The Irish Girl and her Soul mate.

Fashion Free

Gathering myself after the long flight I stepped out into the bright sun light and warm air of New York. I took a moment to breathe in deep and fill my lungs with air. I spotted a man standing next to a black town car with my name on a board along with the Fashion Free logo on it. I waved and approached him.

"Miss Ash" he asked.

"Yes" I replied.

"I'm your driver Blake. I am available to you during working hours and any other appointments you may require" he explained.

"Jessica got me a driver?" I gasped.

"Miss Quinn needs her assistant to be able to get around the city." He responded loading my bags into the town car. And holding the back seat door open.

"Miss Quinn" I muttered the mental note to remind myself that Jessica was proffesionally known as Miss Quinn and to address her so at work. I watched the buildings of New York fly by as Blake made his way to my new home in Chelsea. He stopped outside a large beautiful old brownstone house. It had steeps up to a large wooden door.

"Gosh it's so pretty" I gasped.

Blake nodded " it's got alot of character around here. Some beautiful buildings and walks."

I stepped out of the car and suddenly had a feeling like I was Carrie Bradshaw from s*x and the city suddenly it all felt so surreal. I Freya Ash was standing outside a beautiful new home on a sidewalk in New York City. It was a far cry from a rural village in Galway and even the bright lights of Dublin paled in comparison. I felt a jolt in my heart I hadn't felt in months, a small flutter of excitement danced across my heart before it was chased away by guilt and the memory of Sean . I composed myself and walked up to the door knocking lightly. A young man mid twenties answered it.

"Hi there I'm Freya Ash" I introduced myself hoping he would tell me what was next.

"Hi Freya I'm Xander" he smiled. "Jessica told us you were taking her spot here." He stepped aside.

"Us?" I asked allowing my brain get ahead of my mouth.

" Yeah there's myself, Pam, Rebecca and James here." He replied.

" How very Friends like" I responded lamely refering to the sitcom.

He smiled " more like The Big Bang Theory seeing as James and I work at the University. Rebecca in law and Pam is barriesta and model this week anyway." He added making a sitcom reference of his own.

I smiled back he seemed warm and friendly. "Anyhow you have Jessica's old space which is pretty much the whole top floor. I'll show you up."

Xander led me up two flights of stairs to a cosy large sitting area with a flat screen TV, cream sofa with silver and pink throw cushions. The furniture was white based , a modern white coffee table stood in the centre, a white book shelf and some floating shelves framed a large bay window with a window seat area. It was framed with plush pink and sliver silk tie back curtains. The hardwood polished floor had thick silver grey rugs expertly placed. A white door to left stood ajar.

"Through there is your bedroom and bathroom" Xander indicated.

I could only nod surprised at the lavish surroundings. Blake's presence dropping down the first of my cases jarred me from the fairytale.

"Let me help you get the rest." Xander laughed indicating to the large suitcase and Blake's flushed face from three flights of stairs.

I removed my light jacket and tossed it on the sofa, kicking off my shoes I entered the equally plush bedroom, a large four poster bed stood in the centre of the room with a matching dressing table. A small walk in closet was to the right of a beautiful white bathroom. I looked longingly at the jacuzzi bath.

"Thank you Jessica. " I gushed lying back on the huge bed.

I must of fallen asleep and awoke hungry early in the evening. At a glance of my phone it was 8pm. I got up, straightened my jeans and top and wandered out into the seating area. There was a phone, a laptop, set of keys and envelope on the coffee table. I opened the envelope.

Greetings Freya

I'm guessing from my mother and her reports you might need a little breathing space. However this week is super busy for me at the magazine. I would love for you to come to the office at 10am tomorrow and we can talk through a few days light work to settle you in. Blake will have given you your work phone and computer. He will also pick you up at 9am for the office. Casual neat office wear will be required.

Jessica.

I briefly checked the battery on the new phone it was fully charged. I wandered down the first flight of stairs three doors were on that floor and each were shut. I descended to the next level. The enterance door was in front of me this floor was open plan mostly a large lounge area and kitchen with a dining table. Xander was sitting cross legged at the coffee table with two girls and two guys

"Oh hey Freya come in and meet with the gang" I could tell he was trying hard to be friendly and kind. Everyone looked my direction

"Hi" I waved feeling suddenly self conscious.

