Roses Aren’t Always Red

Morning After Spill

An annoying dinging sound filled Queenie's ears as she turned slightly with a groan. She almost reached for her phone when she felt the bed move.

A body shifted and turned over in a groan only to lay still again.

Peering her eyes open she saw him, he was reaching for his phone and the alarm suddenly went silent.

It only took a moment to realise where she was, that's when she cursed herself and slapped her forehead.

"Morning beautiful." He rasped

"No." She mumbled in return and he laughed.

The bed shifted once more and this time she opened her eyes and found him sitting up and typing away at his phone.

The room's grey curtains allowed for minimal light to shine through and looking at the clock beside her it read '5.04am'

With another sigh she rubbed at her temples.

"You okay?" August asked

"Slightly sore." She mumbled and he got out of bed and walked out soon returning with a glass of water and a bottle of painkillers he passed her.

"Take two, you certainly drank quite a bit yesterday."

After her dosage she fell back onto the bed and almost fell asleep again

"Uh-huh up up." She felt a tug at her arm as he pulled her up

"Come on, let's shower and then you can just get home and change for work okay?"

With a pout she nodded as he led her to his shower.

It was grand and spa like and she couldn't help the question that followed, "Where the hell do you get your money from?"

He was already going to the shower, "I invest in several properties and make business here and there, mostly through investments and partnerships really - but mostly property."

"Mhm. You need to teach me your ways I could use a place like this I swear, you stink of money."

This earned her another laugh as he turned on the water, "Come on, babe. Time is money."

She disregarded the sheet she had used to cover herself up with and inverting her head she tied her hair into a bun and followed after him.

It was a warm shower of small talk and jokes and Queenie occasionally complaining how it wasn't hot enough and him explaining how he didn't wish to be scorched to death by complying with her need to bathe in boiling water.

And soon after they were done and August was dressing up. He had lent Queenie some sweatpants and a shirt until she could change for work.

"I'm sorry we're gonna have to leave so early, who knew a good f**k on a weekday could be rather inconvenient." Queenie finally said

"Oh no don't worry, apparently it's just what I needed." He smiled at her through the mirror

"Ready?" He asked. He was dressed in a classic black suit and white shirt, with a black trench coat and navy blue dress shoes, tie and belt to match

"Yeah." Her voice cracked, "You look real dapper."

He looked at her momentarily as he fastened his watch on, another expensive timepiece from his drawer, before he spoke up, "Thank you love. But don't get any ideas now baby girl we don't have time."

"I know." She sighed as she grabbed a bag he had lent her to place her clothes in and her purse

He grabbed a briefcase, laptop bag and his phone and gestured she walk ahead.

And they walked outside, the cold nipping at their skin and she immediately ran to the car he had unlocked as she left him to lock up.

He followed and soon they were driving towards her home which he had punched into his GPS.

"It's only 7 what are you gonna do til your meetings start?"

He sighed as searched his car for something that he finally found and popped into his mouth.

He began to chew on it and the air smelt like gum, the familiar minty smell she caught onto first time she walked in.

"Well, I'll go have breakfast, I'll only have to meet a partner at 10 actually, so that enough time for me to prepare for the day anyway, would've done it at home but I'll go to a café."

"Sorry again, I know home is always better." She shrunk in her seat. He was only out this early to get her home.

"No babe stop. I don't mind at all, seriously."

She smiled once more as she grabbed his phone and looked at the playlist

"Can I please play a proper morning song at least?"

"What's wrong with John Legend?"

"Nothing, he's so smooth he's serenading me back to sleep that's all." She snorted

"Ayt go ahead."

She typed a song in and immediately Live Your Life by T.I. featuring Rihanna began playing

"'...Everybody right here,

What you need to do is be thankful for the life you got, you know what I'm sayin?

Stop lookin' at what you ain't got, and start being thankful for what you do got

Let's give it to em baby girl...'" Queenie recited diligently as she smiled at him, "This is my jam right here babe."

"Really? You like this?" He scoffed

"Dude. Who doesn't?"

She sang the entire chorus out loud as August just vibed beside her with a large smile and to her surprise he fell right into the rap verse seamlessly.

