Chapter 7
Morning was evident, Alisa came to find out as she felt the sunlight glaring at her eyes from the crack in between her curtains. After a moment of not moving, in ignorance of the time of day, she opened her eyes to only see white making her eyes hurt before instantly closing them and groaning. Her head hurt, her body felt tired her mouth was dry, and she was clutching on something hard. Turning her head away from the window, she opened her lazy eyes and and looked around her in a sitting position.
A wine bottle. There was a wine bottle in her hand. Like a wave on a beach, brief memories came ashore in her head. She remembered everything before drinking the drink, the phone call, the text from her future boss, going to the fridge after having a mental fight with herself and failing. She drank! She broke her mother's promise! She was so foolish!
"Bloody hell..." she muttered as she threw away her bed sheets from her legs.
Feeling beyond stupid, she slapped her face harshly, leaving a stinging sensation on the skin of her nose and left cheek. How could she do that? Ever since her drinking habits had been realized she tried overcoming her urges to forget and drown herself in alcohol, but clearly, it wasn't working.
Ignoring her brain trying to pound pain from her head, she got up and looked in her dresser mirror to be greatly surprised, that was after recovering from wobbly legs. No, she didn't look exceptionally great, but it was better than expected as she was currently suffering from a minor hangover. Under her eyes were dark circles which could be easily fixed with foundation, and her hair wasn't as messed up as she thought. Actually, it looked almost good considering it was natural. Her layers flared out into light curls just the way she liked it. Only work that needed to be done was to fix up her traditional side fringe and tame the feral strands.
Only a quick fix up, she thought before looking at her digital bedside clock. Her eyes widened as she tried to stop herself from collapsing when she looked at the time. 9:15! She slept in! Instantly, she leapt to her wardrobe trying to scrounge for a suitable outfit, fit for an interview at Dominic's place as his last text ran through her head.
-Don't forget-
"Crap, crap, crap, crap..." She continuously muttered.
"Morning, Alisa." Melia said cheerfully looking from her breakfast cereal.
"Hey, mom." Alisa said in a rush as she placed her handbag on the counter before heading towards the tap for water, grabbing a used glass from the counter whilst doing so.
She had just finished dressing and putting on her makeup, which in doing so made her swear constantly as whenever she applied her mascara, she'd sneeze having to reapply it all over again after clearing the mess it made. She was just glad to look at least decent looking again, hiding any traces of a hangover. Which reminded her, she needed some headache tablets... Her head didn't pound as bad as she expected, but it still was there and it still annoyed the hell out of her. She just wondered if she had enough time. It was twenty minutes to ten o'clock, meaning she had five minutes left and the rest of the fifteen minutes would be left for walking time. She could drive, but the fresh air may do her good. Besides, judging from her drinking, it may be an illegal act. Best not to ruin the day of her meeting more than she'd done already.
"You alright?" Melia asked, hiding the fact that she knew her daughter had been drinking.
"Yeah, quite fine actually. Slept like a rock." Which was true.
Melia watched as Alisa gulped a whole glass full of water in literally less than a second, then went for another one, drinking it just as greedily, "Thirsty?" She asked never before seeing a human drink so fast.
Alisa set the glass down on the dish airer, sighing, and started for the lounge to reclaim her phone. "Quite, but it's alright now." She said before disappearing in the lounge room.
"Hungry?" Melia asked in a louder tone for her daughter to hear, before she started chewing on her next spoonful of cereal.
"Not really." Alisa answered as she left the room and headed for her handbag. "I've actually got to go right now. I.. forgot to set my alarm. But I promise, I'll eat something while I'm out." She reassured before leaning down to her mother to give her a kiss on the cheek.
"As long as you do eat then. I hope this meeting goes well." She replied.
Alisa rolled her eyes. "Jeez, I hope so too." Alisa replied, still feeling undecided before walking toward the door. "I'll see you this afternoon then."
"Okay, love you." Her mother called out from the breakfast bar.
Alisa had shut the door by then, but Melia could still hear her daughter's words. "Love you too!" Came the muffled voice through the door.
