Three distinctive knocks were heard on the door. Dimitri lifted his eyes from his files and they came in direct contact with Valarie's.

"That's Kyle" he said, sounding quite sure of himself.

"What makes you so sure that's him?"

"He have a distinctive knock."

Valarie raised an eyebrow. "And you noticed?"

"Not intentionally. The littlest things can't slip by me."

"Hmm interesting...Well let's put your 'skill' to test then shall we."

"Yes come in" Dimitri invited.

The door creaked open and Kyle walked in. A satisfying smile immediately played across Dimitri's face. Valarie shook her head in amusement.

"Good morning" Kyle greeted to which only Valarie responded.

"The designs are ready and the models are ready. I wanted to know if you wanted the see them now so I'll go get them.

"You came all this way to ask me if I want to see them?" Dimitri questioned.

"Umm, yes sir" Kyle responded.

"So why didn't you just call my office and ask?"

Kyle paused. "Umm..."

Dimitri shook his head "Go bring them."

After a brief pause, Kyle awkwardly spun around and existed.

"Told you I know who it was" Dimitri said proudly.

Valarie rolled her eyes "Lucky guess."

"You are just jealous"

"Whatever. Oh I wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"Can I meet Adrianna? It'll give me a better idea of the kind of person she is."

"Ohh, sure. I can ask her to stop by the office later. You'll meet her then."

"That'll be great, thanks. So How was your date last night."

Her question immediately pried his lips open. He propped one hand up on his elbow to allow it to block his mouth to suppress the smile that was already showing. He cleared his throat.

"Interesting..."

Valarie furrowed her brows. "Interesting?"

"Oh yes, she's quite something. We went to the movies and she..."

"She?"

"Nothing." His mood immediately changed and his face hardened.

She looked at him quizzically. "O-kay then..."

The same knock was heard on the door once more and Dimitri invited them in.

Kyle walked in with five gorgeous models following behind. They all hid their swimwear with silver silky robes.

"Okay, so number one" Kyle introduced.

The first model stepped forward. She slowly slipped her robe off revealing the design underneath. Valarie again kept her eyes fixed on Dimitri's face to analyze his expression but how much could one get from a poker face? He clenched his jaw and stared intently at each model as they approached. He made not a single comment. A cool silence filled the air as the last model returned to her original position. All ears awaited his response but it was as though glue had bound his lips together.

"What do you think of the designs sir?" Kyle broke the silence.

Dimitri raised an eyebrow "Ehh, they are okay."

Kyle furrowed his brows "Just okay?"

"Yes, just okay. You can take them away now."

Valarie's eyes met with Kyle's. An obvious look of disappointment plastered her face. He looked at her sympathetically before puckering his lips and modeling out. Valarie returned to her seat and bent her head. Nothing she had done so far had seem to impress him even the slightest bit.

Dimitri observed her intently. "What's wrong?" he finally asked. She shook her head negatively. "Nothing, I'll just start working on some more designs if those aren't good. Don't use them, I'll make something else."

She shuffled her sketchbook into her hand and rose form her seat.

"No you don't have-"

"Your father told me to stop by the office. I'll go check to see what he wants" she sliced right through his sentence. Her feet stomped its way out of his office and shut the door behind her. Kyle was still in the corridor when she got out. He started walking towards her the moment he noticed her.

"Aww honey" he exclaimed while pulling her into a gentle embrace.

"He's just a jerk...A hot, sexy, ravishing one but he's still a jerk. Your designs are amazing."

She chuckled "Nah he's probably right. I'll just keep working on them until I can come up with something he actually likes."

He brushed his thumb finger over her cheek. "Well if that means me getting to see him more then I'm not exactly going to despise your idea but just don't be too hard on yourself okay?"

Her smile spread further across her face. "Okay haha. I have to go now. The real Osbourne would like to see me."

"The real Osbourne. Haha you got that right. Well you better get going then."

