Dark Temptation

Work? What Do You Mean?

Devon woke up after the third alarm. "This is insane and should be illegal,it's only six" he thought and got up to get ready. His big labrador patted heavily on the vinyl floor. 

"Hey, buddy. Why didn't you wake me up." he said and scratched the dog behind the ears. Once the fury ball had had enough he let its owner get ready. 

Devon had never had to dress formally, unless for some of his father's fancy parties he rarely attended, or his brother's birthdays, so what he could actually choose from to go to work with wasn't much. He'd bought the same shirt in different colors- and by colors he meant gray and black- so he went for the gray today. 

Two hours later, a coffee and endless traffic jam Devon was sitting at his desk, waiting for something to happen. He'd never worked in a place like this- thank God- and wasn't sure if he had to do something or just wait for someone to pick him up and ...whatever. 

He opted for the latter and just leaned in the office chair and propped his legs on the desk. He resisted the urge to roll his sleeves, at least not yet. 

"Ahem." He heard someone coughing from behind him. He turned and saw her- the actual b***h- standing there, perfectly still in her black and white costume, arms folded. He'd never understood what purpose ties served, but seeing her in one kind of made him wonder. 

"Good Morning."

"You are late." Yup, a b***h. 

"Look, I understand we both don't have much of a choice and I suggest we make it quick and without unnecessarily wasting each other's time. I'm inclined to believe you'd agree."

Devon wondered whether to say anything, but deep down he knew she was right- none of them wanted that but they couldn't do much. After all, it was partly his fault he was here. 

"Okay, yes. Deal."

"I'm glad we reached an agreement. Now, I don't expect you to actually do anything, and we have people who bring us coffee, so you can ..." she gestured vaguely around.

"Pick your dresses up from the dry-cleaners?" he said and laughed. 

"You aren't funny." she said.

"I wasn't trying to be." She rolled her eyes and turned, heading for her office. "Enjoy your day. I'll see you around. But please, at least pretend you do something."

"Too bad she pretends to be  frigid ", Devon thought watching her leave "it's a waste, cause she's actually very pretty. "

                                                                            ****

When Anne sat behind her desk she took a deep breath. I shouldn't panic, it's not a big deal, and there will be many other opportunities and...oh, whatever. 

She opened her Mac and saw the latest email before the one she was looking for. Her heart jumped. They did it. The one she was reading now was from Howard; short, typically for him and straight to the point. 

Dear All, 

Allow me to congratulate Ann and her team for signing the second contract with Tokyo CR. The invite for the official dinner will be sent separately by the team responsible. 

Thank you. 

She couldn't be happier. Her heart was beating like crazy and her hands were shaking when she dialed the number.

One ring, second...

"Hey, Anne. I was waiting for the call. I want yo uto know I'm proud of you no matter what and I love you and..."

"I got it, Mom."

Elaine screamed. 

"I knew it." 

"Eh, I didn't, but yeah."

"How are you? Nervous? You should take a holiday before leaving for Japan and I haven't seen you in so long"

"Mom, I can't take a holiday, but I promise to come for a weekend to see you."

"You promise?"

"I promise. I have to go now. I love you."

"I love you too, Anne. My little girl is going places."

Anne laughed. Her mother was sixty, but acted like a teenager sometimes; she even dressed like one, but that was a different topic. She lived in the countryside, close to Gloucester. Anne loved her birthplace but didn't spend much time there anymore. Still, she talked often to her Mom, not after what happened with Charles, but she was learning to share more with her family. 

Okay, back to work, she thought. This new project was the best that could happen but it also meant more work, travelling and hotel rooms. 

She was just finishing the slide for a presentation for tomorrow, when her phone beeped. Lizzie.

"I'll see you toning at the diner, I'm coming back to London tonight. Congrats, I told you you'll make it. 

Lateeeer ;* " 

Lizzie always added hearts and kisses and all those. She probably compensated for the super-serious emails she sent to her subordinates. 

