Rocky First Meeting

AVA

I stand in front of my closet, staring at the sea of clothes before me with growing anxiety. Today is the day I meet Ethan Blackwood, the enigmatic billionaire with a reputation that strikes fear into the hearts of even the most seasoned designers. I've landed the opportunity of a lifetime, and the pressure is suffocating.

"Come on, Ava, you can do this," I mutter to myself, trying to muster some confidence. But as I shuffle through my clothes, I find myself grappling with an unexpected crisis — what to wear?

I grab a sleek black dress and hold it up to the mirror, evaluating my reflection. "Too formal? Not formal enough? Ugh, why is this so hard?"

Just as I'm about to switch to another outfit, my phone rings, interrupting my internal monologue. I glance at the caller ID and smile. It's Karen, my trusty fashion guru.

Thank goodness.

"Hey, Karen! I'm so glad you called. I need your help," I blurt out as soon as I answer.

"Whoa, slow down. What's got you all worked up?" Karen's voice is soothing, and I can almost see her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her phone.

"It's Ethan Blackwood. I'm about to meet him for the first time, and I have no idea what to wear. He's known for being ruthless, and I can't afford to mess this up," I confess.

There's a brief pause before Karen replies, "First of all, take a deep breath. You've got this, girl. Secondly, I can help you find the perfect outfit. What are you thinking?"

I release a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much. I want something professional yet stylish, you know, to make a good impression."

"Hmm, how about that navy-blue pantsuit you bought last month? It's chic and sophisticated, and it'll show him you mean business," Karen suggests.

I nod, even though she can't see me. "Good idea. I'll try it on and see how it looks."

"Perfect. And remember, Ava, you're talented, and you've earned this opportunity. Ethan would be lucky to have you on his project," Karen reassures me.

I smile, grateful for her encouragement. "Thanks, Karen. You always know how to boost my confidence."

As I hang up with Karen, my phone buzzes again, and this time it's Sapphire, my other best friend.

"Hey, Ava! I heard you're meeting the infamous Ethan Blackwood today. Exciting!" Sapphire's bubbly voice echoes through the phone.

I chuckle. "Oh, you know how they say he is too, huh?"

"Of course, honey. The man's got a reputation as cold as an iceberg, but you know what they say — don't judge a billionaire by his bank account," she jokes.

I laugh, feeling a little lighter. "Yeah, well, I hope he's not as icy as they say."

"Girl, don't worry about it too much. Just be yourself, and let your talent shine. But on a more important note, have you figured out what to wear?" Sapphire asks.

"I'm leaning towards a navy-blue pantsuit. Karen suggested it, and it does sound like a good choice," I reply.

"Ooh, classy. You'll look like a boss lady in that," Sapphire says with enthusiasm.

"You think so?"

"Absolutely. Trust me, Ava, you'll rock it. And hey, if he gives you any trouble, just unleash your designer wrath on him!"

I laugh. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks, Sapphire."

"No problem. Now go conquer that billionaire!"

After hanging up, I put on the navy-blue pantsuit, taking one last look in the mirror. The outfit does exude confidence and professionalism, and that's precisely the image I want to project. With renewed determination, I grab my bag and head out the door.

***

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders, and march into the opulent lobby of his high-rise building. The place reeks of wealth and power, but I‘m not going to let that intimidate me. Nah-uh.

I've heard tales about Ethan, and "charming" isn't exactly the word that pops into people's minds when they talk about him. But hey, it's a big project, and I can't let his reputation deter me. I just have to keep my cool and show him what I'm made of.

A sharply dressed assistant greets me with a polite smile. "Good morning, Miss Summers. Mr. Blackwood is expecting you. Right this way, please."

She leads me to the penthouse floor before leaving, and I can't help but admire the elegant décor as I make my way to Ethan's office. It's like a five-star hotel in here. Before I get too comfortable ogling the surroundings, I reach his office door. With a deep breath, I knock.

"Come in," a deep voice commands from within.

