Well what do you know..
Okay fine I'll shut up with this brilliant author note that I put in the beginning :p
I seriously need to do proper editing and make a mad cover to "enchant"people to read this,till then my friends will have to do(or suffer since my characters will swear like sailors)

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Chapter#5

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Erica Jones was a nervous wreck,it was Sunday,the day her fate would be sealed by the hands of Lawson. Well more likely by Mrs. Fox,but Lawson the "dark prince/hench man"would be the one to carry out the judgement.

Erica hoped she had impressed Lawson over, by her hard work, her dedication and she believed she did have an obviously good portfolio. If that didn't work,what would she do?she had given her parents high hopes,that she would succeed and that she had gotten over her past. Moved on.

While she was sweating waterfalls,her friends that awaited a verdict just like her,were of similar feelings,Derrick had a bead of sweat forming on his forehead. He had nothing to return to if he didn't get the job,Sasha had her reasons as well,though she had a better way of hiding it,she too was nervous but she his with a well practised smirk.

They were all looking around the room as if it were the most enticing palace,and they had to write a review about it. Nigel who had gone through the same process,was well aware of their predicament,he wanted to sympathize with them,he truly did,but the scene they presented was hilarious! And he couldn't help the wide grin from appearing on his face.
"We're not friends anymore Nigel,unless you stop with the shitty smile,its scaring me."

Derrick told Nigel,which made Nigel grin wider,

"Oh cheer up Derrick my buddy! Isn't the weather beautiful today Erica?"

"Its good,a bit hot outside but um,I suppose its good?"

"See!that's the spirit young ones! Be positive,Mr. Lawson will be here shortly,well as soon as his meeting with Mrs. Fox is over,and you will know what your fate holds."

After Nigel's small speech ended,all three of them groaned,only God knew how long the meeting was going to take,Lawson did get a sadistic satisfaction by making the imbeciles suffer. That's what they thought,but in reality Lawson was just having innocent fun ,at least that's what told Lauren ,when she asked him in her sweet way if he was being too hard on them.

After twenty minutes of waiting,sighing and constantly praying.

They heard the shuffling of feet and instantly stood in attention. The moment was here,now they would know if they made it or not. Lawson entered his office at a painfully sluggish speed,he wasn't full blown grinning like Nigel,but even Lawson couldn't fight the small smirk that made its way on his face. His job was difficult most of the time,but times like these were what he immensely enjoyed.

"Hello imbeciles. The weather is quite fine isn't it?"

*****

On Friday I had a really busy day. Lawson was warming up to me,at least that's what I was hoping. He was still scowling at everyone, and was doing a lot of work with in his office and he did call me imbecile again...basically he was still the same terrifying Lawson,yet he seemed to be a bit nice to me,it was weird that he didn't shout at me. Yet.

Lawson made me do a lot of editing,it got me ecstatic,I was getting the action.

That and Mrs. Fox was going to be visiting,I was very excited about it,everyone else in the office except Lawson and I seemed looked terrified,Lauren and Nigel were just gloomy.

I wondered why,or rather tried to wonder why everyone was being so hush hush,yet super efficient in the office work,and all the other works.

I put all those thoughts in the back of my mind and continued doing work,I had to concentrate properly,this was still trial week and I HAD to succeed!

I was checking this beautiful ball gown on the screen of my computer,it looked okay but something was not right about it..until the sleeves got my attention. Some imbecile(oh God Lawson's vocabulary is starting to affect mine!)had used two different types of threads while sewing it!
It would've been a disaster of the ball gown had been shipped or worse Law on found out. At first glance the ball gown looked perfect,but when one looked closely,the right sleeve had been sewn with the same color as the gown but the left sleeve was sewn with a white thread,sure the gown was peach coloured,but which idiot decided to use white with it?

"Hey David?"

I called David he handled the ball gowns and other special designs,he was working on the magazines first design with the other designers. This secret was revealed by Nigel,well more like Sasha eavesdropped on his conversation with Lawson. How she did that went over my head,in fact I had to be more aware of her,I liked her but didn't exactly trust her..she was too clever for me.

"Hello newbie,what can I help you with?" David was one of the nicer in charges,he had a good sense of humor and was kind to everyone. I'm the brief encounters I had with him in this week he was very polite to me.

"The ball gown for Tania I think?"

David nodded,

"Well everything is fine,but the sleeves they're sewn with different colored threads. I'm sorry if its intentional,I called you cause I found it a bit weird."

David looked at the screen himself,

"Ya sure newbie?",he asked. On closer inspection,his eyes widened,

"Well what do you know! Newbie,you just saved us from Tania's insults. I'll check which idiot did this,before Lawson finds and kills him."

I looked at him in shock,he was very serious,

"Lawson's not really going to do that,right?"

His expression gave nothing away,and I was still shocked so I kept staring at him...until his lips twitched and he started roaring in laughter.

Why the hell are you laughing about?!

"Um sir why are you..laughing?"

"Because.."he gasped for breath"..you're so.." He still laughed "gullible!" He explained while his laughter subsided.

