CHAPTER 7
1574 Words
3 months from now it will be Runway, this season we have a co-sponsor: Genesis Automotors. I was scanning the email and I think I was tired because I thought I saw my Ex-husbands name. Maybe it was a coincidence? His name is common. Well anyway, I’m sure it’s nothing. Shrugging it off. Anita sent me her article for shoes, “I walk in it.” Is not a title I would want to print in my magazine. But at least her article is good and no misspelling also. But the title though...
Walking to Jessica’s desk, I was reading an email on my phone. Handing my assistant the documents without looking at her, “Jessica, tell Anita to think of a title that would make an impact. ‘I walk in it’ is so bland, a grade school student can come up with a better title than that. And send this to the Graphics department, I want it fixed. Has Sebastian arrived yet?”
“Yes, I have. Hi.” bending near my face smiling, he was holding all of the files and documents that I gave him. Ahh I thought he was Jessica. Looking around for my assistant in the room, she was standing behind Sebastian. Waving hello like a kid and looking at me and then him then back again on me with a huge grin. I wouldn't want to know what's going inside her head right now. I bet I would be embarrassed if ever I asked.
“Helloooooo...” blinking my eyes wide, my lips puckered on the letter O, “Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were Jessica.” I hurriedly grabbing the stuff and placing it all on Jessica’s desk.
“I don’t mind being called Jessica. The resemblance is uncanny, wouldn’t you think Jess?” I’m comparing his big built, tall, dark hair and fair skin to that of Jessica’s short stature, petite, red hair and pasty white skin.
“No doubt, we can be twins!” Jessica guffawed.
“Would you excuse me, Jess. I believe that your Boss and I have an appointment at 4:00 p.m. Shall we, mademoiselle?” he was holding out his hand for me.
“Yes...” I was mesmerized by his suave movement that I didn’t realize that I was hypnotized to place my hand in his, “Jessi-ca...” Jessica was already holding out my purse and my jacket.
“Yes Boss. Don’t worry, I’ve been working with you for the past 4 years, I know how your mind works. I can handle things here. And you already left 5 minutes ago. Hehe” “You kids enjoy yourselves. And be home before midnight.”
“Thank you, Jessica.”
We were silent in the elevator. It was unusual that people who knew me greeted hello by nodding but this time they would approach me and say hello. Then I noticed they would look and stare at Sebastian. They weren't saying hello to me, they were curious about him. I should be jealous because he was getting all of the attention. I was deep in thought when he said, "You can put your arm on mine." I obliged.
“Where are we going?”
“Well... I was thinking we could have an early dinner in K-Town. Do you like Korean food?”
“Ohh, Yes! Just thinking about Kimchi makes my mouth water.”
“You sound like you love food.”
“I do! If I’m not watching my weight I would be stuffing my face!”
“Have you been to Baekjeong? You should try their Kimchi-Jjigae.” (Kimchi-Jjigae - Kimchi stew with pork belly)
“Kimchi! Woo-hoo! Drive faster.” Jumping on my seat like a little girl.
We arrived at the restaurant. Sebastian helped me out of the passenger seat. Walking towards the entry way, I could smell the marinated meat and we haven’t stepped inside. I had to stop, close my eyes, and inhale all of the bbq smell. I love bbq, especially Korean bbq.
“You look cute.” he had his head tilted on one side smiling at my reaction. He's the one looking cute.
“Sorry, It has been a while. Plus I’m hungry. I only ate a salad at lunch.”
“I come here every 2 weeks. Love this place...”
All of a sudden I was looking dazed. I was having a flashback of me and James eating samgyupsal. He would protest and whine that after eating in the restaurant. He doesn’t like his clothes and hair smell like food. He would force himself to come along with me to a Korean restaurant just because I wanted to eat kimchi. I was starting to miss him. My inner self slapped my face and said, ‘No! We’re better off without him. We are happy now. There’s no reason to think about that person anymore. We’ve moved on.’
“Yeah you’re right...” I whispered to myself.
“You were saying something?”
“Oh. I-I was just talking to myself. Sorry I’m not crazy though If that’s what you were thinking. I just have a lot of thoughts in my mind.”
