A few months ago...
(SKYLAR)
"JORDAN PARKER?" Maddy's eyes went wide, "Damn that guy is so freaking HOT! Imma melt." She fluttered her hands around her face, fanning herself.
"Yeah, yeah. Calm down fan-girl." I said as I took out a blanket from the cupboard.
"Dude, are you going to stay with him? Are you guys going to be in the SAME FREAKING HOUSE!?" She jumped with excitement, "No, wait, house? What house? The man's a got a freaking MANSION. Damn!" She plopped onto the red bean bag by my bed.
"Maddy, you have to calm down. It's just a matter of one month," I estimated the amount of time I would need to get to know him. Well, at least enough to write half a magazine on him. "So about four-five weeks, love. And NO. We are NOT staying together. I will come back every day after my job is done. Okay?"
"Mmm-Hmm," she muttered, lost in a fantasy world.
Jordan Parker is the youngest business tycoon of America and after being chased around for almost two years, he had finally given the Spectator— the most successful running business magazine in the country— an opportunity to ink his life.
The Executive Editor of the Spectator was Jeremy Peterson who was also Maddy's boyfriend and being my best friend of 15 years, and now my housemate; Maddy had recommended me for the job.
Why?
Well, because I had been jobless for quite a while now.
As a freelance writer, I did well for myself on most days, writing blogs and magazine columns, but my current status was JOBLESS. It had been a few months since I had been searching for the right work to strike.
This opportunity to work with Spectator was a blessing for me.
Although I had little to no interest in the great Jordan Parker, courtesy of his reputation as a lothario, the opportunity was too hard to pass.
Jordan Parker owned one of the world's largest export company. His father, Micheal Parker, was a businessman of his own making but Jordan Parker had decided to build his empire from scratch which is why he was in so demand.
For the longest time, he refused from giving any interviews. There was only second-hand information about him surfing around the media but finally, he gave a shot to The Spectator.
I knew the responsibility I had taken over my shoulders. No matter what happened, I had to stay focused and committed.
"Just imagine, Sky. What if this turns out to be like a Fifty Shades scenario? What if Jordan Parker is Christian Grey?" Maddy jumped up from the bean bag and marched towards me. "You and him. Oh my, God." Her hand flew over to her open mouth.
"Madison!" I looked at her. "Shut up," I scowled and walked over to my bed and threw the sheets on it. "I am going there for work," I turned around. "Whatever time I have left here I want to do what I love the most, write. Moreover, if I could serve Jeremy by this, then I would not hesitate even once."
Jeremy had been there for me at every step. And Maddy, too. They helped me settle in Manhattan when I had moved here from California. He had been there in all my ups and downs along with Madison. I knew what this interview with Jordan Parker meant to Jeremy and his company. He had trusted me with this task and I did not want to disappoint him at all.
He was still going to write me a hefty check, but I couldn't mess this up.
"Ya-ya, okay." She rolled her eyes and excitedly grabbed me by my arms. "But, you have to promise me if something happens, you're calling me then and there! I don't care if you're in the middle of having sex. Call me. Immediately!"
I shrugged her hands off, "Madison!" I exclaimed, "I'm going there to WORK and nothing else." I sat down on my bed.
"Sky, he is freaking hot and from what I've heard, he's got the charms, too." She sat next to me.
"Yeah. I know all about his 'charms'," I rolled my eyes.
Maddy shrugged nonchalantly, "He's got passion in his pants and he ain't afraid to show it."
I laughed out loud.
"He's sexy and he knows it," she continued as she broke into song.
"Stop it." I pushed her lightly. "Jordan Parker is a certified philanderer. Haven't you read enough about his nightly routines? His reputation precedes him."
"That's all but speculations!" She gave an airy wave, "No one knows what the truth for sure. That is why you're going there."
"I am going there to cover the business aspect of his life. Not find out the gory details of what goes on in his bedroom." I emphasized.
Maddy got up from my bed. "If he tries to feel you up, fist-bump him on his nose," She said with a serious look on her face. But the very next second her lips broke into a grin, "Unless... you enjoy it," She winked.
Grabbing a pillow from my bed I aimed it at her, "Get out of here!" I hissed as she swiftly caught it between her hands.
Giggling like a school-girl, Maddy walked out of the room, "Night, Sky." She laughed.
~~ THE NEXT MORNING ~~
"Take care, have fun, live a little," said Maddy as she hugged me a tight goodbye.