"Hi I'm Rebecca" a short slim brown haired girl smiled holding out her hand. "This is James" she indicated to a tall blonde man in a plaid shirt. He nodded. "Pam and Pam's new man Kai" she added

"Funny" Pam smirked making a face at Rebecca. She was tall and had wavy bleach blonde hair and was wearing a tight pink dress. " We'll catch up Freya but I'm sure you understand Im heading out on a date with Kai" she called heading to the door and grabbing her purse.

Kai the tall muscular guy on her heels didn't even notice my existence.

"They seem nice" I said as the door swing shut

"Pam is okay she' s shallow but kind. Kai well he's another one hit wonder. Pam very rarely goes on a second date. Odds are we will never see him again " Rebecca replied.

" Sit we we're about to order in" James broke in patting the sofa near him. I sat thanking God as I was starving.

"Pizza ok?" Xander raised his eyebrows at me.

" Sure sounds great I'm starving and I'm not a fussy eater so whatever you usually do." I smiled.

"Let's do pepperoni" James told Xander as he called it in.

Rebecca looked up from her laptop.

"So you're Jessica's new assistant?" She asked.

"Yes I start tomorrow." I replied.

" Jessica is a good boss if you can keep up with her." She smiled.

"Have you worked for her?" I asked my interest peaked.

"No but I may as well have. Pam did for a few stressful weeks so James, Xander and I found ourselves bailing Pam out. Pam doesn't do organised, or filing, or following instructions very well" she laughed.

"Do you know Mary Jane's are a style of shoe and not Spiderman's girlfriend?" Xander asked.

"I thought Mary Jane was a strap style shoe and Spiderman's girlfriend." I laughed.

" Yeah well I didn't until I got yelled at in chanel for looking to pick up a person and not a pair of shoes." He responded.

"Pam's my best friend but she gets herself and often us into the most riddiculous situations. So be warned" Rebecca explained.

"Oh shut up Miss boring. If it wasn't for Pam you would be so dull." Xander rolled his eyes.

"We are what you would call academic Nerds. Pam is our socail coach our rogue variable that spices up New York. We adore her" James smirked.

"Academic Nerds?" I asked tentively

" I'm a geologist at the University doing my docturite." James replied.

"Same in chemistry" Xander added.

" I'm no nerd" Rebecca started.

"No your a ball busting Junior at a law firm" James interjected.

" I'll take it over nerd" she replied going back to her laptop.

The pizza arrived and the small talk continued. I found out they had befriended Jessica in some way or other before she had got her high flying job. James she met when a friend of hers dated his friend and they just clicked their friendship outlasted the relationship of their friends. Rebecca she met in a clothes shop when Rebecca was having a brief changing room panic attack about some college exam. Jessica had talked her down and they went for drinks and became friends. Xander tutored her briefly in math before she offered him her spare room when it came up for rent. Pam met Jessica through Rebecca. It appearred she had never forgotten them now even and they regularly hung out.

I felt comfortable in their presence and was looking forward to this change as I settled to bed to get some sleep for my first day at work.

I woke early in the huge double bed and stretched. I threw open the massive curtains to reveal the huge window. Sunshine flooded the room. I took a quick shower. I dried my hair and put in some hot curlers as I scrambled through my cases. I had no idea what was ahead of me for the day. I pulled on a vintage beige cream knee length pencil skirt and a pastel pink top. I pulled out a beige large handbag, tossed a cardigan into it, my phone and the work phone, laptop, keys, a small umbrella and some make up. I applied a day look make up quickly, took out the curlers and pulled on a pair of pastel pink flats. I entered the kitchen area browsing for coffee cups. James entered behind me,

"corner cupboard travel mugs, we all take it on the go in the morning." He pointed.

I opened the cupboard with a thankful smile and poured a large helping of coffee. Pam wandered in looking worse for wear, smeared make up and hair matted on one side.

"Tough night?" I asked

"I puked in my purse" she answered. James made a face and moved out of her way.

"That would certainly be a tough night" I answered also backing away having someone puke on me on my first day wasn't in my plan.

