THE DAYS WERE a drag -every day like the one before it, very boring and routinely- until Tuesday. It had started like every other very boring day; I got up, washed up, got dressed and put on my make up. I wore a formal white dress, not caring if it got stained during the day. My hair was a mess, even though I actually did the extra effort to straighten it down, but it ended being still a mess, but a less of one.

Grabbing my dark violet purse, I shoved my phone and keys inside and slung it over my shoulder before I marched out the door, closing it quietly behind me.

I wasn't late, so I took my time descending the stairs and decided it was a good time to get a cup of coffee. But before I could take another step from the second floor down, Harry's door opened and he grinned when he saw me.

He had a white dress shirt on, with the top three buttons undone. His suit jacket topped the outfit off, giving it quite a vibe with the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, showcasing his silver wrist watch that I got him for his birthday last year.

He tousled his hair and shut the door to his flat before looking up at me again and joining me to descend the stairs together.

"Good morning, beautiful,"

I made a face at him and sighed. "Beautiful? Please, take a look at my hair before you speak."

As the sun greets us outside, we both get our shades out and slip them on. Harry chuckles, "Alright, you look like you need coffee."

"You're paying, too," I inform him. "And stop looking at me like that."

"Like what?" He furrowed his brows.

"Like you want to bring it up again," I exhale and squint away as we make our way to his bike. "Honestly, Harry, forget what I said that day. I'm not fucking desperate for a lover."

"You made it seem like it," Harry shrugged slowly. "But I'm not bringing it up. Unless you want me to."

"Well, I don't want you to."

"Then I won't."

I took the helmet from him and positioned it on top of my head, nodding a little. "Okay," I said.

"But, I mean, if you ever need to talk, you know I-"

I slap his shoulder, shoving him playfully when he laughs loudly. "Asshole."

•••

I didn't know if it was just me or everyone really had been acting kind of strange at the office, some staring at me a little longer than usual, some even smiling genuinely when they normally didn't give two craps about me.

"Hey, Kade?" I called my colleague in somewhat a whisper so I don't disturb the others working.

"Yeah?" His bright blue eyes looked up at me, his eyebrows raising in question.

"What is up with everyone?" I frowned.

"What?" He asked, confused.

"Well, I don't know..." I bit on my bottom lip to not show my frustration. "Everyone's been staring. I mean, come on, Quinn said hi to me today!"

Kade chuckled and shook his head, returning back to typing away on his keyboard.

"Kade," I gave him a look. "Ignoring me? Wow."

"Not ignoring you!" Kade turned to me, exclaiming loud enough for Hugh to shush him, so he turned down the volume before going on, flinching slightly. "I just don't wanna say something I'm not supposed to."

My eyes widened. "Why? Did something happen?"

"Please don't ask me," Kade rolled his eyes dramatically, shewing me away, muttering under his breath.

I shook my head and stood up from my chair with an annoyed expression, making some of the people seated glance weirdly at me. "Coffee," I quipped shortly, moving to the small kitchen in our floor. Belle was standing there, too, so I decided to ask her.

"Oh, dammit, don't ask me!"

My jaw fell to the floor. "Why does everyone keep saying that? What is wrong with you people?" I put my hands on my hips.

At that moment, with my loud exclamation, our manager and CEO just had to walk in on us in the kitchen, at that precise moment. Shit, it is definitely not my day.

"Miss Gatti," She stared me down and I cursed myself internally multiple times. "I just have to ask. Is everything all right down here?"

I cleared my throat and pursed my lips, throwing a glance at an unusually smirking Belle. "Yes, Miss Yendor. I'm sorry, I just-erm,"

"You what, Gatti? You're an Editor now, and you can't form one sentence?" She narrows her brown eyes at me and I open my mouth to reply, except I haven't registered what she'd just said.

"I'm- What? Miss Yendor, you have probably made a mistake. I'm still an intern," I said with a small smile.

She waved me off. "You were. I've promoted you and you're an Editor as of right this moment." She pauses, scans my bewildered face with a blank expression. "Tell me, Gatti. Have I made a mistake?"

"I- No, sir. You haven't. I'm just..."

"In shock?" With boredom evident on her features, her heels click. "Yes, I know. I'm aware that I can be unpredictable. Do you need an open vacation so it can sink in there?"

"No," I pursed my lips, still shaking. This is happening. This is really, actually happening. Oh, my God.

"Good. Do I need to tell you that you'll have a new desk soon? In a more private area for an office. You see, you have to start acting more professional, Gatti. If you want to survive as an Editor."

"Of course," I squeaked out, clearing my throat.

She stared at me for a few more moments and raised her eyebrows at me. Rolling her eyes, Yendor sighs excessively and turns around to walk out the door. I almost jump up and down before she surprises me by turning back around again.

