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"Get over here and hug me, you whore." My friend Jordan said to me, tears drowning our cheeks.


"But we look awful." I laughed and she shook her head.


"I don't care. This is the last time I am going to see you. So, you are going to take a picture with me whether you like it or not." She wrapped her arm around my shoulder and sniffed. "Now smile for the camera."


Ten minutes later I was on a plane, escaping from Toronto and heading towards Paris. Yeah, it was a long way from Canada, but I was finally free.


It took a day and a half to get to Paris, but I didn't care. I couldn't wait to get to my apartment and get ready for my new job.


My new job is the reason why I moved here in the first place. I was working as a baker at my old job in Toronto. I loved to bake; it was practically my life. But I needed something more. I needed to get out and see the world, maybe work at a better place. So I searched the internet in hope of finding a good job application outside of Canada. There were many jobs that had to do with an office, like office assistant and clerks. But I'm not good in an office so I guess those jobs wouldn't be good for me. But then there was something that caught my eye. It was a good paying job; at least $500 a day. And that means that someone knows how to get money and how to save it. His name was Joey Harvard, and his name sounded proper just by itself. He was a lawyer, and he was an author. The job was that he needed help with editing his books and someone he could trust to carry around with him. So I called Joey, and I asked him at least a billion questions. We made a bond- over the phone- and he hired me. I asked myself if moving all the way to Paris for a job was a good idea, but I needed the money. And like I said, something new would be incredible.


I arrived at my apartment at around 7:30 P.M. and I went to bed as soon as I got there. I didn't sleep on the plane because of all the anxiety that was building up inside of me.


I couldn't easily fall asleep, but I dozed off at around nine.


I woke up to the sound of my phone going off and I groaned. I picked it up to see the name 'Joey Harvard' and immediately sat up.


"Shit, shit, shit." I cursed and answered the phone. "Hello?"


"Ah Ms. Smith. It's your first day on the job and you're already late. I expected a lot better from you." He stated and I sighed, running a hand through my hair.


"I'm sorry Mr. Harvard. My plane got in late and I couldn't fall asleep. Maybe I just slept in late." I stood up and walked into the kitchen, making some coffee that had been left in the apartment for the resident.


"I've never had an assistant Ms. Smith, and I hope they're not all late like you. Maybe I should just fire you and be done with it." I widened my eyes.


"Oh please you don't have to do that. I promise I won't be late again. Please don't fire me-"


"Oh come on Audrey. I'm just pissing on your parade a little. How hard can a guy flirt?"


"If that's how you flirt than you need serious help with that Mr. Harvard. What time do you want me to meet you?" I took a sip of my coffee and he cleared his throat.


"Well I am kind of anxious to see you Ms. Smith. So, I was hoping you could meet me now."


"Okay. Where do you want me to meet you?"


"At the entrance of your apartment complex." He immediately hung up and I frowned.


I walked over to the window and looked outside. The roads were filled with traffic and I looked down to the sidewalk. Many people were traveling, but one man was standing. Almost like he was waiting. And that made me believe it was Joey. He was wearing a tux and namebrand sunglasses.


I set my coffee cup down on the bedside table and quickly undressed myself. I threw my suitcase on top of my bed and unzipped it. I pulled out a navy blue, strapless tutu dress and a pair of black heels. I quickly slipped the dress on and struggled to put the shoes on, then I pulled my hair from my bun showing my natural, full curls. I put some makeup on, grabbed my phone and my wallet, and headed towards the main lobby.


I was afraid to meet Joey, and I was afraid that when he met me, he would fire me out on the spot. Because I am not Paris material by any means.


I quickly opened the doors and walked outside, straight towards my boss.


"Joey Harvard." I said when I approached him, and a smile appeared on his face.


I held out my hand and he shook it lightly while saying, "Audrey Smith." He slipped his glasses off and smiled again. "Now, if you would please join me in this limo. I would more than appreciate it." He held out his arm, opening the car door.


"If anything I should be opening the door for you." I said and he laughed.


When we both got into the limo, the limo driver started the car and drove away from my apartment complex.


"So should I be excited to meet you?" Joey broke the silence and I smiled.


"Well you pretty much know everything about me because we both asked a million questions over the phone."


"But was that the real you?" He cocked an eyebrow.


"Of course it was. Don't be silly." I laughed a little.


He looked forward and smiled. "Oh but a silly, curious man is known as the smartest and strongest man in the end. Maybe I am a silly man, but I am smarter than the average man."


"You're so poetic." I smiled again and he nodded.


