FALLING FOR MY BOSS'S BROTHER

THIRTEEN

Artemis walked into my office, “what happened?” He asked.

“You need to give me more information than that.” I replied as I continued with my work.

He sighed, “what happened with Amanda Powell?”

“I lost the account. She didn’t get the paperwork in time so she signed with someone else.” I replied as I continued with my work.

“What?” He asked, “I thought I told you to call me and let me offer my apology?”

I sighed as I stopped what I was doing, then I looked at him, “when I got there Jameson was already there and Amanda had already signed the contract with him.”

“Who is Jameson?” Artemis asked.

I shrugged as I got back to work.

“I have a proposition.” Artemis said as he took a seat facing me.

I really didn’t want to talk to him, I was mad that he made me lose my first client but he was the boss so technically I was required to listen to him. “What?” I asked.

“I know you still think it’s my fault that you lost that client but how about you give me a chance to redeem myself?” He asked.

“I’m listening.” I said as I leaned back and looked at him.

“Every month there are these party that are held where business people come together and they meet other business people and they share ideas.” He stated, “I would like to invite you to join me.”

“Why?” I asked confused as to why he was asking me to go with him to an event, “your girlfriend didn’t want to come?”

He chuckled, “this has nothing to do with Zoey but rather I think you’ll be able to meet other people and you’ll learn while also being able to sign someone new.”

I guess he did have a point and his suggestion wasn’t so bad, I would like to mingle with like-minded people and bounce off ideas from them. “When is this event?” I asked.

“Tonight. It starts at eight in the evening. I’ll pick you up then.” He said as he stood up to leave.

“Don’t you want my address?” I asked before he could walk out.

He turned and smiled, “I know where you live, remember?”

I sucked my teeth, “I forgot about that. Okay, see you at eight.”

He gave me a subtle nod then he left. I picked the phone up, “Gemma could I see you in here please?”

She hung up and walked into my office, “yes ma’am.”

I stood up and went to close the door, “I need your help.” I stated.

“I’m here to help. What do you need?” She asked.

“I have this formal party to go to but I don’t have a dress, I was thinking maybe you could take me shopping?” I asked unsure whether I was being unprofessional or asking too much of her. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.” I clarified.

“Are you kidding me? I love shopping.” Gemma said excitedly, “do you want us to go now?”

“Yes, is that possible?” I asked.

She looked at her watch, “we do have to hurry though. I think the shop I have in mind close in about thirty minutes.”

I picked my jacket and handbag, “let’s go then.” I stated.

Gemma really knew how to shop and where to shop, I will have to invest in a lot of dresses as it seems I would be going to such kind of parties a lot.

“How about this one?” She help up a sky blue dress.

“Too bright. I want something elegant, beautiful but not too flashy.” I said as I looked around and I spotted the most beautiful dress. I walked up to it and felt it, “something like this.” I murmured.

It was a navy blue, silk, off shoulder, long evening gown that looked amazing. I fell in love with it, I could picture myself in it and in my mind I looked beautiful.

“You have a nice eye miss.” The sales lady walked up to me. “It’s a beautiful piece, it’s a bit off season so we have a huge discount for it if you want to buy it.”

“It is beautiful.” I commented with a smile, “what do you think of this Gemma?” I called out.

She walked up to me, “it would look amazing on you. Maybe you should try it on.”

The sales lady snapped her fingers at someone, “I’ll have someone take it down for you. It’s the only piece left in the store.”

I did end up buying the dress, Gemma managed to bargain until I got it for almost three quarter of the original price. I decided to just go straight home, I had spent almost half of my savings on the dress so I would have to work with the shoes I already have.

I walked in and found Mateo with Snow Anderson, Mateo’s girlfriend, or I think they are a couple. “M, I was wondering when you’d come back. Mateo is busy playing video games to pay me any attention.”

I chuckled, “he does love his video games.” I commented.

“What do you have there?” She asked.

I sighed, “my boss invited me to this event, I had to go find an evening dress as I have nothing like that in my closet.”

“Can I please do your makeup?” She asked excitedly.

