Confused by Love

by TL Messruther

  Oh shit, has he just received my application and is telling me I won’t be getting an interview, or is he telling me I didn’t get the job? Whatever it is, I am a nervous wreck.

  “Mr. Mills, how nice to hear from you,” I say, trying to calm my too rapid breathing, hoping to be discreet.

  “Listen, I'm calling to offer you the job with us. That is, if you’re still interested?” he asks me.

  “It would be an honor. Of course I would love to come work for you,” I say, happiness radiating from me. That means I would see his handsome face every working day.

  “Would you be able to start a week today?” he asks.

  “Of course, I would be very happy to,” I reply.

  “Perfect! Come by the office, say – hmm – Thursday afternoon, around three o’clock. We can give you your rota and all the codes to get in the buildings. We can also do a meet and greet. Oh, now that you work for me, please, no more Mr. Mills. Call me Donte.” How can he make that sound sexy?

  “Of course. Donte, and thank you. I will see you Thursday.” With that said, I hang up.

  I feel all giddy, so the first person I call is Claire, I want to share my excitement and good news. She is very happy and excited for me. She can tell I am over the moon. She said she would bring some wine home and we can celebrate with Chinese takeout.

  For the rest of the day, I am on cloud nine. I'm not sure if it’s because I got the job or my boss, but I try convince myself it’s the job. I decide to attempt to draw a new item of clothing. After all, I don’t want to go to a new job with no fresh ideas. I sit at the table and pull out all my drawing items. I sit for about six hours working on a design, with Kelly Clarkson playing quietly in the background. I work better with a little music. I come up with a new dress; it has frills at the top, where the sleeves would usually go. The skirt is layered, like a cocktail dress, and is full of sparkles. I am pleased with my design, then I want to add some color to it. I decide on a light purple bodice, with a lovely light shade of pink for the skirt.

  Before I know it, it’s six o’clock, the time Claire usually comes home. She looks beautiful as always. Her red hair is curled and nicely bouncing off her shoulders, and her bright green eyes are shining. The brown eye shadow she is wearing makes them shine even more. She had a day full of meetings and photo shoots. She is also a model, like me. We met on the catwalk as junior models in high school and have been best friends ever since. She was rubbish at art, so she left the designing to me.

  She walks in and drops her bags on the side board near the front door, but keeps the bottle of wine in her hand. I am still sitting at the table, so Claire comes up to me and hands me a Chinese takeout menu. I look at her and raise my eyebrows

  “Seriously, you need to hand me the menu? Have you not learned what I like yet?” I say to Claire, laughing.

  “Okay, Izzy. I'm guessing it’s the usual then, am I correct?” she asks.

  “You bet it is,” I reply.

  Claire dials the number and places our order, as I pour our drinks. Callahan Merlot is a great choice.

  Our food arrives a short time later. I have chilli garlic mushrooms, and a mushroom curry with bean sprouts. Claire has a prawn cocktail, and sweet and sour chicken balls. We eat as we talk about our day. Claire has just signed up to a new modelling job and then I told her I have just signed up to be a catwalk model, with D-Ms. She asks me why I have done that if I have a job as a fashion designer. I explain that I had convinced myself I didn’t get the job, so I applied for the catwalk one before I got the phone call, and before I realized who it was with. Claire laughs at me, but wishes me luck.

  *****************************

  The next week passes by in a blur. Before I know it, it is the 15th of April and my first day at work. I have collected my rota and the codes for the building a few days ago, so I am all set to start. I did my normal routine – shower, food, dress, hair and makeup. By half past eight, I am ready and waiting for my taxi.

  The whole trip to my new job is nerve racking. I keep worrying about what is expected of me, how I should present myself, if I will keep my cool round Donte, because frankly, if he was single, I would have no problem jumping his bones, and will Amanda be there? Before I know it, the cab arrives in front of the building.

  I walk into the office and there waiting for me is Donte. He was as beautiful as I remember, but then I flush remembering my thoughts from the taxi. I recover myself and approach him,

  “Donte, thank you so much for this. I will not let you down.” I say, shaking his hand.

  “Isabella, it’s a pleasure to have you here. I am sure you will fit in perfectly. Can you come to my office before you leave?”

  Oh gosh, my heart just sank into my stomach. Surely I haven’t done anything wrong already. I look at him, unsure of how I felt.

  “Yeah, sure,” was the only thing I could say.

  I get to work and I actually really enjoy it. Despite the anxious feeling growing inside me about the meeting I have with Donte, I enjoy myself. I meet some amazing new people. Josh, who is very fetching, but is also very gay. He has an amazing sense of humor and I am relaxed with him right from the moment I meet him. He has short blonde hair, blue eyes and stubble on his chin. Tanya, who is a small, slim woman with crazy pink hair and dark blue eyes. She makes me feel very welcome, and introduces me to everyone else. She stays by my side all day, in case I have any problems. The day flies by so fast, by the time I look at the clock again, it is dinner time. I remember I have a meeting with Donte, so I make my way to his office, trying my hardest not to let my nerves get the best of me.

