Designer of Romance

No Secrets, New People

Angie woke up the next morning to some sunlight peeking into her room. She stretched and changed into a sports bra and some workout shorts. She grabbed her yoga mat, phone, earbuds and headed upstairs to the gym. As she climbed the stairs she could hear the clanging of metal and two voices. One was counting and the other was just talking about whatever. When she rolled out her mat the men looked at her.

"Hope you don't mind me doing yoga over here in the corner. I'll be quiet I have my headphones." Xander walked over with the other man most likely his trainer.

"You're fine, Angie this is my friend and personal trainer, Rory. Rory,  this is Angie." Rory stuck his hand out and Angie shook it.

"I heard what happened. I already know what's going on, don't worry your secret is safe. Xander and I have been friends since college and I would never do anything to hurt him." Rory smiled and Angie felt better. She was slightly worried that she would have to lie and was relieved that she could plainly be herself. They talked for a minute and he let her know that his wife was a personal trainer too. She specialized in pole, yoga, and Pilates. He told Angie that if she wanted he could bring her by to see if she wanted to start working out with her. Angie said she would think about it and then the boys went back to weight lifting.

Angie played a podcast on her phone and started on stretching. She was very flexible and did everything gracefully. She looked over at Xander a couple times and blushed a little when he took his shirt off. He was muscular, toned, and strong. She saw his tattoos and almost drooled a little. He smiled at her from across the gym and she blushed. She went back to her yoga and spaced out. When she was done the guys were no where to be seen so she rolled her mat back up and headed to her room to shower. She dressed in a pair of high waisted jean shorts and a grey crop top. Her hair was tied in a braid and with that she walked out to the kitchen smelling something wonderful.

When she got to the kitchen she saw waffles with berries on them placed at the bar and Xander was at the stove making scrambled eggs. From the look and smell of it he was adding in some vegetables. She pulled two glasses out of the cupboard and poured some orange juice.  She sat down as he placed the eggs onto some plates. He then sat down and ate breakfast. She took a bite and it was so good! She had eaten some wonderful cooking, but this had to be the best she'd ever tasted. They ate for a minute before he started the conversation.

"Next week you'll go into the company with me. We'll get you a badge and your fingerprints need to be put into the system. We take security seriously so two things are needed when entering. You will be assigned a workroom and you already know that you don't have to be there daily. Just make sure you're there at least three days a week and also make sure you clock your hours no matter where you work." She nodded and listened to him. "I will warn you that some people may not be nice to you because of our status. Also we do a very good job of keeping reporters in check. If you need any help for any reason either call me or Leo or our security team is the best." She understood perfectly and so they talked about other things. He mentioned that her furniture would be delivered soon. She let him know that some was going into her room and some was going up in the loft. He offered to help her and suggested that they get to know each other better to appear more like a real couple.

A knock at the door interrupted them and in stepped Leo. Two deliverymen followed him and they all had boxes with the Ikea logo on them. Angie directed everyone on where to put the boxes. Most were stacked in the living room and the rest were carried to the loft. Leo escorted the men out and before he left he let Angie and Xander that if they needed anything else to call him. She thanked the men and watched the door shut. She finished her meal and placed her dishes in the washer. Xander had already put his dishes in to be cleaned and was waiting in the living room with a knife. "What should we work on first?" She told him the dresser so they cut open the box and got to work.

They worked on the furniture one by one so nothing would get mixed up. She read the directions and he assembled. Slowly the living room was emptied and her room was getting filled. By noon the living room was cleared and they took a lunch break. She made sandwiches and washed it down with water. After they ate it was time to tackle the loft.

While they put things together they talked about everything. Angie told him about her childhood and how her mom died. "My dad was never the same after mom died. I wasn't either, but how can you sell off your child? Sometimes I wish she were still here so that dad would never be the way he is. What about you?" She was fighting back some tears as she spoke.

"I don't think my parents ever actually loved any of us. We were just a way to continue the bloodline. I'm also a product of my father having too much to drink. I'm an illegitimate child. My father drank too much and r***d one of the maids. Mother was pissed; at that time she had yet to birth a child so the maid being pregnant made her furious. Father made her keep me and she died while giving birth. I was raised by Father and Mother after that and they provided for me, but they didn't show much affection for me unless I achieved something. When my brother and sister were born, I was already eight and started raising myself after that." A tear finally slipped out and made its way down Angie's face. Xander wiped it away and hugged her. "Don't cry for me. I've learned that true family is a choice and not blood. I have friends that would die for me." They stayed that way for a few. 

