Layla
I got up the next morning later than I wanted, and I hustled to get ready. I had so much to do today that I couldn’t be late to the office. Slipping on a pencil skirt and a black blouse, I brushed my hair and left it to be somewhat wavy. I put only a little bit of makeup on to hide the dark circles under my eyes and to make my cheeks look like they had some life in them. Grabbing the heels I had claimed as my own by now, I grabbed my stuff and was out the door. I was not looking forward to today. I just wanted it to go by fast so I could have the weekend to relax.
As I headed to the office, I was slightly excited because I would finally be getting paid. It was pretty stupid of me not to ask Ashton what the pay was like and when I would get my check, but like everything else, I found out on my own. Since I had missed the pay deadline the week I started, I had to wait an extra two weeks to get paid. Thankfully I had money saved from my old job to last me until this paycheck. After everything that I had been doing these past two weeks, it would be nice to see that hard work paying off.
You could tell it was a Friday because people were dressed somewhat casual, and there seemed to be excitement in the air. I walked into the building at six exactly, and talked to Neena briefly before I went upstairs to get to work. The list of things I had to do today went on for miles, and I knew if I didn’t get my work stuff done then I would be here over the weekend and I didn’t want that. I had to come in on Sunday last weekend to finish up some stuff, and I didn’t want to have to do that again. I needed a full weekend of relaxation to make up for a hectic two weeks.
The moment I stepped into my office I got to work. If anyone would have seen me, they would have thought I had been working here for years instead of two and a half weeks. I flew across my office and down the halls quicker than anyone usually could in four-inch heels. I was like a demon-possessed woman as I zoomed through the work I needed to get done. I had never felt so overwhelmed or rushed in my life, not even in college.
After rescheduling all of Ashton’s appointments, re-filing new paper work, and sending them to a supervisor on floor fifteen, I grabbed my stuff to go pick up Ashton’s suit for tonight. It was almost noon, so I knew I had to hurry to the suit place just in case they closed for lunch. I passed Judy’s desk before she yelled my name.
“Layla!” she called after me. I turned and walked back to her desk.
“Yeah?” I asked.
“Your check is in.” She handed me an envelope with my name. “Since you haven’t filled out on your W-2, if you wanted direct deposit or a check, I just told them to put it directly into your account. If you want, you can change it later too. It’s not a big deal,” she said, smiling at me.
“Thanks!” I said, smiling down at the envelope. “Sorry to just run off on you, but I have to get going. You’re coming to the Gala tonight, right?” I asked as I stepped back. I couldn’t remember who I had sent invitations to. All Ashton did was email me a long list of names that consisted of two hundred people, maybe more. I had just printed it and sent it to the invitation place to be made. I didn’t even look at the names. Thankfully, though, most of the staff here would be attending, so that gave me Neena and Liam to talk to even though I would be working.
“Of course. I have to make sure Ashton doesn’t do something stupid,” she said with a smile. I giggled and waved at her.
“See you tonight then if I’m not back in time,” I called and hurried to the elevator.
As I walked outside, I saw Clark’s car idling near the curb. I raised an eyebrow and walked over to him.
“Clark, I thought you were with Ashton today?” I asked.
“No, ma’am. He instructed me to give you a ride anywhere you needed to go today,” Clark said, opening the door. I smashed down the feeling of happiness bubbling in my chest. Ashton didn’t do it out of anything but my necessity. At least he wasn’t going to make me pay for a taxi to drive me all over hell. I sent Clark a thankful smile and got in the car.
“Where to, Ms. Kingston?” he asked, getting into the driver’s seat.
“The dry cleaner’s again. I have to pick up a suit for Ashton tonight. And call me Layla,” I said to Clark.
“As you wish, Layla,” Clark said and started driving toward our destination. As we drove, silence laced through the car and I couldn’t help but fidget in my seat.
“So…how long have you been working for Ashton?” I asked, breaking the silence. I didn’t do well when it was completely silent. When I was by myself, I was fine, but with others, I always felt the need to blab about random stuff. I was very guilty of word vomit.
“About five years.”
“That’s when he took over the company, right?” I asked.