"Hello... Oh? Who are you?" Asked a maid looking woman who halted opening the biggest entrance doors Alisa had ever come across. Despite the glaring brightness of outside, she watched as the maid narrowed her eyes when skeptically overlooked her. It didn't help Alisa as, once again, she started feeling nervous. As if she was walking to a point of no return. This maid was an obstacle.
The maid shook her head, expression hard to read with her, in all honesty, weird glasses, yet even so, Alisa knew it wasn't a good response. "No, I don't believe he is. So why are you really here?" She pushed.
Alisa had to refrain from groaning. Had she misheard something? Was it supposed to be another day? No, she remembered. He texted her last night to not forget, so she definitely knew it was supposed to be today. "To have a meeting with Dominic abou-"
"You must be one of those door to door salesperson." She interrupted. Alisa tried to speak again, opening her mouth, but was once again interrupted. "I'm sorry, but we're not interested in double glazing."
Alisa almost lost it then, feeling like she'd been backed into a corner. "What?!" She asked, profusely confused.
"I said, we don-" she started.
"Oh, Miss, Alisa! How good it is to see you again!" Alisa heard Godfrey say from inside the mansion. A smile instantly graced her lips upon hearing the jolly man. He'd most definitely be the one to let her in... And teach that bitch of a maid a lesson on manners...
Again, before Alisa had a chance to open her mouth, the maid started talking. "Oh! Mr Godfrey, you know her?" She asked sounding shocked and a hint disgusted.
"Why, Eunice, this is Miss Alisa, Master Dominic's new manager. She has a meeting with him in a couple of minutes." He said, followed by Alisa smiling and nodding in agreement.
"Come in... I guess..." She said, stepping aside, realizing her place and not liking it.
As Alida stepped inside, after nodding to Eunice in a bitter thanks, she was relieved to feel her eyes relaxing in a darker place. After stepping outside, that morning, she couldn't get over how bloody bright the place was. It was blinding, almost to the point where it was overwhelming. But, she soon came to realize it wasn't the light that was the problem, but the person recovering from a minor hangover. It'd be thought that it would be a lesson for her not to drink again, but who knows with her habits.
As Alisa stepped inside, after nodding to Eunice in a bitter thanks, she was relieved to feel her eyes relaxing in a darker place. After stepping outside, that morning, she couldn't get over how bloody bright the place was. It was blinding, almost to the point where it was overwhelming. But, she soon came to realize it wasn't the light that was the problem but the person recovering from a minor hangover. It'd be thought that that would be a lesson to her, but who knows with her habits.
As her eyes adjusted, she almost couldn't keep in the gasp almost about to escape her lips, covering it with her hands. The interior was impressive. Everything had a luxury, old English feel about it. It looked old and young at the same time as it had been clearly well kept. It was quite simply beautiful, but quite frankly, out of her reach.
"I shall take you to Master Dominic's office, if you'd like, or you can admire this fine architecture some more." He said still smiling, causing Alisa to giggle at her wonder. She felt ashamed to be staring at someone else's house, especially someone who she hardly knew.
"Oh, sorry." She apologized. "It's just that everything in here's impressive. Just ignore my gawking." She said feeling embarrassed.
"Oh, that's quite all right." He replied with a chuckle. "Shall I guide you to the study, I'm sure Master Dominic is expecting you."
"Good idea." She said nodding.
As they started walking through the vast foyer room towards the study, Alisa couldn't help but sigh lightly, just enough for her to hear. She was relieved to be accepted into the mansion because if Godfrey hadn't of appeared at that moment, Eunice wouldn't forcibly kicked Alisa out. She hated that, humiliation. It was something she tried avoiding all her life. Another reason was that no one had noticed her recovering from a hangover. Judging from that, it meant she played the sober person very well, which was good as it was her time to impress her new boss.
"Master Dominic is just through this door." Godfrey said aiming his arm at the double doors. "Good luck Miss Alisa."
She nodded back politely. "Thank you Godfrey, I'm sure I'll do well."
"Very good." He replied before bowing his leave.
Before she knew it, she was alone again, her nervousness building up by the second. What made it worse was her lack of true desire to run this new boutique. Sure, it had gotten better after her sleep, her trying to convince herself managing wasn't that bad, but the terrible feeling was still there. And whenever she had that terrible feeling, it would really mean something. She was never wrong.
