To The Top Of A Cliff (Girls of Chicago Series #1)

Chapter 4

I stared at the building of Valeria. I have been working here as an intern for weeks now but I haven’t been able to look at it from the façade.

From here, it looks like a simple building. It doesn’t have anything on it other than a huge Valeria on top of it. It has five floors. The first floor is the shop itself. This is the main shop of the brand. The second one is the HR and Finance Departments with some of the conference rooms. The third floor is the design and manufacturing department where I am. And the last floor is the office of the bosses. I have not yet gone there.

So far, I am not yet scolded by Dalyn Valeria. I have met her a few times for the three weeks that I have been here but I have not really talked to her. She’s seen some of my designs but hasn’t approved anything yet.

I guess, I am not in that level yet.

I went inside and walked straight to the staircase. Apparently, interns are not allowed to use the lift which is bullshit by the way because why not? I mean, it’s okay to walk the stairs to the third floor but we are required to wear heels so my feet hurt every single day.

It was torture. But to be honest, I love working here more than just sitting in the school.

Miss Moira smiled at me when she saw me entering the design department. I greeted her good morning before walking towards my cubicle. I sat on my ordinary swivel chair before turning my computer on. I looked at the folders that I needed to finish today and I could only sigh in my head.

It’s a rule here. Do not sigh in front of work because it produces a negative aura for everyone in the room. Everyone is jolly and optimistic even when we’re facing dreadful deadlines. Miss Thrina, our manager, is a good one. She’s so sweet and she seems to understand everything even when we don’t really verbalize it.

I opened my excel file and started typing down the data for the sales last month. I’m still on the fourth day and I have the whole week to finish this. I can do it.

Denise, one of the senior interns, played some mellow music for the whole room. Surprisingly, Miss Thrina loves it and that’s why Denise always sees to it that she has a new mellow playlist for the office every single day. That’s definitely a hassle.

“Have you seen the new designs with the military touch in them?” Miss Thrina asked everybody.

I stopped typing. Usually, I have lots of opinions when it comes to designs and all that but hearing the word military made me freeze on my seat.

I pursed my lips and gulped hard as Clifford started to cross my mind again.

I was right. The s*x that we had was just a one-time thing. After that, I showered and then got home, leaving Clifford alone. He didn’t try to stop me. He didn’t even offer me to stay. He just let me. And I should be thankful for that but on my way home, I realized that it somehow hurt.

I thought he likes me more than what I had expected. It turns out that the air force officer only needed someone to f**k. Fortunately, I was there and he was able to have his release.

I kept my sigh and just fisted my hands on top of the keyboard. I shouldn’t be thinking about him right now because I am at work and I need to focus. If I make a mistake on this sales report, I am doomed.

This isn’t my work to begin with. This is the job of a finance intern. But since she was sick, I had to finish this for her. I wanted to design and not deal with a sales report! This is not what I signed up for!

But then again, do I have a choice? If I use Mom’s power, I would be dubbed as the favorite. And I don’t want to be a pet of the administration. I am here to work and to learn. And not to complain.

“I think the design is good. We’d have to work on the durability of the fabric, Miss Thrina,” Klyde, the assistant manager, pointed out.

I minimized the excel file and checked on the design they are talking about. It’s a bit simple, to be honest. But that’s how they all wanted it. They want it simple but elegant. But there is no sign of elegance on this one.

I raised my hand and Miss Thrina looked at me. “Yes, Julia?”

I stood up and saw everyone looking my way making me smile awkwardly. “I…think we can add some shimmer on the collar, Miss Thrina,” I suggested. “And maybe add a beret.”

Miss Thrina’s eyes widened. “A beret! Yes!” she exclaimed like it was her own version of eureka moment. She smiled at me widely and nodded approvingly. “I like the shimmering collar, too.”

Everyone smiled at me and agreed. Denise even gave me a thumbs up. I grinned happily. At least they all are listening to everyone’s suggestions. Usually, the intern’s suggestion is neglected. But what I noticed in this office is that they value everyone’s opinions. And that helps interns have a boost on their confidence.

“Denise, work with Julia on the design. I need the draft by tomorrow afternoon,” Miss Thrina said. “Julia, you can finish the sales report by Tuesday, instead of this Friday. Work on the design first and I’ll handle the Finance Department.”

I smiled and widely and nodded. “Thank you, Miss Thrina!”

She nodded and then started talking about something else.

I sat down, feeling the excitement in my chest. I have never been given a project before. And now that my suggestion was taken into consideration, I feel overwhelmed with happiness.

Denise and I worked on the design the whole day until we were done. Apparently, Denise is a good graphic artist. She can draw the design well and even makes some adjustments on the draft. She’s down to her last weeks here and I’m sure I’m going to miss her.

I never had a friend before because everyone seemed to have a prejudice on me but Denise was different. She didn’t know who I was before so she looks at me like a normal colleague. And that’s what I really want.

“Did you two just finish this today?” Miss Thrina asked us shocked when Denise and I showed her the final design.

