The Irish Girl and her Soul mate.

Tears

"Freya" someone was calling me from my deep sleep. "Freya"

I opened my eyes slowly and focused on Pam's face. Rebecca hovered at the door.

"We didn't want to bother you but you need to come downstairs now" Pam added.

Straight away my heart fell and I could feel panic rising.

" What's happened. Is something wrong?"

"Not wrong" Pam replied pulling me to my feet. We decended into the front hall area where a delivery guy was bringing in vases of flowers.

"What the hell" I breathed. Vases of white roses lined the hallway and seating area of the sitting room.

The delivery driver handed me a card which I begrudgingly tore open.

A thousand roses for a mysterious girl. Each rose for each time I plan on asking you out. So let's cut to the chase and save time meet me tonight at Valentine's Restaurant 9pm.

Tristan.

I read the note aloud.

"Shut up" Pam gasped

I looked at the delivery guy.

"Take them back please." I snapped.

"I can't Mr Devon's instructions beside she signed for them" he shrugged pointing at Pam before leaving down the steps just as Mark appeared at my wide open front door.

I froze this could not be happening right now.

"Freya?" He asked looking at myself, Pam and Rebecca all standing in our hallway. He clutched a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He took in my disheveled bed hair, bed socks and short unicorn nightdress. I wished the floor would open up and swallow me.

"Mark hi what a surprise" my voice sounded startled.

"I thought I drop by and see if you wanted to grab dinner later" he added lamely holding out the flowers.

"Holy sweet Jesus" Pam gasped as Rebecca elbowed her.

"I was thinking Big Don's I could pick you up at 8?" He ignored Pam and Rebecca.

"Ah ok sure sounds good." I replied more just to end this akward encounter. I took the flowers from him. "Thanks" I meekly added.

" No problem although I wish I'd chosen chocolates now" he smiled indicating to the obnoxious vase after vase of roses scattered everywhere.

"No they're beautiful thank you" I rushed.

"Ok well I'll see you at eight" he smiled turning to leave.

"Yup that would be great. Bye" I closed our door behind him.

Pam fell to her knees in front of me

" You are a goddess teach me all you know" she mockingly worshipped me.

"Hahaha" I sarcastically responded. "Seriously what am I going to do?"

"Oh poor you two gorgeous guys falling all over you. What will you do?" Rebecca crossed her arms.

"Ok let's think." I took a breath. "Where's my phone?" I asked dashing up to get it in my room. I returned to the front hall where the girls still stood.

"What's the plan?" Rebecca asked.

"Well from work I happen to know there's a children's charity fund raiser dinner for mother's and daughters in Brooklyn this afternoon. The magazine donated some raffle prizes. I'm sure they could use the flowers to give out or decorate the room. So I'm going to get them shipped out of here." I pointed at the vases as I dialed the charity contact.

The charity were blown away by the flower donation which I made on behalf of the Devon Group. A van arrived and we loaded up the vases.

"Can't believe you gave them away" Pam sulked.

"They were ridiculous we would have had to live amoungst them. Besides I don't care about his money it was an obnoxious display. I can't be bought" I sighed.

Rebecca stood at the kitchen island drinking coffee.

"Ok and hunk number two whose flowers survived the donation?" She asked as we all looked at the colourful flowers sitting vaseless in the sink.

I explained who Mark was and how we had met as I drank my coffee.

"Do you know how many times I've gone out with Xander and James and never met anyone?' Pam sighed.

"Beginners luck" I muttered "besides it doesn't matter I'm not interested in either. I don't want a relationship. I still have things I need to work out" I added. My heart filled with sorrow thinking of Sean. I had noticed this was a less and less occurrence and this hurt me too.

"What are you going to do about Tristan tonight." Pam asked.

A smile spread across my face.

"For that I was thinking you might help me out?" A flash of mischief crossed her face.

At six I went upstairs to shower and get ready for my date with Mark. As I was applying my make-up my phone buzzed and my mother's number flashed on the screen. I picked up the call.

"Hello" I answered.

"Oh Joe she's there she picked up" my mother's voice came across the line. This was the normal structure of our conversation, an ackward three way repeative affair.

"Mom" I redirected her attention back.

"It's not too late honey is it?" She asked I rolled my eyes.

"No it's fine how are things?" I asked one handedly applying blush as we spoke.

"Good good. We are all fine." She boomed. I glanced at the clock it was twenty minutes until mark arrived I was going to have to cut this short and there was only one way to do that but I'd pay for it later.