As she stepped towards the allocated, slightly opened door, she could hear voices both somewhat familiar. Obviously one of them were Dominic's but the other, he had a deep voice. A really deep voice that rumbled through the wood of the doors.
"So how successful was your mission?" Dominic asked in a slightly quiet tone, sounding... Well, businesslike.
"Mostly successful." She really deep voices man replied.
"Explain." Dominic replied after silent seconds.
Alisa really wanted to see the man. His voice was all too familiar, she wanted to burst. "Two managers are willing to cooperate. The other one, I'm not sure about as of yet."
Curiosity got the better of her as she casually decided to knock on the door, as if she hadn't heard anything. She needed to see who this person was. She held her breath as she waited for permission to come in. It felt like the whole process took forever. She could feel her palm start to sweat.
"Enter." Said Dominic causing her to sigh in relief.
With great poise she lightly pushed the door open to a medium sized office room. There was a fitted bookshelf on the other side of the room, a wall sized window on her left, overlooking his land and a small view of the city, and in the middle of the room was a large wooden desk with Dominic sitting on the other side in an office chair along with...
That man! He was standing on her side, arms behind him, looking at her with his sunglasses hiding his eyes. The resemblance was uncanny though. He was the exact man she saw the night before, assaulting the innocent man! Despite her being taught in the ways of selfs defense, she couldn't help but feel unsafe. The only way shed be unsafe though is if she revealed herself to be that woman from the other night. She couldn't risk looking suspicious.
"Alisa Pierce. Quite the early bird you are this morning." Dominic said breaking the silence. She looked at him who didn't have a look of any emotion, even by the slightest, knowing quite well that the bald suited man was looking at her.
"Better that than hold you up." She replied cooly.
Dominic gave our a slight chuckle. "Kind of defeats the purpose of being 'fashionably late', don't you think?"
Alisa couldn't help but chuckle at his minor pun. For some reason, he seemed like the last person who'd make a joke. "Sir, I must admit that that is nothing more than an excuse. I'm pretty sure I'm here to impress, am I not?"
He waves his hand as if to agree. "Touché." He nodded. "But, for now on, there's no need for formalities."
She was almost speechless as she was so used to being polite to people, especially her senior. Sure it wasn't like in the old days where everyone was called by mr or miss, but to her, it just seemed right.
"Sorry, won't happen again." She said, slightly muttering and feeling awkward.
He nodded back in acknowledgement before directing his attention to the bald man. "You can go back to work now, Leon. We'll discuss this later." He said almost sternly, with furrowed brows.
"Understood." He replied before bowing stiffly, without fault.
Alisa stood aside from the doorway, still bewildered that she was just a meter from a very dangerous man. She watched him watch her as he walked out, time feeling like it'd slowed down. She couldn't help but feel like he was trying to figure her out, as she did just moments before. She hadn't even seen him for a minute that night, but she already knew, despite her skill, he wasn't someone she should tamper with. Eyes covered by sunglasses, she knew he was close to knowing who she was, that she knew something. Was it a crime to do so? Was her question.
"Sit." Dominic said after Lars had disappeared and she'd returned her attention to the matter at hand. She watched as he pointed out the guest armchair with a swift movement if his hand, whilst her mind was still reeling in other directions.
"Thank you." She just replied now feeling at a blank, having no concept of whatever she was supposed to do.
After a couple of seconds of adjusting herself and her arm bag on the seat, sitting impeccably straight as she liked to, he spoke. "Now, before we start off with business, I have to ask, by regulations, you to tell me about yourself." He said placing both hands over his mouth in an observing manner. "So please, start."
Thanking the living daylights she brought her résumé with her, she confidently plucked it out of her bag, placed it on her desk and started talking. "As you know, I'm Alisa Pierce, currently 21, birthday on the 5th of September 1989, which may or may not be relevant. I am a good role model for anything I stand for, willing to go beyond exertion to live above expectation." She was surprised how well she spoke, despite her recovery, and Dominic's scrutinizing eyes as he looked over her resume. She knew, that was a way to disarm a person to see their inner strength. "I've been involved in many extra curricular activities through my recent life, and have been employed to many jobs before Strata, never fired or warned for drastic behavior."
