"All the hardest, coldest people you will ever meet were once as soft as water. And that's the tragedy of living."

- Ian Thomas

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"Kiara wake up. Destiny is here to pick you up." Layla calls from outside my door. My head pops up from my pillow and I shove my frizzy hair out of my face.

"I'm coming in and I have coffee," Destiny announces before sashaying into my room. She's dressed in a black pants suit with beige heels. I roll onto my back and sit up.

"Tyler went to the bakery to grab some breakfast. He should be back soon." Tyler, my other wonderful roommate. He's always doing something. I haven't seen him for the last couple of days. He must have been at a photo shoot.

"Thank you." I sigh with happiness after my first sip.

"You young lady have some explaining to do."

"Oh boy." I groan and take another sip of my coffee.

"Why didn't you tell me you fucked Kyle's brains out in the limo?" She takes a seat at the edge of my bed.

"I was going to tell you later today when I saw you. How'd you find out?" That was fast.

"Kyle told Jay of course and then he told me. You'll be glad to hear Kyle has ranked you in his top five lays. He says, and I quote, 'She's a freak who knows what she wants.' He also wants to go out with you again. I'm sure he wants round two."

"Well, I'm glad to know I still got it."

"Please, it never left. You're young, successful, and beautiful."

"Thanks, Des. What are you all dressed up for?"

"After we dropped you off Kyle told me all about sex daggers."

"Oh boy." I groan again.

"He told me that he asked you to go home with him last night right in front of him and how he's going to be our new client."

"And this has what to do with your attire?"

"Because Kyle also reminded me of who he is. His name is Ryson Lábel. He's in line to take over his father's billion-dollar jewelry company. He just got back from France a week ago. Every magazine has an article about him in it. Whether it be about his return, why he left, or that he's one of the youngest and richest men to become a CEO of such an amazing company. Planning whatever it is for him not only brings in a lot of money but a lot higher end clients. So the answer to your question is, I'm dressing to impress."

"Then you'll be disappointed because his personal assistant is who I'll be meeting with."

"His personal assistant?" She says confused. "But what about your rule."

"I made an exception for him. Being around him does things to me. Plus, he's a cocky douche I'd rather not be around again."

"Of course he's a cocky douche. He looks like a fucking God. I'm sure he has a banging body and a huge dick to match. The guy can be cocky for a reason."

"Who are we talking about? I want to meet him. Sounds like my type of guy."

"Any guy is your type of guy Tyler." I point out. He thinks about it for a second.

"Yeah, you're right." He grins. "But that's only because I'm not picky like someone I know."

"I'm not picky. I know what I want. There is nothing wrong with that and even though he looks like an angel that's no reason to be cocky and there's no explaining away him being a douche." I say returning back to our original conversation.

"That is true."

"Speaking of knowing what you want. I bought your favorite, banana nut muffin. Delilah gave it to me fresh out of the oven when she knew it was for you."

"Bless that woman." I throw my blanket off and head downstairs to the kitchen.

"Hurry up and eat. You still have some cleaning up to do for those wedding plans this Wednesday. Oh, and remember dress nice. Even if you're only meeting with his personal assistant. I shouldn't be the only one who has to suffer today."

"Copy that boss. Uncomfortable dress and heels coming up after operation muffin." I give her a kiss on the cheek. "Thanks for the coffee."

"Thanks for finally getting laid." She says from behind me as we head down the stairs from my loft.

"No problem. You were right, I needed it. Dry spells like that do bad things to my brain. I almost mounted, what's his name? Ryson? Right there on that bar table."

"Oh do tell? This guy sounds yummier by the second."

"Trust me he is but I won't be running into him any time soon." Tyler pouts at me.

"Awwww, why not?"

"Because he makes her really horny and she hates the taste of her own medicine." I glare at Destiny.

"No that is not true. Well, the second half isn't. I'm not a cocky asshole who expects people to drop their pants when I flaunt how big and powerful I am."

"Kiara he didn't flaunt anything. He didn't even tell you his name." Destiny says.

"It's the way he carries himself. He thinks he's God's gift to women and can get anything he wants."

"You're good at reading people but you could be wrong. What if he's actually really nice and charming?" Tyler asks around a bite of croissant.

"Charming my ass. Five seconds after learning my name he asked me to go home with him even though he had a date."

"Maybe he just wanted to start planning as soon as possible." Destiny offers.

"That's bullshit and you know it."

"Yeah, I do." She grins. "But you should totally sleep with him. I mean yes he was an ass but his body is to die for. He definitely is God's gift to women."

"Just cover his mouth with duct tape so he can't say anything," Tyler suggests. I shake my head to stop myself from even contemplating the idea.

