She Doesn't Know The Real Me

Chapter One, I hate sleeping

Aaron's POV

I woke alone in a pool of my own sweat like every morning at 5 a.m., having the same nightmare for the last 20 years has exhausted me to no end and to make matters worse it's my birthday! I get up to take a shower, and my phone rings as soon as my feet hit the floor. It's my uncle, more than likely calling to talk me into going out tonight drinks on me, as always.

Not answering, I go to get into the shower, turning only the hot water on, letting it run down my now cold sweated body, trying to ease the tension in my muscles after about an hour or so I get out and dry off I have to get ready to head into the office being the CEO of a company is pretty demanding.

My phone rings as I go to walk out of the door to my town house, throwing my head back and letting out a groan, I look at my phone and its not my uncle who called earlier, when he didn't call back I assumed he just drunk dialed me considering it was 5:15 a.m.

This was a number from the office, my office specifically, I answer and to my surprise it's my best friend Ashton.

"What are you up to?" I say, getting into the back seat of my personal town car.

"Oh, just dying of boredom, waitin' for you to get here." Ashton replied.

"Well, I'll be there in 20 minutes or less, I'm sure you've already made yourself comfortable!" I say.

"Uhhhh, duh," Ashton replies.

I chuckle. "Alrightly then, see ya soon." I say, hanging up the phone before Ashton can reply with one of his famous smarta** comments.

It's 7:30 a.m. and we are pulling up to my building, Harding publishing Co. As soon as I step out of my car, I notice my temp assistant is standing on the sidewalk already waiting for me. A bit of an overachiever that one is, I like his enthusiasm, but it can be a bit much!

"Good morning, Mr. Harding I hope you are well rested, I have the reports from the Executive Editor and the Creative Editor oh and the designs are in for you to go over and approve or disapprove, " Dillon stated.

"Morning and well enough, thanks, I need you to go on a coffee run to Kaffien Kaffe,

I'd like a cold brew with sweet cream and a regular latte for my business meeting, " I say.

"Yes Mr.Harding I'm in it." Dillon replies.

I head up to my office, which even in the elevator takes 10 minutes to get to, when the elevator opens I'm met with a delicious aroma, I'm starving so I follow the sent as best I can, I head past the huge receptionist desk shaped like a half moon and small offices.

It's getting stronger the closer I get to my office.

That's weird. I know Ashton is in there, but it isn't like him to bring food. I swing open the right side of my double doored office and Ashton is there taking a nap on my sofa and on my desk is a huge Cinnamon roll with, I'm assuming 28 candles in it, thank God they aren't lit.

I shut the door behind me, and Ashton startles awake and rubs his eyes, looks at me, and says.

"Happy 28th, Aaron. I got your favorite. I know you don't like cake."

"Thank you, Ashton." I reply with a slight grin

He gets up and starts lighting the candles.

"Ashton, you're gonna start a fire if you light all those candles!" I annoyingly say

"Non sense. I want to see you blow them out in one breath." He huffs at me

"Fine!" I say with a groan

After he's done lighting the candles, I blow them out with ease, and he seems to be satisfied.

"Now, if there isn't any other reason you're here, I need to look over these reports." I say

"Nope, but I will tell you we are going out tonight, no excuses!" He tells me.

"Why are you such a pain in the a**!" I groan.

"Cause that's what best friends are for, see you at 7, at Illani!" He exclaims.

Ashton leaves, and I turn to the reports I need to approve or make changes to. I really don't want to be here today, Dillon

brings me my coffee, and I immediately take a drink. It's like heaven in my mouth,

and really the only highlight of my day.

"Do you need anything else, Mr. Harding?" Dillon makes sure before he heads to the desk outside my office.

"No, that'll be all for now." I reply.

He leaves, and I start sucking down my coffee and looking at the reports for the fashion magazine. Everything looks to be in order by the time I get through everything, it's 10 a.m. and Dillon calls to let me know my meeting is here...