A week had passed since the big signing, and much more had happened since including the meeting with Trisha, and a massive sale on Casey's fur coats.

A retreat had been planned for the following weekend starting Friday to Monday to a beach resort,and tonight there was a party planned to celebrate their partnership at the Silverstone Hotel.

Mia didn't really want to go, but that would just be sending the wrong message. Besides,Trisha, Malik, Jace and all the other important people were going to be there, so she had a reputation to uphold.

Casey was practically jumping up and down in ecstasy, going on and on about all the outfits she could fit Mia into. They were currently lounging in her bedroom, going through the walk-in closet and raking through her outfits.

"What about this? "Mia asked, holding up a blue dress.

"Looks kinda formal. "Casey shook her head.

"It is a formal event. "

"Nope.This is a chance to seduce the shit out of Jace. "

Mia threw up her hands exasperatedly.

"Why do insist on using the term 'seduce'? It's not like am trying to get him to sleep with me. "She ranted.

"True, but you are trying to get him to fall in love with you. "

"It's rarely the same thing. "

"Oh, but it is.Want me to pull out my thesaurus? "

Mia hit her with a pillow.

"Go to hell. "

"Oh, it's a pillow fight you want, eh? "

Mia gasped. Not a pillow fight.

The fact that Casey religiously considered pillow fights a sport was not going to help her case.

Casey hit her with a fluffy one, almost knocking out her breath. She screeched and reached out for defense from the mad woman across her chanting war cries but before she could act on it, Casey jumped on her and pummeled her with the pillow at hand, making it loose and sending fluff and feathers everywhere.

By now, she was laughing hysterically at Mia's cries for help and proceeded to tickle her, making her a goner.

"Casey-hiccup-Stop! "

"Who's the loser now? "Casey declared victoriously, finally jumping off Mia and kissing her own biceps, leaving Mia a hot mess of hiccups and tears.

"You're savage woman. "She mumbled out of her breath.

"I know. Oh hey! I just remembered..."Casey drifted off into the closet and came out a few minutes later holding something out.

"Oh no. Absolutely not. "

There was no way in hell Mia was going to wear that.

"Come oooon. "Casey whined.

"No, no, no. "

"Just think of how all the guys will ogle at you. Better yet, Jaaaaace. "

Mia shook her head.

"I'll look like... like.. "What exactly would she look like?

"You'll look sexy. "

Mia scoffed.

"I'll make you a deal. If you wear this tonight, I'll  come with you and it make it a little less awkward for you. "

"You are coming with me anyway. "

"Not if you don't wear this. "

Mia thought about it, while staring Casey down. Sure, if Casey came with her, she'd make things a little less awkward, she had a way with people.

But still, if she wore that, she wouldn't be able to breathe, knowing she was this exposed infront of the guy she hated most, and she wasn't going to take a chance and end up accidentally revealing the huge scar on her thigh.

But then again, there was a good chance that Casey's dress would end up being longer on her, they did have a solid three inches between them.

"Fine. "She groaned, much to Casey's satisfaction.

"You are gonna rock this. "Casey said in a sing-song voice, dancing around in little circles.

*****************

Jace woke up feeling extremely nervous for no reason.

Actually, for a reason he couldn't fathom.

Why should he be nervous about seeing her tonight?

It just didn't make any sense.

He drew his grey curtains and slid the window open to take in the fresh cinnamon morning scent, stretching his sore arms.

"Good morning, sir. "Lyre, the automated robot assistant greeted.

"Morning Lyre. "

"Beautiful morning, isn't it? "

"Indeed it is.You freak me out sometimes,you know that? "

"Why so, sir? "

"It's like am talking to somebody I can't even see, and you're a robot. How do I know you're not gonna plan some kind of revolution and go all ape on me? "

"Haha. "

"Good to know you have a sense of humour. "

"Thank you sir. The weather today is 25 degrees and chilly. You  have lunch with Mr. falcon at twelve and a party at the Silverstone Hotel at eight p.m."

Jace shuddered.

"I don't remember scheduling lunch with my father. "

"You have lunch with Mr. Falcon at twelve. "

"Yeah, I heard you the first time. "

"Just doing my job, sir. "

What the hell?

Okay, this was definitely freaky, and Jace had not gotten used to it despite having the assistant practically his whole life.

So, was there anything that could explain the weird feeling in him today? He was not really a horoscope guy and that kind of thing, but whatever.

"What's my horoscope today? "

"Today you will meet someone that will take away your breath, but be careful, the beginning of something new means the end of something else. "

"That's stupid. "

"I don't believe in horoscopes myself. "

"Then what do you believe in, Lyre? "

"I'm not ready to indulge in that just yet. "

"Good to know. "

"You are now fifteen minutes late for breakfast. "

"I hate you. "

"Did you know that most people who like to use the word hate have had a rough childhoo-"

"Okay, am out of here. "

Jace threw on a grey t-shirt on his way out, and proceeded downstairs to the kitchen to pour himself some cereal.

God knows he hated that stuff, but when you live alone and have no time for anything, it's the only other option besides starving.

As he was reaching out to grab a spoon he knocked over the fruit basket,but his reflexes acted quick and he caught each one of them before they hit the ground.

As he put the last apple back, he remembered a particular scent, a sweet sweet scent he had caught a whiff off just days ago, and he couldn't help but bring the fruit up to his face and inhale the apple scent.

Apples and berries. How sweet.

His mind drifted, drifted and floated away to a particular lass clad in a very red, very tight dress.

Mia.

"If you're planning on making out with that apple, please do it when am not watching. "The sound of Jack a few feet away brought him back to reality, and he dropped the fruit like hot coal, a blush creeping up his neck.

"What the hell, dude? "He shot Jack a look, whilst grabbing a spoon and taking a seat by the island.

"Shouldn't I be the one asking that question? I mean, I walk into my best friend's house early in the morning to give him some great news, and what's the first thing I see?You, looking like you want to get married to that apple. So, what the hell dude? "

Jack shoots back at the boy busy with cereal.

Jace shrugs.

"It's none of your business. "

"You're right.I actually don't wanna know where that was going. "

Jace turns red.

"Okay, it's definitely not what you're thinking. You're sick, Jack. "

Jack shrugs.

"You seriously need to get laid dude. "

"And...that's the end of this conversation. "

"You should probably let Mandi have her way with you. "

"I'm sorry I can't hear you, I have apples in my ears. "

"I bet you do. "

Jace slammed his spoon on the island.

"Shut up, will you? And why the hell are you here so early in the morning? "

Jack grabbed a banana and started peeling it off.

"I've just been declared the most controversial celebrity in the country. "

Jace quirked an eyebrow.

"And how is that good news? "

Jack finished off the banana in two bites and grinned at Jace.

"It means more deals my way, that's what it means. Plus, if people are really paying that close attention to me, it means they are paying attention to my sports line, which means more bets, which means more money. You gotta keep up,dude."

Jace shook his head.

"You're so desperate. "

"Hey, I'll have you know the tabloids are saying that I left some club yesterday with three girls clinging onto me, while you my friend, are a sad apple sniffer. So who's desperate now? "

Jace threw a cup at him, which he caught with the ease of someone who had been playing basketball his whole life.

"Get out of here. "

"That's no way to treat your best friend. "

Jace sighed, trailing to the living room with Jack on his heels.

He plopped down on a sofa and grabbed his laptop, but then remembered he was not good at this, but lucky enough to have someone awesome at hacking in his house.

He pushed his laptop at Jack.

"I need you to hack into Monroe Architects."

Jack blew a whistle.

"Why now? "

"There's something I need to know. "

*************
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