At that moment my eyebrows shot up and I understood why he called me gullible! Lawson wasn't going to kill anyone! I'm so stupid!

I was a bit lost in my thought,David must've felt that I had taken offence as his face became apologetic .

"I was only joking newbie..you didn't mind I hope?"

"What?of course I don't mind! I was just mildly caught off guard..ha ha"
It was true I'd didn't mind,he seemed to have accepted my answer even my pathetic "ha ha"I needed to take laughing classes. If there were any..

"Well that's good newbie,most of you females get dramatic. Even Viola. My wife. She would've been bawling her eyes out if I had said that to her...well she's having our baby. That could be a reason too. I'll see ya around kid,gotta find the idiot first!"

He left with that explanation,I was a bit surprised that David was married,and was going to be a father none the less! He looked so young!

He was young too wasn't he?

My thoughts added,but I didn't have time to reminiscence the past. I didn't want to think about it either. So,I started working again.

It was four pm,I was a bit worried now. Mrs. Fox was supposed to be here already,what was taking so long? Lawson shared my thoughts it seemed as he was calling her non stop.

"I'm going to kill the driver personally!why isn't anyone answering my calls?!" He banged his fist on the wall. Lauren let out a breath,

"Mr. Lawson don't get yourself hurt please."

She said with so much emotion,I felt like I was intruding their romance!
Lawson looked at her face,his ire melted drastically just by looking in her eyes. He looked at her,nodded and then looked at his fist which was still on the wall,and slowly removed it. All the while,I, Erica Jones blushed like a tomato at how adorable they looked!

"Mr. Lawson perhaps..you know who..got in the way." Nigel supplied,I was curious at why he didn't mention the cause or why he paused mid sentence.

"Nigel?"

"Yes sir..?"

"Shut up." That was Lawsons reply,and what Nigel did. We were all waiting,which was I,Nigel,Lawson and Lauren. I was going to be her assistant designer,so it was important for me to meet and get to know her. Lauren was there simply because she was the receptionist. Lawson and Nigel were important people so they had to be her as well.

A few minutes later we heard car tires screech,and we all looked outside. Mrs. Fox had arrived. I was getting nervous now,I had been so excited but truthfully what if Mrs. Fox hated me?what if she had already hired someone else?

"Imbecile you stay inside right now."

Lawson told me and left out the door,to greet her..and probably fire the driver.

"Don't be nervous Erica. She's actually a really nice lady,once you get to know her."
Nigel the cute and sweet was giving me pep talk. It didn't completely calm me,but he looked so cute that I had to smile.

"He's right Erica! I was scared too!but Lawson told me everything will be okay,and he was right!Mrs. Fox is a very kind woman."

Lauren also encouraged me. She was blushing again,it looked so funny in my brain that Lawson was sweet talking to a nervous Lauren. Not that it can't happen,its just that he's..Lawson,I guess..?.

Outside Lawson was sitting inside the car,the driver appeared shit scared, and was standing a few feet away from the car.

The back door of the car was closed,it must of been something really important ,that,Lawson couldn't say it infront if me.

I didn't mind at all,I was not even an official employ.

A few minutes of silence passed till the back door opened,and Lawson got out accompanied by a very graceful woman,Mrs. Fox was beautiful despite her age,she wore a velvet knee length navy blue skirt with a matching navy blue sweater. On any other woman it would've looked odd, but she was rocking her outfit!

I already knew from magazines that she had auburn hair and milky chocolate brown eyes,she was rather pale skinned,she had sharp eyebrows and high check bones. Honestly,if she was younger she could've been a model!

"Who is she Lawson?"

"She's imbec__I mean Erica Jones,your new assistant."

Really?!calling me imbecile in front of my boss?!

"Good evening ma'am,I am honored to be at your service."

I supplied,she looked at me from top to bottom,it was intimidating to say the least. I thought she would say something else, but she just nodded at my greeting and starting to make her way towards the elevator,

"Lawson dear,please bring me the new design files,and update me on the magazines progress,please."

She told Lawson,then she turned towards me and said,

" You do not seem like a stupid person Erica,though looks could be deceiving...never the less,I would like to see what and how you can contribute to the company."

First things first,she called Lawson dear,that was verrrrrry surprising,secondly she called me stupid,though indirectly..but she did compliment me as well...also indirectly. I was awestruck "The Mrs. Fox" talked to me,this had to be the best day ever!

"Imbecile,really,if you do not close your mouth this second,and I'll stuff it with Laurens crumpled papers."

"And__I mean Mr. Lawson!you cannot gag her! Why would you say something like that?!" That was Lauren,wait And?was she going to say a nickname?

"Lauren,relax,I was not serious.."

"You were joking Mr. Lawson?"

"Shut up imbecile. Now go complete your work I still have something that I want you to do tomorrow,but don't ask me until you are done."

"Yes sir."

"Nigel,let's go,she's already tired I have to make it quick."
Lawson and Nigel left,but not before Lawson gave Lauren a quick look,it was so sweet,such beautiful budding romance. I hope.

After they left,I went to do my work,and wondered what Lawson wanted me to do later.

