"Are you seriously being nervous right now?" Aaron casually leaned over to whisper into my ear. Of course, I was nervous, we were about to meet with Miss Rita, our lively hoods literally rest in her hands. She is notorious for her good shows and presentations. Everyone around the world comes to her Venues just to see what people have to offer. It's how we make our money and gain new customers. If we can't win this Venue, it would tarnish our reputation.
"I had some time to think about this last night after the phone call. We hold our shows on the same day every year. Why would Illia and Lilah want to fight us for our day? There are literally 364 other days in the year, and they have to just have that one." I mumbled angrily. Aaron walked quietly next to me as we climbed the marble stairs to the Venue Entrance. It was remarkably big with its large, polished Granite pillars. They made a large circle around the round building, starting of small at one end, and ending in large pillars on the other side. The building in the circle of pillars, was made out of a white marble. So white and shiny it looked like it was a new building every day.
The flowers planted along the white side walk where either red roses or black. Keeping it classy and majestic all at the same time. The smell was infatuating, a delightful smell that would make anyone's mood change. The mixture of smell and the delightful view of the building was enough to make anyone giddy. I swear, the only thing this place needed was a fountain and it would be the most beautiful place in the city. Considering this large venue was being over powered by large buildings and polluted air, so it was the most valuable place to own.
"I don't disagree that it's fishy, but I don't want to assume the worst of them yet. After all they are our competitors. It's not uncommon for second runners to try and swipe the carpet." Aaron said with a wink. I gave a long sigh and nodded my head. It wasn't like them, but they could be getting desperate too. Until they actually tried to physically do something to our company, there was nothing I could do. We finished walking up the steps and we both stopped at the door.
"Alright, do I look presentable? I don't normally where ties." Aaron said swinging his arms out wide. He wore a long black suit with a black undershirt. A red tie hung against his chest, awkward and so unlike him. I also have worked with Miss Rita for many years, and I know her tastes and preferences.
"Lose the tie and roll your sleeves. She likes her men masculine. Also, your hair brushed back like that makes you look ridiculous. Come here." I demanded as I placed my suitcase on the marble stairs. I took his tie off and unbuttoned his coat completely. I rolled his cuff up to his bicep, showing off the dragon tattoos that he had down both his arms. Each forearm bulged, showing off a finely defined vein going down the middle of each one. With his attire fixed, I ruffled his hair slightly. With careful placement, I kept a few strands of hairs in his eyes, giving him that boyish manly charm I admired so much. I took a step back, pleased with my master piece.
There was no way she could say no to him. He was like a charming prince, only if he was modern and play boyish. I guess you could say he was your stereotypical stylist. He looked so good, I felt underdressed. Next to him I was underwhelming and uncharismatic. A simple plain black dress that just barely touched the knees. A simple silver band sat loosely around my waist with a small flare of glitter. To match with my dress, a plain set of black flats that almost made me look boring. If I was going to stand next to Aaron, I would have to up my appearance from now on.
"Alright Aaron, now that you look like every other playboy, let's go and meet Miss Rita. I wouldn't be surprised if she decided to jump you as soon as we make it through the door." Aaron gave a nervous laugh at my last remark. He may be single, but he was still only loyal to one woman. I wouldn't let Miss Rita jump him; he was my wing man after all. I pushed the giant metal door open, only to run into trouble as soon as we stepped through the door. I gritted my teeth with pain as I bumped into a petite blonde woman.
I watched as she dramatically stumbled backwards, falling on her butt with a thud before glaring up at me with dull brown eyes. She wore a plaid mini skirt with a white button-down shirt. The top three buttons where open, showing off her deep cleavage. She 6-inch hiker boots to finalize the attire. I knew this design anywhere, and I knew that face as well.
"Illia darling, are you alright?" I asked as I reached out my hand to help her up. She swatted my hand away, her nostrils flaring. I pulled back my stinging hand, trying not to let my temper rise. Aaron placed a protective hand on my shoulder.
"You bitch, you did that on purpose. Are you so mad that we took the Venue, you would openly attack me!" Already took the Venue. Are we really too late?
"The windows are tinted Illia, no one would have seen you walking through this door. Besides, it clearly says entrance, so you are really in the wrong. She even tried helping you up, where are your manners." Aaron asked blandly. His face was bored, but his eyes where red with fire. Another blonde-haired woman came running up next to her. Her hair was pinned up with a bunch of jewelry encrusted flowers. She wore a strapless dress that came all the way down to her ankles. Her features where similar to Illia's but softer.
