I'm sorry for the few spelling/grammar errors. Spell check has once again failed me.
The first thing Nick noticed when Karin greeted him at her office door was that she was extraordinarily pretty. He'd talked to the agent earlier but hadn't really had a chance to admire her unbelievable beauty.
Karin was a cross between Scarlett Johansson and Christina Aguilera- an unbeatable combo. Nick was in awe. Her face was so... perfect. Her eyes were so... blue. Her flawless appearance was almost terrifying. Blonde, bodacious, and beautiful, Karin was a dream come true through any man's eyes.
First Miley and now this girl? Nick thought. He was buzzing uncontrollably in delight. This place is crawling with good-looking women.
"Hey, Nick. What's up?" Karin flashed a sparkling, toothy grin when she opened the door, forcing her guest into reality.
Karin was beyond thrilled when she found Nick had come to visit her. He was just so adorable with his tamed curly hair and narrow umber eyes. She profoundly hoped that his personality was just as good as his looks. If this were the case, Nick would be the first guy that ever worked at Glitterati that hadn't screwed Karin over.
Even though she had always assured her best friend Miley that men weren't all the same, Karin sometimes had trouble believing that herself. After umpteen failed relationships, anyone would.
First there was Rey, the seemingly charming Latin American guy with an irresistible accent and perfectly groomed hair. He worked in the office just across from Karin's so naturally the two became quite close. Their relationship was going perfectly until the day Karin came to work to find two police officers hauling her love interest out of his office in handcuffs as he screamed curses at them. Turns out the guy had a warrant out for his arrest for arson. Arson! Who knew? And his name actually wasn't Rey. It was Keith.
There was Bobby, the cute Italian who cheated on Karin with –not one, but- two women. The worst part was that the 'other women' were none other than Karin's own sisters.
Asher seemed like the perfect, honest, all American romantic until Karin found a bottle of Valtrex, a herpes medication, in his apartment. That same day Asher, whom she had been dating for a year, invited her to spend the night. Karin politely denied the request and, disgusted, she never spoke to the guy again.
And there was nothing really wrong with Tyler except for his odd attachment to his Pitbull Max. When Karin came over for the first time, the dog attacked her, practically tearing her arm apart. Tyler insisted that the assault was her fault. Karin hadn't even acknowledged the animal.
Men never tended to get past Karin's classy good looks. Her relationships always ended up more physical than mental, which was unfair to Karin who was actually a very sweet, intelligent woman.
But Karin had a good feeling about Nick. His face beheld a sort of reliable innocence that Karin had never seen before. She trusted him instantly. She really believed he was different.
"Miley's at a meeting and said I should come and, uh, see you." Nick explained his unexpected appearance. "Do you... need help with anything?" he squeaked.
"Sure. Come on in." Karin was beaming as she spoke pleasantly. Miley had sent Nick in! She really didn't like him after all.
Oh well, her loss.
"Sorry I'm late," Miley apologized, slamming the conference room door behind her. "My new assistant is obnoxious."
As Miley placed her purse under the table, the twelve pairs of eyes surrounding it stared back at her, thirsty for more information. Miley was obviously keeping mum. She deliberately ignored the curious executives and took a seat.
"So, David," Miley focused on a middle aged man across the table. The worldly male had been the public relations specialist for Glitterati since the management was established. "You called for this meeting. What's going on?"
Everyone sighed and opened their notepads. It was official: they wouldn't be getting the scoop on Miley's new assistant anytime soon.
"Here." Karin handed Nick a thick stack of papers. "Arrange these in alphabetical order by last name. You can pull a chair up to the other side of my desk." The blonde pointed to a nearby cushiony chair before sitting in her own.
Nick complied, and in a matter of moments he was seated no more than a couple feet from Karin.
Karin's heart was dazzling gleefully merely because Nick was so close by. She hardly knew the man and was elated by his presence. It was something she had never felt before. Was it fate? Love at first sight, perhaps? She wasn't sure of much of anything except that Nick captivated her.
Suddenly Karin felt like she was in junior high again. She fiddled with her hair, hoping it looked all right. Should she talk to Nick? Did he even like her? What was he thinking? Oh the dilemma...
Karin pretended to be engrossed with her email, but in reality the woman's mind was too cluttered with thoughts of Nick to do anything. And after five full minutes of silence she couldn't take it anymore. She just had to talk to Nick whether he liked it or not.
"So, how are things going with Miley?" Karin queried indifferently as her heart pummeled her ribcage. Fortunately, her nervousness was not apparent.
Nick looked up, almost surprised to hear the belle's voice. He raised his right eyebrow. "Honestly?" he wondered.
Karin nodded, looking askance.
"I think she hates me," Nick shared even though he didn't think anything. He knew Miley loathed him. It was killing him inside.
"Hates you?" Karin sounded baffled by the news but was actually quite pleased. "Why?"