“You can but he isn’t picking me up till around seven thirty or eight so I still have time to relax. Maybe with a bubble bath and some wine.” I said as I went to my room.

Ever since I started working for Artemis, I rarely have time to relax anymore. It’s either I have paperwork to work on or new designs to work on or maybe I have a deadline with something. I knew working for such a big company would mean me spending a lot of time at the office but I would like to have some time to myself from time to time. I prepared myself a bath, I decided to skip the wine, I didn’t want to have to be drunk for this event so I opted for a book that I haven’t been able to open since I’m always home very late and usually very exhausted.

There was a knock on the bathroom door, “M, it’s seven. You need to start getting ready.” Snow said jolting me awake. I fell asleep in the bath for almost an hour, that wasn’t good. I got out, took a towel to cover myself and walked out of the bathroom. “You fell asleep, didn’t you?”

“I actually did. That’s the best sleep I have had in a long time.” I said, “should I start sleeping in the bathroom?” I asked Snow and she chuckled.

“How about you get dressed before we start your makeup.” Snow said and I took the dress and inner wear and went to the bathroom to get dressed.

I walked out and did a little spin, “what do you think?” I asked her.

“Amazing. I love the dress.” Snow commented as she came and looked at my dress.

“I know. I loved it the moment I saw it.” I said as I went and sat in front of my mirror, “we should start with the makeup, Artemis will be here anytime soon.”

“Wait you work with Artemis Gray?” Snow asked surprised.

“Yeah. You know him?” I asked.

“He’s the son of the richest man in New York and now he runs a multibillion dollar company. How could you not know him?” Snow asked.

I chuckled, “because I’m not interested in tabloids. Now let’s get started.”

She took out her makeup kit and started working on my makeup. I made sure to specify that I didn’t want something too fancy as I didn’t want to stand out but to blend in. She did claim to understand what I mean but knowing her I wasn’t so sure.

But when she was done and I saw myself I was amazed with how awesome I looked. “You are really good at this.” I commented.

“Thank you.” Snow said with a smile. She looked at the time, “it’s a little bit past seven thirty so you should get a purse and shoes so you could be ready. Prince charming should be here soon.”

I laughed at her comment, “Artemis is everything but a prince charming.” I said as I walked to my closet to find a purse that would match the dress and shoes. I showed them to Snow, “what do you think?” I asked.

“The purse is fine but the shoes are a no-no. I mean they’re cute but they don’t go with the dress.” She said.

I sighed, “then I have no shoes to wear those were my fanciest shoes.”

Snow came and looked at my closet, she sighed, “you need to start shopping for better clothes and shoes. It seems like you will be going to a lot of these parties.”

“I had the same thought earlier today.” I said agreeing with her.

“Hold one moment. I think I can help with the shoes situation.” She said as she left my room and came back holding a pair of black ankle strap shoes. “These would have to work. It’s the only black shoe I had with in the house.” She gave them to me.

“Now how do I look?” I asked after I wore the shoes.

“Ready to kill them with your beauty.” She said excitedly. “Now let’s go. I heard Mateo talk to someone I think he is already here.”

When I entered the living room I found Artemis and Mateo playing video games, “you can never win against him so we should just go now.” I stated. They both turned to look at me.

“So, what do you think guys?” Snow asked.

“Whoa!” Mateo said but Artemis just stared at me. “You can be a lady. I was starting to think you were a man trapped in a woman’s body.” Mateo joked.

“Very funny Mateo.” I said, then I turned to Artemis, “you let’s go.” I said as I headed to the door.

I was heading to the car when Artemis grabbed my hand. I stopped and looked at him, “is there something wrong?” I asked.

“I-I just- I wanted to tell you something.” He said, stuttering.

“What?” I asked, confused and a little concerned.

“I-I-I…” he continued to stutter.

I reached out for his hand, trying to assure him that it was fine whatever he wanted to tell me.

“You look amazing.” He blurted out.

I smiled, “thank you.” I said, but I felt that wasn’t what he wanted to say considering how he hung his head, but he walked to the car without another word and I followed.