CHAPTER 14

Stefan drove home later that afternoon with a stupid grin still stuck on his face. Sasha’s fiery personality and hot little body had surprised him this morning. He really didn’t expect what had happened, but enjoyed it all the more since it was unexpected.

He had gone to the country club wanting to apologize for his drunken text and instead she had screwed him senseless before walking back all prim and proper to her parents.

He laughed and shook his head. No one would’ve believed him if he’d told them what a firecracker Sasha Morris was. Then again, he loved the fact that he was the only one that knew.

The familiar signs and landmarks of Brooklyn came into sight and Stefan smiled at his plan of action. Knowing he won the battle he planned on how he was going to win the war. He would do the one thing that drove any girl crazy…he would play hard to get. Switch his phone off for a day or two, no contact from his side and then when he finally answered her calls or her texts she’d be begging to see him again.

Satisfied and excited with the challenge ahead he switched off his phone and drove into Manhattan, still smiling like an idiot.

 

 

When he switched on his phone Tuesday afternoon there were no messages or missed calls from Sasha. Wednesday Stefan convinced himself she was busy and would call or text him during the day. When he still hadn’t heard from her by Thursday everybody around him avoided him. Friday morning Roman had all but asked him to leave because he was a pain to have around. He snapped at anyone and everyone and deep down knew the reason for it, but refused to accept it. Instead of going home like Roman suggested, he headed up to the studio where they were shooting the fashion layout for the Spring Edition.

Stefan kept to the back of the room avoiding another tussle with the photographer, imagining what he would’ve done differently. He wondered if Sasha had thought about him at all as the make-up artist added another layer of dark eye shadow to the model’s hazelnut shaped eyes. If he was the photographer he would’ve kept the make-up to a minimum to allow the clothes to stand out more, but since he wasn’t, he checked his phone again for messages.

By the time the lunch rolled by and the caterers set out platters layered with healthy snacks and finger foods Stefan considered phoning Sasha. He pulled up her number but just as he was about to phone he decided against it. Stefan Kelson didn’t chase after girls, they came to him. He had chased after Sasha Morris enough.

He tucked his phone away and observed the afternoon session. He had so many ideas on how to create a better backdrop for the clothing range they were featuring but knew his suggestions wouldn’t go down well. He frowned as the photographer stationed the model with a wisp of spring blooms knowing the shot wouldn’t work when the photographer bellowed, “Kelson!”

Stefan looked around for his father but couldn’t seem to find him. The photographer looked straight at Stefan. “You’ve been standing in the back the whole day, don’t think I didn’t notice.”

“It’s a free country.” Stefan snapped back arrogantly.

“Well since you got so cocky last week, why don’t you come up here and tell me why this shot isn’t working?”

Stefan frowned confused. Why would he want his opinion if he all but shitted on him for it last week?

“Now!” The photographer bellowed again.

Stefan moved forward not knowing if this was a trap to provoke him, if it was it wasn’t a good idea. Stefan was already irritable; he wasn’t going to allow the photographer to screw around with him today. “What?”

“This shot isn’t working. Marketing wants us to have blooms in it but I can’t seem to get it to work with the girl and the clothes.”

“It’s not working.” Stefan confirmed.

“So how do we make it work?”

Stefan looked from the girl wearing a wispy cotton candy pink dress to the sprig of blooms she held in her hand and back to the photographer.

“Your background is wrong. There’s nothing wrong with the model or the blooms but they’re fading into the background.”

The photographer frowned and looked at his stark white background before turning back to Stefan. “What do you mean it’s wrong? White always works best.”

“Not with this. You need something dark, or use the green screen and we can make it black later. The black will make the dress stand out and the flowers will appear softer.”

“Fine,” the photographer snapped at Stefan before he started shouting orders at anyone within hearing distance. “Green screen now, lighten the model’s make-up, remove the shoes!”

Stefan knew he was dismissed and move back to his spot against the wall, still baffled that the photographer asked for his opinion.