"I'll be back in the evening," I reminded her as I returned her embrace.
"Do make out with him just once, just once if you get the chance," she whispered into my ear.
I broke the hug. "You're incorrigible."
She shrugged and a sly grin formed over her lips.
"Bye," I turned back, walked down the stairs and then outside the building Jeremy, who was waiting for me inside his car.
Maddy was right behind me.
"Eat your lunch on time! Do not wander off into the unknown," she called out mockingly.
"Yes, mother." I nodded as I walked towards the car.
"Bye, kiddo!" she shouted. I turned around and gave her the finger, to which she laughed.
I slid into Jeremy's car and buckled the seat belt.
"You ready, Sky?" He turned to me.
I took a deep breath in and started straight ahead, "Yep. I am ready."
*****
"Damn, that's huge," I said. My head fell back as I ran my eyes to the top of the building I was standing in front of.
"That's what she said." Jeremy stood next to me.
I rolled my eyes and looked at him. "You too? I think Maddy and her pathetic jokes are enough for me."
Jeremy laughed. "Just trying to ease you into this."
"I'm not looking nervous... Am I?" I questioned.
I wasn't feeling nervous. Just a bit giddy. I knew this was a strictly professional matter and personal biases were to be kept aside. Jordan Parker was a pretty big deal in the export industry but aside from that, he had quite a reputation. The thought of being in a room with someone like that made me a little queasy.
"This is a big deal, Skylar. If I didn't trust you to get this work done with perfection, I wouldn't have put you on the task," he reassured me.
I smiled at him warmly.
"Shall we?" He gestured moving forward.
"Yep," I inhaled. "Let's go."
Upon entering the office premises Jeremy asked me to sit in the waiting area while he talked to the receptionist.
I sat myself down onto the cool steel chair and ran my eyes around the interior of the office.
The entire building had huge glass window panes and glass doors, the light from the outside shone brightly across the glass.
The rumor was that Jordan Parker designed his office all by himself. He was a man of many talents and he had overseen the construction of his office from scratch. The interiors, the structure, it was all his artistry.
If the rumor were, in fact, true then I would have to admit, it was very impressive.
"Come on, let's go," I had not noticed when Jeremy returned. He gestured for me to follow him as he walked towards the inside of the building.
We walked into an elevator and Jeremy pressed the button for the 20th floor.
"Damn, that's high," I blurted.
Soon the door of the elevator opened to the 20th floor of the Empire building and we stepped out from it.
"Wow," the word escaped my mouth.
Was it an office or a seven-star hotel? I had interviewed a lot many businessmen and but none had an office as Jordan did.
"Yeah. He's known to be pretty particular about stuff. Everything perfect is his style," said Jeremy on watching me ogle at the walls.
"Mr. Peterson! You made it here." A twenty-something looking guy walked towards Jeremy with a wide welcoming smile on his face.
Upon reaching where we stood, the man extended his hand for Jeremy to shake.
"Alec, so nice to see you," Jeremy smiled back.
"So, is this the writer?" he asked joining his hands together.
"Hi, I'm Skylar Rose," I said.
"Alexander Brody," he smiled. "Jordan's best friend and then his manager. You can call me Alec," he extended his hand and I shook it.
Alec turned towards Jeremy. "I hope you've sent us your mightiest pen wielder."
"Skylar is the best in every possible way. She won't disappoint you," Jeremy said.
Alec chuckled. "Ah. It's not me she should be worried about."
"She's going to handle it just fine," Jeremy said and I felt a wave of doubt wash over me.
As much as I wanted to work, I wasn't too sure about interviewing Jordan Parker. I had interviewed many business tycoons before but no one as young as Jordan. He was almost of my age and he had a reputation to uphold.
Some people might not find that bothersome but I did.
But a girl's gotta eat.
"Let's go then Ms. Writer," Alec gestured me to walk with him.
"Won't you..." I turned to Jeremy.
"No I won't," he said, "I trust that you won't disappoint me," he rested his hand on my shoulder lightly pressing it down. "All the best," he smiled.
"I'll try my best, Jer," I returned his smile as I looked into his green eyes.
"Come on, Ms. Rose before the boss-man changes his mind and cancels this arrangement before it even begins," Alec beckoned.
"Yeah. Okay," I looked at Jeremy's retreating figure before turning around. I tightened my grip on the laptop bag hanging from my hand. "Let's do this, Skylar," I mumbled to myself.