Here goes nothing. I push open the door and find myself face to face with Ethan Blackwood, seated behind a massive desk that probably costs more than my entire apartment. He glances up briefly before returning his attention to a stack of papers.

"You're Ava, right?" he says, barely looking at me.

My eyes widen as I take in the sight of him. Ethan is a masterpiece, a walking work of art. His dark hair is perfectly styled, and his strong jawline which could probably cut through diamonds, is accentuated by a hint of stubble.

He's impeccably dressed in a tailored suit that clings to his broad shoulders and mouthwatering biceps, exuding an air of power and sophistication. The fabric looks expensive, and I bet it'll feel like heaven under my fingertips.

My thoughts are spiraling into dangerous territory, and I quickly snap myself back to reality.

But it's his eyes that captivate me the most—intense, stormy gray eyes that seem to pierce right through me, revealing a glint of mischief hidden beneath his composed exterior.

I realize I'm staring, and I quickly tear my gaze away, pretending to be interested in the art on the walls.

"That's me," I reply, trying not to let his aloofness and downright sexy features rattle me.

He looks up again, his piercing gray eyes assessing me. "Sit," he says, pointing to a chair in front of his desk.

I take a seat, trying to maintain my composure. "Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I'm really excited about working on this project."

Ethan leans back in his chair, folding his arms. "Interesting. Well, we'll see how long that lasts."

Okay, so maybe I wasn't expecting a warm welcome, but this is borderline ice-cold. I clear my throat. "I've put together some initial designs for the property, and I think you'll like what I have in mind."

He arches an eyebrow. "You think? Confidence is key in this business, Miss Summers. You shouldn't 'think’ — you should know."

I refuse to let him intimidate me. "Of course, I know my work is top-notch. But every project is unique, and I'd love to hear your vision so I can tailor my designs accordingly."

He smirks, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "My vision is simple. I want something extraordinary, something that'll set this property apart from anything else out there. Can you handle that?"

I nod, determination igniting within me. "Absolutely."

"I hope you're worth the money I'm paying you."

Rude much?

I plaster on my most charming smile and shoot back, "Mr. Blackwood, I assure you, my skills are worth every penny and then some. You'll be amazed by what I can do."

He raises an eyebrow, skepticism dancing in his icy gray eyes. "We'll see about that."

Alright, game on.

Ethan's condescending tone and patronizing comments grate on my last nerve. But I hold my ground, refusing to let his attitude shake me. It's like a verbal duel, and I'm determined to win.

As we delve into the project details, I try my best to focus on my designs and not get distracted by his magnetic presence. But every time I glance his way, I catch him studying me intently, and it's hard not to feel like I'm under a microscope.

The more we talk, the more I find myself getting lost in his voice. It's deep and smooth, like melted chocolate, and it sends shivers down my spine. I mentally shake myself—I'm here to discuss business, not swoon over my client.

But then he smirks, and all my professionalism goes out the window. That smirk is dangerous—it's like he knows the effect he has on people and enjoys it.

Damn it, Ava, focus!

"Sir, I believe an open layout for the living area would be ideal," I suggest, presenting my design concept on a tablet.

He scoffs. "Open layout? That's so passé. I want something innovative, something that will blow people's minds."

I suppress an eye roll. "Right, because closed-off spaces are all the rage now, huh? Sir, trust me, an open layout creates a sense of flow and enhances the overall aesthetic of the space."

He looks at me, his expression challenging. "You think you know better than me, the guy who built an empire from nothing?"

Oh, this guy.

"I'm not saying I know better," I reply with a sigh, "but it's always good to consider fresh ideas. Besides, hiring me means you get the best of the best, so why not take advantage of that?”

Ethan seems taken aback by my sass but quickly composes himself. "Fine, I'll think about it.”

Finally, we're getting somewhere.

If it weren't for the money and recognition this would fetch me, believe me you, I would've walked out on his ass the second he started to make harsh remarks.

He's a total and complete asshole with no regard for his employees and I can't wait to be done with this madness.