"Look mom I love you but I have date I need to get dressed"

"Jesus Joe she has a date" my mother's excitement was palpable. " With who?"

"Mark Fitzgerald" I answered.

" Oh Joe he's Irish" she cried.

"Mom"

"What does he do?" She asked "is he in fashion?"

"No he's a city cop"

"Oh Joe he's a Garda" she shrieked.

"Mom I have to go." I added.

" Okay Freya make sure you have fun but if it leads to you know ........ Bedroom fun please ...."

" I'm begging you not to finish that sentence mother. Goodbye" I hung up almost dropping the phone in disgust on to the dressing table.

I quickly pulled on a mint green off the shoulder cocktail dress and silver heels, picking up my clutch I smoothed my curly waves over my shoulder and left.

Rebecca was sitting on the sofa in a black dress top and jeans.

"You look good" she smiled.

"Thank you. You heading out?"

"James and I are going to grab some sushi." She nodded as the doorbell chimed. "Enjoy" she smiled as I waved and left for my date with Mark.

******************************** Tristan

I entered the restaurant and was brought to my table. I was surprised to see Freya wasn't waiting for me. Usually when I made a date with a lady she was over keenly early. I took my seat and waited.

The waiter approached

" Bourbon on the rocks" I barked and he scurried away.

Freya was now twenty minutes late and for the first time since I was a young teenager that horrible realisation I might be stood up crossed my mind.

A tall blonde Barbie looking girl strived up to my table dressed in a sparkling gold cocktail dress and legs that went for miles. My usual taste if I wasn't so panicked by Freyas's growing absence. To my surprise she sat herself across from me.

"Hi there" she smiled extending a well manicured hand. "I'm Pam Freya's personal assistant. She can't make it tonight. But she would like me to give you this along with her thanks for such a kind deed" she handed me a card as she stood. "Good evening Mr Devon"

"Wait why couldn't she make it?" I hated that I sounded like a desperate schoolboy.

"She didn't want to." Pam shrugged as she strolled away.

I opened the card. The children charity NY logo was on the top with a typed note that read.

We would deeply like to express our gratitude to the Devon Group for the kind and heartwarming donation of the beautiful flowers for this afternoon's charity dinner. It was vastly appreciated.

I let out a breath. She donated the flowers I had sent. She hadn't shown up to dinner. It was very clear Freya Ash was a challenge and couldn't be bought.

*******************"****************

Freya

Mark sat across from me in the cosy little restaurant. It was understated but the food was divine.

" It's lovely here" I smiled.

" It's no high brow Valentine's but the food is amazing." He responded.

I almost choked on my pasta at the mere mention of Valentine's.

"I wouldn't know" I smiled.

" So the unusual scene this morning was something to do with a certain billionaire I assume?" He asked. I had known he would at some stage bring it up how could he not.

" I didn't think you noticed over my obvious shame and unicorn night dress" I quipped hoping to melt the seriousness of the question.

He smiled lightly

" I did notice the night dress"

" It's not what it seemed. It did involve Mr Devon but the flowers were a donation to the children charity afternoon tea. They just had a stop off in my place first" I heard myself playing hard and loose with the truth.

"That was nice of him" he muttered.

I nodded.

" So how long have you been a cop?" I asked desperate to change the subject.

" Three years" he replied. " How long have you worked in fashion?"

" Not long really. I needed a change in pace after a stressful year" I admitted.

" Really that rough?" he asked . I could tell he wanted to know more.

"Yeah. My mother's friends daughter had an opening in the magazine and I decided the change of scenery would do me some good. Shake me out of my comfort zone" I smiled.

He and I spent a comfortable evening chatting about childhood and jobs. Mark made me laugh and it was comfortable and easy to be with him.

At my doorway after a surprising comfortable and pleasant evening. Mark placed a hand on my hip and gently pulled me close. His lips brushed mine gently first pulling away I could tell he was testing my reaction when I didn't move he planted a firm but sweet lingering kiss on my lips. It was a comfortable kiss full of tenderness and kindness. It almost felt familiar and predictable.

" Night" Freya he whispered as he left.

I lay in bed thinking about my kiss with Mark. He was my usual kind of guy he was reliable, down to earth, kind and stable. I smiled he was a good guy then my mind betrayed me and flashed back to the night outside my door when Tristan Devon had kissed me. My lips and stomach tingled from the memory. There was so much passion, unpredictablity, strength and desire. I shook my head angrily

" Get a grip" I muttered forcing myself to forget Tristan and settling to sleep.

