chapter one
welcome to the first chapter of my book!
my hopes are to update as much as i can and when i can between work and sleep
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"Daisy! My office!" A pinched voice collided with my ears. My seat had just gotten warm with my butt planted in it and now I had to leave. Wonderful. I grabbed my tablet and stylist then walked to my editor's office.
Clear glass stood like walls separating us from her. She was pacing back and forth in her black pencil skirt. Eyes trained on something on her tablet. I assumed it must've been important for her not to yell at Carlos to grab her an espresso.
I cleared my throat, laying a light knock to her glass door. "You asked for me?"
Jacqueline Prescott, editor of Venus Magazine and one of the most influential women in the company. She was known for her Medusa like glare and the competitive nature that got her this job. I'd been dying to work for her since I first picked up a magazine when I was twelve. And now I was an ant about to get squashed by her bossy heel.
"Yes, Daisy. Have a seat. This'll only take a few minutes." Jacqueline sat down in her chair, placing her tablet on the desk in front of her. I walked over to one of the grey chairs seated across from her and sat down myself. Crossing my legs, I waited with my tablet opened with an blank screen to scribble notes on.
My boss cleared her throat finally making eye contact with me. "I am assigning you a job that I think only you can handle. You're one of the best writers I have here on my staff and I need you to run the story."
Wow. That was not what I was expecting, but okay. "Thank you Miss Presco—"
"We have been low on readers for the celebrity column and I've been told that we need to spice things up. I've talked to Aisha and we've agreed on one name that no writer has been able to interview. He's a mysterious man and he's allowed only our magazine to write an article about him." Jacqueline typed at her tablet while she spoke to me, averting eye contact once more.
I squirmed a little, sitting a bit taller than when I'd first sat down. "Oh? Okay. Um, who's the man?"
Jacqueline stopped typing at the same time a ping sounded from the tablet in my hands. "Andres Wilder."
My draw nearly dropped to the floor if it weren't for my self control. Holy shit. I cleared my throat blinking a few times to make sure this wasn't some deja vu moment. "I'm sorry, Miss Prescott. It sounded like you said—"
"Andres Wilder. Yes that's what I said. Is there a problem?" Jacqueline watched me like a hawk watching it's prey.
I shook my head slightly glancing down at my screen to see a blip from my email. A message from Jacqueline. "Um, no. No, there's no problem at all. It's just he's a very wealthy man and no one's done a story on him before."
"I'm aware of Mr. Wilder's status and you can see why I chose you for the job. You're a great writer, Daisy. I know you'll do well on the piece. Now he's expecting you at his office in an hour. I just sent you some questions that you should ask him. Standard issue and a few Aisha wanted to know for the gossip part."
I closed my mouth, gulping the nervous bile that crawled to the back of my mouth. I tapped on the email opening it to find a list exactly how she described it.
A throat cleared in front of me regaining my attention back onto my boss. "If there's nothing else, I have other things to attend to."
I gave a small nod to Jacqueline before I slowly raised myself up from my seat. "Okay. Thank you Miss Prescott." I shuffled my feet out of her office and back to my desk. I pressed my lips together somewhat nervous and excited for this interview.
This was a different assignment than from what I was used to doing. Searching up the latest politics, finding the new hip trend, and even discovering the most scandalous thing in the city. All of it not my exact cup of tea, but it got me a step further in this chaotic place. Everyone fighting for a story while I was handed one on a silver platter.
It was one thing to dream about interviewing a billionaire, but to actually do it was a huge deal. Every single girl I knew would be dying just to get a scoop as to what his favorite snack was or what he liked in the bedroom. After this I knew Callie would be up my ass trying to pry anything from my locked lips.
I watched the clock ticking down the seconds until I had to leave for my interview with Andres. What was I going to do?
My knee bobbed up and down anxiously sitting in my little white bug, Herbie. Traffic hadn't been too bad, but then again this was New York City so anything could happen. I pushed a fast breath out of my lips trying to get my fast beating heart from jumping out my rib cage. Words of encouragement repeating on loop inside my head. Let's just say it wasn't helping.
The light turned a bright green the same time my heel pressed down on the gas. My small safe haven cruising down the dark pavement till a shadow towered over the road. My eyes found a parking spot right at the edge of the sidewalk and quickly parked before some cabbie could steal it away. Ruthless bastards.
I turned the ignition off and stepped out of my cozy Herbie finding the glittering windows to fascinate my interest. The skyscraper touching the stars with it's sleek dark gray glory. Taller than its neighbors it held a power that only that of Wilder Enterprise could hold. As my eyes trailed down its body I focused on the letters above the glass doors opening and closing to people of different backgrounds. I maneuvered around my car and step onto the sidewalk. My feet guiding me with a mind of their own.
