Pheonix Lou had been in a tub full of milk and rose petals. Her mind went blank, she still couldn't figure it out why she was treated like a princess.
'Are you done, Miss Lou?'
A soft towel wrapped around her, Pheonix Lou came out from the bathroom, she stared at the maid, hoping she would get an explanation.
The maid just beamed mysteriously, saying nothing. She helped Pheonix Lou dressing up and styled her hair in an updo.
Pheonix Lou looked at her reflection on the mirror. She admitted the maid did an outstanding job. She was casually dressed but it greatly boosted her appearance.
'Master had been waiting in the garden.' The maid informed her before left the room.
He was so grumpy earlier. What was his plan? Did he plan to sold her? Pheonix Lou sighed.
She walked to the garden and startled at what she saw. The garden was beautifully lit up with lights as the sky has turned to pitch black, a table of two was placed in the middle, completed with delicious food. She could see the cake she bought was also there, decorated with ice and ribbons. It was more much more casual than a candlelight dinner, but still very lovely.
The familiar towering figure stood in front of her. He was in the same suit she saw earlier, yet he had removed his tie and let his top two button left unbuttoned, creating a more laid back image.
'This is much better to look at.' Desmond Claude used a flat tone. 'So, how are you going to pay me up?'
All the amazing vibes Pheonix Lou had just experienced seemed to disappear in the blink of an eye. 'I don't have any money!'
Desmond Claude closed in, bended his back a little to reach the same height as her with his hands inside his pockets, placing his lips just a few inch from her right ear.
Pretending to remain calm, Pheonix Lou's heart thumped crazily everytime he did this. She could feel his warm breath tickled her bare skin and his fresh fragrance.
On the other hand, the Desmond Claude really didn't know what had got into him that he was still grumpy for her absence, but he was delightful at the same time that now he had her presence. Being close to her, was inexplicably comfortable.
Did how he feel had something to do with her similarity to Margareth?
He whispered on her ear, 'You can pay with something else, girlfriend...'
He took time to enjoy her sweet scent mixed with the rose fragrance and the sight of her visibly smoother slender neck. Unconsciously, his adam's apple bobbed.
Pheonix Lou's face turning red hearing his deep voice.
'What do you mean?'
Desmond Claude took a step backward, strengthen his back. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to control himself.
'I give you 10 seconds to think about it!' Desmond Claude smirked.
As Desmond started to count, Pheonix Lou was at a loss what to do.
Panic, she racked her brain hurriedly. What would most girlfriends do to put off the fire in her boyfriend's heart?
Something flashed in her mind, but she didn't have any idea whether it was going to work or not. She just got to try.
'8...9...' Desmond had almost done counting.
'I will pay you up!' Pheonix Lou stopped him.
Desmond Claude was looking forward to what she was going to do.
The girl walked to him with determination in her eyes, her cheek slightly blushed.
'You can do it, Pheonix Lou! It was nothing!' Pheonix Lou motivated herself in her mind, mustered up her courage.
Before Desmond Claude could react, his shirt was pulled hard that he got his face in the same height as her, then she directly pressed her soft lips on his cheek lightly as the phone on her hand snapped a selfie. She let go of him.
Desmond Claude was dumbstrucked by her fast action. His eyes froze.
Pheonix Lou convinced herself that it was just like kiss a mannequin in Madame Tussaud, nothing much!
Her face blushed, yet she firmly said, 'That's my payment, full with the interest!'
Desmond was silent for a second, then laughed, showing his pearly white teeth.
He had underestimated this girl! Never in his life, a girl had the gut to do what she did. He should acknowledge her mischievous action made him happy, although it was childish.
Pheonix Lou furrowed her eyebrows, she was confused. Why was he laughing?
"Good! I should appreciate your little bravery. Alright, I'll accept it.' Desmond Claude spoke while folding his arms in front of his broad chest.
She didn't believe it was actually working.
'I've sent you the photo, it should boost your image. You can ask Assistant Tyson to publicize it if you want, I don't care!'
Desmond Claude checked his phone. 'Hmm... not bad!'
Pheonix Lou walked to the table. 'What's this all about?'
Desmond Claude followed her steps leisurely. 'It's not fun to celebrate by yourself and I have nothing to do, so, I'll accompany you.'
He prepared all of this and even asked the maid to dolled her up just to celebrate her newly found job?
She wasn't anticipated he knew that she had no one to celebrate with. They were just a pretend couple, ex-boss and ex-secretary, but for him to show his care by celebrating with her was meaningful.
After all, he was currently the closest person to her, who knew her disguise.
She smiled brightly. A little dimple could be seen on her cheek, if one watched it carefully. 'Thank you, Desmond!'
The man noticed her rarely seen dimple on her beautiful face. That was probably one of the differences between Margareth and her.
The man showed a faint of proud smile.
Both of them drowned in their friendly talks as they ate and drank.
'Let's have another toast!' Pheonix proposed.
Desmond Claude raised his glass to her and drank it up.
The night wind was getting colder. Glass after glass were emptied out. Desmond Claude, who had far better alcohol tolerance, was unaffected. However, Pheonix Lou was terribly drunk and fell asleep on the table.
