Gorgeous

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Kylie

I hopped out of the elevator with an ease of someone who skidded down the same lobby in sky-high heels – two coffees to-go in hand – for years. I only have four years under my belt but that's definitely almost half a decade. I'm allowed to be smug about it.

I raced to my desk, my heels noisily stabbing the marbled floor. There was already a box of doughnut on my desk, courtesy of my boss' hotshot soon-to-be-husband. But the dozen premium treats are not a pleasurable sight like they used to on days I'm not late for work.

I have only been late twice. That one time I watch the fifteenth floor of my apartment building devoured by fire, and now the hackneyed tendencies of cheap apartments which is the 'bursting broken pipe.' Although I was lucky I didn't bathe in dirty pipe water like Audrey's friend Jessica did, I'm still grossed out at the ten inch water in my apartment.

I was lucky I dashed out of my apartment floor quickly enough not to shower with filthy water, a string of curses from my unfortunate neighbors trailing behind. My apartment was barely livable before the flood and now I have to imagine a rotting smell and maybe, mildew.

I shuddered. I'm not moving back in again.

The door of Audrey's office opened. My boss comes out.

"I'm sorry." I texted her on the way about the whole apartment disaster. Not that she would bury me alive if I ever were late. Sure, she is deemed an ice queen, but somewhere deep down she has the soft spot.

Her eyes raked all over me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I handed over her coffee.

"Are you sure? I called Vren to bring some of my clothes."

My wardrobe is the least of my worries. And to be honest, Audrey's size is a far cry from mine. Her maxi skirt is a maxi dress to me. "It's fine. I was already dressed when it started flooding."

"And the rest of your clothes?"

My face scrunched up on that. "Right. I think I was able to save most of them. They're safe in the back of my car."

Audrey sighed. "Do you need anything?"

"No. I'm fine. It was a crappy apartment anyway," I reassured, knowing she would offer a living space if I'm not convincing enough. I've lived in her guest room when my previous apartment building got toasted.

"You can't go back in that apartment."

"No. It's fine." My eyes rounded in alarm.

She shakes her head firmly and gave me a look that glued my tongue to the roof of my mouth. "You're not going back. Listen, Vren still has his penthouse from way back. You can stay there temporarily."

"No, Audrey. I think that's too much. Looking for another apartment is not that hard."

She raised an eyebrow, her gaze turning icy.

I gulp. "Okay. I think I can stay for a week."

"Good. By the way, there was a delivery for you." She gestured at the flower arrangement behind the tall piles of papers on my desk. "You're moving into his apartment this afternoon."

"Wait, what about your—"

"You're taking the rest of the day off." There was a finality in her tone. She reaches for my hand and pressed a key onto my palm.

I could only nod. Did I mention she is bossy? I clutch the key in my hand and slipped it into my bag.

She turns around, retreating to her office. I smiled at the door where she just disappeared through. Knowing my boss cares about me to this extent, is downright rewarding. I turn to my desk, noticing the flowers just now. I paused at the strange yellow flowers taking most of the arrangement.

Buttercups.

It was a giveaway who sent the flowers. But it wasn't like there's someone else sending me bouquets. I know from whom the flowers were. Even then, I still read the card that came with it.

Good morning, Gorgeous Kylie.

-C

I resisted an eye-roll. But the heat on my cheeks – that I couldn't resist. Normally, the flowers would go straight onto the bin in defiance to his ego, but I let it stay on my desk this time. I put my bag next to the doughnuts. I start cleaning up my desk before calling it a day. If Audrey comes out of her office and find me still behind my desk, she'll let security usher me out.

My phone rings and I paused from spraying alcohol all over my desk. My brows crinkled at the caller ID. Aunt Becca usually calls by the ends of every month. I pressed the answer button and spun my chair around so I was facing the wall.

"Aunt Becca?"

"Hi, Kylie. How are you? I'm sorry to have not waited until you got off work."

My gut knotted. "Is there something wrong?"

"No. I just want to remind you about your family's death anniversary," she says gently, like breaking a bad news to a ten year old – like she did thirteen years ago.

My eyes flitted to my right, where the photo frame I kept on my desk was. "Oh. No, don't worry I haven't forgotten about it." Every year, I thought the ache would subside, but I guess there's something time couldn't heal. I blink and gulped the knob forming in my throat.

Aunt Becca stayed on the line for another minute. That's all it took to update me with the goings-on. When she ended the call, my eyes were still on the last family picture I've taken with my parents and older brothers.

I swiveled the chair back around, yelping at the figure overshadowing my desk. "Holy crap, you nearly gave me heart attack!"

A set of blue eyes twinkled in mirth. "I think that's close enough to swooning."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Making sure my flowers were delivered to the right address." He smirks, his hands going to his pockets.

"If you're this anxious about it, why not deliver them yourself."

Christian snaps his fingers. "I see. You want to see my face."

"Get lost. I have work to do." I wave a dismissive hand at him.

"Work? But it's almost lunch time."

"Lunch time?"

He leans over to my desk. "You know, I have a thing with work-driven women."

"Really? Also, do you remember me asking?" I made a quick cleanup on my desk and reached for my bag before my boss kicks me out of the building. I turn to leave, deliberately ignoring Christian. I send a quick text to the Relationship Department to help themselves with the doughnuts.

He stays a step behind, but the bastard is following me. I twist back around. "What are you doing?"

"Walking." He shrugs.

I narrowed my eyes. "No. You're following me."

"Yes."

"Then you should stop."

"Why?"

I know it was just to make a rise out of me, and it's working. "Because you're not a puppy, are you?"

"I'm the puppy who's taking you to lunch." He winks.

"What?" My voice raised another octave. "I never agreed on anything."

"Didn't you read the card?"

"I did, so don't try to trick me." I jab a finger to his chest.

"But did you flip it over?"

My brows lifted. "Is this a trick?"

"No. There's something written about having to go out for lunch with me if you accept the flowers."

"No, there wasn't." I resumed walking to the elevator, hoping I'll be left in peace then.

To my chagrin, Christian followed suit. "We can go back and see the card for yourself."

"I would've refused the delivery if I didn't come late." I stabbed on the button, tapping my foot as I wait for the elevator doors to open.

"Why were you late?"

"None of your business."

"Okay. I'm still taking you out for lunch though."

I shot him a black look. "You're not."

"That's disappointing." He leans to my ear. "I was hoping we can have pasta for lunch. I know a place, Buttercup."

I gritted my teeth. "You're not leaving me alone, are you?"

He beams at me. "Absolutely not."

I sighed when the elevator doors finally parted. "Fine."

Christian did a fistpump, the gesture juvenile but adorable.

I rolled my eyes, all the while hiding an uninvited smile.

Hi. :) Don't forget to vote and tell me what you think on the comments below.

Also, just a shout out to my dearest friend prisha_8 for being able to continue her book My Muse.

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