"Unlike you though" James smirked.

"Kai was a d**k. I couldn't listen to him what a dumb bore. So I drank and then someone bought me a bottle of champagne." She shrugged.

"Someone?" I asked

"Yup" she nodded holding up her forearm where a name and number was scrawled in black ink.

"Nice he never thought to input it in your phone or maybe on paper?" I laughed

"I had puked in my bag therefore I killed my phone" she replied sipping her water as if this was an everyday occurrence.

"Ok" I laughed glancing at my watch I've got to go. I waved goodbye. When I got outside I found Blake waiting with the car.

"Your early" I smiled.

" Always Miss Ash" he tipped his hat and held open the car door I slid inside.

We drove to Fashion Free magazine's office it appeared to be located somewhere around Manhattan. I made a mental note to ask Blake for future reference.

I got out and looked at the tower glass building pausing to take it in. I took a deep breath and pushed through the glass door.

I walked across the large marble foyer to a white desk where a young girl sat with a head set. I paused as she finished up a call and looked up.

" Freya Ash for Miss Quinn Fashion Free magazine" I blurted out.

"Oh yes" she handed me out a key card badage and signaled toward a row of glass elevators. "Floor seven, use the key card to open the glass door and you'll see the reception desk. They're expecting you." She returned imidiately to her phone calls.

After a quick elevator ride, and a swipe through the doors I found myself waiting for Jessica as I sat in her office.

"Freya" she smiled as she entered pulling me to my feet and into a warm hug. " I'm sorry it's all go here." She added. " Forgive me I'm going to rush on and give you a brief run down because I'm up to my neck in it today, but we will have a proper catch up soon."

"Sure" I smiled pulling out a pad and pen from my bag. "Shoot what do you need"

Her body appeared to relax as she broke into a smile.

"Thank God Freya I think you'll be fine here."

She gives me a list of errands and then a quick tour. The office spans over three floors. On the eight floor they are mid fashion shoot and also busy recruiting for an up coming shot. My office is like a walk in closet with a desk, computer and phone. There are sample clothes and shoes everywhere. Jessica's pager goes of she mumbles a quick I'm sorry before she bolts from the room.

I look at the errands on my list. A quick call to Blake to have the car outside at two and I head back to the casting call swiping through the doors with my key card. A hassled girl is sitting at a desk barking orders.

"Hi I'm Freya Miss Quinn's new assistant what do you need" I assertively stood tall.

"Andrea, take this list and camera. Find the model Polaroid them against the white screen and write their name and measurements on each thanks."

I take the items and spend the morning meticulously doing as I was asked. As the last girl left I did a quick flip through of the Polaroids, placing them in alphabetical order of surname. I handed them silently to Andrea.

"Hey Freya" she looked up. "Not bad this morning, thank you"

" No worries" I smiled as I left. I grabbed a coffee and my bag and raced down to meet Blake. He held the door as I slid in.

"I need to pick up a Waters wedding gown at the first address please Blake, then the second address is a florist I've to meet and the last address is a bakery" I handed him a page where I had written down the three addresses. From the look of my pick ups the magazine was shooting a bridal style shoot in the morning.

"Stop one" Blake called. I jumped out in front of a high end looking fashion store with a doorman, who held it open as I bolted passed. After explaining who I was I was given a white garment bag which Blake placed in the back.

A few moments later he called.

"Stop two"

I entered the florist it's perfume was beautiful. I paused to look at the rows of lush flowers.

"Hi can I help you?" An older lady asked.

"Hi I'm from fashion free I'm here for their order" I replied.

"Okay what colour scheme did they settle on?"

I froze no one had given me one. I excused myself and rang the office. The reception desk told me Miss Quinn was not available. I text her personal phone with no luck.

"Ok you know what let's keep it traditional white with a little green foliage, not much could be wrong with a neutural pallet." I replied.

"Roses?" She queried.

"No let's mix it up chrysanthemums and a few white lilies in the mix maybe. Less predictable." I replied.

"Sure I'll make them up and they'll be delivered for 9am tomorrow" she answered.

" Oh ok thanks" I called dashing on.

