▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

F I R S T
C H A P T E R

▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅

.  .  .

P R E S E N T 

TWO YEARS LATER

I was curled up in my blanket. I always like to keep my blanket closed from all sides and let all the warmness trap inside, but I make sure to keep my face outside--- I don't want to suffocate myself to death.

Even though I love my way of sleeping like this, but if by any chance I lied straightly I look like a mummy from Scooby Do Catoons or The Mummy Movies.  

I have to admit one thing, I'm very selfish. I like to keep all the warmness of my blanket to myself. Can't let the intruders (chillness of Seatle) come inside my blanket.

Even though there's a radiator installed in our house, still the eascty of heat of your blanket is something unexplainable.

Ugh Ava! STOP talking about blankets and get up or else you'll be late once again.

But Mr. Smith is wonderful, he never says anything to me.

But Ava that doesn't mean you have to keep doing this to him.

The voice behind my head has very urbane manners. This voice always teaches me good things, but I think I'm not much affected my it's advises.

But seriously who would ever like to get out of such state of utter warnesss. But, like everyday, whenever I get out of my blanket it's the same feeling. It's the feeling of going to Hell after being in Heaven. Not that I've ever been to Heaven and who knows that heaven or hell exist or not.  

Okay Ava, you don't want to get into this topic or else you will lose all of your today's time debating on it.

The light didn't reach me. Thank god I had draped the curtains over my window before sleep. I usually forget to do so and it always ends up bad for me.

To be honest I don't like waking up with the bright sunlight falling over me. Well, to be very honest, I don't like waking up at all, but it's life--- you got to wake up.

But imagine sleeping soundly all day and let me remind you all day equals to beautiful twenty-four hours.  

I smiled to myself at this beautiful thought snuggling deeper in the blanket. 

How about I take a leave from office today?

No Ava, you can't. You've already taken too many leaves. You shouldn't do this to Mr. Smith.

Oh, my god! Mr. Smith said last week that today he will introduce us with a very special person. Mr.Smith was quite happy about it. Who knows who it is, but I should be there. I've already missed many announcments and other important meetings.

I don't know how Mr. Smith bear me. He gave me job in his company because of my mom. Mom told me that she had quite good relations with Mrs. Smith's friend. But I doubt they took me because of my mom. I mean I don't like to brag, but I'm quite intelligent in marketing.

Soon the train of my thoughts was destroyed into pieces when a figure pulled away the curtains.

The scorching rays of light shot straight to my half-closed eyes. I rapidly moved my head to the other direction and then I realized the perks of having just a single window in your room.

When we moved from San Francisco to Seattle in this new house two years ago, I argued with my parents so much on having a room with double windows. I said I needed extra air. I made many excuses like I won't be able to breathe and many other such kinds of lame excuses.

But my parents actually chose this room because they were afraid. They thought I'll have better opportunity to run away or a killer will have a better opportunity for entering in and killing me.

Even though I have tried a million times to tell them that what I did four years ago, eloped with Ethan, was the biggest mistake of my life but they seem to never listen to this.

But I'm happy that I got a room with single window, not because single window means less light could come in and wake me up, but because I have actually been more attached to this room than any other.

"Get up Ava! I've been telling you to get up form downstairs for so long." Mom moved to the other side of bed and faced me.

"Yeah, I heard--- you weren't telling. You were yelling." I mumbled flicking my eyes.

"Okay, but seems like my yells are also of no use anymore. Because I don't think my yells affect you. Please do tell me a way of waking you up." She asked as she moved around my room and turned ON the lights.

Well! If you have a single window. Now next step is to reduce the amount of light bulbs in your room.

"Now wake up!" I hadn't replied yet when she yelled once again. 

"I'm getting up!" I rolled my eyes as I finally pulled the blanket off of me.

From Heaven to Hell.

Every morning she yells, right in front of me. Sometimes I think she wants to inform me that the country's been attacked wake up or else you'll die. I think the alarm before an attack won't be that strict and loud.

She Is A Natural Alarm Clock!

Really, who needs an alarm when you have a mom like this. That's why I've never set an alarm.

"Get ready and wear something better than last time--- maybe that brownish, cream-colored suit." She gestured towards my closet as I kept sitting on the bed listening to her. "And yeah do all those things quickly I don't want you getting late anymore and yeah don't forget to eat your breakfast."

She finally left.

God! She wants me to get ready and eat breakfast, and do this all in time. Please tell me can this be ever possible? If by any miracle I get ready early, she insits me to have a proper breakfast and that results in me getting late. I can only do one, either get ready or eat.

