Arabella's POV

After I found the right outfit I gave myself a once over, smiling in satisfaction. Today was Friday, the day we began our assessment for the three-month internship. By the end of these two weeks, someone will be picked and the internship job is ours.

I raked my hands through my black curls and grabbed a brush so that I could brush it back in a slick ponytail. I stalked over to my bed after I was fully prepared and grabbed a hold of my phone.

"Well hello to you too grumpy pants." I teased as Erika walked into the room and slumped down onto her bed.

"Can I ask you a question, Bella," Erika mumbled as she hung her head from the bed, her eyes boring into mine. I nodded my head and lowered myself beside her. She sighed heavily and ran her hands over her face, "I like Ace but I don't know if I want a relationship with him. Is that a bad thing?" She asked.

"Well. . .that depends on the reason. If it's a legitimate reason then no and if it's just an excuse just to prevent yourself from being with him then yes. You're leading him on, the most you could do is tell him how you feel." I said.

"I just–I don't want this to be cliché you know. Two sets of best friends falling for each other."

"What!? Erika, now you're talking nonsense. You're just making horrible excuses to prevent yourself from being with the guy you want, why are you making it so goddamn difficult. Ace likes you a lot, I can see it, he always has and you despite your coldness you like him too. Stop making this seem like a crime like you're unable to love someone, especially someone like him. He's unique and funny and sweet and smart and strong, I can go on and on so don't let that go to waste."

She stared at me for a second, perplexed at the words that left my lips. I didn't blame her, I was rooting for their relationship. There was no real problem between them except Erika self-sabotaging and it was beginning to get annoying. She has happiness right before her eyes and refuses to accept it.

"Just tell me you'll consider it."

She peered up at me, her face conflicted as she nodded her head in understanding. Gosh who knew relationships would be so complicated. Hunter and I never had a complicated relationship, it was a smooth sail from the beginning and even when we broke up it was on good terms.

"Okay, okay I will. Go now and good luck today." She smiled as she propped herself up on her hands and planted a kiss against my cheek. I returned the gesture and trekked out of the room, closing the door behind me.

As I approached the elevator the doors slid open just in time for me to slip inside. My eyes were shut tightly as I sucked in a harsh breath and leaned against the wall "One."

Another deep breath, "Two."

Another. "Thr–"

"Hello, mind  if you'd stop mumbling like a crazed woman and get out of the way." A voice clipped from behind me. My body stiffened as I craned my neck to the side so that I could have a better view of the smirking guy behind me.

I frowned deeply and I let the elevator doors close so that he couldn't leave. With a grin, I flickered my gaze towards his nose. "How's the broken nose asshole?" I chuckled as his eyes flashed with frustration.

"You know, it was fun riling Tyler up and making him believe we slept together but you breaking my nose and nearly pummelling me with a metal chair was not fun." He snapped.

I smiled sinisterly and raised my hand to caress his jawline from his ear to his lips. I clipped his bottom lip between my fingers and closed the gap between us.

His breath managed to hitch in his throat as I licked my lips seductively and peered right into his icy blue eyes, he gulped, keeping his eyes interlocked with mine as I removed my finger from his lips, I etched my mouth closer to his and smirked as something glinted in his eyes.

I latched onto his belt buckle and closed the space between us, so close that my chin laid on his chest and I smiled sinisterly when I felt his excitement reverberating off of his body.

"Next time you pull a stunt like that, I'll sucker punch you so hard in your nimble nuts that you'll be screaming out to baby Jesus all the way from hell." I clipped, smirking as a sudden glint of fear flickered in his eyes.

I smirked and gingerly kissed his tensed jaw before loosening my grip on him and stepping backwards to glance at my piece of artwork that was flushed in red.

"I suggest you hide that before the entire lounge sees it." I flickered my eyes towards the bulge in his pants and smiled as I exited the elevator when the doors slid open.