The next stop was less eventful I picked up a plain traditional white wedding cake. I returned to the office. Blake handed the cake to the doorman who told me he'd send it up. I carried the garment bag up hanging it on the back of my office door.

The rest of the day was emails and hanging the samples strewn across the office. At seven pm Blake called up to say he was ready. As I gathered my things a tired Jessica peeped in. She held up her phone

"Just got this about the colour scheme for the flowers, truthfully I don't have one in mind"

"I went with white" I answered. "I figured we could add a coloured ribbon or something if it was wrong"

" Freya you will be kept" she left laughing. " See you at eight am" she called.

Blake drove me home in silence.

Over the next few weeks I fell into a routine of photo shoots, fashion shows and running errands. It was face paced and tiring exactly what I needed to not think about Sean, Ireland or my future.

As I was settling in front of the TV for a Friday night in. James and Xander burst into the room.

"Hey Freya"

"Hey guys" I responded flicking mindlessly through the TV channels.

"You two heading out?" I asked.

"Sure are, party in an Irish bar down town" James confirmed.

"You should come with us. You haven't been out much since you arrived" Xander added.

" No thanks I'm sure I can live without the leprechaun music and the green shamrocks scattered everywhere." I sarcastically answered.

"Actually O Malleys is a tasteful Irish bar" James interjected.

"Besides who are you to cast judgement when you haven't seen it" Xander smirked. " Come on Feya live a little" he continued.

"Live a little" echoed in my head like a nagging phrase I was unable to shake.

"Fine, fine" I muttered standing up. "Give me twenty minutes" I raced up stairs.

I entered O Malleys it was busy but I was pleased to note their was no cliched Irish leprechauns bounding out to greet me. It was a dark wood bar, there were Guinness glass mirrors and maps of Ireland on the wall. Otherwise it seemed like most.

"What you two drinking?" I asked "my shout" I smiled.

"Two bottles of beer please" James added. Seemed a bit vague but I nodded heading to the bar.

"Two bottles of beer and a Jack Daniels on the rocks" I ordered from the bar man.

" An Irish girl ordering Tennessee whiskey" a voice asked from my right. I froze this was it the Irish Colleen jokes were going to keep coming tonight.

"I find it easy to drink." I replied taking a large mouthful from it without even looking at the person who spoke.

"Where you from?" The deep husky voiced asked. This time I looked at the owner about to tell him to his face to bugger off I wasn't interested. However my snarky reply caught in my throat as I looked into the chiselled face of a very handsome man. He had striking brown eyes and a floppy brown but very neat hair cut.

"Galway" I answered quickly feeling the blush rise slightly

"My very own Galway girl" he smiled. " I'm Mark Fitzpatrick" he held out his hand which I shook. My intital primial reaction to him was now beginning to ebb away.

"I'm Freya, Freya Ash" I replied.

"Hey Freya" James appeared at my side. Taking the bottles of beer and pointing in the direction of a corner booth. " We're just over there when you finished chatting" he smirked.

"Your boyfriend?" Mark asked as we both watched James head back to where he and James were sitting with a few other guys.

"No I don't have a boyfriend" I instantly regretted the words.

"That's good to know." He smiled. I found out Marks Great grandfather was from Mayo and that he like his father, brothers and grandfather we're cops here in the city. He seemed nice and was easy to talk to.

" I better spend some time with my friends" I finally decided pointing at Xander and James.

"Sure can I get your number?" He asked.

" Look Mark I had a great time chatting but I'm just out of a serious relationship and I've just moved here so I've a lot on my plate..."

" How about I give you my number in case you need a friend to show you around, listen to or maybe even bail you out sometime. No romantic strings attached. We can do friendly lunches and movies" he smiled.

" Ok that I can do" I agreed handing him my phone to enter his number. I walked away to join Xander and James with the intention of never calling Mark.

After my night in O Malleys I spent a quiet weekend not doing much except meeting Jessica for lunch on Sunday and finding out I needed to help her organise a high brow event in a pent house room in a huge city centre hotel. She needed me to be the hostess and make sure the details were in place. The list of guests she handed me was impressive. Political players, sports stars, actors, actresses and musicians. I could tell this was a big deal to Jessica and the magazines biggest event to date.