Perfect Imperfections!

Chapter- 1

Karner’s P.O.V.:

“That’s who I am and nobody asked you to like me. If you did your job right, we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now and I wouldn’t be wasting my important time on you.”

“I do what you asked me to do. These fabrics were double-checked before I accepted the delivery.”

“Then what is this crap?” I throw the fabrics across the table that slip towards Carter. “Did you see the quality? Is this what I am going to offer my clients? And not to forget, you closed this deal in almost twice the amount I approved for what? This garbage? Who gave you the authority to take such decisions without running it by me first?”

I am really tired of these arguments with Carter every other day. He never focuses on his assigned job and never shows any commitment towards this company but instead, misuses his positon- being Mark’s younger brother. Well, Mark Dawson- he is one of the investors in my company and another asshole who really annoys me.

“Carter, I don’t have time for this. I’m not your babysitter. Either you return this delivery and renegotiate the deal on our terms by the end of the day or pack your desk and consider yourself fired. Don’t show me your face without getting this s**t done.”

“What? No, you can’t do that. You can’t fire me.”

Oh really? Is he going to argue with me standing in my own office?

“I signed a contract and you know who recommended me here. You cannot fire me.” He answers smugly.

The corner of my mouth twitches upwards. It is fun to give such arrogant men a reality check who think this world revolves around them.

 “Uh-huh? Watch me.” I raise an eyebrow smirking and dials intercom.

 “Amanda, draft a termination letter for Mr. Carter Dawson, effective immediately. This company no longer requires his services.” I hang up.

“WHAT ARE YOU DOING? DON’T YOU KNOW WHO I AM?” He looks at me with wide eyes open looking shocked and his jaw hanging down touching the floor.

Okay, that’s enough. Nobody ever raised their voice to me in my own damn office.

I get up and walks over to him across the table. Filled with anger, I turn his chair facing towards me and look straight into his eyes.

“Of course, I am aware of your position in this office but you most certainly don’t remember my position in my office. You are forgetting where you are standing right now and who you are talking to Carter.”

Glaring at him angrily, I hear myself. I’ve been told before that I sound scary when I am angry as my voice turns deep and intimidating than usual. Carter looks back up at me and gulps down. Well, I think it worked on him so it’s all good!

“I- I will fix this by the end of the day.” He pushes back the chair away and gets up mumbling to himself.

“Is it something important that you are saying because you are not audible enough?” I look at him smirking feeling all amused.

“No, nothing important, sorry.” He collects the fabric rolls, picks reports, and leaves the cabin immediately.

Phew! I sit down on the chair again throwing my head back and closes my eyes feeling tired. Back to back meetings throughout the day have completely drained me out today. But what’s more annoying is dealing with incompetency and lack of commitment to the work.

I noticed this practice a lot lately among a few selective employees. They think I don’t see know happens behind my back but I keep an eye on everything, everywhere. I need to figure out what’s going on. I can’t stand such people who are not loyal to me and with people like Carter, it’s the least expected. If only I could---

I hear my phone ringing loudly on the desk and I snap out of my thoughts.

Ugh! Who needs me now?

I pick up the phone without checking the caller ID. 

“Karner here.”

“Babycakes? Wow, too formal today huh?”

I hear a familiar voice and a smile grows on my face. Noah. I release a breath that I didn’t know I was holding and feel relieved.

Noah Spencer, my best friend and partner-in-crime as far as I remember myself. We practically grew up together and did everything together- whether it’s attending school, college, going on vacations, family events, and now working together, we are inseparable and he never left my side, though his one night stands do not count in that.

Yeah, sometimes, he can be a pain in my ass but I can’t imagine my life without him.

“Hello? Back to the earth, buttercup. I know you missed me too.” He laughs on the other side.

“Oh nooo, no, you’re mistaken. I didn’t even find spare time to miss you.” I chuckle.

“Liar. Anyway, I’m back in the country and heading back home from the airport. See you tonight for drinks?”

“Yep, see you tonight.” I smile.

“Love you my munchkin.” He makes kissing noises on the other side and I laugh aloud.

I hang up the phone, still laughing over my nicknames. Probably, I’ve hundreds of those since childhood. Even though I don't like being called by anything else other than my real name, Noah is an exception.

