"Elevator fixed" the automated voice said again and the ride continued.
Violet's heart was beating rapidly, her head was down as she tried to process what just happened.
Immediately the elevator got to her destination, she quickly rushed out.
"OMG!" she put her hands to her chest, feeling it pounding.
"You saw a ghost?" Mark said, behind her.
"Why do you love scaring me"
"No, I didn't scare you. You were the one walking hastily, breathing fast like you saw a ghost and I followed you here.
"I didn't see a ghost, okay?" she said, going to her office and shutting the door before he could reply.
"What the hell just happened?" she muttered, touching her lips.
"Why did I enter that elevator with him.
I should have just taken another one" she said to herself.
"His lips and mine touched
Ohh Violet" she muttered.
"I'm never coming out of this office again.
I can't face him.
I'm going to stay here-
She was till talking, when she got interrupted by a call.
She checked and saw that the call was from Adrian's office.
"What!
He's calling...why?" she hesitated before picking up the phone.
"Are you forgetting something?" his baritone voice, came from the phone.
Violet gasped.
Right...his schedule for the day.
"So sorry sir. I'm on my way" she managed to say.
"How do I face him?
Should I just wear a mask?
What am I even saying?" she groaned.
Packing the files she needs, she heaved a sigh.
"You can do this, Violet." she said to herself and she stepped out of her office.
"Good morning, sir" she greeted, her eyes not meeting his.
"The schedule?"
"This is it sir." She said, her eyes unnecessarily focused on the iPad.
"Why is he acting so indifferent? Was it only me that felt our lips touching? Was i daydreaming?" she asked so many questions in her head.
"Okay. I have some works you'll do for me." he said, handing her a file.
"Proofread them." he said and she nodded her head.
"Once that's done, have them duplicated" he said.
"Yes sir" she answered and made to leave, still not meeting his gaze.
"Where are you going?"
"To my office sir. Do you still have more work for me, sir?" she asked.
"Work there" he said, pointing to a separate chair and desk in his office.
"But-"
"For some reasons unknown to me, I noticed you've been avoiding my gaze" he said and Violet gulped.
"Not at all sir, it's -" she trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"Look at me" he said, and she looked up.
"Why are you avoiding your boss' gaze?" he asked and she almost chocked.
"Why is he acting like he doesn't remember the kiss?" she screamed inwardly.
"I'm not avoiding your gaze, sir" she said.
"Is it because of the kiss?" he asked bluntly, and Violet coughed.
"You need a cup of water?" he asked, teasingly.
"Yes sir. I'll be back" she said, leaving hastily.
Adrian chuckled when she left.
He had also been shocked when their lips met.
But one thing was certain, he doesn't hate Violet's touch.
The hug, the kiss, it reaffirmed it.
He had purposely teased her, wanting to see her reaction and it was so thrilling.
*
Alexa was ironing some client's clothes when she heard the bell at the entrance of the shop ring.
"Welcome to Waves Dry Cleaning service" she said, to whoever that entered, as she quickly turned off the iron and went to attend to the customer.
"You are everywhere" Bryan chuckled.
And Alexa gasped when she saw him.
He was familiar with the owner of the store and just wanted to pay her a visit.
He didn't know he would meet Alexa here.
"Hi Bryan. What are you doing here?
"I came to see Mrs Debra. Is she in?" he asked.
"No, she isn't. She didn't come to work today.
She had an event to attend" Alexa answered.
"Ohh...okay then"
"I didn't know you work here though. I might as well start to patronize this store often" he said and she smiled.
"Can i get your number, then?" he asked.
"So I can just call if I need you guys service" he chipped in.
"Well...."
"You don't need a client's patronage? Okay then." he said and made to leave, but she stopped him.
"I'll give you the number" she said, and he praised himself.
Such a good actor.
*
AWARD NIGHT
"Alexa, I'm dressed like I'm the one that wants to get awarded" she whined, looking at her outfit.