I think my job here is done.

~~~

"Miss Smith over here." An assistant motioned towards the white cubicle and I followed in suit behind her. She smiled sweetly before explaining to me that I'd be working here for the next two weeks answering calls and booking appointments for the employees. If they needed me for any other specific task such as fetching something for them or assisting in photo shoots they would call upon me themselves.

I thanked her and lowered myself down onto the black chair that sat before an Apple computer. The office was buzzing with life, women from the internship running up and down the room anxiously as they ran errands here and there for employees.

I sighed and placed my handbag beside my feet. I didn't know what I was to do yet since someone needed to assist me and give me a task. By the looks of it mostly everyone else was getting to work and I feared that this somewhere would jeopardize my chances at getting this internship.

I tried pushing the negative thoughts at the back burner and turned towards the computer. I grabbed the mouse, shifting it so that the computer would come to life. But then my attempts to find something productive to do were cut off short as the computer required a password.

"Oh, mother fuc–"

"Ah, language miss Smith."

I snapped my head towards the source of the voice and caught myself gawking at the infamous Ryan Marks. Today he wore maroon tuxedos and a white dress shirt that failed to give his body any room to breathe seeing as it clung to him like a second skin. I gulped and peered up into his blue eyes that gazed down at me softly, not the same way he eyed the other women here, which I found peculiar.

"Come along now, we don't have all day." He said, his head cocking sideways as he began to walk away without giving me any more information as to what I was to do. So I hesitantly got up from my seat and followed him down the narrow pathway, on either side laid cubicles occupied by women either typing away vigorously on the computer or conversing with clients on the phone.

Ryan led me towards the elevator just in time for the doors to open. I greeted the employee who stepped out and followed Ryan inside. He adjusted his tie and pressed the button for the first floor. "Uhm where are we going?" I asked.

He turned towards me, not seeming to mind that my statement sounded utterly rude. "Why to my office, of course, there is a bit too loud and rowdy." He replied, turning his attention to the doors of the elevator. I remained quiet and leaned against the wall, all the while I tried my hardest to keep my eyes off Ryan's body.

This man–and I will keep saying it–is utterly addicting beautiful as his uncle.

"Come along now." He said, snapping me out of my reverie. I followed in suit behind him as he led me down the same hallway which led to his office. He unlocked the doors and stepped out of the way for me to enter. I slipped in behind him and he slammed the door shut.

"Right now I know it was about extra getting you down here to say these few words but I hate the noise, it's infuriating. Anyways next week one of our most valuable clientele will be throwing a fashion runway showdown at the banquet hall, there will be music, lights, cameras, VIPS, fashion designers and you get it. Now since this was a last-minute decision we haven't been able to contact as many VIPS as possible which is where you come in

I want you to get on that phone upstairs and contact as many of these numbers as you can and talk to as many people as you can and get them to that gala next week. This is your first assignment, please don't mess it up. Now half these people if they don't make it, that's on them but I would really appreciate it if you convince Mariam White to be there." He finished off as he handed me a sticky note filled with names both back and front.

Hmm seems easy enough.

"It's not as easy as you think. Many of these people have assistants answering their phones and they are very busy people so they might put you on hold or ask to get back to you another day but this is your job and no matter how hard it gets you to tick off every name on that list. Circle Mariam White if you will, good luck hun and also, wear something nice for that date."

I spoke too soon.

~ ~ ~

"Yes, it will be taking place at St Francis Hall ma'am, yes, no it'll be a pleasure to have you there. Ryan Marks sees to it that you attend Mrs. Harper. Yes, pleasures all mine I will inform him that you'll be arriving with accompanied guest of course. Thank you for your time Mrs. Harper."

With a heavy sigh I hung up the phone, my head lolling backwards in frustration. I've been left on hold for the past twenty minutes just to have this conversation with Jamie Harper. Who is Jamie Harper? I have no goddamn idea!

All attempts at contacting anyone else was futile. They were either in an important conference or I was left on hold and get hung up on but I was determined to get these individuals to that show no matter what.

Deciding that now would be the right time to fling myself into the lion's den I located Mariam White's number on the list and dialled it.

Pressing the phone against my ear, I listened closely as it rang for a few seconds before the line was picked up. "Hello?"

"Good day, my name is Arabella Smith I'm calling from Condé Nast, Vogue department. May I speak with Mariam White, please?"

"Yes, this is she. How may I help you, Arabella Smith?" She said, her voice lingering on my surname as if she were rolling it around her tongue trying to get the feel of it. "I'm calling on behalf of Ryan Marks who would love for you to accompany him and others VIPS at the Manía de Belleza fashion show which will be held on Saturday evening next week."

"Ah yes! Of course the famous Marks. Well, you tell him dear that I will for sure be attending."

"REALLY!? Uhm sorry, what I meant to say was thank you very much Mrs. White I will pass on the good word, thank you for your time and have a blessed day."

"Wait Arabella dear?"

"Yes?" I muttered softly.

"Do tell your father I said hi."

I paused, my eyes widening as my grip on the phone tightened in my palm. My father? No wonder she emphasized on my name as if it were foreign. At this moment with everything that has happened ever since I came back from New York, I realized just how powerful and well known and respected my father is.

Who would have thought?

"I–I will Mrs. White. Pleasure talking to you today."

"Pleasures all mine dear, see you at the fashion show next week. I'll see to it that you attend." With a soft goodbye, the line went silent and for a beat, I stared down at the phone perplexed. Not knowing what the hell just occurred.

Was I just informally invited to a fashion show next week?!

A fashion show where VIPS and MVPS were also attending? A place where I might be able to have conversations with individuals who may make my dream come true one day? A place where I could meet designers?

Next top designer, here I come!