I look back at the screen and nails mechanically tap the keys on my keyboard again.

With this new business venture coming up, my schedule is more hectic than ever. I arrive early in the morning even before my staff shows up and leave after midnight. My days are spent in attending meetings with investors, stakeholders, and designers, or site visit and whatnot.

Being the CEO of the biggest fashion company, ‘Haute Couture’- a subsidiary of Blue Holdings Inc., is not as easy as everyone thinks on the outside, and with this new project, I am going to spread wings across the globe.

It’s not all about the lavish lifestyle, big cars and bank balance but the amount of hard work and time that I’ve put for years and completely dedicated myself to establish this business from scratch and taking it to new heights is all that counts.

But people only like to see the perks. They see all the cash, bling and glory but no one wants to acknowledge those sleepless nights, pressure, pain, sufferings and the midnight oil burnt every day. 

Not that I am complaining about the hard word as I love doing what I do. In the past few years, I’ve turned into a workaholic, whether by choice or not, it doesn’t matter anymore. I wasn’t always like this. In fact, I was a chilled out teenager living her life to the fullest- without any stress or care in the world and splurging my father’s money.

Sounds like a rich ass brat, don't I? I wasn’t a brat but when you grow up in a rich elite family like mine, money is the last thing you care about.

But life had other plans for me.

Everything crumbled and my world came crashing down just in a matter of seconds before I could even realize what happened. It was a dark phase where pain, sadness and depression embraced me in its arms. 

It took me a little while to come out of that and since then, I’ve put every ounce of blood, sweat and tears working hard to go back to the place, a hundred times better than where I was.

And when I say blood, I really mean it.

I established my business and built an independent identity so people don’t recognize me just because of the family name and I feel proud of this accomplishment.

I straighten my head and gets up walking towards the huge office window to look at the magnificent view of New York’s skyline. New York – a beautiful city of big dreams and my home. I sit on the window admiring the stunning view before me. This city gave me everything- name, fame, abundant money, recognition but it took something that I’ll never get back even though I yearn for it every day. 

It’s after 11:00 p.m. and everyone has already left. I hear footsteps behind me and I turn around to look.

A cup of coffee suddenly appears in front of me and I look up, surprised to see it.

“Considering how you look, I think a little caffeine would do you a world of good.” Amanda comes in hanging her head above me.

“Thank you, Amanda. It’ll only be the tenth one today.” I giggle and hold the cup. “But you haven’t left either. What are you doing here?”

“Oh well you were here working late, so I thought I’ll wrap up some of my work too.”

I raise an eyebrow suspecting her. 

“Hmm, you sure? Or are you working late again because you fought with Joe and now you are avoiding to talk to him?

Amanda sighs and slightly nods. She is not only my personal assistant managing everything at work here but has also become a good friend. She joined me as an intern when I first started this company six years ago and since then, she has been very loyal to me. 

“You’re marrying in less than a month but you’re constantly fighting each other. What’s the matter? Is there anything you are not telling me here, Amanda?

“Ugh no, Karner, it’s not like that. You know how I am too stressed about wedding preparations. Well just like every bride, I’ve dreamed for my big day too. But Joe, he looks like he doesn’t care at all. Whatever I choose or decide for the preparations- from selecting the venue, decor and dress, to the guest list, cake tasting and dance rehearsals, he doesn’t give any opinions, not even tells his own wishes. And if I ask him to get more involved, he will repeat- ‘I believe in whatever you decide, it would be great.’

“Well, that’s something any bride would love to hear as she gets to do whatever she wants to without being questioned.” I laugh loud and Amanda rolls her eyes.

“Maybe for others it’s good but I -.. I feel like he doesn’t have any interest. Maybe he is having second thoughts and doesn’t want to marry me anymore? Oh gosh, Karner, what will I do?”

“Calm down, calm down, breathe Amanda breathe.” I laugh seeing her getting hyped over nothing.

“Joe is not having any second thoughts and he wants to marry you, believe me. He is really laid-back and you already know that. As far as I know him, he can marry in his sweatpants as long as he is marrying you and getting to share the rest of his life with you.” I smile looking at her.