It was a black midi off shoulder gown with glitters.
The end of the dress has folds, designed with petals.
It stopped just few inches from her knees.
Her neck was adorned with a simple necklace.
Its pendant sparkling in the dark.
"You should be thanking me for styling you up so beautifully.
I'm so proud of myself" Alexa clapped.
"You look stunning. Besides, you are a worker of Starlight.
You need to dress like a bright star.
People won't be able to take their eyes of you"
"Giving me the attention I didn't ask for"
"Not my fault that you have a killer shape. The dress suites you so well.
Make sure to bring a prince home.
I can leave the house, yunno...if things get heated between both of you" Alexa winked.
"What are you talking about. You and your imaginations" Violet laughed.
Truth to be told, she was really looking beautiful.
She hadn't dressed like this in forever.
If not for Starlight, she'd probably be in a restaurant right now, washing plates.
"Bye Alexa. Don't miss me too much"
"I'm not going to miss you at all" Alexa rolled her eyes, a smile on her lips.
"Fine, I'll miss you" she pouted, when Violet folded her hands.
*
AT THE VENUE,
Various lights were flashing from different angles.
Exotic cars drove into the park, and celebrities stepped out from it.
Everyone was excited and eager to know who would take the award home this year.
A white, Lamborghini drove in and screams filled the room when Xavier stepped out.
Reporters rushed to him, but they were called into order by this bodyguards.
"Who do you think..... would win this year?
How would you feel if Starlight should take home the award again?" Different reporters threw questions at him.
"One shouldn't count his chickens before they are hatched.
May the best company win" he said to the camera before posing to take pictures.
The screams doubled when a black Chevrolet with Starlight logo drove in.
Adrian got down, his outfit glistening from head to toe.
His face was expressionless as he listened to the gasps around him.
He's used to it, anyways.
But the person who got down next wasn't used to it.
Wow, who's she?
I'm going to die if she's Adrian girl.
She looks so beautiful
Is she a celebrity?"
Violet looked around nervously as she stood beside Adrian.
She had wanted to go to the event with other staff but Adrian had insisted that she ride with him, laying emphasis that she is his secretary.
Reporters rushed to Adrian but they were scared to approach him.
His hefty bodyguards weren't helping matters either.
Some bold ones still asked questions, persistently.
"Do you think Starlight would have an edge; after winning five years in a row?" one asked.
"We'll see" he said briefly and walked in with Violet, without entertaining further questions.
"Proud bastard" Xavier hissed as he watched Adrian walk away.
He creased his brows when he saw that a lady was with him.
"She's here" he muttered
"And not only is she here, she looks hot, so breathtaking"
His eyes lingered on her.
Ladies couldn't even help but get jealous at the stares Violet was receiving.
However, two girls jealousy topped everyone in that room.
Diana held her glass cup, a frown evident on her face, her eyes fixated on Violet.
Why is she not looking like a secretary that she is.
"They look so good together" someone sitting across her said.
Her grip tightened on the cup when she heard the comment.
Sasha hissed where she was and the person behind her grimaced.
Sasha's hiss cut through the air like a venomous snake, her eyes blazing with malevolence. The person by her side grimaced, sensing the toxic atmosphere.
"Mind your business," Sasha glared
Her gaze snapped back to Violet.
"That girl's wings need to be clipped," she smirked, a sinister plan brewing in her mind.
*
Violet stood before the mirror, washing her hands in the lavish bathroom.
She couldn't help but marvel at her reflection.
Months ago, she was just a poor, forgotten heiress of the Wilson family, her wardrobe consisting of tattered rags.
"This blackmail might not be so bad after all" she muttered and reached for the door, but it didn't open.
She frowned and tried again but it still didn't open.
No matter how she pulled, it still didn't open.
It had been locked from outside.
Panic set in.
"Why is this happening?"
Her claustrophobia wasn't helping matters at all.
"Help!" she shouted, hitting the door with her palm.
"Somebody help!!!" she screamed.