Page 29

Today is the first day of Couture Week and if I thought the media attention was bad before, then it got a whole lot worse.

The tickets went out exactly a week ago and they sold out within five minutes of going live, I would know because I actually timed it.

I was so anxious about it before but that just sealed the deal; people wanted to be there.

My phone has been blowing up so much that for the first time in a month, I turned off my notifications across every platform.

It was such a hassle for Miles and I to get into the office today. I knew the media attention would die before noon because most of them would go for Couture Week but for now, they have nothing to do .

Speaking of Miles, I have gotten used to having him around. He’s like an ever silent partner; I know he’s around but he barely makes a sound unless necessary. He still drives every morning which pisses me off to no end but I know what battles to fight and that is not it.

As soon I was in, I left Miles to fend for himself and rushed into my office.

My half finished dress lay on my desk where I left it yesterday.

Technically, it is more than half done but it still isn’t ready.

If I devote all my time to it, I should finish in two or three days but that is cutting it really close because there will be no time to make adjustments. It would have to be perfect.

“You have Mr. Winston on line 1.” Marissa said as she poked her head into my office.

“If anyone asks, I’m either in a meeting or not in the office. I don’t give a shit if it’s the president.” I told her and her eyes widened, “The only two people I want directed here are Grayson and Francine; I need to finish this dress as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” she added softly, “Good luck.”

As soon as she shut the door behind her, I focused on the task in front of me. It seems to be coming along well but I wouldn’t know until I try it on and I can’t do that until the dress is finished.

I don’t know how long I stayed kneeling in front of my desk and working on my desk but my door opened and I exhaled deeply before speaking.

“If it isn’t an emergency, I swear-,”

“Relax,” it was Nathan; “Grayson can’t make it here. He called to ask if you would consider having it at his office. Everyone is there anyway. ”

I glanced at the unfinished work on my desk and a refusal was at the tip of my tongue but I knew it would just be me being a bitch.

I would have left it to have the meeting with Grayson anyways and I’m the one who need help, not him.

He is doing me a favor and the least I could do is meet him there.

“Fine,” I stood to my feet, “Let’s go. It would make for better material for you to work with.”

I walked past him and Miles stood up as soon as he saw me. Thankfully, the crowd had cleared from the front of the office. There was the occasional stray camera man but most of them had gone to get pictures from Couture Week.

Nathan sat up front with Miles while I sat at the back trying not to worry too much about the number of things I had to do. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize we had arrived at Grayson’s office until Nathan cleared his throat.

We took the same elevator and walked down the same corridor until we were in front of Grayson’s office. It was Nathan who knocked and pushed the door open. Grayson was sitting at his desk and there were two men sitting opposite him.

They were both well built with low cropped hair. I’m starting to wonder if that is a requirement for all of Grayson’s staff but I kept my question to myself.

“Please sit down,” Grayson gestured to the empty chairs, “My apologies for shifting the destination last minute. These are Karl and Devon; they are the two other men you requested. May I ask why?”

“I’m sure you know it is Couture Week and I’m expected to attend as a judge.”

“So you need extra security for yourself? ”

“No,” I cut in quickly, “I’m satisfied having just Miles. They are for my assistant Marissa. She doesn’t do well in large crowds and she gets anxious very easily. I want to make sure she is well guarded and protected.”

“Understood, do you want them permanently on her?”

I shook my head, “No,” Marissa would rather die than have guards trailing her every move. “It’s just for the event. I want them to be by her side from start to finish.”

“What about you?” he asked and I shrugged.

“I’m good with just Miles, he can handle himself.” Grayson turned to Miles to confirm if he was alright with the arrangement and he gave a curt nod, “If that’s all; I would like to leave now. I have a lot of things to prepare against Sunday.”

“Of course; have a good day, Adira.”

He was barely done with his sentence when I was on my feet and out the door. I heard footsteps behind me so I knew Nathan and Miles were right behind me.

I got into the back seat of the car and tapped my foot anxiously as I waited for them to get in but they seemed content walking like the world was at a standstill for them.