“Really?” Amanda blushes turning her cheeks tint red.

“Yeah, you both make an adorable couple. Don’t waste this time in stupid fights. Just enjoy and make memories that you’re going to cherish forever.” I smile and gets up coming back to my desk.

“You are right. Oh gosh, I acted so stupidly. I’ll go back home right now and talk to him. Thank you, Karner.”

“Always a pleasure.”

Amanda turns to leave then stops at the door. “Are you going to stay over late?” 

“Oh no, I’m heading to the pub to see Noah. Please ask Roger to get the car ready. I’m coming down in two. Goodnight.”

“Sure. Goodnight.” Amanda nods and leaves as I wrap up my desk. I collect my jacket and purse and leaves the cabin walking towards the private lift. I didn’t go out anywhere this entire week. I really need tonight off and maybe a drink to clear my head, or more. With thoughts running in my head, I scroll through my phone and bumps into someone.

“Ouch. I’m sorry I didn’t see you.” I look up rubbing my forehead and do not like this sight – a familiar face with a dirty grin plastered all over.

No, not again, please. I don’t have time nor patience to deal with this.

“Helllooo, isn’t this the gorgeous face I’ve been waiting to see the whole day?” Mark looks at me up and down obviously scanning every inch then settles his eyes on my face smirking. “By the way, this white dress looks really sexy on you.”

I want to wipe off that smirk from his smug face so bad. Ugh!

“Good evening Mark. Will you excuse me? I’m in a little rush.” I try to step inside the lift but he stops me in the way. What now?

“C’mooon Karner, always in a rush huh?”

“Well, unlike you, I actually have real work to do. Now, will you please excuse me? I’m really tired and not in the mood to stand here for a gossip.”

“Aw sweetheart, so tired? Well, if you want, I can help you in relieving your stress. Maybe a massage? I’ve been told that I am really good with my hands if you know what I mean.” He leans in a little closer to me.

As a reflex, I immediately put a hand on his chest and stops him.

“No thank you, Mark. I appreciate your help but I think I am good without it. You know, I just happen to have a better taste even in picking a masseur.” I give him a big fake smile.

“Trust me, I’ve much better services to offer you if you allow me.” He leans to the wall watching me with his stupid face. 

Not even in my worst nightmare, not happening!

I choose not to reply him to avoid any further conversation and step inside the lift expecting him to leave but well I guess I am not that lucky.

“Are you coming to the gala next week? I’ll pick you up from your place.”

Gala? What Gala – Oh My Gosh the annual charity gala hosted by my company. How did I forget about it?

“Uh, I am not sure if I am available that night, Mark.”

Damn, bad excuse Karner.

He looks at me looking all confused. 

“What do you mean you’re not available? You’re not coming to your own event?”

This gala is going to be the death of me, or more likely, the death of Mark Dawson if he doesn’t leave me alone. I wish that guy would take no for an answer.

“Of course I am coming. How can I miss that?” I force a smile, trying to figure out what to tell him next.

“No problem then. We’ll make a date of it.” He answers grinning ear to ear.

Wow he really doesn’t give up, does he?

“Mark, I said NO.” He pauses and looks at me, appraising.

“What is it? Do you have another date or something like that?”

I roll my eyes upon listening. ”Yeah, that’s it. I have another date.”

“Really? Who is it? Don’t tell me it’s Carter. He is my younger brother. Or wait, is it Andrew?”

Does he think I am insane? 

“Gosh no, none of them. And well, it’s a surprise. You’ve to wait to find out.”

“Hmm, alright then. I guess I’ll see you there.”

Gross. Why the only thing that’ll get Mark off my back is another man’s claim? Another imaginary man. Yeah, this is not the first time I had to come up with such excuses to get him off my back. I better come up with this “date” for the Gala happening next week. This is a massive event for me and I can’t miss this for the world or let it ruin by this jerk.

Walking down the elevator, I get in the car trying to push my thoughts back.

“Roger, head over to the Rocks, please.”

“Sure, ma’am. We’ll reach there in 12 minutes.” He starts the engine and we finally leave the premises.

As I hear the engine speeding off towards the pub, I throw my head back and closes eyes for a few minutes trying to relax and thinking about where to find this new date that I just made up.