"I can see that..." He said sounding slightly genuinely surprised as he flicked through a couple of pages of past jobs. "You worked in three jobs when you were fourteen as well as contending with difficulties with your everyday school life?" He almost sounded shocked.
"Not something I see as significant, but yes, I did." She replied, feeling like she kicked a goal for the team... Except her team was herself...
"I'm impressed. Do continue." He said nodding.
"All through schooling life I had been very successful in my marks as well as earning scholarships which has been beneficial to future learning." She then mentally searched through her head, trying to find more things to say to him, quickly running out. "I don't party like most people my age do, so there'll be no worry about me taking a day off due to a hangover." She half lied. "I don't smoke, and I don't do drugs, but I don't know of that information is relevant as well... " she bit her lip and scratched the back of her head lightly trying to figure out if it was.
She felt like beaming as he gave out a little dry chuckle before continuing reading. "And personality wise?"
"I'm a very driven person willing to rise up to a challenge, determined, friendly, I never put myself down for a failure, instead converting failure into a life lesson. I deeply care for many aspects that evolve around me, but I am also very serious when it comes to business." She finished, bare of other things to say.
"And that's exactly why you are eligible for this job. I must say, you're a first, but you're exactly the right sort of person we need." He said softly smirking.
For once, she felt like she could pull through this new talk in her life. "I'm glad you think so." She replied, feeling like doing a victory dance.
"I know so. But I will admit, I was worried you weren't going to accept." He said eyebrows furrowing, sitting back in his chair.
"I-I think I was in shock," She said barely noticing Godfrey placing a scone tray and tea cups on the desk at her left. "And I thought it was disrespectful, talking about me and planning my future behind my back."
He nodded before dismissing Godfrey politely. "And that's understandable. What about now?"
"I just feel normal now, save for that tiny bit of nervousness of this whole...thing..." She and answered waving her hands about.
It was true, what she said. Yes, before she tried denying the truth that she may be taking a big risky step in her life. She felt backstabbed, and forced to do something against her own will, which was probably what sent her over the edge. Now though, she felt, probably not relaxed by the idea, but she was getting used to the fact that she would have total control over a new boutique where she can make the clothing brand choices, dress her own mannequins, sort stock however she wanted, and how she advertised herself. Despite the problems with the situation, there were still advantages. So, maybe, just maybe, she'll have no regrets. The only thing she regretted, thus far, was how she handled it, making a big deal out of it in the day before's meeting then drinking that night. It was...shameful.
"Maybe if I just went on with this, I'll start to get used to the fact." She continued.
"Good. That's all I could hope for." He replied evenly. "Now, down to business." He said opening a draw to get some papers out then placing then on the desk in front of Alisa. "I just need you to fill in your preferences for the boutique as well as sign some of your personal information. Then, I'll be having you read a document which will outline what exactly a manager does."
There were...a lot of papers... Alisa thought, refraining from having her eyes widen in shock. While still overlooking the decent pile if papers, she dug her hands into her bag to get her Rayband black rimmed glasses out that her mother gave her for her eighteenth birthday, due to the fact that she couldn't properly read without them. "Phew!" She sighed a bit overwhelmed my the mass of paperwork. "This... Looks fun..." She said sarcastically.
Dominic leaned back, chin resting on his fist which was testing in the arm of his chair, with a raised brow. "Trust me, this is the easy part."
"Lucky me." She said with dry sarcasm again as he handed her a pen and lifted up the first paper, whilst she was in the process of putting her glasses on.
He 'hmphed' in amusement at her reaction, finding her to be a very interesting character. Definitely not like any other woman he'd seen. So determined and sarcastic, even if she was doing something against her own will. Judging my that, he knew instantly she'll succeed. Other women would jump eagerly at the opportunity, not even considering the pros and cons of the decision. Eventually, those are the types that are likely to complain as their job would likely become harder.
"This first file is for us to sign so we can agree for this boutique to be official." He said clicking his pen before signing his name on the allocated line as well as his personal signature, which he wrote flawlessly and with such grace which Alisa somehow admired.
After he lifted his pen off the sheet of paper, he handed it to her. "Your turn Alisa Pierce."
She looked up at him raising her eyebrow. "I thought you said there is no need for formalities." She said.
