1 YEAR.
12 months had past since I buried Cal and everything was like it never happened. Its crazy how people are a part of your life until they die, then its like they never was. Apart from the random appearances she made in my heart, I didn't sit over shots of tequilla to wallow over her death and Sally never mentioned anything about her to me. Her house was sold, same with the gallery. I kept the car and the money.
She was my sister.
This year's fall show was set to be unique and so I had been working my ass out at my boss's command to make sure everything was set in order.
"Do you know how many people we set on inviting?"
"No madam." I replied already dreading her mood today.
"Good, sit your ass up cause we have a million invites... Now get out and do your job"
That order was enough to push me from her presence. Why did I have to be her personal assistant??
"Alice, tally the names of all invites and get them to me, I need it at the end of the day." I yelled to the secretary who nodded in acknowledgement.
"Alexa, you have a meeting by 11 am, that's an hour from now." An intern informed me.
"Thanks James, I'll..."
"Alexa!!" my boss interrupted and once again, I scurried into her office.
"Cancel the meeting by 11, you and Sally need to get a good cover for the magazine, I'm sending you to an art house, they have cool stuff."
"Sure." I replied restraining myself from rolling my eyes.
"Get out" she barked and once again, I fled her office.
"Alice, tell James to reschedule the meeting to tomorrow. I still need the list I told you and get me Sally."
I groaned in frustration when I finally met the comfort of my office seat. If it wasn't for the coffee I took, I would pass out by now.
"Alex?"
"Sally, we have an assignment, common, Nora sent us to this art gallery." I shoved a paper containing an adress to her chest and she looked at it.
"This is like 2 hours drive." She complained.
"2 hours away from Nora, totally worth it."
We giggled like kids and only stopped when the door flew open to reveal an angry boss.
"What are you still doing here? Get the hell out!!!" she screamed and like we always did, we fled.
"Totally worth it." I whispered to Sally.
****
The gallery was a big one with thousand of art displayed on the well painted wall.
Sally had long left my side immediately we stepped into the gallery and I knew she didn't want to be there when I start comparing this gallery to Cal's own.
"That totally describes you." A voice said beside me and I turned on instinct.
He stood there, his hands in his pocket, not even looking at me and for a second I felt he wasn't talking to me. I turned awkwardly at the embarrassment and continued looking at the picture.
It was a simple painting, with conflicting colours splashed accross each other and ended up looking beautiful. He was right, it totally described me.
"You should get it." He said again, this time looking at me. I raised my head slowly to meet a pair of ocean blue eyes almost covered with thick lashes. I had to blink a couple times to stop staring.
"I'm Louis." He offered a hand for a shake.
"Do you run this gallery?" I asked totally ignoring his gestures.
"Would you tell me your name if I did?"
I furrowed my brows at the man who was practically flirting with a girl he just met.
"I need a good cover for our fall show this winter." I replied, ignoring him again.
"Follow me."
I should've been mad that he was ordering me, apart from my boss, no one orders me but instead I found myself following Louis to a different section of the gallery where sure enough even more beautiful art were displayed.
I called Sally who later joined us in selecting a couple pictures we thought was good enough for the show, taking a few pictures and sending them to Nora who either replied with a "Be smart, that's dumb" or "Get that one." Even in her texts, she was bossy.
"Thanks for helping me Luke."
"It's Louis, but close enough."
I gave him a smirk and turned to go when he called over my shoulder.
"I didn't get your name..."
"I never told you. Luke." I heard hom groan and I stiffled a laugh, not believing that I was equally flirting with him.
**
"He totally likes you" Sally started immediately we left the gallery and I rolled my eyes.
"Common Alex, when was the last time you got laid?" I widened my eyes at her bluntness but chosed to not give her the satisfaction that her words got to me.
"I know he has a D that can satisfy you." My useless room mate and collegue kept talking nonsence.
Lukily, we arrived at the fashion house and she kept shut.
"Think about it." she whispered, heading to her office.
"Alexa, get to my office now."
Of course, the 5 hours away from work made me forget I had an annoying boss.
***
I woke up to an insane Sally jumping on my bed.
"Wake up sleepy head, it's Friday, the fall show, common."
"Go away." I grumbled snuggling further into my pillow.
"You've got 3 missed calls from Nora, trust me, you're getting fired."
That was it. I jumped off the bed and sprinted to the bathroom, jumping into the steaming water that Sally had prepared for me.
I rushed over my bath and appeared back to the room in less than 5 minutes. Luckilly, Sally had picked my outfit too.
I gave her a wide smile of appreciation as I stepped into the black skinny jeans and blue sleeves which made my pake skin stand out. I decided to let my hair dry naturally, applying mascara and a pink lip gloss.
"What's for breakfast?" If Nora actually called me, I needed enough food to stand her.
"Bacons, egg and toast." Sally replied cheerfully. She always seem to have everything under control.the pink sleeves and dark pants she wore, made her look more matured than she was.
After rushing over breakfast, Sally and I left the house gossipping about the latest fashion trends.
"What the hell Alexa, go get the models ready"
"Are you even competent?"
"I see youre tired of your job."
"Get out Alexa."
My head was already throbbing with the rude orders from Nora and if she wasnt my boss, I'd shove a stick down her throat.
I walked aimlessly, inspecting the models.
"Stand straight."
"You look like you're gonna pass out."
"Smile, that face looks dead."
Okay maybe I was taking my anger on the models but the power was fun.
By the time the show was set to start, my legs were already wobbling from the heels I stole from the office cupboard and I was sweating due to the excess coffee I had but what was even more worse than that was when he walked in, with legs that could kill and eyes you just want to drown yourself in. He had a silk jacket I was sure wasn't out till next season and his wrist reflected the lights that shone on the diamond he was probably wearing. My smiles faltered immediately I noticed another hand against his and a pretty blonde walked in with him, head high and face which was totally artificial. Her hair was perfectly curled and I could swear she had diamond on her teeth.
"She's pretty." Someone gushed beside me and I turned to meet Sally dooling over her.
I immediately felt a pang of jealousy in me. "And to think he flirted with me." I whispered.
Now I wished I had given him my time of the day, he'll probably not even wanna talk to me, he obviously had seen better women.
I watched in horror as his eyes flickered to my direction. It was as if he felt I was staring, and then our eyes locked. His was of surprise and mine was of embarrassment. For once, I wished Sally made me wear a long evening gown.
"He's staring at you" Sally whisper-shouted the obvious and I did the first thing that registered on my mind.
I ran.