“I’m not sure if I should be offended or flattered that you didn’t even try to barter security for me.” Nathan began as Miles started driving.

“You have your own security; how else have you been able to get into my office the past few weeks?”

“Touché, but it would have still been nice to know that you care.”

“But I don’t,” I deadpanned and he placed his hand over his heart in mock hurt. I couldn’t stop the corner of my lips from tilting upwards. “I’d like to skip our session today.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes; I just have to finish working on my dress. It’s taking a lot longer than I expected.”

“Of course; but if you don’t mind then I’d like to come in and take a few short videos of you working.”

I wanted to refuse, I prefer to work in silence and having someone over my shoulder with a camera in hand doesn’t exactly scream the word solace to me but I remembered that I agreed to this and honestly, I didn’t even have the energy to argue with him about it so I nodded.

As soon as we got to the office, I rushed out of my car. Miles had barely even turned off the ignition but I was already making my way into the building and up the stairs. I left my door slightly ajar so Nathan would know it was open and rushed over to continue with the dress.

I’m almost completely done, but I still need at least a day before it is ready to be worn. I might have to take it home with me so that I can pull an all nighter in order to finish it before the end of tomorrow.

Nathan walked into my office and I mentally prepared myself to tune him out but there was no need; he was as quiet as a door mouse. If not that I could feel his presence, I wouldn’t even know that he was here with me.

I could barely hear his footsteps and he made no sounds at all while he filmed.

He also didn’t do the ridiculous thing that a lot of people like to do where they ask you a bunch of stupid and unnecessary questions like ‘what are you doing right now?’ and ‘how far have you gone with the dress?’ or maybe, ‘do you think you’ll finish it in time? ’

His quietness was rather refreshing and it felt weirdly nice to have someone in the room while working who didn’t make me feel like stabbing their eyes out with a blunt needle. I was actually a little bummed when I heard him leave.

I don’t know how long he stayed filming but the room felt lonely which was weird considering that I’m always alone here but it just felt different. I told myself not to dwell on his presence or absence and buried myself in the work I badly needed to complete.

I don’t know how long I sat there, needle in hand and tape around my neck but after a while, my door opened. I ignored whoever it was until they walked in front of me and snatched the needle and fabric right out of my hand.

“Are you crazy? You could stretch the material,” I looked up and saw Nathan staring down at me with a blank expression, “Get the fuck out of my office!”

“No,” he carefully placed my things on the settee.

“I don’t know what the hell you think you’re doing right now but you have zero rights whatsoever to walk into my office and take my-,”

“Do you know what time it is?” I was so taken aback by the question that I stopped mid rant, “Have you even tried to check?”

“What does that have to do with anything?”

“What time is it?” he repeated the question, slower this time.

I take back everything I said before; I really do want to stab him in the eye with a blunt needle right now.

“I don’t know; maybe 5.” We got back from Grayson’s office around 2 so it can’t be more than 5 right now.

“It’s after seven Adira; actually it’s closer to eight right now.”

Confusion bled through me and I’m sure it showed on my face, “What?” I moved over to the curtain and pulled it open to cross check what he was saying and the sky was dark. “I swear it was 4 o’clock ten minutes ago.”

“No; it was four o’clock almost four hours ago.” He walked over to me and took the tape off my neck.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” I said decidedly, “I have work to do and I’m running behind schedule.”

“I don’t care how late you’re running; you shouldn’t be working this late.”

“Let me worry about myself.”

“What about the people who work for you?” he asked and that shut me up instantly, “What about Miles?”

“Shit,” I cursed and rushed into the lobby where Miles was sitting patiently, “I am so sorry; you can go home now. I completely forgot that you were here.”

Guilt flooded my entire system as I realized that Miles would have probably been sitting in the lobby waiting for me while everyone else left. This is exactly why I didn’t want a bodyguard because I didn’t want someone that I needed to be responsible for.

“It’s fine,” he assured me, “have a nice day. ”