CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
I jolted up from sleep from the constant beeping of my alarm .
Arrrgh ! New week , new problems .
I picked my phone and saw a message notification from an unknown number then I opened it .
UNKNOWN : Good morning Miss Paley
Who is this person ?
Laura I want to be the first person you talk to in the morning and the last person you talk to before going to sleep …
Oh my goodness , is this Mr Harlow ?
Me : Mr Harlow ?
I stood up to start my morning business then I got another message notification
UNKNOWN : Took you long enough to answer , don’t tell me you’re still in bed
Me : No I’m not and why are you sending me good morning messages ? If this is your strategy to get me in your bed , then I’m sorry because it’s kinda old school.
UNKNOWN : You don’t do old school ?
Me : Nope
I quickly saved the number as Mr Harlow
MR HARLOW : Too bad , anyways we have an official meeting in two hours , I already told Mr Chest to send the details to you .
Me : ok bye now
MR HARLOW : I just wanted you to know that you were on my mind the whole night , I couldn’t sleep without thinking of you . I can’t wait to see you Miss Paley
P.S : wear something very formal
Wow Mr Harlow is taking this a little bit too personal , I mean my heart is starting to flutter at his fake confessions , he already made it clear that all he wants is to smash so why am I expecting more from him ?
Arrrgh ! This is so frustrating .
I massage my throbbing scalp a little , the box braids were almost pulling out my hair , damn ! I miss my natural hair .
After getting dressed in the most formal dress in my wardrobe [A blue Palazzo Suit pant and jacket with a white inner and white heels ] I decided to go knock on Zoey’s room .
“ Hey zo “ I said as I entered her room .”
“ hey babe “ she said
“ Arrrgh I envy you so much , you don’t have to to work on the third Monday of the month “ I whined
The sales department [II] takes a day off every third Monday to honour their late director .
“ Guess who’s lucky to be in the sales department now “ she said smiling
“ whatever , guess what ?” She asked
“ What ?” I asked
“ I messaged the hot guy yesterday and he said we should meet up this evening “ she said
“ oh my goodness Zo , I’m so happy for you , you’re finally going to get your happily ever after “ I said which made her smile
“ Dude it’s just one date , it’s not like we’re getting married or something “ she said
“ whatever lover girl , I gotta run to the office now , I’ll see you when I get back”
“ Ok take care sweetie “
“ and you too my dearest one “ I said running off immediately .
I got out of the house and saw a very luxurious car with a very good looking guy leaning on it .
“ Mr Harlow ?” I asked
“ Good morning Miss Paley “
“ Good morning why are you here ?” I asked
“ We are going for an official assignment “ he said
“ I thought you said we had an official meeting “
“ Yeah we’ll handle that tomorrow , Let’s talk about this assignment first “
“ ok … Proceed “ I said
“ we have to go check out the perfect Venue for Bella’s wedding “ he said
“ But that’s not your job , you’re the CEO you should be in your office while we do it for you “
“ I know it’s not my job Miss Paley but it’s the least I can do to support the Fashion and strategy department and besides , this is an opportunity for reporters to know that we have a real strict boss and secretary relationship “ he said
“ Oh … Ok then “ I said
“ You have to drive “ he said giving me the keys
I would die to drive this beautiful car …
“ why ?” I asked
“ You’re my secretary , you should drive me to wherever I want to go to , you should open the door for me when I want to get out of the car , ok?” he asked
Wow , now I’m his slave ?
So much for accepting to be his outing secretary
“ We’ll be checking out two halls today , there are halfway across town “ he said
Wow , we’ll probably be together the whole day
“ Yes Miss Paley , we’ll be together the whole day , you don’t like that ?” he asked
Geez what is wrong with me ? I can’t believe I just said that out
“ Ummm please fasten your seatbelt “ I said as I started the car
After what seemed like forever , I parked in front of a very huge building .
“ is this the hall ?” I asked
“ yes it is “
I got down and opened the door for him to get down , from my side vision I could see people taking pictures , I quickly adjusted my clothes and acted more professional .
Mr Harlow led the way and I stayed one feet behind while holding a huge note and making a typical secretary pose .
“ Good morning “ a man said
“ Good morning are you the agent ?” Mr Harlow asked
“ Yes I am , it’s so nice to see you sir “ he said then he looked behind Mr Harlow and saw me
“ Oh my God you must be Miss Paley “ he said
“ Yes Nice to meet you sir “ I said smiling
“ wow you’re even more beautiful in person “ he said
“ oh thank you sir “ I said
“ ok let’s get to business “ Mr Harlow said interrupting us
“ Ok then ,please come on in “ The man said leading us into the huge hall .
I couldn’t help but marvel at the beautiful work of art before me , it had a combo of the medieval time and a little trendy vibe , I’m not gonna lie , this hall is hella gorgeous .
I zoned out on what Mr Harlow was saying with the agent as I continued ton looked around the hall in awe , it had a long staircase like those old British ballrooms , I imagined Bella and her husband walking down there on that day , Bella in her beautiful dress and her husband in his Tux with a theme called Midnight Dreams , what else would be perfect ?
I finished three of my sketches yesterday , I would submit them tomorrow for clarification , I hope they like it .