“Work?”
“Hmm. Y-yes.” I lied, “Everything looks good. I should let you order. I’m afraid I’ll be getting everything.”
He order Small combo of Beef (Thinly sliced brisket + marinated short rib, and rib eye) and a small combo of Pork (Pork belly + pork jowl, and marinated pork collar), along with Kimchi stew, pork skin and spicy pork belly. Of course we had to have Soju. Jjan!
We talked about how my assistant, Jessica googled his name and that he was a model before he started his own modeling agency. That made his ears red, so cute. We would laugh about his experience during his early days. I just love how he enjoys telling me his stories with gleaming eyes. His eyes expresses everything he says, and seeing him talk about his mum when she was still alive was what he treasures the most. "It's the little things that matters most." he quoted his mum.
We ate all of the food. Everything was fresh, and I love how they used wasabi for the dipping sauce. I know it’s not a traditional to eat wasabi but it tastes so good! Maybe it’s an infusion of Japanese and Korean food? And because we were very full, we went for a stroll at the park. We would talk about everything even politics., which he now knows I dislike not the topic itself but how I am. I did warn him that I'm not myself whenever I talk about politics. It was as if I had a Mrs. Hyde inside of me and I'm Dr. Jekyll. After walking around the park, he brought me to my apartment.
“Would you like some tea?” She swiped a card key to open the apartment door.
“Love a cup.” Following Natasha inside.
“Please make yourself at home.” Placing the kettle on the burner.
“You have a very nice place. How long have you been living here?” looking around an achromatic modern Scandinavian style. Different shades of grey made her place look like it was in a black and white movie. The green apples on the fruit bowl looked very vibrant against all the grey.
“About 2 yrs. Would you like cream and sugar?” Setting up the tea set on the kitchen counter.
“Just 2 lumps of sugar, please.” Looking at her art work on the aisle and on her work desk, “I see you like to draw.”
“It’s more like smudges. It’s something I like to do to clear my head. It’s not even that good.” Standing beside him, looking at her work in progress.
“Are you kidding me? These are amazing. Charcoal, right? What’s this?”
“Coffee.”
“What? Coffee really?”
“I was trying to painting using coffee stains. I’m still learning though. Here.” Handing him his tea. They both sat on the sofa.
“Thank you.” Sebastian gave her a very warm smile. His eyes were full of awe. “You are an amazing woman.” He leans slowly towards Natasha. They were about to kiss when her phone rang. She ignored it and she was leaning towards him with her eyes closed. He was inches from her face and her phone rang again. He scoffed and smiled how cute she looks with her lips puckered for a kiss.
“You should answer that.”
“Nooooo... mmm” she slowly opens her eyes, pouting her lips, and waiting for him to kiss her.
“You’re so cute. The call might be important?”
‘More important than kissing this Adonis?’ I said in my mind, defeated I succumb to answer the call, “Aww, alright.”
“Hello, Jessica?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, Boss. But the male top model injured his leg. We can’t take pictures of him in a leg cast and in a suit. I’ve called all the agencies and they said they don’t have anybody available. What are we going to do, Boss?”
“Jessica, I need you to calm down. I have somebody in mind.” Looking devilish at Sebastian from head to toe. “Just be sure that everything is on schedule tomorrow. Goodnight Jessica.”
“Oh ok, Boss. Thank you. Goodnight.”
“Sebastian.” Putting down her phone on the table.
“Yes, Natasha.” Holding her hands in his and kissing her left knuckles.
“Could I ask you a favour?” tilting her head a little to the side.
“Yes. What is it?” kissing her right knuckles.
“You know you are distracting me with your kisses. I just want to... Mmmph...” he swooped mid-sentence to kiss her on the lips. Her hands cupping his face. It was a strong but gentle kiss. She just melted in his arms.
“You were saying?” he stopped kissing her.
“Umm... Ah, yes. I need you to model a suit tomorrow.” Feeling her face getting red.
“What’s in it for me?” pecked a kiss her on the nose.
“Mmmm-more of these kisses...”
“That’s good enough.”
- Writer