"Yes, I'll see you around."

Valarie knocked on the door and awaited his invite.

Nikolai furrowed his brows as she walked in. "Since when do you knock?"

"Since your son-"she paused and changed her game quickly. "You know what, I have no idea. My head is all over the place lately."

He smiled "Well I don't want you to forget that you're still welcomed here, fully. Don't be a stranger."

"Aww thanks, got it."

She sunk into the huge leather chair that stood opposite him. "I miss it here."

"Ahh and I miss you. I should have re-think sending you across there full time."

"Yes you should have."

"I guess I knew you could have handled any challenge well so there was no need to lessen up on it."

She laughed "Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Osbourne."

"I speak nothing but the truth haha. So how have you been?"

"I'm okay. Hanging in there."

"Are things working out with you know?"

"Well the other two girls didn't work out. He's on the third one and he seems pretty crazy about her so we'll see where this one goes."

"Okay good. You have no idea how much I'm appreciating what you are doing. I can't thank you enough. I was beginning to think that there was absolutely no hope left."

"Well I can't let you thank me without thanking you. After all, you are paying me."

"I would have raised your pay regardless but I just saw the opportunity and grasped at it. I'll let my wife know. She'll be most elated to hear that he's trying."

A bright smile played across her face.

"So how are you two getting along?"

Only a million things came to mind that she wanted to say. Her inner self smiled maliciously as the words danced on her tongue. It would surely take a priest to cleanse the air after her rant but she sealed her lips. Though she knew she could tell him everything, Dimitri was his son at the end of the day and she didn't want to disappoint him further with her treacherous comments.

"Pretty good actually" she replied.

"Ahh that's good to know. I know he can be a bit testing at times."

"Oh nothing I can't handle."

His eyes sparkled with delight. Valarie was most contented with his reaction. She smiled to herself and thanked the lucky starts that she had gone down that path. It was a pleasure seeing him happy and she hoped that he would always be that way. After all, it was the reason she'd agreed to work at his company anyway. His smile and entire being was so charismatic and bright. It was alluring and gave her much comfort.

"So did he tell you about dinner this weekend?"

"This weekend? Um, I'm afraid not."

"Oh well Mr. Carson arranged a meeting. He's really into the whole family type, big group meetings. My wife can't make it and he reserved four seats for me. Dimtiri and his date, me and well I can't think of any other worthy of the seat beside you."

Her cheeks were brushed with the colour red. "Awww."

He smiled "So I expect to see you there."

"I will be there, don't worry."

"Great!"

"Do you have anything you would like me to help you out with before I go back?"

A mischievous smile played across his face. Valarie cocked her neck backwards.

"What?" she asked skeptically.

His eyes shifted gradually from her to the floor beside him. She tried feverishly to stretch her neck upwards so that she could see what he was looking at behind his desk. Three boxes stood at his feet with paper piled right up to the rim.

"Ahh come on, not again!" she protested.

His smile widened further into a ridiculous grin.

"What? I hate to shred them and this company is a full supporter of recycling so I couldn't just throw them out."

She rose sluggishly from her chair. "Don't worry, paper shredder to the rescue."

She picked one of the boxes up and propped it under her arm. As she was about to walk off she turned to face him. "Have the thought ever crossed your mind that I hate shredding paper too?"

He laughed "Well you've usually been so enthusiastic to do it that I just assumed you loved to."

"Love? Ha! Well your sense of judgement is terrible...conveniently"

"Hey don't insult my judgement. You never complain about doing it so I took an appropriate educated guess and assumed that you enjoyed it."

"But I do complain. Like now, I'm complaining now."

"Haha, that is what you call complaining? I would have never guessed."

Valarie involuntarily scrunched her nose and glared at him.

"Ever so adorable Ms. Lauryn."

"I am not adorable!" she encircled her face with her index finger three times. "Do you not see this face? Totally badass."