"I' can't wait to see you too."

"Do you know who else you can't wait to see there? : D ;) "

"Stop it."

"Okay, okay. But you still love me. Gotta go. ;*

Anne shook her head but had to admit her friend never failed to make her smile. 

                                                                           ****

A few hours later and four tried outfits Anne was standing in front of fanciest bar in London. It was the trendiest place right now  and every second blogger was competing to add it on their "to do" list. The owner was a personal friend of Anne's and she always joked with him she'd gain weight because of their friendship. 

"Ok, let's go" she thought and entered. 

She sometimes got anxious with meeting so many people in a closed space, but tried to push the thought away and keep fingers crossed she would get another anxiety attack. Alcohol often helped with getting more relaxed and she was obviously at the right place for that. 

Most of her colleagues were already there and- of course- the person she'd been avoiding for the whole week was talking to someone in the cocktail lounge. Devon was resting his elbows casually on the bar, chatting with the girl from the staff. "I knew he would be like that." she thought  "what, he's trying to screw the bartenders now" she moved past him and ignored his greeting. Him and the girl on the bar exchanged looks but didn't say anything. 

"Hiii" Lizzie hugged her the moment she saw her.

"Hey, Liz."

"Did you see him?"

"Who?"

Lizzie rolled her eyes at her friend's pretending to be oblivious.  "Your new assistant?"

"He's not my assistant. He does literally nothing all day, because he can afford it. Besides, he's not as handsome, or hot as everyone constantly claims him to be. He drinks too many coffees and smokes all the time. And dresses horribly- he has the same shirts, just different colors, and..."

"Oh my God" Liz exclaimed.

"What?"

"You like him." 

"What? Where did that came from?" Anne forced a laugh." You're absolutely wrong."

"No, I'm not. I've known you for years. If you didn't like him, you wouldn't be so defensive, oor- when was the last time you commented on the way a man was dressed? Mmm?" Her friend inquired full of herself and smiling.

"You're wrong as I said. He's a lazy, failed wanna-be musician. Anyway, let's get drunk tonight- we have a special occasion."

"Okay, deal- I like where this is going." 

                                                                              ****

After a few cocktails, some gin, whisky and...well, there was something else in- between, Anne was smoking in front of the bar. Liz was dancing with the colleague from Sales she'd gotten suspiciously close to in the past few months. 

"Jas wasn't for her anyway, " she thought as she was stubbing her cigarette out and going for another right after the first one. Anne couldn't remember when she'd gotten so cynical about relationships. It was probably after all that had happened with Charles almost two years ago and she was sure she would never gain her trust in men again. She had the great example of her father leaving her mother and her when she was only four too, so she was a hundred percent sure no man could be trusted. 

"Are you trying to kill that lighter?" Devon said coming to stand next to her. 

Shit, Anne thought.

"What do you want?' she inquired.

"Look, not everything is about you, Princess. I just came out for a smoke and you happened to be here."

"Don't you dare call me a Princess, okay? I'm not the one relying on Daddy to save her." she said, almost viciously. 

"Ohhh, is this what this shitty attitude's been all about?"

"And what do you mean?"

"Are you jealous, because you aren't actually Howard's daughter?" he almost laughed mockingly." Don't worry, he'd choose you over me if he could." Devon sounded almost upset when he said that and Anne almost felt like this strange person she so didn't like, could be actually someone who could understand what it's like to have a parent, who doesn't want you. No, no, the alcohol was getting to her.

'Whatever, " she said after she'd exhaled the smoke from her cigarette " just don't stand in my way  at work."

"Hah, I don't give a s**t about Howard's company." 

"Obviously" she observed " we wouldn't be here having this conversation if you did."

"I guess you're right." he said quietly. Devon stubbed his cigarette and headed for the entrance. "You're the biggest b***h I've met in a really long while, Anne" he almost shouted over the music coming from inside as he was opening the door, but she caught the humor in his voice.

"f**k you too, Devon" she shouted back and laughed.