Layla
I spent the whole night holed up in my room not bothering to leave to eat, shower, or even to talk to Kacey. Part of me knew I was over exaggerating since I had only known Ashton for a week, but another part of me was really hurt at his words. I had heard the words plenty of times to know they were true, but having them come from someone you didn’t think would say them to you hurt worse than anything; worse than when my parents told me the same things.
Dinner had passed a while ago and I lay in bed staring at nothing, and hearing my stomach growl loudly through the room. My stomach was begging me to eat, but I didn’t want to get up. As I stared at nothing, my door flew open and in walked Kacey glaring at me.
“Layla Ann Kingston, you are getting out of that bed this instant,” she said, her voice low and dangerous. I rolled my head to the side and stared at her. I knew my face was not at all attractive at the moment. I bet I had mascara running down my cheeks, my eyes swollen and cheeks blotchy. I wish I was one of those girls who could look great while crying, but sadly I was stuck with looking like a zombie when I cried. If she was scared of my face, she didn’t show it. When I didn’t make any movement, she marched over to my bed and threw my duvet away from me.
“You are going to get up. Shower to get your clown-looking face off, and then you are going to eat. While you are eating, you are going to tell me everything.” She grabbed my arm in a hard grip and pulled me straight off the bed. I squeaked in surprise at her strength. For someone so small, she sure was strong. “Get your ass in the shower right now while I grab you something to eat.” With that demand, she shoved me toward my bathroom and left the room. I sighed and headed to the bathroom.
Stripping out of my wrinkled work clothes, I stepped into the warm shower and let the warmth surround me. I thoroughly washed my hair and body, trying to get the day off of me. I stood in the water until it turned cold, then I finally got out. Wrapping a towel around me, I left the bathroom not even bothering to look in the mirror. I knew what I looked like and I didn’t want to scare myself. I pulled on my fluffiest pair of PJ bottoms and an old oversized shirt my last boyfriend left with me. Quickly running the towel through my hair, I brushed it and left my room, letting my hair air dry.
Slumping down on the couch, I stared at the TV. Not even a second later, Kacey put a bowl down on my lap and I saw she made me ramen noodles in soup form. Otherwise known as cheap college food. I shot her a grateful smile and started to eat. I didn’t know I was that hungry as I gobbled down my soup.
“Now that you are cleaned up and eating, care to explain to me why I came home to find you sobbing on your bed when you should be at work?” Kacey said, cutting the silence. I swallowed and looked down trying to gather my thoughts and say it without making Kacey lose her shit. “Wait! Was it your parents? Are they here?”
My head snapped up and I quickly shook it. If my parents were here, then the world would be ending. Kacey’s shoulders relaxed as she stared at me.
“I…Ashton broke up with me,” I finally spit out. I surprised myself with what I said. Ashton and I weren’t really an item. Why did I say it like we were? We only went on one official date.
“At work?” she asked, anger laying underneath the surface.
“Yeah. I know we weren’t really anything and I am overreacting,” I said, twirling some noodles around my fork.
“He said something, didn’t he! What did he say to make you look this horrible?” I shot her a glare. Only Kacey would be thinking about how bad I looked.
“It was nothing, Kay. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Layla,” she warned.
“No. Kacey, it was really nothing. Nothing I haven’t heard before anyways. I don’t know why I am acting this way. I knew what he was like and I should have known I couldn’t change someone like him,” I said.
Kacey just stared at me. I gave her a look that said drop it and I heard her sigh.
“Fine, I will drop it. But if I see him I won’t hesitate to kick him in the balls, just saying.” She shot me a grin. “He let you keep your job as his PA?”
“Yeah, he did. It’s going to be hard seeing him every day but I am not going to quit and let him think I am weak,” I said. “Plus, tomorrow is Thursday and then Friday so I won’t have to see him for two days.” I finished my soup and got up to put the dish in the dishwasher. Just as I walked out of the room, I heard Kacey shout and her footsteps coming in my direction.
“I know what you need to do,” she said proudly. I looked at her and was afraid to ask what. When she got that look on her face, I knew what she was thinking wouldn’t be good. I looked at her hesitantly before asking her what she had in mind. “You need to look hot while at work. Show him what he is missing out on.” After she said it, she got a proud smile on her face like she had cured cancer or something.
“Kay, I can’t dress provocatively at work. It’s a multi-million-dollar company. I can’t have my ladies showing!” I gestured to my chest. Kacey just rolled her eyes.