"My dear Illia, are they being mean to you? How dare they! You think you can just attack someone when something doesn't go your way?" Lilah knelt down while glaring at us. My head was starting to throb at the scene. It was becoming too much for me to sit here and listen to this charade. They were clearly here to destroy our image. Just to prove my point, I happened to look up and noticed Miss Rita standing a ways off, watching the door. Her hands where crossed, a neutral expression on her face. She was a little plump with long brown wavy hair cascading down her back. She was wearing a simple green dress with a touch of glitter. It was a loose silk fabric that piled around her feet. She truly was the queen of venue.
Turning my attention back to the situation at hand, I found that Aaron was slowly loosing face, and was getting irritated. I had to stop this before it spiraled any more out of control. I placed a hand on Aarons chest before he could say another word.
"Illia, I'll admit I didn't see you when I came in and I am sorry for bumping into you. If your injuries are that serious, please call Phoenix Designs and we will take care of your medical bills. I hope you too have a good day." I said giving Lilah my business card. She refused my help and tried to make a fool out of me. The best way to ease over the situation, was just to give her my business card. There was no pacifying an angry competitor.
I ignored the loud wailing, fake painful sobs as I made my way over to miss Rita. She stood tall and elegantly like her building. No matter how many times I walk in here, the beautiful venue always too my breath away. The inside glittered just as much as it did outside. A long winding staircase of course made out of marble, led to her office space upstairs, along with an outside patio where guests can enjoy the view over the ocean. Through door on the right, was the massive room that held the show case room. To the left, was the kitchen that served the events. Normally when I came in, it was always busy and full of life. But today, it was quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the light tapping noise our feet made as we walked.
"My beautiful Rosie! I am so glad you came to see me today my dear. I am so sorry about the mess; I hope you understand." Miss Rita said as we got closer. A huge genuine smile crested upon her face. I couldn't help smiling in return, glad she wasn't swayed by the poor display of acting Illia and her sister where putting on. Miss Rita wrapped me up in a warm embrace, almost motherly. Ever since the first day I met Miss Rita, she has always treated me like one of her own. We really just clicked. But regardless of how much she doted on me, she was also a business woman, and she couldn't pick favorites.
"I do understand Miss Rita, and I don't hold a grudge towawrds your actions. I know that this is a business and not a playground. I do wonder if you could spare me a few moments so I can discuss something with you in private." Miss Rita let go of me, and then immediately turned her direction to Aaron. Her genuine smile turned coy and playful. Like a starved animal finding a snack. Ah poor Aaron, maybe I shouldn't have made him look like a god.
"You can have all the time you need dear, please come with me." She waved her hand towards the stairs. I took the first initiative and started to ascend the staircase. But before Aaron could ascend the steps, he was quickly snagged by Miss Rita by the arm. "Mister Blake, I finally get to meet you up close and not surrounded by your many admirers. What a pleasure." Her fingers locked around his arm, preventing him from letting go. But instead of shying away from it, he leaned in close and winked at her.
"My apologize for keeping such a wonderfully beautiful woman waiting. Rose has told me so much about you, but I never got to meet this interesting woman." He really laid on the charm, grinning with his pearly whites. I swear I could see her heart flutter. I smiled to myself while I listened to them playfully flirt with each other all the way up to the office. This was going to be a long meeting; this I was already sure of.
"You want a fantasy themed show? Do you have any designs to back up this visual of yours?" Miss Rita asked, sitting poised on her desk. Despite her warm feelings earlier, we were now talking business. Our last show did terribly, so she couldn't trust us as a company. I gave a bright smile and offered her an accordion styled binder. Aaron did likewise. She gave a small hop as she accepted both folders and stood at her desk. Carefully she pulled the many drawings and sketches out on to the table. She was quiet as she examined them, mulling over them with a careful eyes.
The longer we sat in silence, the more we got anxious. Aaron has this nervous tick where he fidgeted with his watch, constantly tapping on the screen, or turning the clock face over and over again. I had to still his anxious hands more than once, hoping he wouldn't give us away. We wanted to appear strong willed in these situations. Finally, she carefully shoved them back into their respectful homes before turning around and handing them back. She sat quietly leaned against her desk, inspecting us with careful eyes. Then she cracked a smile and tried to stifle her laughs.
"You guys are so serious. I swear a pin drop would disrupt the balance." She said wiping away tears. I felt the tension release from my shoulders as her playful mood returned. It was a good sign. I leaned against the couch, my back and body aching.
"This was your best idea yet Rose. I know the men didn't come up with this, I have worked with you for too long." She winked in my direction. Aaron gave a small laugh, more with relief than he was laughing at her joke. But then her face turned serious again. "Could you give us a moment Aaron, I would like to speak with Rosaline privately." Aaron gave me a small smile before exiting the small room. It seemed so empty without him here, and with the look on her face it would be the same talk we would have every year.