Inside of him admired his correct assumption for her to say that, it showed him how well she paid attention for anything he said. She was someone who was smart enough to inhale every small detail and remember it for future use. Definitely a smart head on those slender shoulders. He nodded in recognition. "Indeed I did." He said, then gesturing the papers for her to continue.
Smiling for no particular reason, she looked down at it and quickly read his name. Dominic Miya. That was interesting. "By memory, I recall you saying my name was unique." She said, writing her name down.
"Yes, I believe I did." He was wondering where she was going with this conversation, remembering their first conversation.
She looked at him, a corner if her mouth slightly raised. "Is Miya not unique at all?"
Internally, he was genuinely surprised. If he hadn't had the control he had for his expressions, he would've started stuttering in shock. After a moment of silence, he spoke to answer her question. "Ah, so you've caught me out."
"I will admit." She started. "I did think Pierce is sort of rare, but Miya? Haven't heard of it." She said, finishing her signature.
"That's because it's Japanese." He answered evenly.
She looked intrigued and a little surprised, in the interested way. "You're Japanese?" She asked.
Maybe it wouldn't hurt to let her in a little bit. After that, he'll only be a closed book to her. "Only on my father's side, generations ago." He said taking the paper away from her. "My five-times great grandfather was from Japan. He moved here, in America, fell in love with an American woman, and had a son, who had a son, who had a son, and so on. He was the only Japanese blooded man in our family, yet his name had lived on to me."
She smiled. "That's kinda cool."
"That's one way to put it." He said before starting the real business. "Okay, now that you've sealed the deal, I gave to brief you on some requirements for managing your own boutique. You ready?" He asked handling a piece of paper to read off.
"Beyond ready." She answered.
He silently smiled, admiring her inner determination. "Good. The first one is stock managing. As you may well know, your stock is crucial if you are to be successful."
"As are all things." She a matter of factly included once he finished that sentence.
"Quite right." he agreed. "When you are too low on stock or see a sale for a particular clothing brand, you must buy more at the Expedition Hall. It is necessary that you don't waste your funds on clothes you don't need, but at the same time, you have to keep stocking the top trends. Agree?"
"Agree." She nodded.
"Next, is putting yourself out there. This one is crucial, I'm sorry to put this on you, but you need to rise stars as much as possible. You need to do this by, sales, flyers, adverts, and billboards. There are the contests that you may have heard of from Grace, but due to the lateness of the year, you may have to enter in next year. Take note though, that all the other options cost."
"But the effects may be worthwhile." She mused over.
He nodded, astonished by her logic and the fact that she hasn't said anything that had disappointed him yet. "Another one is presentation, but I trust you know what you're doing... And then, lastly, there's bills."
Her eyes slightly shot more open remembering the events of last night. 'Pay your bills... Bills...' The dude. He mentioned bills. Why was it getting to her now? Everyone had to pay bills.
"The reason I say, 'mind your money' is because, I know bill paying will be excruciatingly hard. Not purposely hard, as if to rip you off, but hard because my business demands and expects a lot." He continued.
"Oh, yeah..." She replied trying furiously hard to get the man's eerie warnings out if her head.
To her surprise and embarrassment, he noticed. "Something the matter?" He asked with furrowed brows.
She shook her head. "Uh, no. It's-"
She was lying. So she was the sort of person who'd take matters into her own hands... "Alisa, I am your boss. I am entitled to know the issues my colleagues have with matters."
She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "It's not really my problem, but there was a man I saw in the city last night, talking about bills. He was, I think, shaken by them."
A finger rested upon his lips, brows furrowed, intrigued by her news. Good or bad, well, he couldn't say. "I see." He said. Could this mean..? He wondered. Unbeknownst to her his hand crept under his desk to press's button for his head bodyguard. He needed to consult him about something. "But please, don't feel overwhelmed by these bills. I'll do everything I can to help you, to a certain extent, in the future."
He needed to know, if she hadn't of known about something she shouldn't have known, especially from that man, he wouldn't have helped her as he now felt he was untitled to. He couldn't risk losing someone as competent as her for the role as starting manager. He needed her and this boutique to fulfill his own goals. If she was to be influenced by his demand by other people, goodness knows where he'd end up. Losing her and her skills, losing others along the way, and then losing something he desired greatness from. His city.