  I get to his office and knock on his door. He opens the door and stands aside. “Come in please.” I walk in and sit down, before my legs fail me. He sits down across from me and starts to talk. “I noticed you applied to be a catwalk model for our company, why is that? Are you not happy with what we have offered?”

  Uh oh.

  “Well, Donte, I actually applied for the modelling position when I thought I wasn’t going to get this job. I am way beyond happy with the role you have given me,” I reply honestly. I get to do some serious drooling over man candy. He looks up at me and smiles.

  “Well, we do have an opening for a model still, do you think you can handle this and modelling?” I can’t believe my ears. “To be honest with you, I haven’t seen anyone as beautiful as you!” Did I just hear him correctly? I blush to the roots. “But you have to really think about this. Of course, you will still be working for D-Ms designing department, so if you need to take time away from fashion designs for your modelling role, I will happily grant you it. But you must be sure you can manage both jobs before I take the ad down from the web.”

  I flush bright red. “I believe I can manage both roles. Thank you so much.”

  “Well, I think it’s safe to say the position is now filled. But you are aware we have a show next weekend, aren’t you? You don’t have to come if you’re not ready. I do understand, it’s a last minute thing. I can have you booked in the same hotel as me, and you can drive down or you can ride down with me. We do cover all travel costs, and you can also use my makeup artist. She is amazing at her job.”

  “Can I please get back to you? I will do it, it will be a dream come true to do it, but I would like to think about the rest of it. My best friend might be slightly offended if I don’t give her the option to be my makeup artist,” I reply.

  “Of course, let me know. We need to know tomorrow at the latest, we need to make all the arrangements.” he says, dismissing me.

  I stand and leave the office. I am on cloud nine! Not only did I get the modelling job, but Donte called me beautiful! ME! I mean, I know he is in a relationship, so it’s just a compliment, but a compliment all the same. I have a smile on my face all afternoon. Even that night at home, when I told Claire, I can’t stop smiling. And of course, Claire said she would be my makeup artist.

  The rest of that week at work was amazing. Donte made all the arran
gements for me and Claire to go to the show that weekend.

  It’s Wednesday and I am halfway through my first week at work and I love it. Just before I leave for the evening, Nevaeh stops me and hands me an envelope. “From Mr. Mills,” she says, smiling at me. I take the envelope, turn around on my heels and leave work.

  Once I’m home, I open the envelope. It has Donte's phone number inside, with a note saying:

  'Just in case you need to get hold of me, regarding the fashion show.'

  I smile to myself and save his number in my phone book. I know he already has mine, as he rang me when he gave me the job. I decide to text him letting him know I received it.

  **Hi. Just a quick text saying I got your note and number.**

  I press send. A few moments later, 'Dark side' by Kelly Clarkson starts playing on my phone. That’s my message tone, so I pick up the phone and read it. I unlock the screen and Donte's name flashes up. Oh, I hadn’t banked on him texting me back.

  **I’m so glad to hear that. Looking forward to talking more later.**

  “Talk more? More about what?” I think to myself. Oh, stupid me. The show.

  Chapter 3

  The following day at work was just as fun as the previous days. Donte was slightly different though. He keeps smiling and winking at me; flirting with me. Every time he does it, I have a big, genuine smile on my lips. I find him sexy as hell, but I must remember, he is in a relationship, so that is all I return.

  The next day, Donte is at work by the time I get there. He walks out of his office just as I was sitting at my desk to draw. He looks at me and smiles his breath-taking smile. Smile lines form from the side of his mouth and his eyes sparkle. I give him a wide grin back, but then my face falls. She was behind him walking out of his office. Amanda. She walks up to him, looks at me, then turns round and kisses his cheek before walking away. Donte looks at her, scowled at her back and walks back in his office. The rest of the day at work he ignores me, and to be honest, I am glad.

  I’m home with Claire when ‘Dark Side’ starts playing on my phone. I pick it up and unlock my screen. Donte’s name appears. “Oh, what does he want?” I think to myself. I read the message.

  **Would you join me for dinner sometime this week? Say, Friday evening?**

  **Oh, I don’t think that’s a very good idea, do you? Not unless its work related.**

  I sit for half an hour watching Emmerdale, and just as it finishes, my phone goes off again.

  **Please, I need to talk to you.** Again from Donte.

  **About what? Work? What does Amanda think about you taking another woman to dinner?** I reply back.

  Not even five minutes later, I get an answer.

  .

  **Amanda is out of town. I have made reservations at a restaurant at 7:00. I will pick you up at 6:30! I won’t take no for an answer.**

  I don’t bother to reply. Looks like I don’t have much choice.

  The rest of the week went past in a blur. Donte was the same, always smiling at me, but I never smiled back. I don’t want to lead him on. He is in a relationship with Amanda, who already has a dislike in me. I don’t want to make her hate me more. I am only going Friday to see what he has to say. He is my boss, so it could be work related, so I have to go.

