Chapter 2

Smoothing out the grey pencil skirt of any wrinkles I reached for my phone noticing a few messages from the office. Sighing I glanced at the silver watch on my wrist, as always I was on time. Precise timing was a most for me, I've never been late for anything before and I sure wasn't starting anytime soon especially with the three novels on my desk that needed editing.

Being an editor with no patience for laziness or cheap rip off novels written by amateurs who just got out of college I was well known in the business for boosting any class B novel into The New York Times best seller. The company I currently worked for; Weller's valued my opinion before officially signing any new authors for my business eye which hadn't been the case when I started working at the company as an assistant to one of the advertisers. It had been a long time ago but comparing my coffee fetching days to what I have become now put a proud smile on my face at my achievements.

All my success came without my family's very influential name and for that I was more -if possible proud of my solo success.

Grabbing my black thermos with my extra strong coffee I slipped my large leopard bag on my shoulder. With my phone in hand I sent a text to my assistant Amy to prep the files I sent to her last night for my meeting with a client later this morning concerning his cover and a few other details before his book's debut. Stepping out of my apartment I slipped my phone into my bag and shut the door when the one in front of me opened.

A tall, thin blonde stepped out dressed in a crumpled hot pink mini dress that no doubt was from last night. Her short blonde hair a mess on top of her head like a bird's nest, what little makeup remained from the err.... events of last night were smeared across her cheek like a child had applied it on her. She looked young maybe nineteen or so. Brushing her hair back she gave me a shy smile her cheeks flushed at getting caught leaving a stranger's apartment, the walk of shame a tradition for Wes's 'toys'. Like the others who were mortified she sped away her head lowered in either regret or humiliation.

Shaking my head I turned towards the half opened door with a scowl. The girl looked as if she just stepped off the stage with her high school diploma in hand-of course though the horny beast didn't care.

"Do you have no shame? She's a child." I spat

Strolling lazily forward in just his blue boxers Wes shrugged his broad shoulders not caring that he was in the hallway with very close to no clothing on. Carelessly leaning against the door frame he watched as the girl turned the corner and out of sight all the while keeping his gaze trained on her retreating butt.

"My girls come to me, besides she was no innocent." he spoke the words cooly as if they excuses his insensitivity

"Your a pig."

Gracing me with his devilish grin that made woman of all ages swoon he crossed his arms over his chiseled sun kissed chest.

"Your kindness towards me is too much kitty cat."

Narrowing my eyes I found a nasty comeback at the tip of my tongue but that would mean I'd fall straight into his mouse and cat game.

"Just make sure you and whatever poor lost soul you feast on tonight are quiet I'm having guests and I don't want them eating dinner to the sound of your next victim's groans."

"Victim? You make it sound as if I'm the devil." he chuckled the throaty laugh purely man

And he was purely man. Wes with his rugged good looks that resembled one of the perfectly sculpted Greek gods you saw only in museums rather than a human being with his mysterious blue-grey eyes, tousled black hair that screamed sex, a dazzling pearly smile and that body...

"Just keep it down tonight." I warned darkly

"Yes ma'am." he teased faking a military salute

Rolling my eyes at his immaturity I started down the blue carpeted hallway when a loud whistle echoed behind me followed by a howl of laughter when I flipped him the bird not bothering to waste another second with him.

*~~~~~~~*

Click. Clack. Click.

My beige heels hit the navy blue marbled floor enjoying the way the sound echoed in the silent hall with the signed contract of another author in my hands. As I expected the client loved the cover I had made especially for his thriller novel, Tess had done an amazing job despite the short notice. Over joyed by the praise I was showered with moments ago I felt satisfied with the deal we had agreed upon and I know the bosses upstairs will be too.

Emerging through a set of silver doors I felt the smile that had been on my lips vanish as the all too familiar sets of eyes darted towards me before dropping downwards. The chatter and laughter came to a deadly halt as I strolled through the split path between the numerous desks lining up behind the other like dominos each worker having their own job to do.