“Yes.” His answer was short. Nice conversation, I thought sarcastically. Clark wasn’t much of a talker apparently. I clamped my lips shut on the words that were dying to break free. Fortunately, the car came to a stop a few minutes later. I looked out the window and turned to Clark.
“Would you mind coming in with me? I have to pick out a suit and I could use your opinion,” I asked. I would admit I should have done this a couple of days ago, but with everything going on, I forgot about it until last night. I was just hoping they had some good suits left, seeing this was the place to go in New York. Clark just nodded and got out. Before he could open my door for me, I opened it and stepped out.
I entered the place with Clark behind me and started toward the back. I didn’t know Ashton’s size, but I figured they would since Ashton took his suits here to be cleaned. As I came to a stop in front of the desk, I saw the same man from last time.
“Excuse me?” I asked. He looked up at me and then his gaze shifted to Clark, who stood behind me. Honestly, Clark was pretty intimidating. His brown hair was buzzed short, and he had very wide shoulders, making me wonder how he fit in the car. He looked like an ex-wrestler or bodyguard. I didn’t know why I just now noticed how he looked, but I did and I realized he was big.
“Yes, miss?” the man asked, taking his gaze off of Clark. He seemed to kind of recognize me.
“I am here looking for a suit for Mr. Miller.” After I said his name, the man’s eyes lit up. “I was wondering if you could show me some of your selections in his size?”
“Oh, yes! Right this way,” the man said energetically. Wow, they must really value Ashton’s business. “My name is Martin,” he said as he led us to a section even further in the back. “These are our best selections.”
I stood in front of a big rack full of different colors, and styles of suits. This is going to be hard. I have never picked out a suit before. I shot Martin a smile and started going through the selections. I didn’t know if he wanted a plain black one or maybe a gray one. Damnit, I really should have done this sooner. I looked over at Clark for some help.
“What color do you think?” I asked, biting my bottom lip and staring at the rack. All Clark did was shrug. I shot him a glare and turned back to the suits. “Some kind of help you are,” I muttered under my breath. Moving around, my eyes were suddenly drawn to one over on another shelf.
It was a deep blue color with lighter blue lines within it. The blue wasn’t too dark to be black, and the lighter blue was a tasteful contrast. For some reason, it screamed Ashton to me. In the back of my mind, I could see him in it and his deep blue eyes shining even more. I ran my hand over it, and it felt so smooth and soft at the same time. Turning, I nodded to Martin.
“This one,” was all I said. I glanced over at Clark and saw him sending me a small nod of approval.
“Perfect! And that is our last one in that size. Do you need a tie as well?” Martin went and grabbed it off the rack and headed to put it in case.
“Oh no, I think we are good.” I bet Ashton had enough ties to find one to match.
“How much will it be?” I asked once he was finished.
“No worries, we will just bill it to Mr. Miller’s usual card,” he said, waving. Yes, one less thing I had to deal with. “Here you are. Thank you for shopping with us.” Thanking him, I followed Clark in the car and directed him to Ashton’s apartment. On the way to Ashton’s house, I called the venue, The Smith’s Center, to make sure everything was being delivered and decorations were being put up. Since it was after noon and I had practically everything taken care of at the office, I would have Clark drop me off at the venue. That way, I could help if needed.
Clark pulled up to Ashton’s apartment, and I quickly got out and headed to the elevator. My stomach grumbled but I didn’t have time to stop and eat. I rubbed my stomach, trying to calm it down. When I was hungry, my stomach loved to make whale noises that were really embarrassing. Missing one meal wasn’t anything compared to when I was in high school. I would sometimes go a week or more with no food.
Typing in the code once I got to his door, I walked inside and headed to his room. Every time I come here I was still amazed by the size. It was easily two of my apartments put together, maybe even more. These past two weeks Ashton had made me run stupid personal errands for him. Thankfully, though, he hasn’t sent me out to buy condoms or anything like that. If he would have done that, I think I might have quit or said something very inappropriate.
I set his suit on his bed to make sure he would wear it tonight and glanced around. I didn’t want to stay in here longer than I had to. I could practically see all the times he brought girls in here and had his way with them on the very bed I slept on when I first met him. Sighing, I left his room and headed back to the car. I had a benefit gala to go help with.
