A WEEK LATER,
So many thoughts ran through Violet's mind as she sat on the sofa, her eyes closed.
It's been a week since she started working in Starlight, and so far so good, she has been doing well.
She tried as much as possible to manage with Adrian's temper throughout the week, and she was able to scale through.
A call interrupted her thoughts.
She checked it and saw the now familiar private number.
"Well done Violet. Just keep doing your work. Your image is safe as long as you comply with my instructions, and you've been doing well so far.
For old time's sake, I won't ask you to do much.
Get close to him, tell me about his moves, and you'll be fine" the caller said and Violet frowned.
"Old time's sake?" she questioned.
"Don't bother about that. I know what I am saying. Don't forget, I'm watching your every move" he said and hung up.
That's the statement he usually makes at the end of each call, "I'm watching your every move" and Violet wonders who he is.
*
BRYTON'S MANSION
"Talk to your son, woman! Talk to him! If he doesn't win that award by next year, he can as well call it quit. Adrian doesn't have two heads, does he? You'd better bring that award home, or else..." Dave Bryton, Xavier's father, said as he stormed out.
Xavier stood in the living room, his expression, blank as he watched his father leave.
Xavier is the C.E.O of Skyler Entertainment World; the second best after Starlight.
The company is so close, yet so far.
Starlight has been winning the best entertainment industry award back to back for six years now; the winning streak all started when Adrian joined the chain.
Xavier, although unlike Adrian, inherited the company from his father six years ago;
He had been trying to win this award and at least stop Starlight from its streak, but it seemed almost impossible as he has been trying that for years and yet; nothing.
His father, angered by that fact, has threatened to take the company away from him if he doesn't set things straight this year.
Layla looked at her son and her lips pressed into a thin line.
She knows how hard Xavier is working, but her husband never seems to understand.
Xavier made to leave, but Layla stopped him.
"Are you planning to leave your mother standing and walk out?" she asked.
Xavier ruffled his hair and walked back, frustrated.
"Mum, you saw him, right? You heard what he said." he said, referring to his father.
"I'm frustrated mum. I really am. Why does dad love to compare me to Adrian every single time? I'm tired of all these, I swear.
I love to do things at my pace, and it's my dream to see the company grow and flourish too, but dad doesn't understand at all." Xavier complained.
Layla smiled and patted his shoulders.
"Don't mind him. Just continue doing your best, okay?" She said, and Xavier nodded.
"Your dad will surely come around. Call me when you get home, alright?" she said.
"Okay mum. Bye" he waved and left.
He drove out of the mansion, a bit calm. His mom words relaxed him a little, but he was still angry.
"I'm coming home, find me a b*tch" he said to someone on the phone and drove home.
That's the difference between Adrian and Xavier.
One is cold, the other is the opposite.
Xavier is known for his playboy character.
While Adrian hates girls attention, Xavier loves it.
He is the second most popular after Adrian. And one thing he loves most is partying. He even has his own clubhouse where celebrities visit.
While some girls love Adrian for his cold character and handsome face, some love Xavier for his party vibes and charm.
*
"I'm happy that you got a new and better paying job, but a selfish part of me wishes we were still working together." Alexa pouted as she and Violet strolled.
"I only see you on weekends like this." she added.
They had become very close. And although Violet was skeptical about their friendship at first, she had studied Alexa, and she has found out that she is someone she can move with.
"Hmm, I think I know a way we can still be seeing each other frequently" Violet suggested and Alexa listened with rapt attention.
"I intend to move out of where I stay. I want to relocate to a better apartment" Violet said.
The money she gets from Starlight has been really helping her.
"Ohh, that's really nice." Alexa said.
"Yeah, and since you told me that you were also in need of a new place to stay, I was thinking we could rent an apartment together." Violet proposed.
"Love it. We'll have to look for an apartment close to your workplace and mine too. Do you have your eye on one already?" Alexa asked.
"Yeah, we can go check it tomorrow. You'll be free, right?"
"Yes, I am not going to work tomorrow." Alexa said and Violet nodded.
"We'll go in the evening. I would ask my boss for permission to leave a bit early. His schedule isn't packed tomorrow. "Violet said.
ADRIAN'S OFFICE
"Good morning sir." Violet greeted as she walked into his office.
"What's my schedule for today" he asked, ignoring her greeting.
"You have a meeting with Mr. Rogers, the Manager of R&B modeling company, by 11 am.