"No." She said surprising him.
"No what?" He asked.
"I shouldn't be babied through paying bills. It is my problem only. If I make a mistake, I have to pay for it some shape or form. My actions, my consequences." She said.
Would it be a lie to say she genuinely surprised him again? This woman was remarkable. He was sure that anyone would jump at the opportunity if he offered help, but not her. She looked like she only seemed independent. She didn't want help. Not even Grace had the greater abilities that this woman had, but, he realized, that's what made her dangerous. She's smart. After seeing that one particular man last night, it could've meant job over for him. If she already saw this one man, she'd surely see more, and the warnings would just keep coming. He needed her, he had to be cautious and watch her.
"If you're sure." He replied composing himself after a slight moment if silence.
"I am." She nodded.
He then noticed his bodyguard, Leon, standing at the door. Waiting for orders. "Then we have nothing else to discuss on this matter." He said picking up an interior magazine for her to sort through and choose for a boutique interior. "Here," he said handing it to her. "Observe while I'm gone. I'll only be a minute."
"Okay." She agreed.
Behind her sitting position, the doors shut, blocking her from the outside world. Whatever he had to say to Leon must've been important and secretive for him to close her off like that. Maybe it was secret though. She noticed his slight look of discomfort when she mentioned the slightly crazed man from the night before. Maybe it had something to do with that... It took every fibre in her being to not sneak up to the door and listen in to the conversation. But, by observation, she knew Dominic was a smart man. If he came back and she'd only returned to her seat without looking for an interior, he'd surely know she was listening in. He'd know she was acting suspicious and would feel the need to close himself from her as much as possible.
"So, you were caught." Dominic said plainly at his bodyguard. He was surely fuming by what he'd learnt.
"Sir, you must realize, we didn't know we'd be caught in the middle of an alleyway where no one goes." His bodyguard said evenly hiding any signs of fear for his boss.
"Well you were." Dominic replied frustrated. "You could've jeopardized my plan for another business!"
Leon, still standing as stoic as a tree, was greatly confused by his boss's anger. True, he knew he was caught the night before and had left the man for some drunk to search, but why talk about that now when his Master was in a meeting. "Pardon sir, but how could that have been so directly jeopardized?" He asked.
Dominic halted his slightly frantic walking as he knew he hadn't explained the situation very well, something he rarely did. It was the stress of keeping Alisa from knowing too much about his plans, his desires. This was only the first day of knowing her, and he was a slightly frantic mess. "Because, the person who caught you last night is my newest manager, Alisa. The very person in that room." He said pointing at the doors. His eyes steeled themselves. "She just briefly told me about last night's ordeal."
Silence passed then as Leon tried making out the situation. He had to be more careful in future if he wanted Dominic at least half sane and for his business to prosper, despite the numbers in owned businesses dwindling by the day. People knew they were some way or another, being used, and were starting to take action. Alisa was the only one who didn't know. "My apologies. Won't happen again." He replied stiffly bowing his head.
Dominic nodded back, slightly calmer. "Good. We'll talk about this later. I have much to do at the moment." He then passively waved an arm at Leon. "Dismissed."
"Sir." Leon replied with another stiff bow before walking briskly off.
Dominic watched as his main bodyguard walked off, his head a sea of thoughts. It troubled him to no end how this woman had been hired only for less than a day and already he had to watch out for her. She was smart, observant, determined, and friendly. She she had the aura of someone who used their prowess for nothing bad at all. She didn't seem bad yet she may take his intentions as the wrong way, that was if he was revealed. Just an if. He needed to play his cards right.
Maybe hiring Renee would've been a better situation. She didn't seem so smart, much like the other females he knew of. Renee was too bubbly and a follower otherwise Alisa was an individual who stood by her own rule, or at least he thought so. It seemed most likely. If he'd hired Renee, there would be less of a chance of her knowing, she didn't seem as curious or skeptical as Alisa seemed.
All he knew now was to be very cautious.
Deciding he spent too much time out of the study, probably increasing Alisa's anxiety, he started for his office doors, opening them. He was, disappointingly again, surprised to see her relaxed in her chair with the book open on his desk, silent. Had she already picked out an interior? This soon?