"So you actually like this song? Why ain't you play better beats then?" She snorted

"I mean yeah, it's just not want I typically play in the morning you know?" He laughed

"Well try it, it keeps you motivated, gives you boss b***h energy to take s**t head on." She nodded as the song continued, "Not that you need to learn because you are doing pretty well."

"Well I may be a boss but a boss b***h? That sounds like your forte, send a playlist over I may have to tap into this super power."

The ride was filled with laughs and singing as Queenie compiled a playlist for him.

And soon enough they pulled up outside her apartment where he got out and accompanied her upstairs and when they came to the door it was half seven.

"I guess I gotta get ready now."

"Yeah, I wish I had you all to myself but..."

"Yeah but..." She said as she leaned over and pulled his face in for a kiss and he returned it eagerly but quickly pulled away

"Don't get me started now."

She rolled her eyes at him, "Anyway uhm, so I'll see you?" She asked tentatively

"Yeah of course Queen. I'll call you later on today and we can work something out okay?"

"Yeah." She nodded

And soon enough he had left and she was preparing for work. After dressing up and grabbing a quick semi-healthy smoothie, a pack of crackers and a large bag of crisps she had her files and laptop and was in her car on her way to work.

Amazingly she arrived with twenty minutes to spare which she used to stuff as much as could into her mouth before walking into the building.

Walking in and on her way to her office she jerked back as Jay called, "Hey! Q!"

"Oh hey Jay..." She said as she proceeded to walk in and place her stuff on her desk and turned to him

"Girl what happened you didn't respond at all!" He asked as he followed behind her

"Oh well, I guess I was busy." She lamely responded

"Busy huh?" He laughed as she sat on her desk, "So tell me, was it good?"

"Magnificent." She laughed, unable to hide anything from him

"Damn! That good?"

"Damn staright, I am not sharing details though so don't ask!"

"Okay okay! I won't pester you now, we have that important meeting at today..."

"New CEO huh?"

"I know I suppose Arthur's been stretching himself too much, with all his business expansions he needs a lot more hands on deck."

"I'm excited to hear what he has to bring to the table though, Murale needs something fresh." She said in a rough tone.

Murale was the magazine they worked at and it was a popular profitable platform that worked with all creators and artists from fashion to art - and Jay was the general manager and Queenie was the Social Media Marketing Manager, a fairly new but demanding and necessary post for the issue.

"I'm sure though, Arthur's particular about his staff."

Arthur Smith. The owner of the issue and other franchises, be was a reputable man and equally good boss, so good everyone felt comfortable to call him Arthur - but never in his presence, there was still an element of respect everyone held for his excellency in the sector.

"True that, anyway let me get to work."

"Sure, see you at 12." He said waving her off and immediately she fell into her work, for a solid two hours she was immersed except for the occasional texts and one particular one she got from August that suggested he would rathe be stuck in bed with her than working, to which she replied with a rather sultry text that forced him to ignore her eventually lest he grew hard at her teasing.

And at 11.45, everyone was eventually seated at the table ready for the meeting.

Jay walked it to chattering, and he gave a quick smile to Queenie before he stood at the end of the table and voices were hushed.

"Okay everyone, so the new CEO is here outside with Mr.Smith, he'll be in very soon, so- Ah here he is." Jay smiled widely at the doorway as the two men walked through

Everyone turned to the door and Queenie could've sworn ice ran through her veins.

Arthur Smith walked ahead and in his wake was a man dressed primarily in black and a thin file in his hand, it was unmistakably August. Her August.

"Thank you Jay." Arthur smiled

"Ah, Jay Carter." Jay introduced himself as he grasped onto the man's hand, "August Park. Good to meet you Jay."

Hearing his name made it worse.

And eventually they stood in a line with August in the center as they faced the room.

"Everyone, meet our new CEO and one of Murale's biggest investors, August Park."

An immediate applause began, all except for Queenie who remained still, and eventually August's eyes fell upon her seat, and he looked momentarily surprised.

Her breath quickened as she jerked into a late and weak clap that soon ended with everyone else's.

Arthur kept on detailing everyone about August Park and his property investments and their long term partnership that apparently went way back.

Her eyes moved to Jay who looked back at her with realisation and a trace of guilt. He had realised their situation despite being super drunk that night, the name must've finally clicked for him.

And in the moment the elephant in the room seemed to grow as Queenie couldn't help but shakily sigh and whisper, "Shit."