“Layla, I am not saying wear a hooker outfit. I am saying you need to wear tighter clothes to show off your hot body, and maybe a few inches shorter of skirts so your long legs can be seen.” I instantly shook my head at her.
“No way in hell, Kacey! You know I am not like that! Just wearing one of your pencil skirts I felt like I was on display for everyone.” I continued to argue with her but she didn’t budge.
And that was how I ended up looking the way I did as I headed to work the next day. Kacey had gotten up way before me and came barging into my room shouting for me to wake up. Being the she-devil she was, she shoved me off the bed and ignored the dagger glares I sent her. Not even waiting for me to get up by myself, she gripped my upper arm and hauled me up and into her room. Shoving what looked to be a small piece of fabric into my hands, she almost stripped me out of my own clothes. When Kacey was like this, I couldn’t help but feel scared. I knew if I didn’t comply she would rip my head off and keep it as her trophy.
I grabbed what I realized was a dress and started slipping it on. I had to tug on the material and finally got it in the right place. Thankfully, the dress was kind of stretchable so it fit my frame but it clung to my body almost like a second skin. I felt like my boobs were up to my ears and that my butt was on display. I turned and looked in the mirror and had to admit the dress was really pretty. It was a dark gray color and had a small brown belt around the waist. The dress was just the right amount of professionalism.
“Man, Layla, if I was a dude I’d so do you,” Kacey said behind me. I raised an eyebrow at her. “Anyways, let’s get to work on your hair.” With that, she pushed me onto her chair and got to work. About twenty minutes later I was staring at someone else in the mirror. My long brown hair was curled and hung down my back. My gray eyes popped as Kacey did a dark sultry look on my eyes. My cheeks were thankfully lightly caked with makeup, just enough to make it look natural. She handed me the same pair of heels I’d been wearing the past couple of days.
I slipped those on and stood up. As I stared in the mirror, I couldn’t help but feel excited to see Ashton’s face. Kacey made me look hot and I was surprisingly happy with the look. I was going to show Ashton he messed with the wrong girl, and that I was nothing like what he said I was. With a determined look, I hugged Kacey and thanked her before grabbing stuff and heading to the office.
Watch out, Ashton Miller, Layla Kingston is about to show you up.
***
I walked into work, shot Neena a hi, and walked to the elevator. The moment I stepped out onto my floor, I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me. I kept my head up and ignored everyone as I walked to my office. I was not going to let Ashton know he had hurt me. If he wanted to play a game then I was going to play, but on my own terms. Saying hi to Judy, I went to my office and opened up my phone and computer to see what I had to do today. I didn’t even bother to see if Ashton was here before I got to work.
Soon enough noon hit, and I hadn’t seen Ashton all day. A little part of me was bummed that I didn’t because I wanted to show off but the other part of me was glad. I didn’t know how I was going to react seeing him. I headed downstairs to the small cafeteria the company had. I hadn’t been down there yet and thought might as well check it out. Just as I stepped out of the elevator, Neena came into view. She was just leaving the front counter and seemed to be headed to where I think the cafeteria was located.
“Neena!” I called out and picked up my pace. Thankfully she heard me, as did almost everyone else. Ignoring all the weird looks I got from people, I came to a stop next to her. “Hey,” I said with a smile.
“Wow, Layla, you look very hot today,” she commented and wiggled her eyebrows at me. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Thank you. I love your outfit as well,” I said noticing that she was wearing a dress like mine but less form-fitting and a little more professional. “I was wondering if I could eat with you today?”
“Of course! I could always use someone to sit with. Usually, I just sit by myself in the cafeteria.”
“Well, from now on consider me your new lunch buddy,” I said with a smile. She smiled back and we headed to get something to eat. Apparently, the cafeteria was at the back of the building and in a pretty big room. As we walked in, I saw the place had basically everything. It almost looked like a buffet. I followed Neena to one of the counters and saw salads, sandwiches, and even full plates of food with spaghetti.
“I like the salads here but basically everything is good. They sure know how to feed us right here,” she joked as she grabbed a good-looking salad. I looked around and saw a place that had slices of pizza and immediately went over to it. I grabbed two slices of pepperoni and turned around. I spotted Neena over by a machine that looked like one of those where you put ice cream in it and it stirs it for you.
“What is this?” I asked.