Her head turned slightly to him after he closed the doors behind him. "Got one." She simply said.
For a moment he was at a loss for words. It usually took managers ages before they were happy with an interior. They'd have to ask question and he'd have to ask them the sort of ideas they like. It was usually a complicated, painstakingly long process, and here Alisa was, done after meet minutes! "Already? You sure?" He asked slightly unable to contain his surprise.
"Very." She replied. "Wanna see?"
He nodded back, walking next to where she was sitting and looked down at the book. Her finger trailed to the interior that matched a higher classed look, white marble floors, black laminate walls, tinted windows, and lights fitted neatly on the ceilings, also decorated with black laminate. He admitted to himself that that interior was one of his favorites. How the tables have turned... Usually he was the one who shocked, surprised, and put fear into, yet somehow that is what she unknowingly did to him. He felt slightly frantic, he needed to act his superiority.
"Excellent." He said upon inspecting the interior. He turned around and leaned on the desk, crossing his arms and looking at her. "Now, for a name, after that, I believe that is all I need you here for today."
Internally, she rolled her eyes at his damn cockiness. She needed a drink. Thank god, Godfrey had served tea for them. She picked up the cup and sipped in the sweet berry flavored tea, thinking on a name. Damn, she had to make one up herself! If only she'd thought that through earlier, instead of thinking now and wasting their time. Dominic would be pissed... Maybe... He seemed like a calm sort of guy.
"Stuck on a name?" He asked, mentally feeling glee upon seeing her struggle in thought. Finally, she didn't look so on task. Not that the meeting was a competition, but her being so damn perfect was getting to him.
"No." She replied a bit frustrated, knowing he was taunting her. What an infuriating man! "I'm thinking of something. If this boutique is to be popular I may as well think up something that doesn't sound silly." She said snapping more than she'd originally intended.
Once again, she was fully true, he realized. In the past some of his managers had chosen ridiculous names for their businesses, which he constantly kicked himself over. He should've stopped them when he had the chance so he wouldn't become a laughing stock. Maybe he still could, be threatening them... No! He had to level out himself to not give Alisa a false sense if security. Infuriating woman! "Very good." He muttered. "What do you have in mind?" He asked leaning in closer to her, to help.
Little did he know, she started feeling internally panicked. It was an irrational feeling when guys got too close to her, or just even in her personal bubble. Originally she dismissed the feeling for being a fear, but it was constantly, when she was one-on-one with a male, she felt it. Her joints clamped tightly, unable to make her move, her brain froze, and nothing made sense. She never felt this feeling in her martial arts training, yes, she was around guys, touching them, but that was different. It was a different sort if environment. She couldn't explain it. Swallowing, she answered him. "I was hoping for something in French, something that means beauty or clothes... Or... Just something great."
He hummed in agreement before speaking. "Try a name that's one worded, it's easier for customers to remember, and usually less is more." He advised. "But, it's your choice, I guess."
She barely heard him through the constant words and thoughts in her head. She felt like she was flying in the air, trying to catch clouds, as if they would hold the answers, but to no avail. She wanted something great, something that would stick in customers head, something that made her boutique resonate more. She wanted something better than Grace's 'Strata'. Immediately she brushed that thought away. Better than Grace? What was she thinking?! Alisa hadn't even started managing her boutique and already she was competing with one of the best managers in the city. She was in over her own head.
But she was wasting time, and Dominic's time. Who knows if he's got a meeting at that very moment. He's probably pissed off with her for wasting this time, she hoped not. But judging my him, he seemed very patient, she knew by the feeling if his eyes on her, awaiting her answer. An answer that meant something to do with her boutique. Something lovely, something fresh, something di-.
"Divinity."
He blinked slightly surprised by the lone word that came out of her mouth. "I beg your pardon?" He asked.
She looked at him, "I want my boutique to be called Divinity." She answered, determined.
He nodded slightly. "You sure? Doesn't that mean Gods and Goddesses?" He asked.
"Yeah," she agreed, "But it also comes from the word divine, which you may use to compliment a person. The state or quality of being divine." She stated remembering of hearing it from somewhere.
One again he was impressed. What a surprise... Dominic uncrossed his arms and walked to his office chair to write the name on a file. "Well thought." He complimented.
