Love Stitches

The flower rivalry

Hazel's POV

"Bye Mommy" Savannah shouts as she waves one last time before rushing into her school.

I smile at her as I wave and watch her till she is out of sight. Her birthday is in two months. And I still have so much to plan. I don't really have to think of any gift. Anything with Elsa's picture on it, she will feel happy about it.

I drive to my office. It is officially my first day but it doesn't feel so foreign. The idea of coming here a day before was a good idea I see.

I smile at the receptionist and I hit the fourth floor button in the elevator. As usual, Jennifer smiles at me and it feels good. Like, I can blend in this pretty well.

I sit at my desk and I see a bouquet of flowers on it. I smile at the multi coloured roses. I wonder who placed them here. But then, I see a card attached to it and I open it.

Your work is already remarkable. Keep going.

"Jenny?" I call her in hopes that this must be from her.

"Yeah?" She asks as she walks towards my cubicle.

"Thanks for these" I smile gesturing towards the flowers that she narrows her eyes at.

"This is not me. But the card, only our boss uses those. So I guess it's from him" she says and walks away.

Our boss? He is nice enough to do this? And yet people call him devil in disguise? This little gesture is beyond sweet. I smell the roses and place them aside. I'll take them home and place them in a vase.

A few minutes later, the whole floor is filled with people running here and there. The Boss is yet to arrive. And Ruby.. well, speaking of who

"Is he here yet?" She asks Jenny.

"No" Jenny says and I see Jenny doesn't like Ruby that much.

"Even if he is, I don't mind" Ruby smirks as she walks.

She was in Boss's cabin all day yesterday so I did not know this, but her cubicle is just across mine. When seated, we are face to face.

Ruby looks at me and I smile at her. It's not that I like her. I am just being nice. But she rolls her eyes and opens her handbag. She does her touch up and I wonder how did she get a job here in the first place.

I shake my head with a sigh and take a look at the stacks of papers. They are the ideas of all the new possible trends and also the reviews of the previous ones.

I read everything closely and I notice that the reviews are fine. But we need more numbers. To compete in this fashion world, we need to grab people's attention.

The trends so far were played safe. We need something new. Something that the fashion world has never witnessed.

Everyone stands up and I too. And then I see Mr. Elliot Montgomery walk with so much of confidence and elegance. He nods at everyone who greets him good morning.

And as soon as he walks in, Ruby follows too. Everyone sighs knowing what must be happening inside and to be honest, I got a glimpse of it too.

I sit on my chair again but before I read one more line, the door to Mr. Montgomery's room opens and I see Ruby.

"Mr. Montgomery is calling you" she says and I nod.

I look at everyone who has their eyes on me. I awkwardly smile and knock on Mr. Montgomery's room before walking in.

I see Ruby on the couch with few papers on her lap. But her attention is on her freshly painted nails. Again, she looks at me and rolls her eyes. I don't know how she carries such attitude. I wish I was that careless to not think about what people must be thinking of me.

"Good morning, Hazel" he greets me.

"Good Morning, Mr. Montgomery" I smile at him.

"Thanks for the flowers by the way. I really appreciate it" I smile and I hear a gasp. I turn around to see it was from Ruby.

She looks at Mr. Montgomery but he just raises his eyebrow at her. Judging yesterday and today, I don't think Mr. Montgomery has any hard feelings for her. He is all ready to shove her aside, not telling her things he does.. they might not be in a relationship.

I smile at him awkwardly and he asks me to sit on the chair before him. I do that and his eyes fall on his laptop again.

"So, What are you working on now?" He asks me.

"I have been checking the reviews on the old trends. And I believe it is time we change the system. The models, colours and everything else.. we played it safe. But now, we really need to move from our comfort zone. This is fashion world, people just move to what is trendy and famous just like that" I snap my finger and he nods.

"So for that, what do you have in mind?" He asks.

"I have an idea but I don't know how far it is going to get your approval, Mr. Montgomery" I whisper but he just stares at me.

"Your job, is to tell me whatever ideas you have and my job is to approve them or reject them. So now," he says and raises his eyebrow at me.

I gulp and nod at him.

"All the approved trends, we need to have a photoshoot" I tell him.

"Okay?" He asks.