Nick shrugged as he continued to sort through the pile of papers in front of him. "Beats me."
"You didn't do anything?" Karin made sure.
"Not really," said Nick.
Well, that wasn't completely true. He had knocked a few pictures of off her wall and botched the whole coffee thing. But was that really a reason to hate someone? Nah.
"I wouldn't take it personally. She might be in a mad mood or something," Karin suggested. She eyed her closed office door before leaning close to Nick and adding softly: "And just between you and me, she doesn't really like men."
Nick was flabbergasted. He snapped his head up in alert. "You mean Miley's a lesbian?" he blurted out in horror.
"No!" Karin shouted. "That's not what I meant!"
Nick sighed in relief and sunk back into his chair. "Oh. I was about to say..." he trailed off.
"What I mean is," Karin clarified. "What I mean is that there was an incident... with a certain male assistant before you." She smiled cutely. She couldn't help it. Nick's tender reaction to the previous false blow was priceless.
Nick was promptly engaged. Karin's secretive tone indicated something juicy was ahead. "Did she... date him?"
Karin shook her head. "She was married to him," she revealed with a grin.
The news came as a revelation. It was so shocking, in fact, that Nick's jaw nearly dropped to the floor. "No way!"
Karin bobbed her head. "Yes way."
"No."
"Yes."
Nick shook his head in pure disbelief. He'd pretty much forgotten about the busy work he was assigned earlier. "I can't believe it."
Karin opened one of her desk drawers and began to fumble threw it. "Why does that surprise you so much?" she was curious to know.
"I don't know," Nick said. "She just doesn't seem to be the, you know, wife type." Now that he thought about it, that much was obvious.
"She isn't really," Karin agreed. She retrieved a pack of gum from her drawer and pulled out a piece. "Want some?" she offered.
"Naw, I don't like gum."
Karin dropped the package into her drawer and popped her own piece into her mouth.
Nick was still strung on Miley's past romance though Karin seemed to be so blasé' with the subject. "So what did the guy do to Miley?" he asked eagerly.
"I can't tell you," Karin said apologetically. "I'm not even supposed to be telling you what I already have. Miley will kill me if she finds out."
That was true. If Miley discovered that Karin had spilled the details of her previous marriage to her disliked assistant, she could possibly lose her job. No joke. Miley had an extremely short temper.
"Don't worry, Karin, I won't." Nick promised with a sincere smile.
Karin was bubbling in euphoria on the inside. Nick had said her name! He said it! It sounded so beautiful. They were meant to be together. She just knew it.
"What else do you know about Miley?" Nick asked avidly. He leaned in close to Karin.
Karin smirked proudly. "I know everything."
Miley and Glitterati financial specialist Jack Palmer had been going at it for what seemed like hours. Cruel insults were being thrown back and forth by the second, and Miley was about to explode. The argument had changed directions multiple times, but no progress had been made. It was a typical meeting at Glitterati, and it was growing tiresome.
"We do have the money, Jack! Would it kill you not to be so stubborn?" Miley yelled, slamming her fist on the table. She was raging. "Don't you think I would know a little bit about money too? I own this Goddamn place for Christ's sake!"
Jack shook his head vigorously. "You're the stubborn one! You fail to see the big picture..."
Alison Craig, an attendant of the meeting and Glitterati veteran, had grown especially bored in the past few minutes. The argument had been dragging on about nothing since the very beginning. Desperate for a source of entertainment, the redhead turned to Dara Chang, the woman next to her, and tapped on her shoulder.
Upon capturing her friend's attention Alison whispered, "Hey, have you seen Miley's new assistant?" Her eyes twinkled.
Dara nodded, smiling. "He's gorgeous," she raved.
"I know!" Alison agreed zealously. "I wonder why Miley doesn't like him." She eyed her boss, who was screaming out of her mind. She seemed like the obnoxious one. Not Nick as she had said earlier.
"Miley doesn't like anyone," Dara pointed out softly. She paused. "He's not mean at all."
Alison was impressed. She lifted an eyebrow. "You've talked to him?"
Gratified, Dara inclined her head one more. "I gave him directions to Starbucks this morning," she breathed. "He's new to New York."
"Is he single?" Alison wondered aloud. She was jealous of her friend and couldn't wait for her chance to talk to the enticing new addition to Glitterati.
Dara shrugged. "I have no clue," she admitted.
Alison nodded in understanding, and shifted her attention back to the public quarrel that was now coming to a close.
"Tell me more," Nick pleaded, leaning closer to Karin. "Please."
Nick wanted to know everything he could about Miley, his latest infatuation. The information might help to positively develop their relationship.
Karin felt pretty bad for her selfish exploitation of her best friend, but guys made her do stupid things. They always had, and Nick was no exception. Besides, the feeling of flattery Karin accomplished was much stronger than the feeling of guilt she endured. And on top of that, she trusted Nick.
