CRUSH

He Asked Of My Name

Is it the way he talks? Or how he dresses – his fashion sense? His good looks? His fame? Or how he does his job well? Or maybe the fact that he doesn't even notices me. Ouch! C’mon, girl, get over it. Get over him, you're more than that, he'll only make you lose control and focus on your job. Unless you don't wanna be kicked out of your job, haha.

I finally came out of the bath tub after minutes of ‘overbathing’ just because I can't get some boy outta my head. Funny.

Ever since this guy was transferred to FVBE Fashions, the biggest fashion and clothing company in the city, as the new fashion director, I've lost it.

He's not even the first handsome guy I've seen in my lifetime, he's not even the most handsome in the world. Yes, in the whole wide world, I laughed and rolled my eyes. But there's something about him that just makes my heart stop beating anytime I see him or even think of him. God, I wonder how many times I've died over time. Don't worry, Pheebs, I'ma find out. I'm going to find out what about this boy that's making me uneasy down there.

I finally got dressed, packed up some fashion magazines for the editorial today and rushed to the refrigerator to grab something to eat. I hope he's not going to be around today! This is me saying this when deep down I long to see his face, I long to stare into his gorgeous eyes. His presence alone makes my job sweeter…alright, girl, it's time to move.

Oh, he's here. The rider I booked online while I was snacking have arrived. I entered the car, and off we ZOOM!

FVBE Fashions

“Good morning, Pheebs. You've got ‘em mags ready?”

“‘course. Why would I slack on them?” I let out a small laugh and handed over the fashion magazines to the editor.

“Thanks,” he said while observing them.

I nodded with a smile, then walked over to the quality control room. Our to-do today is to get the models dressed up with their garments, take pictures of them and post them on social media. As one of the junior fashion designers and a junior stylist, I walked over to the quality control room to take one last look at the garments.

“Hey, guurl,” I greeted Quince, my fellow junior stylist.

“Babe,” she smiled at me. “Today, I'm gonna see Justin,” she screeched.

I smiled at her. Well, Justin is a famous influencer who got an endorsement with our company. He'll be the frontliner model for today's shoot.

“You can shoot your shot, baby,” I winked at her and smiled. She let out a chuckle.

“I'll dress him up.”

“You don't have a say.”

“Of course I do, I have my ways.”

“Look who's talking. A junior piggie,” I laughed.

“Stop it,” she said laughing too. “I'll make sure I am very detailed with every part of his body. I'll make sure his outfit fits him just perfectly. There's no way he's not gonna look at my eyes…”

“Go girl! Go, dreamer!” I hyped her.

“Dreams come true, Pheebs.”

“Yeah, for someone who doesn't know you and will forget you after today,” I smirked and she rolled her eyes.

“Anything can happen.”

“Aw.”

Just then, the door opened and I heard some voices talking in low tones, and, oh, my breath again! He came in with some senior stylists and the fashion adviser, probably to come inspect the garments.

His eyes met mine randomly, and my, oh my, I held my breathe for a moment. Wait, who's even the ‘he’ I'm talking about? Who else would it be, if not the guy that always makes me die anytime I lose my breathe or my heart stops beating. Director Crush! Haha.

He and his ‘escorts’ came around and we exchanged pleasantries. He hardly talked much, but only nodded.

He and the adviser inspected the garments while the senior stylists and Quince and I watched.

“I see what you guys have done. Good job,” he said and the senior stylists and the fashion adviser nodded in approval.

“Thank you,” we said almost in unison.

“Let's go,” he beckoned on only the adviser and they approached the door. All of a sudden he turned around.

“Who's Pheebs?” he asked. My heart stopped for a moment.

“Um, it's me,” I raised up my right hand and said nervously, although trying to sound firm so I don't fool myself.

He nodded slightly, almost invincibly. But I could notice the nod. Of course, why won't I? When I notices every little details about him, haha. He and the adviser finally stepped out and I let out a deep sigh of relieved tension.

God! I almost melted. He knows my name, even though he doesn't know it's me. And now he knows me. I smiled internally, blushing.

I looked around and the designers moved on with their lives like nothing happened. But wait, what even happened? Just because Crush asked for my name? Nah, that's nothing special at all. But it's special to me, at least, he finally noticed me, sic. I let out a fulfilling smile and bit my lower lip.

Oh my god, Pheebs, you're just so unserious. So, someone who wants to know you is now an achievement? Sic. Haha. I blushed again at the recall of it.

But wait, why did he even ask of me? Fool me! I'm here dying over the fact that he called my name when I don't even know why?

Did I do something wrong? Or does he want to dismiss me? God! I just remembered that the company wants to layoff some of its workers. Am I one of them? s**t, my whole body shook. Maybe he wanted to know me so he’d know who he was laying off.

Damn! I'm so dead! I don't want to lose my job, I whined internally. I swallowed hard.

Well, he can't just ask about me like that. I'ma find out. I'm going to find out what this guy is up to for calling my name.

***

Throughout the fashion shoot, I felt uneasy. I so badly wanted to know why he asked about me. I couldn't ask him during the shoot because he was busy with directing the models and the photographers.

Should I just let it slide? Maybe he meant nothing after all. Or should I wait till he tells me to come see him in his office and tell me that I'm about to be dismissed?

Am I overthinking it too much? I looked at Quince who couldn't get over drooling at Justin. Lover girl, haha. Her dream of dressing Justin up was fulfilled as the chief senior designer, Lady K, asked her to do so. She couldn't stop staring at Justin and the magic she worked on him with his outfit. Boy doesn't even know her and don't give a thing about her! But at least, she's had a very close contact with him while dressing him up.

The shoot was finally over after hours of changing outfits, making up, poses, shots and all. Phew! Fashion director, Crush, did finishing touches and talks with the models and their managers, while I, alongside the fashion and wardrobe stylists packed up the garments and accessories. While we were done, I waited for Director Crush to be free so I'd go ask him.

“Um, excuse me, Cru…I mean, Director Crush, sorry,” I said walking behind him.

He turned around to look at me. Oh my god, this is the closest eye contact we've had. He didn't say a word.

“I, um, just wanted to ask, um. I mean, I hope there's no problem or anything…”

“...for?”

“You know, you asked about me while we were in the fashion studio,” I said and swallowed hard. Girl, calm down. Don't mess up here.

“Nothing serious. I just wanted to know you just the way I know others. It's not bad for a new Director to know the names and persons of those that work with him,” he said and let out a little smile, as always. Every gesture he makes is little.

“Ok?” he asked.

“Yeah, yeah, it's okay,” I let out a nervous smile and he walked away.

Phew! I let out a sigh of relief that I'm not going to be dropped off. But wait, he just wanted to know me just like he wants to know everyone else? That means he doesn't even want to know me specially and differently.

Ouch!

That hurts a little, but he's still gonna know me, at least.

Girl, come on. Your expectations from him are just too much. So much for new Director Crush, haha.

While I was still having those thoughts, I looked up and, oh, my! Wait, he has a girlfriend?!

And it's nobody else but…her?! Damn!

Damn you, girl! I eyed her jealously and swallowed so hard.