She just shrugged. "You said I needed to save the company by becoming popular. Naming it is just the first stage."
He un-clicked his pen. "I'm glad I've chosen the right person for the job."
She hated compliments... "I'm just glad to be here, sir."
He frowned instantly causing her to wonder in worry what she had said to earn that look. It was slightly... Scary. "What did we say about formality?" He asked evenly.
"Dominic." She fixed up trying to brush his look away.
She was so damn dismissive! He thought. Yes, he knew she was great for his business, and had a smart head, and looked great for the job, he guessed... But she most definitely also had an attitude, not as if a smart one, just one where she'd brush off any of her faults or ignore something. She was infuriating, and he had to work with her.
"Better." He replied, stacking his papers on the desk. "Now, are there any questions?"
"When is this boutique opening?"
"I don't have an exact date, but knowing my workers ethic, I'm guessing soon. I'll phone you when I've decided a date." He answered.
Hearing that, she couldn't help but ask. "That reminds me," she started curiously, "how'd you get my number?" She asked.
For a moment she could've swore he hesitated. Just for a split second. "Grace gave it to me." He replied, traces of hesitation erased.
What a backstabbing- "oh, I thought so." She said.
He was interested in her reaction to his answer, causing a brow to raise. "Oh? Why'd you asked if you knew?" He asked.
She was starting to get agitated at him, questioning something that wasn't his business, as if she was dumb. She just wanted to know, goddammit! What's wrong with a little curiosity. Ever since she arrived in the mansion, nothing had been less dodgy than what she saw. A weird, nosey maid. Dominic discussing things with his bodyguard during the weirdest of times. And Dominic trying to see through her. Yes, she noticed. All through the meeting he'd been trying to figure her out, and not in the usual job interview like way. This way was different. Did she have to work more closely with this guy than Grace?
"Can't I know things?" She asked a bit more bitterly than intended.
He instantly knew, after she spoke, this would've gotten out of hand if he didn't act, as much as he wanted to give her the best of his rebuttals. He wanted to know how far she'd go, add how logical she was. He breathed in, trying to tame his growing temper. "Depends on what you want to know. In this case, you can know." He said.
She nodded, knowing she let her temper get the better of her, maybe she thought wrong of this Dominic. Besides, it was only the first day of knowing him. "Then we're fine." She said. "Do you need me for anything else?"
To answer her question, he looked through the files before placing them back down on the desk. "No, I believe that is all." He stood up. "Well, this has been a very interesting meeting." He admitted expending out his hand.
The corner of her lips quirked up before she stood and took his hand in a shake. "Yes, these next couple of weeks will be interesting."
He nodded in agreement, "Lets hope this'll be a success." He then walked towards the doors and opened them for her to exit.
She nodded, walking off out to leave. At least he was a gentleman. When she was a door out the door, passing him, she stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Dominic?"
"Yes?" He replied cautiously.
She hesitated before she spoke. "Thanks... For this opportunity, I mean."
He let out a small smile. "It is you I should be thanking."
Quite amused by this, Alisa started off, 'hmphing' with a smirk, leaving him and his mansion to await a new dawn.
A/N: Hey guys, sorry for the extra wait. I loved writing this extra long chapter yet hated doing it as well, trying to set up Alisa's and Dominic's relationship together and their thoughts for each other. I wasn't expecting them to think so bitterly of each other, honestly, the story just wrote that for itself. I can't really explain it. It just happened, but I'm positive I can make this work, there just needs to be a little patience because this story will most definitely be loooooonnnnnnn! Yay... By the way, this is only the rough draft since I took so long to write it. I couldn't wait to update it any longer.
Sooo... rant of the day: WHAT HAPPENED TO STYLE SAVVY FANFICS?! Like, no one, apart from me, is writing anymore. I know people have got lives of their own, but I can't make my story work and have all the feedback I need without other people writing. It's like Style Savvy died or something... I apologise if this sounds pushy, but I would encourage other people to write fanfics of their own. Honestly, it is worth it. I promise I will review other fanfics if it makes you guys feel any better!
Anyway, review or PM me on how you feel about the story so far, and the relationship between Alisa and Dominic. It will definitely help me towards my goals.