***
Three hours later, I was ready to pull my hair out. Everything seemed to be going wrong. The barista called in sick, so I had to hurry and call someone else to show up. The decorations and place settings were set up all wrong, so I personally had to redo all one hundred of them. Name cards were set at the wrong tables, and people who I knew wouldn’t sit next to so and so had to be moved. Multiple pieces being auctioned off were late. And security was less than I wanted because one guy had a family emergency and a few others were needed somewhere else more important. I was currently on the phone with the catering wondering where they were.
“I need you here now, not in two hours! The benefit starts at exactly seven.” I interrupted the lady through the phone. I knew I was being rude but it seemed to be the only way to get things done around here. God, New Yorkers are hard to deal with, I thought. After almost yelling bloody murder at the lady, she said she would be there in twenty minutes with all the food. I slumped against the wall and rubbed my forehead. My head was pounding, and I knew by the end of the night I would have a migraine.
“Everything’s going perfect I see,” said a deep voice in front of me. I opened my eyes and shot Clark a glare. I was actually surprised at his sarcastic comment. A reaction other than a nod or worded one-word answer.
“Oh yeah, perfectly. Everything is just fine and dandy!” I said sarcastically in reply.
“Everything looks great though. It will be a splendid party.” Clark said.
“Did you just say ‘splendid’?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. He shrugged, but I saw a small smile gracing his lips. “But thank you.”
“May I ask, though. Where is everyone else?” I glanced at him, confused.
“Everyone else?”
“Yes, other people to help. It seems you are the only one doing everything.”
“That’s because I am the only one,” I said tiredly. What I really wanted to do was go home, lie in a bubble bath, and put on my PJs watching reruns of Friends.
“Wait? You have had to do everything for this party? No one else?” I nodded in response to all his questions, confused by his tone. He seemed shocked and confused finding that out. Before I could ask him why he was so confused, my phone rang loudly echoing through the hall.
“Hello?” I asked not glancing at the caller ID.
“Layla, where are you? You need to get home so we can get ready!” Kacey said through my phone.
“Kacey, I’m still working. I wasn’t even planning on wearing anything besides what I have on anyways,” I replied, closing my eyes and pinching the bridge of my nose.
“Oh, hell no! You are dressing up whether you agree or not. I will knock you out if I have to,” Kacey threatened.
I sighed. “I’m busy here, Kay. Clark and I still have a lot to do,” I said Clark’s name to hopefully get her to know I’m serious but it had the opposite effect.
“Give Clark the phone.”
My eyebrows rose, but I handed Clark the phone. He sent me a questioning look, but I just shrugged. Kacey knew Clark was Ashton’s driver since I told her, but I had no idea why she needed to speak to him. I watched his face closely and inched closer, hoping to catch whatever she was telling him but Clark’s face was emotionless and by the time I got close enough, he hung up the phone.
“Layla, it’s best we get going. You need to get ready,” Clark said.
“Wait, what did Kacey tell you?” I asked as I followed behind him. I knew I had to follow because if I didn’t, she wouldn’t hesitate to come all the way here to drag me back to the apartment to get ready.
“Let’s just say I value certain parts of my body,” he said and opened the car door for me. I choked on my laughter as I slid inside. Only Kacey would threaten someone like Clark. The drive to my apartment was quick and before I knew it, I was being hauled inside by Kacey.
I stumbled against her and tried to find my footing, but she dragged me all the way to my room.
“Shower and then come to my room,” she said, pushing through my bedroom door. “And thoroughly!” With that, she left me to shower and headed back to do whatever she was doing while I showered.
As I quickly showered, I did what she asked. I shaved my legs again although I already did two days ago, shaved my under arms, and made sure to wash my hair really good. After about fifteen minutes, I was out. Stepping out the warm shower, I wrapped a towel around my body and brushed my wet hair. I pulled on a pair of panties before heading to Kacey’s room. I didn’t know what she had planned and I was sort of fearful. As soon as I stepped into her room, the doorbell rang.