I was happily busy in my office bagging accessories and shoes and attaching them to their designated outfit with models name and arranging them on a rack for tomorrow's photoshoot. Music played in the background lightly.

"Freya" my office phone buzzed. " You've a visitor I'm sending them in" Julie from reception added.

"Ok thanks" I replied continuing my job.

"Freya" a deep voice asked. I looked up to see Tristan Devon standing in the doorway.

"Mr Devon" I replied composing myself. I hadn't expected to see him again following Pam's run down on how shocked he seemed at their encounter.

"I just came here to thank you for your kind donation on my companies behalf seeing as I was in a meeting in the building" he added.

"My pleasure it was a little ridiculous and unreasonable to expect a girl with four room mates to house a thousand roses. Excessive and wasteful also comes to mind" I turned my back and continued to organise the clothes rack.

"I disagree I thought it was perfect."

"No it wasn't" I snapped spinning around a little surprised by how close Tristan had become. " One long stem white rose is perfect. It's beauty and individual worth would have been obvious. A thousand of them blended them all into an overwhelming onslaught that couldn't be appreciated. Their beauty was lost on the idiocy of the waste and arrogance of the display of wealth." I angrily said.

Tristan looked down on me from his height.

"I'm sorry" he appeared genuine when he said it. "But you not showing at dinner was uncalled for"

" No not really. You didn't ask me or invite me. You told me to be there. I can't help it but since I turned eighteen I don't do anything anyone tells me unless I want to."

"Why are you so infuriating?" Tristan asked moving closer to me.

"Why are you?" I asked also mimicking his body language and taking a step forward.

"Freya please have dinner with me tonight?" He asked.

I shook my head

"I can't I've movie plans" I truthfully responded. " But you can pick me up here tomorrow at 1pm for lunch"

"Ok Freya we'll do it your way. I'll see you then" he whispered leaning close.

My body betrayed me and responded stiffening at the anticipation of his touch. It never came he turned and left leaving me wanting more.

I ran up to the movie theater enterance where Mark stood.

"Hi there" I smiled reaching up to give him a kiss. He seemed taken aback but apparently happy by my gesture.

"Good day?" He smiled

"Not exceptionally but I'm looking forward to seeing you and the movie" I answered.

He linked my arm and we entered the movie.

Another lingering goodbye on my doorstep lead to Mark and I having a more intense kiss that was extremely nice but no matter how much I wanted it to it didn't take my breath away like my kiss with Tristan.

"Two guys?" Rebecca asked as I took off my jacket inside after Mark left.

"No I like Mark" I replied. " He reminds me of ........." I trailled off under the subconscious realisation I had just made.

"Who?"

" My type of guy." I weakly added.

Rebecca decided to give me that one.

"And Tristan Devon?" She asked.

"I don't know. I hate him but I can't get him out of my head. " I admitted.

"There is a fine line between love and hate" Rebecca smirked heading up the stairs.

I woke earlier then normal mainly because my lunch with Tristan was weighing on my mind. I flicked through my clothes rail it was August in New York so it was humid out. I pulled out a casual backless yellow sundress and paired it with navy wedges and added a navy tailored jacket for the office. I threw my hair up in a messy bun. I toyed with the idea of my silver pendant briefly but seeing as Sean had bought it for my twenty first I couldn't bring myself to wear it.

I sat on my bed and picked up a picture of Sean and I

" Sean I know you wouldn't mind me moving on all things considered and I do miss you so much. But this has been different it feels like I'm free falling with Mark and Tristan. I don't know what to do. With you it was so simple. " I whispered. I felt briefly better at saying the words aloud into the atmosphere.

Blake was outside as I clutched my morning coffee he held the door open

"Morning Miss Ash"

" Morning Blake" I answered.

I spent the first part of the morning taking notes for Jessica at the editors meeting. I then was assigned with dressing the models for the jeans shot that was being held that morning.

The photographer wasn't my favourite he was particular and snappy. He clicked his fingers and called me Irish girl despite being told my name numerous times.

" Irish girl I need the darker jeans in this frame" he roared. I pushed the model in his direction. "No no no Irish girl get me a brown leather belt " he yelled in between yelling at the male models. I was struggling to switch a model from blue jeans to black after the latest roaring order when

" Irish girl hello are you ready chop chop" he yelled.