"Oh, and," she raises a finger, business-like. "Your first assignment, an author, will be working with you in seven days precisely. So, needless to say, until then, you will be finishing all the manuscripts that need to be run over again. Got it?"

"Got it. Yes. Absolutely."

She nods once and before turning around, she says one more thing, "Try taking a breath every once in a while, Gatti. You look like you could use one."

Her heels click away, one by one. Click, click. I slowly turn around to Belle whose grin is larger than the Titanic.

"I just...I think I need a minute- I got fucking promoted!" I freaked out.

I don't really know what happened next. People just started piling into the kitchen and streaming a chorus of congratulations! and you lucky bastard! and one thing led to another until someone suggested celebrating at The Violet.

And I remember everyone agreeing.

•••

Never in my life had I gotten ready as fast - I don't even know how I did it. But forty minutes after I got back from work, I walked out of my bedroom freshly showered and dressed in my favorite strapless olive-toned body-con dress. I only had time to straighten my hair and it fell over my shoulders sleekly. Even if I usually preferred curling it, it was the best I could do with that little time.

Harry stood at the door, completely indulged in his phone but glanced up when he heard my heels click against the wooden floor. His thumbs hovered frozen over the screen as he quickly swiped his eyes across my frame, his lips parting slightly.

As usual, he wore his black, tight jeans and he had picked a white button-up shirt with thin black stripes and a black jacket. Grinning, I nodded at him with approval, wondering how the way he kept the top buttons open didn't look sleazy at all. My phone dinged suddenly and I stopped, frowning while I dug it out from my purse.

you look absolutely stunning.

I smiled up at him and rolled my eyes. "Cheeky little bastard. No wonder all the girls are at your feet."

"Hey, I wouldn't say that." He raised his hand defensively.

"Don't even try," I laughed. "But, I must say you look ravishing yourself. Hey, Harry?"

"Yeah?" He grinned.

"Stay the hell away from Teagan tonight," I whispered under my breath and, just in time, the heels of my roommate clicked on the hardwood floor as she made her way to us.

Teagan was dressed in a black crop top and a long maxi skirt almost reaching the end of her sparkly golden heels, as it also has rips at the sides. Her hair was styled to perfection, up in an elegant milk-braid hairstyle, looking glittered. Her makeup was light and golden-themed, along with her accessories. She looked absolutely gorgeous.

I didn't hesitate to compliment her.

"Oh, thank you, hun! You look so pretty, too." She replied, flickering her gaze over at Harry, trying to be flirtatious. "You, too, Harry."

He looked at her for a moment. "What, I look pretty?"

The way he'd said it, like she'd meant it as an insult made the poor girl stutter and look flustered as hell. I glared at Harry. "No, you look like shit," I shot at him.

"Um- Well, shouldn't we go?" Teagan was practically dripping red paint from her cheeks.

"Yeah, the party's starting early because we don't wanna be out for too late. You know, since tomorrow is a work day." I try to ramble to lighten the mood.

"Let's go then," Harry says and turns around, leading our way, acting his cocky self when he was around Teagan.

We took Teagan's car and arrived at The Violet not too early and not too late. Everyone was congratulating me, I couldn't believe it myself. But hell, I deserved it. I've been waiting for a promotion forever, it seems. And I'm even going to have a client next week!

I had called my family right after we were dismissed for lunch break. I think my mum cried a little, and Dad was proud -even though he didn't want to admit it. He had always wanted me to become a doctor, and I'd shattered his dream; only because I wanted to follow my own.

But, on the bright side, my mood had lifted all the way up and I was glad for the change. I had made myself and those close to my heart proud, too. Even when Harry heard, he rushed me in an enormous bear hug and told me he was proud of his 'Fiona,' which I let slide.

Great thing about Harry is that he doesn't care if he gets a promotion or he gets fired; he knows he'll eventually find another job, but that's not the case. He's happy wherever you put him. Even if he was the mail boy, he would still be who he is. He believes that all of these labels and stages in life are "a bunch of decorations to give it a meaning." He'd said, "But why would I need a meaning if I've already got my dictionary?"

I was always impressed by his way of thinking (if not disgusted when we first met) and still am impressed. He's tough but kind, that makes him my metaphorical backbone. Yes, my best friend; the best I could ever have.

I was suddenly snapped out of my thoughts when someone tapped lightly on my shoulder while I was sitting at the bar. As I turned around, I was met by the most shrilling grey shades of eyes, even in the dark light of The Violet.

I was aware that my mouth was a tiny bit ajar, but I didn't think I cared at that moment. The man smiled sweetly at me and spoke in a low tone.

"Hello. Are you Fiorella Gatti?"