My purse in hand and heels clicking on the concrete I finally walked into the place where money is spent and invested in everything. Glittering chandeliers light the way east and west to places. A sleek dark gray counter filed with beautiful women helping employees and visitors find their way. I took a deep breath and let it drag out to push some of my nervous insides out. Forcing a smile to my face, I walked up to the desk with fake confidence.
"Hi. My name's Daisy Mendez. I'm here to see Mr. Wilder." My fingers curled and twisted the purse straps in my grip. Faking confidence still needs some work.
The tall brunette smiled like it was just routine and typical for her. "Of course. Take the elevator up to the thirtieth floor and his assistant should be there to help you out."
I glanced over to the elevator opening wide to release the flood of people getting off their shift. "Okay. Thank you." I quickly made my way over to the elevator before it could shut me out. I pressed down on the top floor of the building until the gates of my brief prison close.
I leaned back against the back wall being alone once more. I closed my eyes trying to imagine a perfect scenario. Asking Mr. Wilder questions perfectly and reflect positively on Venus Magazine. A bad rep was not something that Jacqueline Prescott liked one bit. I remember when a writer was photographed drunk and making a fool of herself at a club while on the job. I've never seen someone cry so many tears.
I don't think I've ever been this nervous since I went to my interview for this job. And I threw up in a plant pot from my nerves. I mean it's a great opportunity and a phenomenal way to boost my career in the right direction. But the reality of interviewing America's most eligible bachelor is absolutely intimidating. Not to mention a bit interesting.
His picture is practically published on every cover of every magazine article. Gossip and drama surrounding him at every corner he turned. But the mystery behind the dark suits he wears and those dark blue green eyes just do something to me. Like he's peering into my soul and discovering every secret I've been hiding.
The elevator dings just before the doors open to reveal a white tile floor buffed so you could see your reflection and walls to match. Two dark wooden doors are closed not ten feet from a white modern desk with a blonde woman seated behind it. I pressed my lips together and step out of the container.
My black purse dangled at my side as I stood in front of the blonde. A phone glued to her ear while her manicured talons pushed keys on the keyboard. "Yes, Mr. Wilder is aware of the upcoming line for the new season... Okay I will let him know. Mhm. Goodbye." The phone clunked against the machine before light brown eyes strangled my fake confidence. "Can I help you?"
I flicked my tongue over my bottom lip. "Uh, yeah you can. I'm Daisy Mendez from Venus Magazine. I'm here to interview Mister—"
"Wilder. Yes I was made aware of it yesterday. You caused me to shift his entire schedule. Thanks for that." She typed away at the keyboard practically wearing it down.
I furrowed my brows. Isn't she just a delightful human being. "You're welcome?"
A few moments of awkward silence and clicking from her odd nails before Miss Sarcasm stood up. "Follow me." She came around the desk and my eyes became saucers. A short red skirt barely covered her butt and six inch black heels were just among her big fashion statement.
I quickly followed after the blonde assistant. "Okay so just a few things. Mr. Wilder doesn't like people staring at him so keep eye contact for at least fifteen seconds. Keep your questions crisp and to the point. He doesn't like to beat around the bush. And lastly, don't go over your time. He has other things to be doing today."
Her eyes ran down then back up with that nasty frown as if to tell me something. I managed a small nod even though I wanted to give a small snap back. "Good to know."
"Great to know you're not an idiot because you're late so get in there." Her hand wrapped around the door handle and quickly opened it. Her other witch hand pushing me and slamming the door shut behind me. I turned around to thank her but there was no point.
I tucked a few loose strands of my dark hair behind my ear and pushed my frames up my nose. My eyes moving away from the closed door to the sleek modern desk and the window framed behind it. A tall man seated at his desk with his brow furrowed at something on his laptop.
I licked my lips to wet them trying to overcome my anxiety and the pressure mounted on my shoulders. I opened my mouth only to freeze before I could get a word out. Stormy eyes watched me from across the room and beckoned me closer. My mind screaming stop, but my feet leading me to a chair.
"Miss Mendez. Please sit down." His voice was bone-rattling shaking my rib cage. I slowly sunk down into the black chair crossing my legs to disguise my quivering thighs. I was hypnotized by the spell coming down on me from the stare leading me into a trap.
Andres Wilder, billionaire of Wilder Enterprise and deemed sexiest man alive, clasped his hands on his desk. An expensive smirk enriching his dimples.
"Let's get started."
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