"But not with regular models. Everyone does that. This time, we use normal people who likes our trends and cast them as our models. We can also use this as publicity stunt. We can conduct polls, ask them to share their views on Modish, let them know new trends are dropping. And the catch, is we tell them that few of the lucky ones are going to be the models of the new trends. We gain public attention, we do something new with the model world and people talk about Modish again and this time, in a rather good way" I say and wait for him to shout at me.

I don't know why, but I just thought he would shout at me. But to my dismay, he smiles at me and nods.

"That is brilliant. We are doing this. Ruby! I hope you heard a word this lady just said. Turn those words into actions. Create a team and assign them this. Now" he says.

"Sure, Mr. Montgomery" she says and she walks out first.

"Where have you been all these years?" He asks me with a wide smile.

I finally get some time to notice his features. His brown hair slicked back. And his so pale blue eyes that almost appear grey. He has perfect jawline. He is a very handsome man.

"Done checking me out?" He asks and I smile sheepishly.

Why was I checking him out? Why was it necessary to take a note of his physical features especially at this time?

He smirks at me and extends his hand. What is he asking? Do I take his hand?

"The papers" he laughs and I close my eyes for being so sheepish again.

I give him the papers in my hand and exhale loud. I open my eyes to see he is still looking at me quite amused.

I then nod at him and stand to walk out. But when I am at the entrance and held the door knob, just about to leave.. he calls my name again.

"Thank you so much. It has been just two days but you did more than all those fools would have done in six months" he says waving his hand at the people outside.

"This is my job after all," I smile at him and I turn around to leave again.

I notice the glass walls are one sided. Mr. Montgomery can see everyone and everything from here but from outside, it is just any regular glass that doesn't show people any glimpse of what is happening inside.

I walk out and sit on my desk again.

"Jenny, what else can I do here right now?" I ask her since she is close to me.

"Are you done with those stacks I kept on your desk in the morning?" She asks and I shrug.

I am also a fast reader. I can read books in one go and often, I consider my imaginary world better than the ones written. Don't take me wrong, but I imagine what they write but adding few elements of my own.

She then looks around and then finally at me.

"I am afraid there is nothing else to do for today. If you want, you can just surf on the internet about Modish and let us know if there is any useful information" she says and I nod.

Just as I am going through the online reviews, it is time for our lunch. And of course, I tail along the only one I know here at the moment.

Jenny then introduces me to her friend, Daniel Kudrow. We three have lunch together and I came to know Daniel works for the publicity department.

We talk about how work is treating us since we belong to three different departments in the same building.

"How about we grab some beers after work?" Daniel asks.

"I am afraid I cannot. I have a daughter waiting for me" I tell him and his eyes go wide.

"You are married?" He asks.

"Widowed" I say with a smile and show my wedding ring that is hanging around my neck and he double checks it.

"Holy smokes! I was about to even ask you out on a date" he says and I just laugh out loud.

The rest of the lunch finishes quick with them learning about my daughter and Daniel even invited both Jenny and I to his home this Sunday for lunch. Maybe, I can make it happen.

Because I have my week offs on Sunday too. I chose that day in my schedule form because I know my daughter stays home and that she is going to need me.

"Excuse me, Hazel. Can I talk to you for a moment?" I hear Ruby and I nod.

I am finished with my lunch anyway. I walk to her and ask her what is it about. She starts walking and I follow her. She walks into a room and I follow her again.

She locks the door behind us and now I am a tad bit scared. I tap my fingers into the air and that is something I do whenever I am anxious about something.

"Forget about impressing Elliot" she says through her grit teeth.

"I am not-"

"Save your innocent drama to someone who would give a damn" she says again and takes a step forward.

"I'm sorry" I whisper but I know deep down that I am not sorry. But I still apologise because this is my second day of work and I don't want to lose this now. I have a daughter to feed.

"One more time I catch you impressing him or he taking interest in you, I will hurt you and that is not even a joke" she says and I nod.

"Are you going to behave?" She asks and I nod again.

Ruby then runs her fingers through her hair and smiles as if nothing happened between these four walls. She walks out with confidence and a smile again and I exhale.

It feels suffocating here so I almost run out. The noise here is the contrary to the silence I experienced in the room with Ruby before. Jenny looks at me with questioning eyes but I just smile and shake my head.

I walk to my desk and I see the flowers that Mr. Montgomery gave me, in the trash can right beside my desk.