"Miss Rita, can we not do this? My answer is still the same as always." I mumbled. She sighed loudly as she crossed the room to sit next to me. She wrapped a warm hand around my shoulders, a comforting gesture for her next few words.
"When are you going to let go. I know you chose this specific day in the honor of your parents death. But I think this year, you need to spend it as your birthday and not as a day of mourning." I could already feel the tears prick my eyes. It's true, I picked the day specifically because it was the same day that my parents died almost 16 years ago. It was a way for me to celebrate their life. It was also a way for me to keep reminding myself, that even through all the pain and suffering I went through, I still came out on top.
"I don't celebrate my birthday, and you know that, Miss Rita.." I tried to say as nicely as I could. It was the same conversation every year. I don't celebrate, because the most important people I cared for where gone. There was nothing to celebrate. Every year was a reminder that I was still here, and they were not.
"I know sweet heart. I hope that this will change one day. You are turning 26 after all. I am sure they would want you to be happy now as opposed to hurting. Just keep that in mind." She wrapped another arm around me as the tears fell from my eyes and on to my lap. It was almost that same motherly hug that my mom always use to share with me. Against my own will, I felt my arms snare around her as well. I let my emotions get the better of me as I cried against her shoulder.
"I also heard something interesting from Bastion just before you arrived. You can't hide it from me either. Your hair is way to meticulously placed for it to be an accident." She practically growled. I knew she was talking about the gash wound. I had tried placing my hair over the wound to prevent people from being able to see it, but it looks like Bastion was really trying to get me punished. I would have to pay him back for this kindness.
"It really wasn't anything to worry about Miss Rita. I am fine and so is the cat. Aaron is going to take me car shopping once I get well enough to drive. I still get dizzy spells, so they are having me on house arrest until I get check out by the doctor." Miss Rita pulled away from me and carefully removed my hair from the wound. Her face turned into a frown as she stared at it, shaking her head. That was the third time someone looked at me with such disappointment, it honestly hurt.
"You really do need to be careful. I like you a lot Rosaline. Almost like if you where my own daughter. Considering I can't have kids, that is a very big honor. So please be careful in the future." I gave a small pitiful smile as more tears escaped my face. She really was like a mom to me. Although I try to keep our work life and personal life separate, I always look for her when I can't find anyone else.
"You are such a worry wart, if you don't stop, you'll start gaining wrinkles." I teased. She scoffed at me, placing her hand to her chest as if she was offended. She went on to lecture me about how you should never talk about an older woman's appearance. Despite her scolding, she continued to make me laugh and giggle, my feeling of sorrow lifting. Just as she was finished scolding me, a light knock came on the door. Miss Rita rose from her seat to sit on her desk as I brushed away the many tears that fell from my face. After we had cleaned ourselves up, she demanded the mystery person entry. I rose to my feet, gathering all our work as the door swung open.
"What a pleasant surprise. I told you I would be seeing you again Miss Freed." I froze with my hand in the hair. I had just grazed the accordion binder when Damien's hand rushed past it, grabbing it for me. The uncomfortable feeling returned as I looked into his smile. All warm and genuine. His black hair was slicked back today, and it honestly made him look even younger. On closer inspection, he really did look a lot like Bastion. Just a tad bit older. Maybe even more of a mature style than him too. I gave a nervous gulp before turning to Miss Rita.
"It really was wonderful to see you again Miss Rita. I look forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Mister Damien, a pleasure as well. Please do have a good rest of your day." I kept a tight smile on my face, hoping it was passing enough to be pleasant. I accepted the folder from his hands and walked around him. A hand landed gently on my shoulder, stopping me from walking any further.
"I wouldn't rush around like that Miss Freed. Our last encounter you were fairly weak. I do hope you are recovering well." The look of concern etched on his face warmed me for some reason. But his comment reminded me that he had done something to the Wendel guy, and he was not to be messed with. I never heard from Loui about how the issue was resolved, and something told me I shouldn't ask.
"Oh yes, I am doing quite alright. I'll be working from home until my current issue is resolved. I appreciate your sentiment and will be taking my leave. Please have a good day." With another forced smile, I walked out the door and right into Aaron. With a quiet pleading look, he nodded his head once before ducking his head into Miss Rita's office and wishing her a fair well.
"Oh yes Mr. Blake, please do come back soon. I might be in need of your services in the future." She called out as he walked out the door. His face turned a bright blush red. He shook his head, clearly lost for words at Miss Rita's remarks.
"I told you she was a prowler. I don't know why you act so surprised." I teased him with a light shove. He said nothing, still bright red as we walked back to his white Lexus. Now safely tucked away in Aaron's car, could I start to reflect my encounter with Mr. Damien. Clearly this was not the encounter he was expecting by his surprised face. So, what else was he referring too? I really hope this was the last time.
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