Chapter 1

WORK AND LOVE

“Wow! You are early, Ashanti.” Min greeted me as I entered the office.

I smiled at her and nodded. “Kristoff wanted us to leave the house together so, I had to come early,” I replied as I placed my things on my table.

She just gave me a smile and I know there is a meaning behind it.

Minerva Crescent is one of my closest people in the office. She had been my person to run to, other than Genevieve, my best friend, when I am facing problems in any aspect of my life. She pretty much knows everything about me and I know that I, too, know things about her life as well.

There isn’t any awkward boss-subordinate relationship between us because one, we are of the same age and, two, I don’t look at her as a subordinate. She is a friend. She’s someone reliable.

I looked at the pile of folders on my table. There are about twenty of those in my estimation.

“These are the designs that we came up to for the fashion show next month,” Min told me even without me asking her.

I looked at her and nodded. “Are there any plans for the event yet?” I asked her as I browsed through the designs they gave me.

Min nodded. “We are planning to invite actors, actresses and idols to model for us. Through that, we can gain more people to attend the show because of the fans,” she replied. “But that is still boiling at this moment. We haven’t polished anything yet.” She added.

I looked at and smiled. “Sure. I’ll consider that, too.” I smiled at her. “Thank you. You all worked hard,” I told her.

She smiled and left for her job. “Thanks, Shan,” she said last.

I smiled and looked at the designs. These are all good. Most of them, I have seen Hollywood personalities wear. Some are patterned with some of the trending clothes nowadays.

We all know that fashion is forever changing, and so with music—as what Kristoff told me the last time we talked about our jobs—so, people needed to be updated with the mainstream right now.

That is why we are conducting a fashion show next month. We are planning to make it really big as we are planning to involve a lot of people of all ages for them to know what the trends these days are.

Someone knocked on the door. It is Nina, my secretary.

“Good morning, Mrs. Marx.” She bowed at me.

I nodded and smiled. “What is it?” I asked her with a smile.

She smiled back at me. “Someone came to see you, Ma’am,” she said.

I narrowed my eyes on her. Who would want to see me this early? “Who is it?” I asked curiously.

“Hi, Shan!” Genevieve came running to me like a maniac who saw a ghost but is actually running towards the ghost now.

I looked at her with my face really un-paint-able this moment. I was giving her my narrowed eyes and curious look.

She chuckled once she saw and got my expression. “Don’t be like that! I even bought you presents from the Philippines!” She beamed as she waved the gigantic paper bags she is holding.

Genevieve Peters is my best friend. We’ve known each other since elementary school. Back then, we were known to be the quiet and noisy tandem. I was the quiet one, she was the loud. We’re definitely the opposites but we made it work.

I looked at her as she sat in front of me. “So, how was the Philippines?” I asked as I diverted my gaze on the designs again.

She sighed heavenly. “I never wanted to leave that place. I bet their beaches are the best and I want to stay there forever!” She beamed as she slouched on the couch.

I looked at her. “So, did you have fun with Chester?” I asked.

Chester Moore is Kristoff’s friend. He is also courting Genevieve ever since we were in high school. Look at how persistent he is. And this friend of mine, I might say, is so lucky to have him.

Genevieve smiled at me. “Well, it’s always fun when Chester is around,” she replied happily, sounding really proud of her suitor.

I gave her a mischievous smile. I know Genevieve. She likes Chester ever since. I just don’t get why she won’t say yes to him. I mean, we’re of legal ages and she should get married, too, you know!

“Aren’t you going to be together?” I asked her.

Genevieve looked at me and smiled. “We are getting there anyway. I am not rushing things,” she replied.

“Not rushing my ass. Yes, you are not rushing things, you are buffering. Like, slower than the internet connection,” I replied making her laugh at me.

“Well I am not like you and Kristoff. You married early and look at what you have now. No child yet.” She teased me back.

I glared at her. This has been our argument since. She wanted to have a niece already and she is rushing me and Kristoff about it. Our parents, too.

She leaned closer. “Don’t tell me, nothing happened still?” she asked me.

I rolled me eyes. So what? Nothing happened yet. It is not like we are rushing on doing it anyway. We are fine by our own right now. We don’t need a baby yet.

Genevieve laughed at me. “You should’ve seen you face,” she said as she was holding her tummy for laughing out loud.

I rolled my eyes and threw her a folder. “Hurry up and just help me decide what design is good for the fashion show!” I told her to stop from laughing.

She looked at me and smiled at the folder. She looked into it. To be honest, I actually trust Genevieve’s fashion sense. She is a ramp and fashion model. She’s even planning on making it to the fashion week in New York next year.

“What are you planning to do for the event?” she asked me as she closed the folder.

I sighed. “Nothing drafted yet. I am planning to finish this by the end of the week. There are a lot of things to settle. But I guess we already have a date. On the twenty-eighth next month,” I replied.

She nodded. “You should also start gathering your models now.” She added. “You know that models are busy these days.” She continued.

I nodded. “Well, we are planning on taking hit celebrities so that we can attract fans to attend the event,” I replied. That was the original plan. I hope it will work.

Genevieve nodded. “That would be easy for you. Kristoff has a lot of hit idols and artists in his company,” she spoke.

I looked at her. I didn’t even think of that. Why was I so dumb?

She looked at me. “Don’t tell me you haven’t thought of that idea?” she asked me almost in disbelief. She would be shocked if she heard my reply.

“I didn’t, to be honest,” I said in all honesty.

Her eyes widened. “Oh, my gosh! Are you serious?” she asked, as I thought, shocked as hell. “That is so impossible of you!” she spat.

I laughed. “Well, I got a lot of things in my mind now, so, I haven’t thought of that.” I defended myself.

Genevieve rolled her eyes. “Whatever. You are unbelievable,” she said as she took another folder to check on the designs.

***

I was standing in front of the building tonight, waiting for a cab. Yes, I am the boss who hails a taxicab this early of the night.

Kristoff shouldn’t have dropped me off the office. I hadn’t brought my car because of that and now, I am hailing a taxi.

Suddenly, my phone rang. As I looked at the screen, I saw Kristoff calling.

“Hello?”

“Shan, are you still in your office?” he asked on the other line, his husky and handsome voice is making me melt.

I have to get a hold of myself. “About to go home,” I replied as calm as I can.

I can hear him chuckle from the other line. “Stay there. Let’s eat before we go home,” he suggested.

I almost thought I was hearing voices. Did I hear him right? He’s asking us to eat out now? In this ordinary night? I wanted to laugh but the warm feeling surfacing is taking over.

So maybe, Kristoff is really hyper today. I don’t know why. He dropped me to the office and now he is asking me for a dinner. Oh, Lord. Am I going to die tomorrow?

“What do you think?” he asked. He must have been losing patience because I haven’t answered.

I cleared my throat. “Yeah. Sure,” I replied.

“Okay. I’m driving there now. Wait for me.” Then he hung up.

And me?

I am left here in the façade of the office, not knowing what to feel. Am I going to die soon? Why is Kristoff becoming all so clingy to me now? Why? I need an immediate answer. I swear if he goes on like this, I will have to control myself from falling so deeply into him. This is mad.

Ten minutes later, he arrived just like what he said. He rolled the window of the shotgun seat down and peeked on me who was standing there. “Come on?” he asked with his gentle voice this time.

I nodded and entered his Audi. And I feel so uncomfortable. I don’t know why but I can’t even look at him. This giddiness is eating me! Somebody help my poor self.