Then, the review of the movie premiere that would be launched next week.
You also have a dinner meeting with the Miss Diana Russell by 5pm, sir." Violet answered, thinking of how she would tell him about leaving earlier than usual.
Adrian nodded his head, a bit glad that his schedule isn't tight today.
The company had been working on a new movie, and he had been really busy throughout the week.
What is left is just the final review, and he would be doing that today.
"Okay. You can leave" he said to Violet.
"Sir, I have a request" Violet said, hoping he agrees to what she has to say.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Sir, I would like to ask for permission to leave work a bit earlier than usual. At least thirty minutes before the closing hour, sir" she said.
She usually closes by 4pm, and before she would get home to freshen up and rest before finally going to Alexa, time would have been far spent.
Adrian stared at her blankly, Violet tried to read his expression. Maybe a hint of approval or disapproval, but she got nothing.
His face was expressionless, she couldn't read him at all.
"Why would I be having a meeting by 5pm and my secretary is asking to leave early?" he finally said and Violet blinked.
His dinner meeting was way past her closing hours. She wasn't expecting him to include that in her schedule.
"Sir, the dinner meeting is quite far from my normal closing time, that's why I didn't make plans for it." she answered.
"And who are you to decide whether it's past your closing hours or not?" he asked, a slight frown appearing on his face.
"I'm sorry sir" Violet answered.
"This man must be crazy" she said inwardly.
"You are coming with me to that dinner" he stated, not caring about her opinion.
"Sir?" Violet asked, unsure whether she had correctly or not.
What time would she retire home if she is still on duty by 5pm?
Her plans with Alexa are definitely ruined by this cold-hearted man.
"Prepare yourself. We would set out when it's time" he answered plainly.
Violet almost scoffed, but she controlled herself and went out angrily.
"Such a spoiler" she hissed.
"What's she angry about?" Mark smiled as he walked towards her.
He was the dude who had taken her to the HR Department on her first day, and they've actually gotten quite close.
"Why won't I be angry when someone just ruined my plans"she muttered and Mark chuckled.
"The earlier you get used to the boss behavior, the better for you" he advised, and she sighed as they both entered the elevator.
RUSSELL'S MANSION
4:30PM
"Mum, I can't wait for him to get here." Diana squealed.
Her mum, Eva, chuckled as she put on her earrings.
She and her husband are on their way out.
"He would be here soon. Just remember it's a business meeting, not a date" Thomas, her dad said as he climbed down the stairs.
Diana rolled her eyes.
"Come on dad. I know it's a business meeting, but I can't just wait to see his handsome face in person." Diana giggled, and her father shook her head, chuckling at his daughter's behaviour.
Diana had only been seeing Adrian in magazines on television, she hasn't had the opportunity to see him physically.
He had been her crush since day one.
She follows every of his social media accounts, even though he hardly posts anything; she is one of his million followers.
"We'll be leaving now. Take care of yourself and make sure Adrian feels comfortable.
Don't let your excitement cloud your thinking. I hope he agrees to the business proposal" Thomas said as he and Eva got up to leave the house.
"Okay dad, bye" she waved and went upstairs to get dressed.
*
Adrian drove his white Porsche car out of the Starlight compound.
Violet was sitting beside him, a light frown on her face.
She had informed Alexa of the change in plans, they had no other option than to reschedule.
"You can get down if you know you would keep frowning like that" Adrian said, driving, his eyes on the road.
"I can really do that?" Violet asked, thinking he had changed his mind about her accompanying him.
"Yes. Get down and submit your resignation later first thing tomorrow morning" he answered, still not sparing her a glance.
"Sir?" Violet asked, shocked. The glint of hope in her fading away.
"I'm sorry sir" she apologized. The last thing she wanted now is losing this job.
She still has a goal to achieve.
The rest of the trip was silent as Adrian drove on.
*
He drove into the compound at exactly 5pm. He alighted and Violet followed suit.
Diana came out of the house immediately she heard of their arrival, wearing a revealing black mini gown that accentuated her curves.
Violet raised an eyebrow when she saw her, it's very glaring that she dressed this way because of Adrian.
Diana walked to them, with a flirtatious smile, swaying her hips.
"Welcome Mr. Adrian, so delighted to see you." she said, when she got to where he was, extending her hand out.
"Let's go in, shall we?" Adrian said curtly, ignoring her outstretched hand and Violet struggled to contain her amusement as she observed Diana's dumbfounded reaction.