No one dared to meet my gaze as a few whispered after I had passed their stations and I knew what they were whispering about. Me. The cruel bitch of a boss. That was me Khloe Sparks the royal witch of the east herself as I had over heard a few co-workers say before but over the years I've learned to turn a deaf ear to the many cruel comments that people said in the office.

With my head held high I ran my eyes over each desk pleased to see everyone busy with their work unlike five seconds ago. Approaching my office I saw a short chubby woman stand up from the desk directly outside my office.

"Uh Ms. Sparks Henry called an hour ago about the new author." Amy my assistant said

"I'll call Henry myself thank you Amy." I replied and slipped into my office with the newly signed contract in hand

Placing the contract down on my desk I dropped into the large black leather arm chair and slipped my heels off when my door opened. A tall blonde woman stepped in a wide pearly smile plastered on her face, her ocean blue eyes shimmered brightly as she shut the door with her butt. In her hand was a white bakery bag and two coffee cups to-go from the cafe across the street.

"I come with treats." the woman sang happily

"Thank god I need the caffeine." I said sitting up

Leaning against the thin steel desk she handed me a cup as she pulled out a baseball sized chocolate muffin for herself. Sipping the coffee I forced the sweet liquid down gagging at the horrid taste.

"Oops that must be my tea."

"It's disgusting." I complained taking the other mug that had to be my coffee

She nudged my shoulder and placed a small hand against the round belly poking out through her floral dress "My doctor says coffee is bad for the baby."

"The five spoons of sugar probably isn't good either." I mumbled over the rim of the cup

Sipping my cup I was pleased to taste my regular hazelnut cream, two spoons of sugar strong coffee, just the way I like it. Reaching into the white bakery bag I pulled out a bran muffin only now remembering that I haven't eaten breakfast and it was nearly lunchtime. I can just hear my mother scolding me for missing the 'important meal'. Ignoring my mother's nagging voice I took a decent bite unlike Tess in front of me who barely swallowed the big chunk she calls a bite.

"As much as I love your constant badgering about my eating habits I came by to check on how the meeting went." she said

I motioned to the contract on my desk since my mouth was still full. Tess glanced down as her red stained lips spread into a proud grin. She should be it was the magnificent cover that had the author searching for a pen in the first place.

"Another sale, what did Henry say?"

"I was going to call him when you walked in and I'll be sure to mention your amazing work that sealed the deal." I answered and took another bite

Tess was the best at what she did and that was art/ photography not to mention her patience with clients who had no idea what they wanted on their cover but Tess always does. Just by reading a summary she can whip up the most alluring, cover that was sure to grab any curious readers eye and that's why I trusted her with my clients.

"Aww and I thought you were an ice queen." she teased playfully

Forcing a smile I lowered my muffin suddenly unable to finish the too healthy treat. Ice queen was the name my co-workers had give me, rather than use my name they use the childish nickname behind my back and eventually I figured it out thanks to Tess who thinks the name is ridiculous.

It's foolish of me to get upset over a stupid nickname.

Before I could respond Amy buzzed me on the intercom, holding up a finger to Tess I answered.

"Ms. Sparks your sister is on line one."

Just what I need right now, I thought bitterly.

"Tell her I'm in a meeting and I'll see her tonight."

"Yes Ms. Sparks."

Knowing Stacy she probably wanted to brag some more about her recent engagement to the oh so rich, and powerful Greg Richards. Just thinking of that sneaky, lying cheating asshole had me ready to rip his big head off his neck. The nerve of that man dating my sister after nearly a year when they both humiliated me in front of all our friends and family. Clenching my fists I forced the bitter memory away refusing to dwell in the humiliation I felt when I found them tangled together like animals in heat.

"I thought you had lunch with your mom and the slut yesterday." Tess said her brows furrowed

"I did but my mom wants to have dinner at my place." I said hoping she didn't probe further but of course this was Tess

Turning on her butt she faced me the confusion on her face clear as day. Tess knew I hated these luncheons that my mom insisted we do once every two weeks and rarely do I ever see my mom or Stacy more than once a week unless it's a holiday.