Desmond Claude draped his blazer on her as he looked at her red sleeping face for a while. Her palm sized face was undoubtedly like a goddess. He couldn't stop himself to caress her cheek, his fingers could feel her soft supple skin.
His heartbeat thumped a little faster than usual, he had an urge to kiss her, but he held himself. Instead, he grabbed his phone and took a photo of her.
Gently, Desmond Claude carried Pheonix Lou in his arm like a princess. The girl slept very tightly that she didn't feel anything.
The man had wanted to send her home previously, but he worried she would be awake due to too many disturbances while moving her around. As a result, he laid her in the bedroom she used to stay in his house.
He covered her with the blanket, not troubling himself to change her clothes, for his self control had weakened than it had used to be.
He left her room.
In his own bedroom, Desmond Claude sat on the bedroom bench. Once again, he checked on his phone.
The sleeping face of Pheonix Lou was on the screen. His eyes were focus on the screen.
After a while, he swiped to another photo, the one Pheonix Lou sent. In the photo, she kissed him on his cheek. The man curled up his lips in satisfaction.
By some weeks, he hadn't forgot about Margareth, but Pheonix Lou overlapped it a little by little. It was hard for him to tell what was in his heart.
He assured himself that it was nothing special, only a temporary girlfriend who looked like the girl he had liked before, who happened to be around him and she was entertaining.
He went to bathroom to have a shower, put on a bathrobe, turned off the light, and closed his eyes.
The night turned to morning.
Pheonix Lou slowly opened her eyes. Her head was somewhat dizzy. As she noticed the spacious room, she jolted to her feet. She darted her eyes to her body.
She was relieved that she was still in her yesterday's dress, yet she wondered how she ended up in the bedroom.
She did drink a lot last night, she recalled her eyes were heavy on her last drink, but after that, she couldn't remember.
Checking the time on her phone, as if a bucket of water was splased on her, she dashed into the bathroom, not thinking about anything else, except getting ready. She would be late on her first day if she wasn't hurry up.
In a few minutes, she had already had the man's clothing on her, she was running her way when she bumped into something.
'Ouch!' Pheonix Lou touched her nose as a little tears wet her bright eyes. 'That hurts!'
As a matter of fact, she bumped into Desmond Claude. The man saw her pathetic face. He was always cold but, she sensed he was not as cold as before.
'I'm sorry... I was in a hurry.' She quickly apologized.
Desmond Claude's face was impassive.
'I'll take you to 101 studio.' He spoke calmly.
'Eh, but...'
His overbearing tone left her no space to argue. 'You want to be late? If not, do as I say!'
He walked in a quick step to the car, so did Pheonix Lou with her hand still on her nose.
As the car moving, A small paper package was put on her lap. She looked to the package then to the person next to her who was sitting elegantly.
'That's your breakfast!' He said.
Her? How about his? Had he had his breakfast?
The pheonix eyed girl was thrilled with his gentle care towards her. Her heart beated in fast pace.
'Have you had your breakfast?' She asked.
He nodded but still not looking at her.
'I troubled you, I'm sorry.' She felt guilty that her ex-boss had done all the things for her.
Desmond Claude averted his gaze at her, a faint of smile appeared on his handsome face.
'I won't mind if you can please me from now on.'
She twitched her mouth. This guy was really pushing his luck!
Pheonix Lou regretted her guilty feelings. It turned out, little things he did was to reap a bigger benefit. She was only a contract made girlfriend, indeed. She should have learnt!
Avoiding unnecessary attention, Pheonix Lou asked to get off the car in a deserted road not too far from the place where she worked. The chauffeur did as he was told by the time the car reached the particular road.
Pheonix Lou went to the 101 Studio by foot, she arrived at the office 5 minutes before her working time. She greeted her colleagues and superiors.
She was still a newbie, so there were many things she really needed to adjust here and there. Fortunately, she was a fast learner and diligent that she did pretty well on her first day.
Her direct superior was called Sean Morris, one of the junior interior designer. He was a kind stylish young man, who were obsessed with design and loved to play games in his free time. They were almost the same age, thus, they got along well.
She also met a colleague who wanted to be friends with her so badly, named Jerry Cox, 27 years old, a drafter. He was extremely friendly and a bookworm type, yet the others didn't seem to befriend with him.
Most of the girls were nice to her. Some was around her age, the others were older. They worked in harmony.
5 pm.
Pheonix Lou had no overtime regarding the tasks, she was handling, were still a few. When she was tidying up her desk, Ms. Kylie Jones, the manager invited everyone to karaoke, in order to welcome Pheonix Lou as their new colleague. Everyone was excitedly eager to come.
To be frank, she didn't want to come along, she had drank so much last night, but it was impossible to turn them down to appreciate how they warmly welcome her.
Some time later, they entered the karaoke room. Food and drinks were ordered for them. They joked around and talked to one another, while some of them started singing some songs.
A male colleague, put his hand around her shoulders. He asked curiously, 'Lou, who do you think is the prettiest in our studio?'
Pheonix Lou laughed as she hesitated to answer. 'Why do you asked?'