"Well," Karin began to disclose another fact about Miley. "I know that-"
Before she could get any further a high-pitched beeping noise punctured the room. It was her intercom.
Damn it, Karin cursed the machine. It was ruining her one-on-one time with Nick. Trying not to let her disappointment show, Karin reluctantly pressed a button to answer the call.
"Yes?" she said impatiently without taking her eyes off of Nick.
"Karin, your eleven o'clock his here," Stacey informed her on the other end of the line.
Aw, shoot. The agent had completely forgotten about her appointment today with one of her clients. She peeked at the clock. It was 11:01. There was no way she could wait any longer.
"Tell them I'll be ready in a moment," Karin sighed and raised her finger from the device.
Nick appeared disappointed. Karin felt the same way. "You're going to have to go," she told Nick unwillingly. "Sorry."
"When can we talk again?" Nick asked.
Karin pondered the question. It would be impossible to have any time with Nick today with her busy Friday schedule. But after work...
The woman grabbed one of her business cards from the end of her desk. On the back of it she scribbled her cell number with a nearby pen.
"Call me," she said to Nick, grinning.
"I will," he promised. He got out of his seat and headed towards the door. But before exiting, he turned and made an apology. "Sorry I didn't finish organizing those papers."
Karin waved it off. "Don't worry about it."
Nick had already done enough by simply supplying his attention.
Nick arrived back at Miley's office, whistling and cheerful, at just about the same time as she did. But the brunette was anything but jolly.
"What's wrong with you?" Nick interrogated Miley as he followed her into her headquarters.
She stormed to her desk, slamming her purse atop it. "Everything," she told him. "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it. You hire people, you give them enough money to burn, and they just throw everything back in your face."
Nick eyed Miley as she roughly flounced about the room. "Care to expand?" he asked.
"Not to you," she jeered, subsiding into her chair.
Nick sneered in agreement. "Fine then."
"Good." Miley picked right back up where she'd left off before her meeting, sorting through resumes.
Nick sighed and began to wander around the office with nothing to do. He didn't ask Miley for a job because he figured that if she needed something, she would ask for it. Instead, he tried to strike up a conversation.
"So, I talked to Karin. She's nice," he informed her with a positive nod.
"I know that. She's my bestfriend," Miley growled as if the fact should have been obvious.
Nick grinned. Karin and Miley were close? This would be a perfect time to find out if Miley was sensitive when dealt the jealousy card, he decided. "I got her phone number." Nick sing-songed as he waved the small card for Miley to see.
Miley snapped. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, salty.
"I thought you might want to know, since she's your best friend and all." Nick shrugged innocently. That was a good reason, right?
"Well I don't," Miley notified him.
Eh, guess it wasn't such a good reason after all.
"So, you used to be married?" Nick quickly asked Miley before she could return to her work.
Miley slowly narrowed her eyes at her assistant. Her face reddened in fury. Obviously the subject was still a sore spot for the businesswoman, but Nick didn't care as long as he had her attention.
"Who told you that?" Miley demanded. "Was it Karin?"
Nick bit his lip. Snap, he wasn't supposed to even know this stuff. And he'd promised Karin that he wouldn't sell her out. He had to think on his toes, which was something he was good at, fortunately.
"No. I read it on the internet," he lied.
"Where on the internet?" Miley was infuriated. Whatever the website was, she was prepared to get on the phone and have it shut down that instant. Nobody was supposed to know the details of her marriage. It was confidential.
"Some lame gossip site," Nick told her cautiously. "I don't remember what it was called."
Miley groaned, throwing her head into her hands. This day could not get any worse. And it wasn't even noon yet.
"But is it true?" Nick questioned. "Were you married?"
Miley looked up at Nick. Her eyes were fiery. She wanted nothing more than to punch Nick in the face. Knowing that wasn't possible without losing her job, she did the next best thing. She screamed at him.
"Yes, you moron! It's true!" she yelled so loudly that her voice could be heard in the lobby.
Nick seemed unfazed by Miley's sudden outburst. He loved the way she looked when she was mad. It was beyond attractive. "Well what happened? Why aren't you married anymore?" he asked.
"Because!" Miley shrieked. "He was a douchebag! And if you ask me one more thing about him, I'll make sure you never set foot into this building again. Got it, Gray?" she added through gritted teeth.
"Got it." He shot her a thumbs-up.
Oh, how he loved that woman. If she was this aggressive on a daily basis, he wondered how she was in bed.
He was sure that he would find out soon. It could only be a matter of time before Miley warmed up to him.
Oh, Nick you're such a perve! Jeez.
(And just for the record there won't be any sex scenes in this story. And if you have a problem with that then you're just as pervy as Nick. Just kidding. Kinda...)
If you favorite or subscribe to this store please review it and tell me what you liked about it. The reviews really brighten by day. (:
I'll try to update again before I go back to school on Monday, but I can't make any promises. I'll try my best!