They finished assembling the furniture and were happy to be done. The cardboard and garbage were in a pile that he would have someone take to get recycled. He mentioned that it had been a few days since the news came out and they needed to make an appearance to the public. He let let her know that they were going to Beauty &b Essex and to dress nice. He grabbed his phone and text Leo to have the car waiting in one hour. 

Xander suited up in black with the few top buttons undone. Angie put on a white a line asymmetrical dress with black lace on the bottom and covering the bodice. She had a pair of black ankle strap pumps on and her hair was pulled to the right side. She looked beautiful. He grabbed her hand and kissed it. She blushed and he led her into the elevator and down to the car. Leo drove them and opened the door when they got to the restaurant. He let them know to call when they were ready to leave as he would be nearby. As the car door opened camera lights flashed. Angie kept here head down to not get blinded as they walked inside. 

They were greeted by the hostess and were let to a private table. Angie looked at the venue with wonder she had never been to a place so nice that she could remember. They were seated and a bottle of pinot grigio was ordered. They looked over the menu and when the wine was brought they told the waitress what they wanted. They thanked her as she took the menus and walked away. They talked about random things mostly about his company. She knew a lot about it, but hearing about how he started it and managed to keep his face out of things was amazing. 

Their food arrived and they shared the half roasted chicken with a bowl of quinoa that had shrimp, cucumbers and was topped with an avocado sesame dressing. The food was delicious and surprisingly they had enough room for dessert. They decided on the Beauty's wonder wheel. It was a chef's choice of two desserts. What came to the table was the house made cookie and the berries and cream. He wiped a small bit of cream that was on the corner of her lips. She blushed as she stared into his eyes. She was mesmerized by the two different colors. 

He paid for  the meal and they left. As they walked to the car flashing camera lights once again were going off around them. This time one of the reports got bold grabbing Angie's dress and causing her to almost trip. Xander caught her and harshly smacked the hand away while glaring. "If you touch her again ever, you will lose your hands." This scared the reporter a little and they backed off quickly. Xander made sure Angie was alright before continuing to the car. Leo had the door open and they climbed inside.

After they got home Angie changed into her pajamas, washed her face, and went into the kitchen to have a drink of water. She saw Xander at the bar with his laptop answering emails he had ignored since he was too busy getting to know his new girlfriend. She leaned against the counter drinking just studying him. He was shirtless and wore a pair of computer glasses. He took notice of here cleavage and smiled. 

"Thank you for getting the reporter away. I didn't know they could be so grabby." A blush spread across her cheeks when she noticed how low her top had gone. 

"I'm happy you didn't get hurt. Just because we're not a real couple doesn't mean I need any harm coming to you." She walked around giving him a kiss on the cheek as a thank you for all he had done for her so far and told him good night. He watched her walk away and couldn't help but notice the natural seductive sway of her hips. After a while he was done answering emails and so he called Leo. 

"Did they give away who hired them?"

"No they haven't, sir. Another day of no sleep or food should loosen the lips a little."

"When he does decide to speak let me know. I want to know who is responsible so I can dispose of them myself."

"Will do sir. If there is anything else you need just call."

Xander hung up the phone and raked his fingers through his hair. He was still pissed that someone had set him up. He looked into the man's bank records and found that the money he was paid had been given in cash and he deposited it into his account that way. It was a smart way so it couldn't be tracked and that annoyed him. If the man wouldn't talk after a few more days then he would make him talk. He closed the laptop and made sure most of the lights were turned off before going to bed. He looked into Angie's room before heading to his to see if she was asleep. She had the blanket most of the way off and was curled up. He place the blanket the rest of the way on her and walked quietly into his room. He set the laptop and phone on the nightstand and climbed into bed. 

He lay there for a minute while a vision of her plump lips against his cheek played in his mind. They had felt soft and warm and he wondered what they would taste like. He shook the image out of his head and closed his eyes. Soon sleep took him.