Denise and I smiled at each other, satisfied at the reaction of Miss Thrina.

Miss Thrina smiled and nodded. “This is really good,” she commented. “You two need to be with us when we present this to Miss Valeria, okay?”

Denise and I nodded earnestly before we started explaining the in-depth details on the design. It took us about forty-five minutes until we went back to our cubicles.

I was smiling so wide as I encoded the sales report. I have never been proud of myself better than today. I feel like today is the real start of my internship.

***

It’s Friday and I have finished the sales report on time.

“Do you wanna come tonight?” Denise asked me when she was about to leave the office.

I narrowed my eyes at her in confusion. “Where are you going?” I asked.

“Sir Klyde was asking everyone to party with him. Well, the single ones, I mean. Miss Thrina has a child so she can’t come,” she chuckled as she replied. “So, are you in?”

My smiled and nodded. “Sure. You have my number. Just text me the location and I’ll just drive to where you are,” I told her.

Denise squealed and giggled excitedly. “Yes! I’ll text you,” she beamed before she waving at me goodbye.

I looked at Sir Gareth whose eyes are still fixed on the screen. He’s working on the new project that Miss Valeria is talking about. He nodded at me.

“Are you going home?” he asked me.

I nodded. “Are you staying, Sir?”

He nodded. “I need to finish this first,” he replied. “Are you going to the club with Klyde?”

I smiled and nodded. “This is the first time I’m going with the people in the office,” I replied. “How about you, sir?”

He shrugged. “Maybe,” he replied. “If I finish this.”

I nodded. “Okay, I think I have to go ahead,” I told him. “Take care.”

“Take care as well, Julia,” he replied before focusing on the screen once more.

I exited the building with a fulfilled heart. Since it’s Friday, I can have the whole weekend to myself without thinking about work. And my sales report. Good thing that I am done.

Mom was not in the house when I arrived and she was still not home when I left around eight o’clock. I wonder if she’s with Sylvia Black again. She’s best friends with her and they are always together. I wonder what they’re always talking about. I never had a best friend so I don’t really know what they’re conversations are about.

I drove to the club that Denise texted me. She said that they are already there. It’s still early. I wonder if there are already people in there. I wouldn’t be surprised if it will only be us. Parties usually start later in the night.

But then again, I am bored at home and Mom is nowhere to be found so I don’t have a choice but to party.

I gave my keys to the valet and let him park my car before entering the club. Unexpectedly, there are already a bunch of tables occupied. I looked around and saw the people from the office waving at me. Denise is wearing a black long-sleeved dress and was giving me a thumbs up when she saw what I am wearing.

I am wearing a red button-up sleeveless corset, a pair of brown plaid pants and my favorite pair of black pumps. My hair is tied in a low ponytail. It’s kind of my normal outfit when I party.

“Wow! You look great!” Denise beamed as she handed me a dry margarita. “No wonder you design clothes well.”

Sir Klyde nodded. He’s wearing a light blue button-down long-sleeved shirt and a pair of black jeans. His hair is pushed back and if I don’t know that he’s a gay, I would think that he’s a playboy. “Glad you found this club easy.”

I nodded and took a seat beside Denise. “Denise gave me specific directions, Sir,” I replied as I took a sip on my drink.

We started talking about our interests and some fun when a familiar figure walked in front of my eyes. I immediately froze and followed the man. I can’t be mistaken. This is Clifford who has been in my mind day in and day out.

I pursed my lips in a thin line before I gulped my whole margarita down. Denise looked at me shocked. “Are you thirsty?” she asked me.

I smiled and shook my head. “I saw someone I know. I’ll just go and greet him,” I told them.

They all nodded at me and let me go. I walked towards the bar and sat beside Clifford. He’s on a simple black tribal T-shirt and a pair of faded jeans. He really dresses simply. But his aura is different.

When I am already seated, I suddenly forgot what I am doing here. I shouldn’t be here. What am I going to tell him? What if he’s waiting for someone?

I’m such an i***t!

I started to head back when I felt someone holding my elbow. I froze, automatically feeling electricity in my veins.

“Why are you suddenly leaving?”

My heart started pounding against my chest the moment I heard his voice. I shut my eyes tight before exhaling deeply. I slowly looked at him and faked a smile. “Hello,” I greeted. “I didn’t really think I’d see you here.”

Stupid, Julia. Just plain lame and stupid.

Clifford smiled at me while his deep brown eyes are making me swoon like hell. He stared at me from head to foot before nodding. “I didn’t know I’d see you here, too,” he told me.

I chuckled awkwardly. “Are…you alone?”

Clifford nodded. “I love drinking alone.”

My lips parted and nodded. Okay. That’s my answer. I need to leave now. “Ah, okay. Then I shall leave now,” I told him as I motioned to head back again but he stopped me and held my waist, pulling me closer to him.

My eyes widened as I felt his minty breath on my face.

His eyes are looking serious as he stared deep within my soul. “But I like drinking with you,” he whispered. “Stay with me, Julia.”

And there goes my heart leaping out of my chest. I’m doomed.