“ Miss Paley are you here ?” I heard Mr Harlow’s voice
“ Ummm yeah , I’m here “ I said
“ ok then we have to go check the other hall but first , what’s opinion on this one?” He asked
Honestly this hall is beautiful but it’s kind of missing something … I’m not so sure but something is definitely missing .
“ This hall is really beautiful but … I don’t know … Its -“
“ You don’t like it ?”
“ I do infact I love it”
“ so what’s wrong ?” he asked
“ something is missing , the whole building matches the theme but I can’t help but Think that something is missing “ I said
“ ok then we should go check the second one maybe you’ll know what’s missing “ he said
That’s right
“ ok then “ I said
“ Miss Paley do you wanna take a quick walk down the road ?” he asked
“ Ummm why ?” I asked
“ I really love the fresh air and there are lots of reporters here , if we let them take pictures of us working together then people will believe we’re not truly in a romantic relationship”
“ oh ok “ I said getting behind him as we both walked down the street .
“ So A Midnight Dream uhn?” he suddenly asked which made me smile
“ Where did the idea come from , you know it’s so poetic and heart gripping '?” He said
“ honestly I don’t know , the inspiration just came from nowhere “ I said and he laughed
“ I read your proposal , it was so beautiful , you truly deserve to be on the fashion team “ he said
“ Thank you sir “ I said trailing behind him
“ So what’s your Midnight Dream ?” he asked
Wow , he’s just like his dad , it’s funny how he also asked me this same questions .
“ I don’t know “ I said then he stopped and turned back to look at me
“ Really ? You don’t have a dream ?”
“ No … Not really , I’m content with what I have now besides dreams are for people who sleep whereas I’m always in the office doing shit load of work instead of sleeping “ I said and he laughed
“ Miss Paley “ he called
“Yes “
“ I don’t know what your dream is but I want to help you achieve it “
“ I told you already , I don’t have a dream “ I said
“ what you need is a little push before you skyrocket , Laura I’m ready to push you “ he said staring deeply into my eyes .
Wow , I think I just ran out of oxygen
.
.
.
“ Zoey Miller I’m home “ I yelled immediately I entered the house
“ Great , just in time , come help me pick a dress will you ?” she said
“ coming I said dropping my bag on the counter to go help her .
I entered her room and saw clothes and shoes scattered everywhere
“ wow zo , what happened here ?” I asked
“ Laura I don’t know what to wear , I’ve searched my whole wardrobe and I still can’t find anything to wear , you gotta help me , you’re the fashion designer here “
“ Ok ok move away peasant and let the queen get to work “ I said flipping my hair to the back which made her roll her eyes
“ ok let’s see “
I picked up a blue dress and threw it at her
“ try it on “ I said
She picked it up and wore it
“ what do you think ?” she asked
“ Ummm … too churchy “ I said
I picked another one and threw it to her
“ What about this ?” She asked
“ Too pink , what are you ? Barbie ?”I asked
This went on for like thirty minutes
“ ok I’m fine with this one “ she said holding a red backless gown
I stared at the gown for a minute
“ I think this is showing a little too much , you can’t wear it “ I said
“ But I like it and you haven’t Even been of any help for the past thirty minutes , I’ll meeting my date soon and I don’t even have something to wear “ she said half yelling
“Excuse me for trying to find the perfect dress for you “ I said angrily
“ Sorry Laura it’s all in my head , honestly I’m nervous “ she said
“ Don’t be , you look beautiful in anything you wear , you know what you can wear whatever you want to because you don’t need to impress Anybody “ I said and she hugged me
“ Thanks babe , so should I wear this ?” she asked
“ like I said earlier it’s a little opened but it looks really good , I’m just worried about the Tattoos , do you think he’ll like it ?” I asked
“ Boo I didn’t get this Tattoos to hide them under clothes , it’s his problem if he likes it or not “ she said and I gave her an Hi five .
“ You got it girl “ I said
After few minutes she walked out fully clothed with her makeup done .
“ That’s what I’m talking about girl , now go out there and make me proud “ “ I said
“ I got this right ?”
“ of course you do “ I said
“ my Taxi is here , see you later “
“ Byeee , don’t do what I wouldn’t do “ I yelled
Zoey is a really good person and she deserves all the happiness on this earth.
After watching Netflix for few hours I did a few exercises and went straight to bed .
My mind couldn’t help but wander off to the events that happened lately , when did my life become this ?
Me ? An Ex model ? I’m designing a celebrity’s wedding dress ? This is Definitely A Midnight Dream .
Then I heard the doorbell ring
Whoa ! Who could be there ?
I don’t expect Zoey to be back this early so who can it be ?
I put on my big boy’s pants and went to the door side
“ who’s there ?” I asked
“ it’s me Zoey “
I quickly opened the door
“ wow you’re back already ? Come on you have to tell me everything I want the full gist on –“
My words were cut short as I saw tears running down her face
“ oh my God Zoey are you okay ?”I asked but she just walked past me and entered Into her room .
I tried to barge in but the door was locked .
“ Zoey please tell me what happened “ I pleaded
“ Babe are you there , please open the door “
“ Zo you gotta –“
“ Laura please I’d really love to be alone right now “ she suddenly said
What ?
“ Zoey what are you saying ? “
“ Go away , I don’t want to see you “ she said and immediately my heart broke into tiny pieces .
Zoey has never told me to go away …. Not even once