That is the main reason I never get up early because there's no advantage in that.

I think it's a universal, undeniable fact that no matter how early you get up, still you'll be late for wherever you have to go. Either you'll get late because of your moms or you won't resist checking your Twitter or Facebook notifications. And everyone knows that once you've entered one of these apps, you'll waste approximately one of your hour.

I moved from my bed to my bathroom drowsily.

As I looked at myself in the mirror. I promised, 'Okay Ava only five minutes in shower and then you're done.'

As I stepped under the steamy hot shower I just couldn't move back from it.

I finally came out and was sure that I took more than five minutes--- maybe ten, but not more than ten. That's for sure.

I draped the towel over my body and moved to my closet.

I took out the dress which mom was telling me about. It was a cream-colored office attire, a white shirt with a cream-colored jacket over it and a cream-colored skirt. I took out my matching heels.

I glanced over all the clothing and other stuff that were lying all over my bed--- like it's  being displayed in a mall for buying.

If any normal girl will have to say something she'll say 'Perfect' but I never liked getting ready for office. Why can't I just wear something casual.

I don't think there's a proper rule for dressing, but I know I'll look weird among everyone if I went in my jeans.

No Ava, not weird--- you'll look like a clown.

After I changed, I applied some Kylie Dolce K  and some mascara. I wore my golden wrist watch and I was now ready.

Finally!

I took my light brown purse and now I had one thing left--- put jeans and a simple top in it.

I tucked them in my purse. The only thing I like in twenty-four hours of every day is my jeans and top and I always put them in my purse with me.

Well! They are important.

I took my phone and glanced over the screen. 9:30 AM. Those words written right on top of the screen in big letters, took my breath away.

Fuck! I'm so late.

I rushed downstairs like a bolt of lightning and to be honest if Barry Alan:The Flash was here I would've competed him in race.

"What happened?" Mom yelled as she always do. "Eat something before you leave this damn house, lady"

I moved toward the table where my mom and dad were sitting and stuffing their bellies with yummy sandwiches.

I knew I couldn't say no to this yummiliousness.  

"Mom don't call me a lady--- I'm a girl!" I protested while wrapping a sandwich in an aluminium foil.

"Twenty-four-years-old is not a girl--- it's a woman." My dad mocked.

"Dad!" I cried as I put my sandwich in a Ziploc bag. 

"Okay, bye and don't call me a woman or a lady--- young lady will be better." I kissed mom and dad and left my house.

"Be safe!" I heard my mom yell and I restrained myself from rolling my eyes.

My office is very far from my home and dad still haven't  bought me the car he has promised me last year.

The payment I earn from working goes straight to Nathan. But I don't blame him and he totally deserve that money.

But if I stopped working; firstly, I won't be able to pay Nathan and secondly, I won't be left with any reason to get a car.

I don't like my job. Not that it's boring, well it actually is boring but my heart never setteled on it, after what happend two years ago I don't want anything else but to make myself better.

I'm so, so late today. 

If Mr. Smith didn't kill me, I'm sure Kendrick will.

So let me explain this to you. In Smith's Initiative, Mr. Smith is The Boss, the CEO. But I work in the second main department in the company from a total of sixteen departments. I'm proud to be in second number. Still don't know how I got to the second department.  But as I was telling each department has it's own boss and Kendrick, most likely to be my second killer after Mr. Smith, is my boss.

I think you got that pretty well.

I moved to the subway and got in the train. The most fastest way to get to my office.

Still I don't know why, but I think Seattle's subway is not that much fast. I mean the San Francisco one was way faster.

Now all I could do is wait.

It's been two years since we first entered this city. I don't know if I'll ever form a bond with this city like I did with San Francisco.

Two years ago when I was at my parent's house and had just being discharged from the hospital after what Ethan did to me. A week later when my parents went to a party at Connor's, he came and again beat me and he didn't only tried to sexually assualt me, but he tried to kill me.

I still remeber all the pain he gave me and when he---

I couldn't say it. I won't say it.

I restarained myself from crying. I don't want my mascara to flow and ruin my appearance. 

After that day when I ran half-naked at night in the middle of cold street, dad had been too protective.

He was so angry at Ethan. Even though Ethan went to jail that day and still is in jail, despite that dad decided to leave the city.

Mom also agreed and we moved to Seattle. When we came here my mom asked her old college friend who was friend of Mrs. Smith to give me a job. 

