The Romano Affair

Chapter 1In her brightly lit office on the fifteenth floor of the Gianni Tower, Aria Kressley had a great view of the concrete jungle below. The streets were buzzing with people as was every day. So why did today feel any different? She stood about a centimeter away from the floor-to-ceiling window wall and stared down. Everything seemed normal but something at the back of her mind kept nagging her. Today wasn't going to be just an ordinary day. She gazed at the masses below. There had been a time when she, too, had been walking past this building itself; never once looking up because she thought it beyond her to so much as imagine having an office in there. Just a few years back, she was starting out as a wardrobe stylist. In a short span of time, she had become a fashion designer at the prestigious Gianni fashion house. Most people said, she had a 'great eye for fashion' and her designs were exclusive. She was twenty-five with short shiny and wavy ebony hair that adorned her glowing porcelain-like skin. Her eyes, framed by long lashes, were a bright emerald-green and seemed to brighten the world. A straight nose and full lips - picture of perfection. She had conquered all heights. She was comfortable. So what more was there for her? What more could she expect? What was that nagging feeling within her? "You heard?" her assistant, best friend and a wardrobe stylist at the fashion house, Callie, stuck her head in at her door frame, and then walked right in. She had brown hair, brown eyes and was the same height as Aria. Bear in mind their personalities were absolute rifts apart. "About what?" Aria asked as she walked back to her desk. Clicking on her computer, she delved into work. Callie occupied one of the empty seats opposite Aria. "About the Romano affair. Colin Romano's coming to town." "Yeah, I heard about that!" Colin Romano was one of the filthiest rich billionaires that this earth harbored. The man was loaded beyond horizons. "You haven't got anything planned out this summer, have you?" the brown-haired assistant asked while playing with her hair. "Nay! Why? You got something planned out for me?" Aria looked up. "Me, nope but Morgan, I bet." "Morgan? What's Morgan got for me?" Aria furrowed her brows. "You are going to be in-charge of Mr. Romano's wardrobe from the minute he lands." "No," Aria denied. "I haven't been told. And why me?" "What do you mean why you? You've got great taste." "Can't the man dress himself or something? He'll be in New York for business not photo shoots!" "Aria, it's summer. Wouldn't want the man to put on the wrong attire in this weather now, would we? Morgan got called by his second-in-command here in New York. This means a climb up the ladder for the fashion house. Popularity's in store for you, too!" "Oh, for heaven's sake. I don't give a damn about that. Plus you aren't even sure if I'll be with him." She tapped her desk then pointed a finger at Callie. "What do you give a damn about then? Rocking his bed? Or is it him rocking your bed?" Callie answered as she sneaked out from the seat and headed towards the door. The remarks caused a frown on Aria's face. She knew Callie was just kidding around but she still picked up a magazine from her desk and with all her might, threw it at her. "Get out of my office!" she shouted with a smile. Callie reached the door laughing her heart out. It was a shared secret, which was why they were laughing. "It's about time, Aria. If not him then I don't know who. I mean, you're going to be dressing the man for God's sake. He'll be standing naked in front of you. Have you seen his pictures? He's a god," she said dreamily. Laughing some more as she finished the statement. "Get out! Get out! Get out!" Aria almost screamed. "God! Callie." Her friend took one step out of her office then back in. "Now what?" Aria quizzed. "He's coming with his son. You're gonna be a mother!" With that, she took off leaving Aria thinking about what she had said. She and... No way! Not unless it rained clothes. That billionaire could never want her. Callie was just being ridiculous. She was getting back to concentrating on her work, when Morgan Gianni knocked at her door. "A (pronounced 'ay'), see you in my office?" Aria nodded. Morgan was her employer. A blonde, middle-aged woman, shorter than Aria and wore thick-framed glasses but solely for the purpose of reading. Very friendly to her employees. She owned Gianni Fashion House - having inherited it from her family and now she had a son, who everyone guessed would inherit the Gianni business. Liam, was his name. He had dark-blonde hair, brown eyes, a gorgeously framed face and Callie thought he was hot - not Aria. She never really looked. When they got to her office, Morgan went round her desk to sit. Aria already had an idea what she had been called for. "You heard that Colin Romano's flying into the country?" Morgan asked her once she was seated. She lowered her glasses to look at Aria. "Crap!" Aria commented as she threw her head back. "I'm gonna be dressing him, aren't I?" she asked without looking back at her boss. They were more friends than employer - employee. Morgan laughed. "Yes you are. Are you sad about it?" "I was kinda looking forward to taking a break after the release of the summer collection." "Well, take this as a break too. You don't need to worry about the summer collection. It's all done anyway. You just worry about this billionaire. They are paying quite an amount and it comes with the popularity. This is good." "I don't want to," Aria whined. "Oh, shut up," Morgan told her as she stood up, walked around the brunette and placing her hands on both Aria's shoulders and gently squeezing them, she said "You should be more than thrilled about this." "I'll try. When's he coming in anyway?" "Tonight. Which is why I'm letting you go for the rest of the day but you better be present at his suite by morning." "Yes, ma'am," Aria replied as she stood up and turned to face the blonde. "At least I don't have to be here for the rush next week." "Oh, you go smiling alright. Sure hope he gives you the headache of a lifetime." "Ah!" Aria gasped then smiled. "He wouldn't." "You better make sure YOU don't give him the headache of HIS lifetime because if you do, Aria, I will strangle you myself," Morgan warned. Aria looked back at her and laughed. "Summer collection, Morgan. It's got the word 'Headache' written all over it." she remarked. "Get lost!"