***

I was back at Dawson's antique shop,this was my special work that I had to do. Lawson had told me to do this,after work.

This time around,I thankfully didn't have to grab a strong and heavy vase,or have awkward embraces with potential criminals(antique man). I had to get a big metallic picture frame,it seemed to match the flower vase,but obviously it was different.

I was hoping to meet up with Dawson,too bad he wasn't here,instead a young maybe teenage boy,was manning the cash register. He was listening to music,but had a head phone in only one ear,must be a thing in Manhattan.

He didn't even care if I was the right person to get the order or not.

Oh well I thought,I took the long frame and went my merry way,it was Saturday and a bit crowded,my car east parked closer. So I had to walk a little and get to it.

Holding the frame in front of myself like a shield is what I did,so that the people on the side walk wouldn't be disturbed or yell at me for wasting their precious time.

I was walking,more like waddling as a penguin,until I tripped on a rock that was on the sidewalk. Why does this keep happening to me?! thank God I had the frame in front of me or else,my face would have been splattered on the sidewalk. I think the antique shop, or perhaps the antiques themselves were cursed. This was happening again,the second time..on my second visit.

I was awaiting my fall,until an arm slipped from behind me and I was pressed against a slightly muscular form. It wasn't just any arm,it was the same muscled arm as before,so obviously it was the sane person as before. I was so embarrassed. Never before had something such as this happen to me,that and it occurred with in a week!

We were in awkward hug for a few seconds till I was standing upright,I could feel the mans breath on top of my head. It made feel queasy,antique man shifted from behind me,I don't know if he noticed my discomfort or rather didn't care at all,but I was glad that I had been given space.

"This is second time I'm saving you. The second and only time. I don't know what drugs you're on,but next time I see you falling I won't help you!"

He said that while I wasn't facing him,honestly even I would've assumed that I was high,gravity and I were not in great terms. I was angered at my own stupidity.

I was going to turn to say thank you and maybe even apologize for being an inconvenience,but like before he had turned the opposite direction and was walking away from me. This time around though,he went inside the antique shop.

I was a bit stunned at what happened,but I got out of that state when a car honked on the street loudly.

I made sure that this time,I wouldn't fall or make myself a fool.

***

"Well I'm asking you a question,I want answers don't I?"
Lawson smiled in an awfully cheerful manner.

"Yes the weather is good,Mr. Lawson" Erica was the first to answer,Lawson didn't like the imbecile,but she had some spirit he didn't care much for that other one,what was her name? Sasha,yes,he didn't care much for Sasha. That Derrick man was okay though.

"The rest of you imbeciles have had your tongues chopped off?"

"Damn the weather's,just tell us if we've made it or not!"that reply was given by Sasha,Erica was looking at her with wide eyes and Derrick with mild horror.

This woman's crazy!!

"I like the sunny weather,so shut up,as for making it or not I'll tell you with my own speed so don't annoy me." Lawson was irritated again,he knew why didn't like Sasha she was too annoying.

"Mr. Lawson?"Erica inquired with furrowed eyebrows.

"What?"

"Don't you have a press meeting after work today?"

Lawsons eyebrows shot up in surprise,he had completely forgotten the damned press meeting. The imbecile torturing couldn't continue,in fact he only had an hour to spare before he and Nigel had to head towards the press meeting.

"Always ruining my fun you imbecile."he said,but without a trace of irritation. "Very well Mrs. Fox has extended her congratulations to all three of you ,for clearing this weeks trial,you will be joining work tomorrow. In your own respective departments. Derrick you will be working in the printing department of the magazine,Sasha in the photography..." He paused and looked at Erica,"..you Erica Jones will be joining in as Mrs. Fox's assistant designer,she has high hopes that you would do your job with dedication. I don't really care about you imbecile,but I want you to do your job correctly I find annoying that I have to look for new assistants at a regular bases,I need a break. Do you think you can not let me down for a few months at least?"

Erica was dumbfounded she had landed the job!she Erica Jones had landed a job at The Fox?! This was surreal! She was so shocked that she didn't even hear what Lawson was saying after he had said that they all made it. Nigel had to shake her shoulders at Lawson's command to see if she was alright.

"Imbecile don't die yet,I just told you to make it for a few months. Stop being incompetent."

"Y-yes sir."

"Well I'm heading out,there's a party at my friends, you guys wanna drop with me?"Sasha asked to no one in particular.

"Yeah I'll be there,got nothing else to do." Derrick replied although he was going to make sure he wouldn't drink too much alcohol at the party,no matter how happy he was feeling.

Nigel declined with a shake of his head and Lawsons glare carried his answer.

"Sorry Sasha I'll try next time,I've actually got to meet a friend of mine." Erica offered with a polite smile.

Sasha and Derrick left towards the party. Erica said her goodbyes to Nigel and Lawson and made her way to Jessica's in a slightly dazed way.

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Sorry it took me so long to update I had this written,well most of for over a week :p
Lots has happened in this chapter,good news is Luke is appearing in the next chapter bad news is I'm lazy so nobody knows when the next chapter will be done :p

I hope this story is getting a little better and that more people will get to read it. This cover rocks though.

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