I told mom about my dream job, but she said, 'It's your nasty impulse--- forget it.' She further said that I'll never be able to fulfill my desire.

I was so sad at that time. I tried talking with dad, but he also didn't agree to it.

I grew more and more despondent.

But I wasn't going to give up and that was for sure.

Now I'm secretly working for my dream job and I don't care if it is foolishness or a nasty impulse. I'm not going to give up.

My job at Smith's Initiative is just a means to an end.

♣

The train finally came to a halt and so did the train of my thoughts.

I quickly got out and excusing the people and pushing those who wouldn't listen to my excuses, I quickly took a cab.

"S.s..mith's!" I said taking large deep breaths and I tried to take in as much oxygen to my lungs as I was possible.

I started hyperventilating when I looked at the time. And why I shouldn't, when I'm fourty minutes late.

The taxi finally braked in front of a huge building. Yeah, The Smith's Initiative.

I nearly forgot to pay the driver when he stopped me and asked me.

He would be thinking that I'm running away from him.

"Sorry!" I apologized as I went back to him and after minutes of finding money in my purse I payed him. 

I looked up and the building was touching the skyline.

Now I wanted to puke because I knew I had to go to very top of this building and this ultimately equals to more consumption of time. 

I moved through the glass doors with a huge 'S' sign written on them and quickly stepped in an elevator.

You know how I was bragging about me being in the second most department from the total sixteen departments.  Well there's a shitty fact about it too. It takes you quite a while moving to the top third most floor from first floor.

The top most floor is for the C.E.O and after that, below the top floor, is the first department and then, the third floor from the top, my department. 

I waited and waited and finally, my elevator stopped and the door of the elevator opened revealing empty compartments.

Okay that only means one thing, everyone is in the meeting room.  Ant that also means I AM LATE.

I was just sneaking to my compartment when the door to the meeting room opened and everyone started coming out.

I noticed Britney,the only good and loyal and funny friend I made here in Seattle. 

I waved at Brit and she moved towards me. She had a weird smile and blush lurking over her face.

What was up with that girl?

"Congratulations Ava" she came to me and said before hugging me.

I was confused.

"I got promoted to first department?" I broke the hug and asked her excitedly.

"Congratulations on breaking your record of getting late." She pouted.

I rolled my eyes.

"So I missed the meeting once again." I started moving with her to her compartment as I talked.

Now I got to have some insight about what happened in today's meeting and it was a special one too.

"Yeah, you certainly did miss it."

"I thought it will take Mr. Smith some time to first talk with the first department and when I'll come here, he will be still busy addressing to the first department." I explained to her.

"Well, Aaron doesn't like to talk much. He talks so fastly and so--- manly, to be honest I didn't get half of the things he said because I was so busy admiring his sexy looks."

"What the hell are you talking about. Who's Aaron?" I asked completely puzzeled about the situation.

"Oh I totally forgot to tell you. Our C.E.O is replaced. It's now Mr. Aaron." She told me simply.

"What!" I cried and when few people looked at me, I lowered my voice to a faint whisper, "No this can't be true! What happened to Mr. Smith. I don't want him to go."

"God Ava! Aaron is Mr. Smith's only son. He's Mr. Smith Jr. But he doesn't like to be called that, he asked us to call him only 'Sir'."

I can't believe this is happening. I mean Mr. Smith was the best and he was the only one who beared me and my tardiness.

"I got to talk to Mr. Smith!" I told Brit and started moving.

Probably he came with his son. I can tell him that only he can run this company and all that sort of stuff. He might change his mind.

"You probably shouldn't go, because in the meeting he asked for you and you weren't present, he was a little miffed." Brit stopped me and I think she was right.

So I decided it will be much better if didn't say anything to Mr. Smith.

We reached at her compartment and Britney sat in front of her computer, all ready to start working.

I leaned my back with the sides of her compartment and asked, "So how is the new Boss. Is he strict? What did he say?"

"Don't ask--- he was a total package of hotness. I mean who needs to be that hot. His face mostly remains expressionless and I didn't see him smile, not even once and his voice--- god!  It was----"

As Brit continued babbling about Mr. Aaron. I interuppted her, "Did he say something important."

He must've said something. I don't think he came just for showing off his hunky looks. Not that I know what he really looks like. But it's Brit, she doesn't like guys so quickly and  she's so picky about guys.

"Yeah, he said a couple of things. I remeber only one because it was the most shocking one."

"Just tell me." I just don't know why this girl babble so much, but that's the thing I love about her besides her cute short blonde hair.

"He said that he'll fire all those members who aren't worth his company."