"Of course I am. I am a published author." I looked down in embarrassment and he chuckled. "No need to be embarrassed. You're new, so next time you'll know what's right."


We sat there in silence for a few seconds as I admired the beautiful, classy look of Paris.


"Where are we going anyways?" I asked and he snapped his head towards me.


"We are going to a party Ms. Smith. I planned a small party so everyone could meet my new assistant."


"I hope it's a small party because I'm not good in huge crowds." I sighed and he shrugged his shoulders.


"You'll get used to it."


We arrived at a rather large bar and got out of the limo.


"This is where the party is?" I asked and he nodded his head.


"I hope you like rich people." He smirked and I rolled my eyes.


When we walked into the bar, my heart dropped. This was not a smalled party, and I was not dressed for such an occasion. Beautiful men and women stood around me, dressed in long designer gowns and tuxes. While I was wearing a store bought, tutu dress.


"Don't worry. You look fine. I know this isn't a small party, but maybe you can live through it. Come on, let's get a drink." Joey whispered in my ear and I nodded my head.


"Yeah, I'll beat you to the bar." I sighed and walked up to the bar. "A martini please." I ordered and it was immediately handed to me.


"Come on. Let me introduce you to someone." Joey said, smiling and I nodded my head.


We walked over to a couple, the woman was wearing a fox and the man was wearing pink.


"Mr. and Mrs. Turnet, this is my new assistant, Audrey Smith." Joey said and they both smiled tenderly.


"Oh well it's a fabulous pleasure to meet you, my dear. Absolutely fabulous." The woman said and I shook her hand, debating if I should've been afraid of her or not.


"It's a pleasure to meet you too." I forced a smile.


We talked for about five minutes, and Joey had me on my third martini by the time he was done introducing me to everybody.


"OKay. I think that's everyone." He smiled and ordered himself a beer.


I looked around the room of strangers that now know me, even though I still had no idea who they were.


But then someone who I wasn't introduced to caught my eye. Someone who was my age. He was slim, and tall. And he had green eyes so sharp you could probably see them from a mile away. He was wearing skinnies, brown boots, a black tshirt, and a black leather jacket. He was more than attractive, and I was intrigued.


"Who's that?" I asked, pointing to the mysterious, beautiful stranger.


Joey followed my finger and the disgust in his eyes when he looked at the man made me smile.


"That's no one you would want to know. He's a total asshole, and he wouldn't mean anything to you anyways." He snapped.


"But I want to know him." I slurred and he sighed.


"Fine, introduce yourself. But I don't trust him."


I set my drink down and pulled my hair over my shoulder, walking over to the stranger.


I didn't even have to say anything when I encountered him.


For he was the one to stick out his hand and say, "I'm Harry Styles. I seem to have found myself needing a drink from the sight of you. Please tell me your name."


I found myself blushing as I shook his hand. "Audrey Smith. I work for Joey Harvard."


"Joey Harvard?" He had the same amount of disgust painted in his eyes when he looked to Joey. "He's a dick. I don't trust him. You should've chosen someone else to work for."


"Well if I did I wouldn't be here tonight." I smiled and he cocked an eyebrow.


"My, my. Aren't you lovelier than a rose? Here," His hand landed on my elbow and my smile grew bigger as I sucked in a breath. "Let me get you a drink, diamond."


We didn't say much after that moment, we just drank and laughed at everyone who was wearing awfully crazy clothes.


But there was something different about this man. The way he called me diamond just mesmerized me. And the way he spoke; the way he smiled; the way he laughed.


I wasn't sure if I wanted to escape his presence.


But if Joey hates him, and he hates Joey, I couldn't possibly keep seeing him. Could I?


"Oh diamond. I should be telling you that I am not expecting to see you after this, but that would be a lie." He interrupted my thoughts and I looked up at him. "You see, I'm on a tight schedule, and I don't have time for romance. But I want to see you again. So I am going to raise my expectations just a little." He smiled again and I looked down. But he put his forefinger on my chin, lifting my head up so I could look at him. "Besides, only a diamond like you comes around once in a lifetime. And I can't miss out on this opportunity."


He then kissed my hand and walked away as soon as Joey walked up to me.


He scoffed and said, "What the hell did he want?"


I smiled and said, "I don't know why he would want anything to do with me anyways." But apparently his expectations are high enough to want to see me again. So maybe I should raise my expectations high enough to want to see him.

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Notes

It's the beginning of a new dawn... So we must rejoice in a new interest. -K. xx