Leon Laurent wasn't going to let go of what happened that morning so easily, Clara had observed within an hour of being in his presence. He brought it up when she had subtly attempted to lay her complaints about how he was driving with her in the front seat, and made a joke of it when she hadn't wanted to go to a restaurant with him.
All within an hour.
She was exhausted already having to follow him around Manhattan while he purchased everything he could find in stores and signed autographs for fans who happened to recognise him.
And that fucking happened most of the time.
After these two months, Clara couldn't believe she would be bullied again. That was definitely the one way of describing everything about Leon, and he did that while flashing his annoying mischievous smile and winking as though he were a pro. Scratch that he was. He had only taken time to tap her car with his fingers before going to open his passenger's seat for her, insisting she gets
"Did something happen to Mr. Laurent while you were out with him?"Clara had practiced the reply to this interrogation in front of the mirror more times than she could count, and yet found herself faltering in front of Andre Quinn who was seated behind his desk as usual, so effortlessly domineering she almost admitted to punching their company model immediately."Oh... Not that I know of, sir. What happened?" She had linked her fingers together so they wouldn't give her away somehow.Andre tapped his fingers on the table. "He called the director to say he bumped his head against the wall or something."Clara relaxed visibly, having lost all the arrogance that had kept her going last night when she had driven Leon to their hotel where he was lodging. "Oh... Ahem, that would affect the shoot right?"Yeah, he obviously wouldn't stand before the cameras advertising his eye patch. She could effectively say that she had jeopardised the
He hadn't styled his hair; having seemingly showered a few minutes back. His hair was let down, and for the first time, she noticed how long it was for a male; It was almost shoulder length and covered part of his face, making him look more casually beautiful."Hi sweetheart." He smiled as soon as he spotted her by the door, looking visibly pleased to see her.Clara took in his appearance with appreciative eyes, but masked them immediately as well. "Hey, how are you doing?"Leon smiled again, stepping aside to let her into the room. He didn't say anything till she entered the spacious suite which was basically a luxurious home. It was made up of multiple rooms; one of the few suites which made provisions for a kitchen and allowed the guests to cook if they wanted. It was also customised according to each occupant's taste.It was the most expensive room as well; the Queen's Suite.The furniture was posh and suited the interior decor of t
It had only taken few words on Leon's part to convince Mr. Quinn that he wasn't crazy, especially since the former really looked enthusiastic for some reason. "But you aren't healed yet." Andre had stated the obvious, looking at the younger man with hooded eyes. Well, Laurent wasn't the type to back down easily, he had pulled out the seat next to Clara and sat, smiling as he talked. "It occurred to me this morning that this could be the idea that would sell the products more. I could be shown looking for ways to successfully hide this scar; make up is harmful and the brushes ache when I try to apply foundation. So I take a selfie with the camera and edit it..." "To show how well the camera can hide it." Andre chipped I'm immediately, his voice higher Clara had ever heard it to be. It carried the same excitement as Leon's and they were both smiling, nodding their heads in understanding. She got to admit that Leon was smarter than she had thought
"I see you ended things with Gianna, I got your flowers." Ariadne Page was blunt as usual, a quality Andre sought in a woman. The coy ones who chased ideality didn't get his blood pumping.And that included his penis hardening."You liked them, I presume." He cut his steak as he spoke, dipped it into the sauce and brought it to his lips.Ariadne smiled, her brown hair packed upwards in a professional chignon which made her slender face look even smaller. They had both come from work, being busy people who hadn't had the time to change into a more casual outfit."Every smart woman likes roses, Andre. Despite their beauty and rareness, their thorn reminds you not to get carried away by having romantic illusions. They sit in my vase, so I find them agreeable."He reclined into the seat, the corner of his lip curved upward into a smirk. "I'm impressed, Ariadne."He had met her at a dinner party the last week which he had attended wit
The week had the employees who worked at the Quinn Corporation headquarters putting in extra efforts to ensure that no mistake was made in the final design of their latest advancement in technology. Having worked overtime and days of taking office work home, Clara and her friends could finally say they deserved a girls' night out.Except it was also the first time they were sleeping over at Clara's place and had decided to making it an indoor activity in the condo. It was one of those nights which promised catch-up on months of gossip and secrets which had probably been preserved since prom night. And they were making the most of it."My my, I just want to live here!" Brenda stated in her usual excitement, having failed to get over the beauty of the condo although she had been there quite a number of times. She lay on the custom-made De Angelis sofa which was covered in an Edelman leather with a metallic theme which suited the rest of the design.Everything in t
"One bagel, doughnut and a muffin, please." Clara placed an order, her elbows balanced on the counter."Alright ma'am." The waitress with pierced nose and dyed hair peeping from her baret said with the most gracious smile, wrapping up the pastries and handing the package over to her. Clara took it with thanks, and tipped her heavily. Just as Leon had requested.She headed towards his direction; he was seated by the window of the 24 hour cafe, a cap concealing his face. He wasn't in the mood to make himself seen tonight, but he had been in a serious mood since she got there anyway.He was sipping at the coffee she had brought for him when she sat opposite him, placing the pastries on the table."Thanks, sweet cheeks." Well, irrespective of his mood, that one thing about him hadn't changed yet; his use of cheesy nicknames to address her.She said nothing and nodded instead, pushing her palms into the pockets of her sweats. The night
Andre Quinn was in an irritable mood. It was the first time Clara had witnessed his dissatisfaction with Gonzalo considering the latter's meticulousness and efficiency. He had submitted the reports of the preparations being made for the launching of the products on Monday morning, just the same time that Clara had come to his office bearing analysed statistical documents in her work tab which stated the budget proposed by the account department. But Andre had rejected Gonzalo's at a first look, asking if he were slacking off for some reason. There hadn't been any professionalism in his voice, but plain upfront coldness which he hadn't exhibited in a long long time. Or perhaps never. "Get the punctuations right, this isn't a kindergarten. Edit and submit it to me by afternoon." He had virtually flung Gonzalo's work tablet on the table before turning to her, as though she were the next fish to be grilled and eaten. Her heartbeat had been at the risk of sending her on the floor with t
Clara left her office five minutes after sending out the message for an urgent meeting with her team, having taken enough time to gather the reports they had received from their marketing team and put them in a folder. But those five minutes had the assistants already seated and waiting for her.They rose when she came in as they had now been doing for three months, acknowledging her with fearful faces."Good day." She took the seat at the centre, and Jessica whom she had demoted to the position of an intern came forward to boot the laptop and connect it to the projector.In the next three minutes they were all waiting with their pens, their eyes fixated on hers.Clara took in a deep breath, and fired instructions to the system. "Mr. Quinn requested for a statistical evaluation of our sales in Europe before five o'clock today. So let's begin."They stared at her for seconds, shock and confusion written into their eyes befo