I gaped at her.

"I'm definite that I'll be one of the people he'll fire." I was starting having some really bad thoughts.

Stop Ava, you are a very old member,  he can't just fire you.

"He won't" Brit tried to calm my tension down a notch.

But I had doubts. 

Ava hope for the best.

I moved to my compartment and Kendrick saw me before I reached my compartment. 

"Finally you're here. I want details on that New York deal." He ordered from a distant while he was on phone with someone.

God! Ken has nothing in his life except work.

Except that fault, he's a very good guy. Well! Cute guy, he had this cute, girlish look but it suits his black hair.

Okay Ava. It's time for work.

"New York deal!" I muttered to myself as I sat in front of my desk and started working.

♣

It just strucked 3:00 PM and that means break for 15 minutes from this hell. 

Mostly people were moving towards the cafe installed in our department. But me and Brit never liked it. So we usually quickly grab something to bite from the nearest Burger Joint. 

Well, they don't sell burgers only and we both love this Joint.

I moved to Britney's compartment and she was already coming towards me.

"Lets leave this hell hole!" She exclaimed drowsily.

We took an elevator and two minutes ultimately got minus from the total of fifteen minutes.

Tell me, what a person could do in thirteen minutes? Nothing.

Brit looked extra tired today. Well today I'm tired too. We did a lot today and there's still much to do.  

Kendrick kept getting new orders from Mr. Smith Jr. or I should call 'Sir'.

The new C.E.O really is crazy. Who starts working--- well, ordering on their first day? If Mr. Jr kept doing this, which he probably will, one of us will probably end up in a hospital. First patient will definitely be me.

I was starving and so was Brit. We decided to order two hamburgers, with extra cheese and fries.

There's only a single sandwich in my stomach that I brought from my house in a Ziploc bag and now my dear stomach needs more to survive and feed the fat hungry rats living in it.

We sat outside the Burger Joint and started eating like hungry puppies.

Hell, rats inside me are always hungry.

We were still eating when the waiter asked for the money. Well! That's not a nice thing to do but I don't know why they do this. Still there burgers are the best.

As I opened my purse to give money for my burger, Brit noticed the jeans I was carrying.

"So you're still going at Nathan's?" she asked and she clearly looked miffed.

Busted!

I decided to not reply. I smiled at the waiter while putting money over the tray he was holding which had the bill too.

"Ava why are you doing this to yourself. Stop!" she started sounding like my mother. I hate when she do this.

"Please Brit, don't ever ask me to do that--- you know that I can't stop."

After that she didn't say a word.

When we finished eating, we realized that we have only three minutes left to return to our department.

We rushed towards the building and finally we don't know how, but we reached twenty seconds before out break would end. 

We breathed heavily as we reached our department. 

As I moved to my compartment, Ken was sitting on my desk.

What he has to say now?

He probably doesn't have any good news.

He isn't here to tell me that I'm getting a promotion. Is he?

Yeah, keep dreaming young lady. Keep dreaming. 

Brit left me as she commenced towards her own compartment.

Okay, I know what Ken has to say, probably a new order from Mr. Aaron.

As I reached near to my compartment, I saw an odd tension lurking over his face.

No, it's a different expression. It's something else.

I think he and Mindy broke up once again.

Poor Ken.

"Hey, are you okay?" I asked as I sat on my chair. My tone comforting. 

He frowned on what I just said to him and then picked up a  piece of paper which was placed on my desk.

"I'm totally okay--- But I don't know if you will be after reading this."

He handed me the paper and I glanced over it and the first word that I saw written in bold was 'fired'.

No! No! This can't be true. I couldn't read anymore. How could he do that to me?

"NO!" I yelled as I got up from my chair.

Everyone looked at me and I wasn't worried about that.

I can't let him do that. The first day he came and he decided to kick me out.

"What is the code to his floor?" I asked Kendrick in a warning tone.

"1835" he told me with a confused look, "but why you need it?"

"I'm going to talk with him myself--- face to face." I started moving towards the elevator as I mumbled, "how dare he."

"Stop Ava!" Ken tried to stop me, but he shouldn't waste his breath for I wasn't going to stop now. "Why did I even tell the passcode to his insane woman."

"I'M NOT A WOMAN." I shouted back while moving farther away. "I'm a young lady. Y.o.u.n.g L.a.d.y."

Before entering the elevator l looked back and growled at everyone who was looking at me, enjoying my misery, "I've been working here for two damn years! I repeat TWO YEARS."