By the time the shoot was finished Stefan headed towards the elevator when the photographer called him back again.

Stefan grunted but went to him. “What now?”

“I don’t like you. You’re an arrogant shit that’s had everything handed to him his whole life. I don’t like the way you try throwing your weight around and I sure as hell don’t like your smug grin.”

Stefan clenched his teeth. “Great! Glad you got that off your chest.” He turned to leave but the photographer grabbed his arm.

“I’m not done yet.”

“Then finish.” Stefan snapped.

“I’m the best at what I do, but then again so thinks every other photographer in New York City. That doesn’t mean I don’t recognize a good eye when I see it. You’ve got a good eye and you’re wasting your time pushing paper in an office.”

Stefan didn’t know if he should feel flattered or apprehended so he just shrugged.

“Think about it Kelson, you’ll never be as good as I am but you’ll be better than most.”

With that he picked up his camera case and walked out leaving Stefan staring after him confused.

What the hell was that, Stefan thought? He mulled over the words and considered them, maybe he was right. Stefan actually enjoyed being in the studio and today was the second time his instinct had proved right with a photo.

As the studio emptied Stefan checked his phone again, still nothing. Fuck that, he thought, heading to elevator. If she won’t call him, he’ll go see her.

Shortly before six pm, Stefan buzzed her apartment. A few seconds later he was on his way upstairs.

The door opened and Stefan expected to find an excited Sasha behind it. Instead it was perky blonde with curly hair. “Hi, I’m Kris.” She held out her hand.

Stefan shook it briefly. “Stefan Kelson. Is Sasha around?”

“Yeah, she’s holed up at her desk studying.” Kris said baffled. “Only that girl would spend a Friday night studying.”

She led him inside to where he noticed Sasha sitting in the corner behind a battered old desk with headphones twitching her foot to the beat. Stefan heard the door close as Kris left the apartment.

He moved towards Sasha and stood behind her. The textbook that lay open beside her held a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo Stefan didn’t understand. Her hair smelled of coconuts and summer and Stefan couldn’t help but bend closer to inhale.

Sasha all but jumped out of her chair, ripping off the headset and glared at him. “What the hell are you doing?”

“It’s good to see you to.” Stefan smiled charmingly. God, it was good to see her.

“How did you get in?” She demanded glaring at him.

“Kris let me in, but I think she headed out at the same time.”

Sasha sighed heavily. “What do you want, Stefan?”

Confusion and disappointment washed through Stefan. She was supposed to be exhilarated, jumping his bones by this time. Why didn’t she ever react the way he expected?

“Why didn’t you phone me?” Stefan asked stuffing his hands in his pockets feeling out of his depth.

“What? You came all the way here to ask me that?” Sasha’s perfectly plucked eyebrows drew together.

“Yes! You screwed me senseless and I haven’t heard a word from you since.”

“You told me you came to say sorry and goodbye?”

“Then you said it felt like hello?” Stefan heard his own voice growing louder and hated the fact that her careless words affected him so much.

“I told you I can’t see you. I explained to you that it wouldn’t be good my father’s campaign.”

“Screw your father’s campaign.”

“You arrogant, self-centered, spoilt asshole! I think you should leave!” Sasha eyes flashed with flecks of gold as she cursed him.

Stefan wanted to grab her and kiss her until she calmed down but knew it wouldn’t be a good time, so instead he fought back. “You think you’re better than me, than everyone around you, but I know the real you.”

“You know nothing about me.” Sasha said her voice threateningly soft. “You don’t even know what you want to do with your own life but you’re judging mine?”

“Sasha…” Stefan said hoping he didn’t go too far.

“Just get the hell out of my apartment!” Sasha turned around and sat back down. She placed her headset on her head and Stefan could hear the muffled music start to blast into his ears.

Fuck! Who needed this shit, Stefan thought. “My pleasure!” he shouted and headed for the door, but not before grabbing the set of keys that were in the little blue dish beside the door.