“A coffee machine. Well, more like a Frappuccino machine. Pick whatever you want from here.” She pointed to a big freezer on the side. “And put it in here and it blends it for you. It is honestly the best thing ever invented.” Her drink was finished in a matter of seconds. I looked at all the kinds and my eyes landed on my favorite flavor. I quickly grabbed the hazelnut and put it in the machine. Clicking thick, I waited almost impatiently for it. I’d been a while since I had a Frappuccino, and my mouth was actually watering. Once it was finished, Neena led me to a table in the corner and sat down.
“You’re having pizza?” she asked, surprised.
“Yeah.” I shrugged and took a sip of my coffee. I almost moaned but stopped myself. Wow, was it good! I forced myself to set it down, instead of sucking the whole thing down in minutes. Grabbing one slice of my pizza, I bit into it. Okay, this place had amazing food!
“Good, huh?” She took a bite of her salad.
“Yes, it is. Wow. I wouldn’t have thought the cafeteria here would be this good.”
“Well, being a multi-million-dollar company has its perks.” I nodded and continued to stuff my face.
We spent the rest of our lunch hour talking and getting to know one another. Neena and I had a lot in common and I knew Kacey would like her too. I learned that her parents were both professors at NYU, I actually had one of her parents as my History professor, she had just graduated around the same time as me, that she had a younger brother who was in his second year at Yale University, and that she wanted to become a magazine editor or anything to do with stuff like that. She would definitely get along with Kacey just fine. I told her the basics of my life, not going into much detail. It was a little after one when we decided we better get back to work. After inviting her to do something this weekend, I headed back to my office.
The rest of the afternoon passed fairly quickly and I hadn’t seen Ashton all day. As four o’clock passed, I figured he hadn’t come in today and I couldn’t help but sigh. A good outfit went to waste. I was finishing up a few last things before heading home when my work phone buzzed. Looking over at it, I saw Ashton’s name on the screen.
To: Layla
From: Mr. Miller
Need you in my office ASAP.
That was all it said. I didn’t let myself think that he wanted to apologize to me. I knew he wouldn’t. He was not that kind of guy; others apologized, but not Ashton. Knowing I better not keep him waiting, I left my office and headed to his. I didn’t even bother to knock and walked right in. Ashton sat at his desk writing something down and didn’t even look up.
“You needed me, Mr. Miller?” I said, keeping my voice neutral.
“Yes. Anything important happen today while I was gone?” he asked, still keeping his head down. I stared him down and tried to make him look up at me.
“No, sir. Is that all you needed?” Just staring at him made his words come screaming back in my mind. I forced them down and kept my face blank. I was good at hiding being hurt. I’d been doing it since I was thirteen, so it wouldn’t be a problem now.
“No, Ms. Kingston. Every year we host a benefit party and everyone who is anyone attends. Things are auctioned off, toasts are made, and business is discussed. This benefit will take place in two weeks. It is your job to get everything ready.” Ashton sat up and finally looked at me. I saw his blue eyes widen as he stared at me but as soon as I blinked, they were back to normal. “That includes invitations, booking a venue, drinks delivered, things to be auctioned off, and to make sure it all runs smoothly. It should start about seven the latest.” He stared at me almost like he was bored.
“In two weeks?” I sputtered out. How in god’s name would I get everything done in two weeks!?
“Yes. It will be held on September twenty-fifth.” Today was the tenth, so tomorrow it would be two weeks. I had to try very hard not to glare at his stupid face as he stared at me blankly. He was only doing this to get under my skin. Fine. If that’s what he wanted, then he would get it. If he wanted to see if I would fail, he was going to be sadly mistaken.
“Okay, sir. I will get right on that. Anything else?” I barely controlled my anger. He seemed almost surprised when I didn’t give him a reaction.
HA! Layla: 1 Ashton: 0.
“No, nothing else.” I gave him a nod and turned to leave. “Oh yeah, did you make my reservation tonight?” he called before I made it through the door and out to safety.
“Yes, I did. Serventino’s at seven.” I shut the door behind me.
Well, your plan didn’t work, Kacey. I headed back to my office. Ashton didn’t even spare me a second glance. I was starting to wonder if I even did see that flicker of something in his eyes. I shook my head at myself, feeling pathetic at how I wanted Ashton to react to my slutty outfit.
Not having anything else to do today, I grabbed my stuff and left the office. I hailed a taxi and headed home. Well, Layla, today didn’t turn out as planned. Ashton didn’t even notice the way you dressed today, and you got even more work to do even though you just started two days ago. I sighed and stared at the buildings as we passed them. If this was how things were going to be from now on, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to keep doing it.