are you doing this evening?” 

My eyes widened in utmost surprise at the sudden question,

“Uh, I’m celebrating my first day at Varde Clothing Line with my friends” I stuttered.

“Sounds bland” Mr Leonardo replied, showing a smug of disapproval,

“Cancel…” he ordered, his gaze holding mine.

“What?!” I exclaimed.

“You’re going with me to a family dinner. How good is your acting skill?” 

Navy’s questions were outrageously unexpected. 

“I don’t act, sir. I am just a blogger.”

“Then tonight will be your first act” he riposted.

“Act? What do you mean, sir?”

“You’re going to act like my girlfriend, just for tonight.”

“I’ll pay you, you look like you need the money anyway..."