  It is Friday evening and I am busy getting ready to go out with Donte. I am very nervous as I don’t know what he wants. Claire comes in to my room and asks me where I’m going, so I tell her the truth.

  “It’s just a work meeting, with Donte” I say as explanation. She smiles at me and walks out.

  At 6:30 sharp, I hear a car horn outside. I walk over to the window, peek out from behind the plain white drapes, and see Donte, sitting in his car. I grab my black wrap off the back of the sofa and walk out the door. I shrug my wrap over my shoulders covering my black knee length dress to keep me warm. I walk towards his black Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. He notices me walking towards him and smiles at me. He steps out of his car and walks round to the passenger side, opening the door for me. I sit in the car with as much dignity as I can manage in my nervous state. He shuts the door behind me before climbing back in the driver side. He drives us to the restaurant in uncomfortable silence, with the occasional sly glance at me, followed by a smile. I keep my eyes looking out the front. He is too irresistible when he smiles and I can't let him think anything is going to happen.

  We walk in the restaurant half an hour later. Donte was a few paces in front of me. He spoke to the waitress and we are led to a small table set up for two people.

  The décor is all white paint and brick walls. There are dark wooden beams across the ceiling and a few used as support beams, carefully placed around the building. The walls are surrounded with old black and white photographs, framed in gold frames. The table décor is simple, yet pretty. The tables are squares with crisp, white linen clothes carefully draped over them, and around each table stood four, black, high back leather chairs. In the center of the table stands a candle piece. It is gold plated metal that holds three cream candles. Donte and I are seated and pick up a menu each that is placed on the table. A waiter comes up to us and takes our order.

  We pick from the 'A la Carte Restaurant Menu'. For starters, I pick baked goat cheese with asparagus and watercress with walnut dressing. Donte picks smoked salmon and crab tian with horseradish hollandaise.

  We talk through our meal, we discuss work, then he asks about my relationship status and I kind of know what’s coming next.

  “So, Izzy, are you single?” he asks.

  “Yes. Why?” I ask.

  He looks at me and smiles, his eyes wide and bright. “I was just asking,” he says, with a sexy smirk.

  “In all fairness, why should my relationship status matter to you?” I ask, looking for answers of my own. “Aren’t you in a relationship? So that shouldn’t matter to you,” I say, rather forcefully. As much as I found this man sat opposite me attractive, he was spoken for and I was not about to ruin that.

  “I just said I was curious. So please drop the attitude”, he says through gritted teeth. I decide to drop that subject. Getting my boss worked up is not a good idea.

  After our meal, in which we continue our discussion about work, we stand and walk over to pay. Donte pulls his credit card out and hands it to the waiter. He is still angry with me over the whole boyfriend talk. He walks again in front of me, not bothering to wait for me as I stumbled behind him in heels.

  As we walk further away from the restaurant and closer to the car, Donte suddenly slows down and grabs my hand. I look at him as I pull my hand away from his. This, I do not need. Not after the way he made me feel in the restaurant. Honestly, this man is so confusing to be around. He smiles at me and grabs my hand again. I gave him a puzzled expression, trying to free my hand again, and he grips my hand tighter. I decided wasn’t going to win this, and in the middle of a parking lot was not the place to have this discussion. I look away and shake my head at him.

  As we reach the car, he releases my hand and opens the passenger side and helps me in.

  Once outside my house, he turns his engine off and steps out of the car. He walks around to the passenger side and opens my door. He holds his hand out to me and helps me out the car. He walks me to the door and as I open the front door, he spins me around and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “Thank you for coming to dinner. I will text you later,” he says as he winks at me and walks away.

  Oh my gosh. This has been the most awkward night in my entire life, and what’s with the holding hands and kissing? Oh, this man is playing with fire, and one of us is going to get burned. Amanda is going to freak out if she finds out he has been to dinner with another woman. I don’t need more drama. I step away from my thoughts and turn to shout Donte back. He cannot get away with acting like this. I must put a stop to it. I shout him, but he ignores me and closes the car door, smiling and waving at me. My anger appeared in full force. He is so confusing and irritating, but also irresisti
ble which didn’t help the situation. I turn away unlock the front door and walk in.

  Chapter 4

  I wake up the next morning with a headache. I had very little sleep from all the tossing and turning I did. I couldn’t stop thinking about him; that beautiful, confusing specimen of a man. What the hell was he playing at? He has a girlfriend, for goodness sake. I am so glad it’s the weekend and I don’t have to face him for a few days. I stumble out of bed and go hunt for some pain killers. I walk in the kitchen and Claire is sitting at the table,

  “Good morning. You look rough, you okay?” she asks.

  “I'm good, have we any strong pain killers? My head is killing me,” I say, rubbing my temples.

  “Get drunk with the boss, did we?” she teases.

  “No, I just didn’t sleep very well. I’m going to take some painkillers and head back to bed. I will fill you in on the gossip later, babe,” I say, walking to the kitchen cupboard in search of something for this monster headache.