“I got it,” she said and brushed past me. Like I was going to open the door only wearing a towel. I sat on the edge of her bed and she came in a minute later followed by Neena.
“Hey, Layla,” Neena said and came to sit by me.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked.
“You don’t want me here? I get it; you don’t love me,” she said, grabbing her chest and falling back on the bed. “You wound me.” I chuckled at her and hit her with a small pillow I found behind me.
“She’s here to get ready with us,” Kacey said, going through her over stuffed closet.
“Wait, ‘us?’”
“Seriously, where have you been? I am going to be Neena’s ‘guest.’ Like hell I’m going to let you guys go to this without me. Now, Layla, come here. I need to start on your hair and make-up. Neena, you’re next.”
For the next hour or two, all three of us got ready for gala tonight. With strict instructions to stay still, I sat in front of her mirror for about thirty minutes—with my eyes closed I might add—while Kacey poked and prodded me. While I was getting worked on, Neena was moving about the room as well. She took a shower in my room because she just came from work. Kacey made me not look at myself just yet while she did Neena’s and her own make-up. I sat on the edge of her bed and talked and laughed with them. Who knew getting ready for a gala could be so much fun?
Once Neena was done, she unzipped the bag that held her dress. She pulled out a beautiful yellow dress that was totally her. It was one-shouldered and had three stripes of silver sparkles. The top part was fitted but toward the bottom, it flared out and would swished against her legs. The moment she put it on I looked her up and down.
“Not trying to sound gay here, but you look absolutely stunning in that dress, Neena!” The yellow made her skin look tan, and her blue eyes popped. Kacey had kept her make-up minimal, making her look natural, and her eyes were done in a pretty smoky look that totally matched her. Neena’s pixie-cut hair was straightened and slightly curved in at the tips toward her face. “I know, right?” she said and grinned at us.
“Let me get my dress on now. Layla, you’re last,” Kacey said, pulling out a dark purple strapless lace dress. The moment I saw it I knew it was for Kacey. She slid it on and had Neena zip her up. It was mermaid styled, where the top half was fitted and it flared out a little above the thighs. A black bow was around the waist, and lace decorated the entire thing. Kacey’s make-up was a little more than Neena’s but not by much, just more of a blush to her pale cheeks. Her eyeshadow was a mix of black and purple and when she blinked, her lid was sprinkled with purple sparkles.
“Wow, you look…amazing, Kay!” I knew whatever I wore, these two girls would out shine me by a mile.
“Thank you! Now, your turn. The moment I saw this dress, I thought of you.” Kacey reached into her closet and brought out a gorgeous bright red dress. My jaw dropped as I stood and touched it. It felt like fine silk and I almost didn’t want to wear it in case I ruined it. With the help of Kacey, I slid it on and looked in the mirror. Standing in front of me was a totally different person. The bright red dress was a great contrast with my tan skin. The dress was mermaid styled just like Kacey’s, and the top was strapless and came in helping push my boobs up higher. The bottom was ruffled and trailed behind me. Kacey had my hair curled and pinned to the side so it was over my left shoulder. My make-up was natural, and my eyeshadow was dark with a hint of red at the corners and when I blinked.
I couldn’t believe that was me in the mirror. Gone was that awkward, too skinny, shy girl; in her place stood a confident, radiant, and curvy girl. My eyes welled with tears but I quickly fanned them away before I could ruin my makeup. I’m blaming being emotional on lack of sleep.
“Now, Layla, you look stunning!” Neena and Kacey both said. I turned and crushed them both into a hug not caring about our dresses.
“Thank you, guys, so much.”
“You are welcome! Now hush, we have to get going!” Kacey said pulling, away and grabbing her shoes. I glanced at the clock and my eyes widened. Wow, it was thirty minutes to seven; it took us 3 hours to get ready! Grabbing my Louis Vuitton heels, I slid them on. Kacey handed me a small silvery clutch to put my things in, so I headed to my room and grabbed my phone, money, and extra lipstick. As I headed toward the door, I had to lift the bottom of my dress, and followed the girls out the door.
As we headed to the gala, I forgot about Ashton and laughed with my friends in the backseat.