"Your not telling me something."

My shoulders slumped at the confession I had to give eventually she was going to read about how the soon-to-be mayor was getting married its better I tell her than some sleazy gossip magazine that would no doubt bring up my brief relationship with the slime ball.

"Stacy is marrying Greg." I finally said

"No!" she gasped

Nodding I looked up at my closest and only friend/ co-worker who hated my sister more than I did for what she did.

"That dirt bag." she hissed under her breath

"And get this I'm the maid of honor." I laughed sadly at the irony

Tess's thin brows lowered as sympathy swam in her soft eyes, reaching her hand out she rubbed my back like a mother would to her child. Being my best friend she knew all about the future I had formed in my head for Greg and I.

"I'm sorry sweetie."

Shaking my head along with the image of Greg and Stacy walking down the aisle away. Meeting the pregnant woman's tender gaze I couldn't help but laugh at the part I hadn't told her yet. It was a weak croak that sounded more like a sick frog than an actual human being's laugh.

"Wait it gets better, I told them I have a boyfriend that they think they are meeting tonight at dinner." I laughed

"Wait what?"

"You heard me." I said with a shake of my head

Lowering my head at the disastrous position I've placed myself in I couldn't help but feel ashamed of my childish behavior. Why couldn't I just keep my big mouth shut and take Stacy's insults like always? Why did I have to mention a man? I waited for Tess to scold me for my stupidity but what she said took me by complete surprise.

"That's perfect." she squealed clapping her hands together

"Are you nuts?" I asked snapping my head up to see her grinning from ear to ear

"Now that you have a man Stacy can stop holding the 'I got a man and you don't' line over you."

"Except there is no man." I added

She rolled her eyes and waved away the reality of the matter as if it were a minor detail. "That's not a problem."

"Sure I'm just going to go on eBay and buy a man willing to pretend we're together. I wonder how much shipping cost now a days." I said sarcasm dripping from every word that passed my lips

Tess pursed her lips at my childish comment but honestly where the hell can you actually get a live, breathing male who would agree to such a crazy lie. Who would actually go along with this insanity anyway! A psycho that's who.

"Your a sexy, independent woman who can charm any man so have some confidence in yourself." she encouraged her smile backing up her kind compliment

The corners of my mouth twitched upwards at her encouraging words, I'm not insecure about my looks it's more of my personality that I'm not to confident in. Men don't really like woman who know more than them or take charge or even have a larger paycheck so put that together along with a lack of interest in dating in the first place and you have my non-existing love life.

To be honest I like being alone, in the comfort of my own company without worrying if I've offended anyone. From a young age I've only depended on myself and that's all I've ever really needed. So a man was just a minor insignificance that my mother constantly bugged me about.

"Besides I know this escort company that my cousin works at, I'm sure he'll find someone to your liking."

"My confidence is soaring through the roof." I grumbled reaching for my coffee

Folding her arms over her chest she gave me a pointed look "If you weren't having dinner tonight I'd offer to help you find a guy at a club but desperate times call for desperate measures."

Sighing I dropped my head into my hands wondering how the hell I was going to get myself out of this mess. Lying got me into this another lie could get me out of it or at least buy myself some time.

"Maybe we can look for a guy and tell Stacy that he was busy tonight."

"That reeks of a lie and the evil bitch would never fall for it." she said with a shake of her head

Lowering my head I resisted the temptation to bang my head against the desk like I usually did when I was a teenager and I couldn't figure a problem out. Of course than it was math and SATs not finding a boyfriend in merely hours.

"God I'm pathetic."

"Come on I'll give you my cousin's number and you can tell him what guy you'd prefer." she said ignoring my last comment

Biting my lip I couldn't help the tingling in the pit of my stomach that screamed this was a bad idea but than again what choice did I really have? It was get an escort or suffer through more humiliation when my mother and Stacy come over tonight and I have to explain that I lied. Lifting my head up I saw the excited glint in her eyes that told me she knew I was caving in.

"Fine what's the number." I sighed

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