Chapter 6

The next day, I'm head-deep in my work. It’s almost lunchtime.

'I have a, um... meeting. Will you be fine for a few hours?' Ace asks.

‘Yep. I want to catch up with Cleo at some point. I’ll find her and have lunch with her.' I smile. Ace kisses me on the forehead and leaves. I have been going to all his meetings. Strange he doesn’t want me to attend this one.

Stretching my arms out, I stand and take the staircase to the ground floor. I'm not comfortable being in the elevator on my own; the stairs will be the better option for now.

Cleo runs up to me and embraces me in a tight hug.

'Funny, we work in the same building yet we never see each other,' she jokes.

'We have to make more of an effort to see each other. Also that's why I'm here. I'm hoping we can have lunch together.'

'Sure. I’m having lunch with the receptionists and a couple of models across the road. Come with me. You know the models. Have you met the receptionists?' She asks.

My mind flashes back to when I threw cold tea at Carol.

'Yes, actually. They know me very well.' I frown.

'Great! Let’s go!' Cleo grabs my arm and pulls me along, crossing the road. Lunch is of course at Cafe Charm, the go-to cafe for Pure Fashion Industry employees.

It's good because I get to see Hailey and Mr Fulton. We enter the cafe where a table is reserved for us. I wave at the ladies as we approach. They’re all happy to see me except for Carol. But I expected that.

'Cora, Ruby, Lana, Emma, Tracy. It’s good to see you all again.' I smile. Carol is clearly unimpressed seeing me, but the feeling is mutual so I just ignore her and sit down.

'I knew you wouldn’t mind if Zurielle joined us for lunch.' Cleo smiles. Hailey prances over to our table.

'Hello ladies!' She beams. 'Zurielle!' She squeals.

'Hi Hailey.' I hug her and sit back down.

'Zurielle, girlfriend of a billionaire CEO, is best friends with a lowly waitress of all people.' Carol smirks.

Hailey, the rest of the women, and I, gasp, shocked at her disrespect.

'I beg your pardon, Carol?' I glare and give her my full attention. Hailey is refraining from slapping Carol unconscious.

Carol ignores me and looks at her menu, humming. The nerve of her! Hailey takes mine and the ladies’ orders, but not Carol’s. She walks away and Carol huffs.

'I’d like to order!' She yells. Hailey has no intention of taking her order. The ladies and I snicker, while Carol sits there fuming. Hailey walks past our table to take orders from other customers. Carol continues to try to get Hailey’s attention.

Eventually giving up with Hailey, Carol mutters, 'bitch' just loud enough for Hailey to hear as she walks past. Hailey comes to a halt, faces Carol, and looks at her in an eerily disturbing way. It even worries me. Hailey’s frown turns into a sarcastic smile.

'I’m sorry. Your order is being made,' she says, sarcastically before walking away to the kitchen.

'What the hell is with that freak? She never took my order in the first place and the way she just smiled at me was like something out of a horror movie,' Carol complains.

'That freak is my best friend, Carol! I suggest you apologise to her for your rudeness. Otherwise, don’t come crying to me when there are consequences because of your rudeness with her,' I scold. Carol huffs and crosses her arms. Hailey returns with our food and drinks.

'Here’s your order.' Hailey says, pouring a glass of ice-cold water over Carol’s head. Horrified, Carol looks at Hailey as the water drips down her face and back. We all burst into laughter.

'How dare you! I am reporting you to the manager.' She stands up to leave the table. I stand up and glare at her.

'No! You will sit back down, right now Carol, and you will apologise to Hailey, this instant!' I warn.

'What are you going to do about it?' She asks, angry.

'You really want to know what I will do?' I smirk, making her uncomfortable.

She sits down, says 'sorry', and looks away, ignoring all of us, while we eat lunch and drink our lattes. Hailey returns back to her duties, smiling at her victory. Cora clears her throat.

'So, I was thinking that maybe we could all go on a weekend glamping trip together soon. We can paint our nails, make face scrubs, do yoga, drink wine and roast some marshmallows.' She looks at us, hopeful.

'That sounds like so much fun!' Cleo shouts.

'Yep, count me in.' Ruby smiles.

'Me too!' Lara and Emma agree.

'I suppose...' Carol mumbles.

'What about you Zurielle?' Cora asks.

'Oh, I’m not sure. I’ll have to speak to Ace about it.'

'You really need his permission?' Carol asks in a snarky tone.

'Actually, no I don’t. But Ace usually plans outings for us for the weekends, so I’d like to ask.'

'We can go this weekend or next weekend. I’m flexible.' Cora smiles.

'Either suits me.' Emma smiles.

'I’m cool whichever way.' Cleo shrugs her shoulders.

'Okay. I’ll text you tonight after I’ve spoken with him, Cora.'

'I look forward to it.' Cora smiles.

'Oh! And bring Hailey along too!' Cora offers.

Carol lets out a grizzling moan.

'You have to be kidding me? Really Cora? After she just poured cold water over me?' She argues.

'In Hailey’s defence - you deserved it.' Cora shrugs.   

Carol exhales loudly, and looks away, annoyed.

'Thanks Cora. I’m sure Hailey would love to join us,' I say.

We pay the bill, I hug Hailey goodbye, and we return to Pure Fashion Industries.

When it's almost time to go home, I look at the clock and Ace enters the office.

'Wow. That was a long meeting.' I frown, and he kisses me on the lips.

'I didn’t go to a meeting.' He smiles.

'What are you talking about?' I ask.

'You’ll know soon enough. I have a surprise for you at home.' He closes my laptop and takes my hand. 'Let’s go.' He smiles, and leads me out to the elevator, excited to get home.

'What is it?' I ask him.

'You’ll have to wait and see.' He winks, and I playfully roll my eyes at him.

The elevator doors close, and I concentrate on taking a few deep breaths until we are on the ground floor. Ace smiles at me, happy that I am focusing on my breathing while in the lift.

We arrive at the penthouse in his Lamborghini, before he opens the front door, and pulls out a blindfold.

'You need to wear this.' He smiles, placing it over my eyes and tying it up, before taking my hand and leading me inside.

'Okay. You can sit down. There is a seat behind you.' I slowly lower myself, feeling a lengthy, cushioned stool.

'Are you ready?' He asks, and I smile.

'Yes.' He takes my blindfold off, and I gasp at the beautiful grand piano; I am sitting on the piano stool. My eyes well up, and I gently touch the keys and run my fingers along them, and play a soft melody. When the song finishes, I stand up, bury myself in Ace’s chest and cry.

'Thank you so much.' I sob.

'When you told Libby how happy playing the piano makes you, and you had never gone a day without playing until the fire, I knew I had to bring that piece of happiness back into your life.' My hands cup his face.

'Mr Brightly, what would I ever do without you?' I pull his face to mine and our lips lock in a fiery kiss.

'I know I would never be the same without you, Zurielle.' He tucks the loose strands of hair behind my ears and places a sweet little peck on the tip of my nose.

After dinner, we watch a movie together. Halfway through the movie, I make myself more comfortable and snuggle into Ace’s chest and fall asleep.