"You guys need to stop. That man is nothing but trouble and I won't be seeing him anytime soon because I'm working with his personal assistant. Keep telling yourselves that. Personal assistant, not him. His PA. He obviously didn't want it that bad if he can't even make time to meet with me. Now stop talking about him and let me enjoy my muffin." I huff.

"But."

"Nope." I stop her before she continues. "We are done with this topic."

"For now," Tyler says with a wink. I glare at him as I finish my muffin. After brushing my teeth and scrubbing my face I throw on a black pencil dress with a thick beige strip going down the sides.

"Wear some stilettos." Destiny calls from my bedroom.

"Why do I have to wear six-inch heels when you're wearing three-inch ones."

"You're young. You can handle it. And if he asks his PA about you I want her to tell him how smokin' hot you were."

"I'm pretty sure I was more smokin' hot in that dress last night."

"Well, he'll punch himself for not seeing you in today's smokin' hot outfit." Laughing, I emerge from my bathroom and grab my purse.

"Let's hit the road." Right as my hand hits the knob to the front door Tyler comes barreling out of his bedroom with Layla fast behind him. "Please don't kill me." I wheeze in Tyler's death grip. "I can already barely breathe in this dress.

"I have wonderful news!" He sings happily. His blonde hair falls in front of his brown eyes and he shoves it away from his face. "I got the job."

"Seriously! That's wonderful." I give him another hug. Life as a photographer in L.A. is rough. Tyler has been looking for years to get in with the big dogs.

"Its only part time so I'll continue doing side jobs here and there but I finally got it!"

"I'm so proud of you." Layla squeals and hugs him from the side. She's still dressed in an oversize pajama shirt making her look even tinier and pixie-like. The short cut of her chestnut hairs accentuates her sharp features and adds to her looking like a pixie.

"You know what this means? We are going celebrating. Make plans for tonight. Invite everyone. Tonight is going to be one you'll never forget but I have to go. We are running late."

"You can't be late you guys are the bosses." He grins. I congratulate him again and we finally head out the door. Soon after we arrive at the office. One of the reasons I loved this place is because it's so close to home and the neighborhood is lovely. Not only that but Destiny and I didn't need a whole building for ourselves. The first and third floor were already being rented and the owners only needed to rent out the second floor. It was meant to be that we started our business here.

"Hey, guys. Did you enjoy the party last night?" Ellie asks when we get off the elevator. Because I attended the party as a guest Ellie was put in charge of running everything. It was the first big event that I've put here in charge of and because Mr. and Mrs. Almer didn't come running toward me screaming hysterically I know things with smoothly. She's always done a great job at the smaller parties I've put her in charge of and I knew she'd do great with a big party.

"Nothing spectacular. The only thing you missed out on was the expensive champagne."

"And a super-hot guy who almost made Kiara fall to her knees," Destiny adds. I lightly smack her arm causing Ellie to chuckle. She's been working here as a secretary and assistant basically since we opened. Everyone loves her. It's hard not to and after working with her almost every day the last few years has made me love her even more.

The girl is like my twin except for the fact that she is pale as snow but other than that we looked alike. Same button nose, brown eyes, and crazy curls spilling from the tops of our heads.

"He sounds perfect for you Kiara. Any man who could bring you to your knees must be made for you. No guy has ever been able to do that."

"Destiny is exaggerating, big time. The guy has the personality of a spoiled sixteen-year-old brat. I almost slapped the guy across the floor."

"Definitely made for you," Ellie says confidently. At my confused gaze, she continues. "No guy has ever made you feel frustrated, defensive, aggressive, or any other thing. They are just there and gone and don't make you feel anything really. Except satisfied for a while."

"That's because satisfaction is all I need. I don't want some guy in my life making me feel all those things. Been there, done that. It didn't end well. And if I ever see that guy again I'd like to tell him a couple things."

"Tell me what? I'm all ears." A deep voice says from behind me. My skin begins warming and I practically melt at the sound of his voice. Damn office gossip. That crap always gets people in trouble.

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Author's Notes:

UPDATE 5/28/2019

Interested in reading more? Then I have wonderful news. Hide Away is officially an ebook available for $3.99 on Amazon. I am so very excited and hope you will support me and buy the ebook or a paperback copy which should be available by the end of the week. Thank you so much for your support everyone! Without you, I wouldn't have made it here.

Song: Troublemaker by Olly Murs Ft. Flo Rida

I want to give a huge thank you to Silver_Masked_Devil for the cover. It is perfect and I love it so much. If you liked this chapter please vote, comment, and share. Until next Saturday!

-Oleanna