" I'm sure she is Austin." A smooth voice answered loudly. Everyone turned to glance

Tristan Devon stood at the photographers elbow.

" Mr Devon what a pleasure" Austin smiled softening his tone. I ushered the model in the newly changed jeans to the set.

" I think you'll find Irish girl's name is Freya" he added as I stood beside him. " It's s also Freya's lunch break so I'm going to take my girlfriend for lunch. I understand this is a fast paced shoot so I'm going to leave my assistant Mercy here in Freya's place I'm sure you'll cut her a little slack she follows orders well when they are reasonably asked" he smiled in his usual commandeering tone.

" Sure Freya thank you" Austin shook my hand. " There's no need for Mercy this is the last shot. Thanks Mr Devon it was nice seeing you" he added.

I gathered my bag and folder and left with Tristan.

"What no I can handle myself speech?" He asked as we stepped into the elevator.

" Normally yes and I can handle myself but Austin had it coming" I replied.

"Fair enough" Tristan held open the door and I slid in.

I took off my jacket as we sat in a quiet corner in the restaurant. After ordering we both sat quietly sipping our drinks.

"So do you like your job at Fashion Free?" He asked

"Yes it keeps me busy. I like that each day is different. I like my boss" I answered as the server put our dishes down

"That's good" he smiled.

"Yea and you? I can assume you love being the CEO of a huge company and then adding the political power of being a senators son."

" Well it has it perks" he replied. "But I do work alot which seems to surprise people"

I picked at my salad

"Work hard party hard" I bit.

"You seem to assume that of me" he bristled.

"And how could I assume anything else? First time we spoke you had left your girlfriend off a guest list to bring another woman. Then you sent me an obscene amount of flowers assuming I'd fall at your feet. Everything reported on the internet or social media networks displays a littered past of broken hearted women. I have my own broken heart I don't need a repeat" I snapped.

" Your own broken heart?" He asked picking up on my little outburst.

"Drop it" I warned

"No you make assumptions about me but maybe it has nothing to do with me" he goaded.

"What assumptions? Everything I said is based on fact" I pushed my salad aside.

"Okay so your heartbroken. Your college sweetheart cheated on you and abandoned you and now you're on a mission to label all men players?" He sarcastically spat.

I stood up and picked up my jacket.

" This was mistake" I could feel the emotions bubbling up. I took off out of the restaurant. Tristan followed suit and on the sidewalk reached me close enough to catch my arm.

"Struck a nerve?" He asked.

" No, you know nothing about me. You know nothing about Sean. How dare you!" I said through tears.

"Whoah Sean really did a number on you Freya" he took in my tears. "What did he do to you?"

I shook my arm free.

" Nothing Tristan he did nothing. He died. He died in a road traffic accident. He was taken from me. Everything was taken from me " I yelled. A few people had slowed to take in the scene. Tristan reached out and despite the fact I was pulling away he wrapped his arms around me pulling me into his chest. I could hear his heart beat as my tears began to flow. The dam in my heart burst. Months of forcing myself not to feel flooded onto of me. The pain was unbearable and I began to sob on the sidewalk in the arms of a billionaire I barely knew. After a few moments Tristan gently bundled me into his car.

As I sobbed I heard him ring his assistant Mercy to let Jessica know I was taking the rest of the day off. He helped me out of the car and into a tall building. I realized it was his apartment when he sat me on a light grey huge plush sofa. The whole city was on view with floor to ceiling glass walls. I stiffled the sobbing as Tristan disappeared loosing his tie as he strode across the wood floors. He returned a few minutes later with a tray on it was a steaming cup of tea.

" My housekeeper is Irish. Apparently in your culture tea cures all. " He smiled.

"Yea my mother would say so" I agreed taking the cup the warmth spread through my hand.

"Tell me about Sean?" He asked gently. I looked into his green eyes and the words began to tumble out.

"Sean and i had planned a life together, we had savings for our dream house. Plans to marry soon after graduation. We both wanted the same things. He was fun and simple. He made me laugh. He just fit with me. he got me like no one else. Then about a year ago he drove me home to Galway and was heading out on a nigh out with some team mates. He was involved in a multiple car crash on his way back. He was struck head on, he died instantly on the side of the road."

Tristan said nothing just put his arm around me and I placed my head on his shoulder. We sat in silence for what felt like an age.

"Freya I'm sorry"

" I know." I muttered pulling myself together. " I should get going" I added unfolding myself from his shoulder. "Can you take me home?" I asked.

"Course I will. " He nodded