Chapter 13

Chapter 13

ALEXANDER STONE

"I want an espresso and two extra pumps of vanilla syrup," I say to Diana before making my way to my office. "Talk to me Pharell"

"Nothing much. But, I was able to find someone on Instagram wearing the same dress. I've contacted her and waiting for a response. If she bought it, we'd know the designer. It's a long haul but I'm certain we'll find her."

Shit! How do I get it through his head that I don't have the luxury of a long haul? I need to speak to that woman over forty-eight hours ago.

After the call, I shoot Sophia another phone call and it's the same. Straight to voice mail. She was the least of my problems but, I still needed to put her in check. I don't want to hurt her or jeopardize whatever memory is left of our friendship, but she is putting me on thin ice.

My company requires a dire countermeasure to drown all the bad press. I'm a selfish bastard who's thinking twice before stealing someone's idea. Who would have thought that I would ever mix business with pleasure? I spotted a huge potential in the mystery lady and still, I decided to let my cock do the thinking. Who the hell is this woman that's made me break most of my rules?

This is why I shouldn't do things like this. They always come back to bite me in the ass. One-night stands at social events are not for me, and I knew that, and I did it anyway, and look where it’s gotten me. I should have just settled with the one "Her for the Night" sent me.

Opening the door, I stepped into my quiet office, the late morning sun was seeping through a tiny line between the curtains.

If there's one thing I'm proud of, it's the fact my office is on the last floor- away from all the drama outside.

I understood the dots Pharrel was trying to connect but, I didn't want to make any leap to any conclusion. The whole situation has by far been too complicated to think it will get resolved that easily.

At 9:05, my calendar chirped to remind me of the meeting starting in ten minutes. If there's one thing I applaud Diana for, it's her efficiency. She's hands down one of the best Assistants I've had. Yes, I give praises.

Speaking of the angel, Diana walks in with my cup of coffee in hand.

"Here you go sir" Her voice was shaky.

She smoothens out her dress and I shoot her a stare to know why she's still standing.

"Got something to say, Ms. Thorton?"

She shoots me a fake smile with a 'nothing' that almost sounds like a whisper.

"Oh, prepare the meeting room with the PDDs"

She took fast strides out of the office and my phone chimed. It's a text message from Pharrell.

I've got a first lead. The lady from Instagram just replied. No, she did not buy it. It's from a rental store. I'm on code blue to the location.

Now that I think about it, the lady did exhibit gate-crasher behavior. And if she's gate crashing, that means she wasn't invited and if she wasn't invited, she didn't have the means to purchase the pricey ticket for optional entry in the case of no formal invitation.

Why is he telling me these trivial things- Oh wait, I did tell him to keep me up to date with every detail which is inclusive of trivial.

I gather all the files and head to the conference room.

**************

DIANA THORTON

I hate him. God I hate him. If I ever had a tiny room of soft spot for him, it's dead now. Completely gone. It took every bone in my body to stop me from smacking his face right across the table. I had to remind myself over and over that I needed the job.

I stack up the table with bottled water, and sweets before setting up the projector. In a twinkle of an eye, all the PDs stormed into the room. My bet is they're trying to get there before Mr. Stick up his butt. Poor souls! Their facial expression gave me all I needed to know. I know working for La' Belle is a huge deal and I know I was super confident about being a valuable addition if given the opportunity but now, at this fleeting moment, I am not so sure I can work in such an environment.

I'm about to head out when Alex walks in through the double doors.

"You're staying Ms Thorton," He said.

That's new. My presence has never been needed at these sorts of things. I was simply the "I want coffee, get my laundry, pick up a gift, and the ridiculous likes"

We have a freaking break room and yet he desires his coffee from a cafe 15 minutes down. He doesn't like reheating so I have to high-tail it back to the office while maintaining the exact temperature he wants.

Can't the freaking laundry company deliver his stupid laundry, why do I have to do that too?

And gift shopping for his numerous arm candies? They don't even last for more than a day. Why not just get naked and tell me to bathe you with a pacifier in your mouth since you are such a baby?

I cross my legs as I watch him begin. The room is tense and somehow, my body can feel it because I'm having goosebumps.

"We are going to try something new this time" He continued "A beauty campaign for older people. People who are not IG influencers, content creators but full-time housewives taking care of the household, or too busy working round the clock to even have time for a proper beauty routine."

My eyes shoot wide open. That's my idea. What the actual fuck?

"So first, I need the team to come up with a beauty kit, not necessarily flamboyant because remember, this age group of women have a lot on their plate already and skincare should be enjoyable not another chore. A fragrance-free moisturizing shower gel, or soap with all the needed ingredients to restore old skin and make it firm. With compatible Body lotion, face moisturizer, and sunscreen. These are the four product brands we are starting with."

Who am I kidding? If men like Tracy Morgan and George Lopez can leave their wives after getting their kidneys, how much more Alexander Stone?

Bastards are made, not born.

Some confidence he's got- taking credit for what is not his. That must be how he got to the top. Part of me wanted to tell "thief" but I remind myself that I've got more to lose should that happen. I can't give in to my anger. Besides, he can copy the idea but he can never copy the owner.