Naoh from a nearest compartment, rasied his hand and said, "I've been working here for four damn years!"

"What's that suppose to me!" I yelled at him from a distance.

"I thought everyone was telling their time at Smith's." He said.

I groaned and entered the elevator. I clicked the top floor and they asked for password and I typed it. 1835. I remembered.

Only four people know the password to the top floor, bosses of first and second departments, the girl who remains on the top CEO floor and the CEO himself and now I knew it too.

I was burning with anger and Mr. Smith Jr. you're going to feel very bad for firing me.

The door of the elevator opened and I got out in a very calm place. The counter girl, I was telling you about, was sitting with a small desk in front of her and a few inches away was a room with glass walls but nothing was visible from outside. 

I moved towards the door of the room and the girl got up to stop me.

"SIT!" I warned her strictly and the poor girl really did sit down without muttering a single word after that.

I entered the room which was completely white from the inside.

I had never been to CEO's room in these two years, now I had to say that it was very elegant because it really was. 

Then my eyes landed on a figure who was sitting on a huge black chair. The chaired facing the opposite glass wall. 

Mr. Aaron--- here you're enjoying the beautiful view of Seattle while I'm here being fired by you.

I saw his head, he had dark brownish hair. Lighter than the color of my hair.

I kept standing watching his head waiting for him to turn around.

Is he for real? I entered his room and he didn't move a bit.

Don't tell me he's dead. Please, be dead. Someone he fired before me might've shot him. 

Well I wish he is dead, but he can't die now, not before he tells me why he fired me on his first day.  

I was done waiting. I moved to his desk and slammed the paper Ken gave me, the same paper that had my misery written on it.

I was certain that I slammed the paper so hard that the girl sitting outside heard it and maybe the people in the first department will also be wondering what's happening on the top floor.

But he didn't move a bit.

Are you kidding me? 

Maybe he's slightly deaf.

I leaned on the glass desk as my hands rested on it. I moved near his head.

Maybe if I'll yell in his ear, he might get it.

Unknownily I sniffed his hair and damn! His hair were so--- yummy? 

I don't know but I wanted to ask him what kind of product he uses for his hair.

Damn! The scent. I sniffed once more. 

Stop it Ava! You're probably acting like a dog. Focus on the purpose you're here for.

I moved my head a little closer to his ear and started, "Do you know for how long I've been working here Mister? How could you know because all you do is simply sit on this chair and pass orders. Did you even know who you were firing? Why are you firing me? Huh! Please tell me Mist----"

"Shush!" He finally spoke. His voice was coarse and full of authority. I don't know why, but I stopped talking the moment he shushed me. 

But how dare he SHUSH me! 

I was about to yell once again but he rolled his chair and after turning it, he faced me.

Oh, my god! He's so handsome. I mean I can't lie. That damn jawline is--- a total killer.

He was so near me. Our faces few inches apart.

Move back Ava. Move back, now.

But I couldn't for I was glued at my place.

It's getting weird Ava!

I tried to look into his blue eyes. But when I looked I suddenly lowered my gaze and now it landed on his beautiful lips.

God! Ava step back.

His face had no expression but I guess he was angry.

He got up from his chair and stood up, still in front of me. But I was still at my old position and now it had become weirder. 

My face was now so near his--- crotch!

Move back Ava. It's humiliating. You're looking like his hoe.

I quickly moved back and stood right in front of him.

He had a very tall figure. Why he needed to be that huge?

And this physique! God! Brit was right about him. He really is package of complete hotness. 

I just had a very weird encounter with him and I think now I'm sweating.

The first time I saw him and my face was right next to his mouth and then his--- pants! Ugh!

I stood like a dumb person who couldn't speak a word. 

Okay, Ava, calm down. Speak what you have to say and don't let him intimidate you. You're strong, just yell right at his face.

I opened my mouth to speak, but he grabbed that paper I had slammed on his desk and he started striding towards me.

His steps heavy and his shoes made a sound that made my heart palpitate way faster than it should.

As he came near me. I didn't realize, I moved a little backwards just to keep a distance from him.

Are you seriously fearing him? Ava, you have confronted men like Ethan.

He continued getting closer to me and this time I stood still.

His expression was now changed. It was now--- stoic. 

Oh, Dear Ava! I think you had just called upon your own death.

What is he going to do?

✴ ✴

N e x t :
2nd Chapter.

.

D e s i g n e r | me ⤴

(The girl, Lily Collins, in the cover above is not Ava. You can imagine her as anyone you like, as long she fits the description).

😜

..