"Well, what do you expect from a self-absorbed person?" Caroline says as she pours herself a glass of juice while I lean against the countertop.

"Honestly, I underestimated his shallowness."

"I can't wait to take a break from these walls. I don't want my baby to get the wrong energy. It can hear and possibly see everything now."

"True, you're due in less than a week!" I continued after the reality of her absence hit me again. "I am happy for you but again, I'll miss you badly. I'll be all alone in this hell hole"

She'll be going on maternity leave in two days and truth be told, I don't know how I'm going to go about handling the situation.

"There's Celeste" She takes another sip from her glass.

"We are not that close and you know it. Celeste is the queen in her world and I'm just a misfit."

"And Gabriel?"

Ok, I did not expect that.

"Gabriel?"

"Yes, Gabriel. Listen, I know success is important but so is your love life. Don't be too busy chasing what's not for what should have been and I'm not saying your dreams aren't valid. In a nutshell, can't you have both? A man who genuinely loves you and your passion- trust me they will compliment each other."

"We broke up, Caroline"

"No, you gave each other space. That's different"

"We gave each other space and I went ahead to sleep with my boss, yuppie! And the award to the most stupid girl is me"

Here we go again, the sniffles, indicating the start of tears. I look around and mentally beg the stupid tears to abort the mission.

" That's why we are humans. We're not perfect. Now I don't want to force you to go back to Gabriel if you don't feel anything for him anymore but from the look of things, you still do. Don't let a tiny mistake be an obstacle to your true happiness. Close that guilt chapter with Alexander and talk it out with Gabriel."

Caroline is wrong this time. I do care about Gabriel but still love him? I am not so sure.

These few weeks apart have been an essential eye-opener.

Another way to look at it is that even if we don't end up together, I would still love for us to remain friends.

"It's been weeks Caroline. I doubt he'd want to hear from him." I heave a deep sigh

"Well at least try to visit him."

I heave another sigh and stare intently at her.

"You're right. Thoughts of him creep into my space and it'll just be nice if we talk things out and maintain whatever is left of our friendship."

"Not exactly what I want to hear but it'll do- at least for now." Caroline downs the remaining content in her glass in one gulp. "So when?"

"Are you some sort of cheerleader for Gabriel?" I choke on a laugh.

"He's decent and has got me wrapped."

I take a moment to think of the perfect time to visit him. "Maybe this weekend?"

"No, Diana. Maybe tonight. You said it looks like you're getting off work early today"

Yeah, because the big bad wolf stole my idea, and that checkmates the to-do list for the day.

"Fine" I drag "I'll visit him tonight. Do you think I should call him or surprisingly show up?"

***************

I took Caroline's advice to show up surprisingly at Gabriel's place. I know his schedule to the tooth and am beyond certain that I'll find him at home tonight.

I take little paces in front of Gabriel's apartment, unsure of the things to say when he opens the door. No amount of practice can prepare me for this moment. My palms are sweaty and my breathing hitched.

When I finally feel like I've summoned courage, I tap the doorbell gently. Second guesses are too late now. Bell's been rung and he'll be out here in a few seconds.

I pushed up my glasses and tapped my feet on the concrete floor to ease the tension off my mind but that did nothing.

It's when I've waited for about a few minutes and it's starting to drizzle that I realize that it's taking longer than usual for Gabriel to be at the door.

Or maybe he's not home? Maybe his routine has changed during the time apart and he goes somewhere now on Friday nights.

I turned around to lock the door one last time when it swung open by itself.

I say 'Hey Gabriel' but I stop mid-sentence when the person I see isn't Gabriel.

It's a woman.

A beautiful redhead.

"Hi," she smiled widely.

I'm shocked but I'm careful not to let it show.

"Is Gabriel in?"

"Yes, he's in the bathroom. You want to come in?" She offered

"Hey babe, who's there?" Gabriel intervenes before I can respond.

Babe?

His eyes shoot wide at me.

"Diana?" He comes out fully in the open "I'll take it from here babe"

Babe again? I watched as the lady went back in.

"Babe? I see you've moved on" Why the hell do I feel like a high school girl whose crush rejected her?

"You didn't give me much of a choice, Diana. I asked you to pick and instead, you went awol on me. Your silence gave me the answer and I figured, I should get a headstart."

I'm not hurt. Just surprised. I know that I am not in the best of position to cast judgment but really, whatever rocks his boat. I didn't come here to get back together in the first place.

"It's fine, really. I'm happy for you. You deserved to be loved by the right person and I couldn't be happier. I only came here to check up on you and see if there's a way we can salvage what's left between us and by that I mean friendship"

I bet I sound unconvincingly stupid.

"Friends..." That must have shocked him because his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Yes..."

Awkward.

"Well, I am glad you're doing okay. I should go now."

"You don't want to come in? It looks like it's going to rain soon"

I would rather get drenched in the rain than be in the same space with my ex and his girlfriend.

Nope...I will pass respectfully.

"It's fine... I can beat it...and uhm take care" I shoot him a grin before walking away in confident strides.

I feel like a bride left at the altar except I don't feel bad about it.