Nikolai held both hands up in defense. "Okay, okay ma'am, I'm sorry."

"Good! Now if you would excuse me, I have papers to shred."

"Enjoy" he said teasingly.

Valarie breathed a sigh of relief as the last paper was sucked into the machine. She cracked her back and walked back to the office to see if Dimitri had anything for her to do. As soon as she stepped foot in the office, she stopped in her tracks. Her eyes widened as she looked upon the figure sitting boldly behind Dimitri's desk.

Her body tall and slender, her skin flawless. Her eyes burned red as they peeped through her fiery hair to stare back at Valarie.

The first thing that came to mind about Dimitri the imposter was that she was a new model trying out for a place in the company. Perhaps she was in search of Dimitri and couldn't find him. She thought the only polite thing she could do was to lend her assistance and help her find her way.

"Excuse me ma'am, may I help you?"

The woman sat taller in the chair. "No. Who are you?"

"My name is V-"

She waved her hand in front her face. "Ahh hush, hush. I don't care what your name is. I meant what place do you have here in this office?"

Valarie paused and raised an eyebrow. She could already feel her blood heating beneath her skin.

"I work here" she responded, trying to keep calm.

"What? In here?"

"Um, yes. In here."

The woman rose from her seat in a slow seductive way and place her hands on the desk. She bent over and twisted her hips slightly from side to side. Her eyes scanned Valarie from head to toe.

"Eh... you're not much of a threat anyway" she said straightening her posture and walking in a model-like fashion around the table.

Kyle slipped in the crease in the opened door as Valarie still hadn't closed it. He too paused as his eyes fell on the mysterious woman. Her eyes lit up when she saw him and she walked towards him. She towered over them both and so forced them to look up at her. Her hands reached over his shoulder and pushed the door shut behind him.

Both Kyle and Valarie looked at each other with questioning eyes. They had never seen this woman before and weren't exactly growing to like her much. She slipped between the small space between them, forcing Valarie to shift aside.

"What's your name?" she asked Kyle.

"Kyle and yours?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Not im-por-tant" she said, coming to a stop right in front of him.

She raised a hand up to his chin and rested what looked like claws atop his skin. Kyle scowled and pulled his face out of her grasp.

"Eww don't touch me" he protested.

"Haha cute" she responded.

She rested her index finger on his chest and applied enough pressure to make his feet shuffle back to the door until he was pinned between them both. Her eyes held him under great scrutiny as her hand trailed down the length of his body.

Valarie looked on in astonishment. She cleared her throat as a clear reminder that she was still there.

The woman turned slowly to face her with a heated glare. She rolled her eyes before shifting them back to Kyle who was shuffling awkwardly in his spot. Her hands continued moving until it came to a stop on his belt.

"I've always wanted to do someone like you" she said in almost a whisper.

"What? What do you mean someone like me?"

"You're the type that I can walk all over. I can do what I want to you and you can't do anything about it."

"Look lady, I am not your little bitch and I don't want to have anything to do with you, so if you would excuse me."

Kyle slipped under her arm and walked around her to stand at Valarie's side. A malevolent laugh escaped her lips and she brushed her finger over her lips. Valarie rolled her eyes in annoyance. She'd already had enough of her.

"Look ma'am" her voice was stern. "My boss is not very fond of people lurking around his office when he's not here. I suggest you tell us what you want so we can assist you before he gets back and make a scene. So I ask, how may I help you?"

The woman's perfectly waxed eyebrows quirked up as high as her hairline. She modeled back to Dimitri's desk where she sat atop it.

"Look bitch, I don't have to answer anything to you in my man's office so you better back the hell off before I-"

Both Valarie and Kyle looked at each other in that instant. "Oh girl she didn't just say that" Kyle snapped. A dark cloud shifted over Valarie's eyes as she turned to face the red queen.

"Excuse me? Your what? Surely every woman wishes he was indeed her partner but keep your wishes in dream land. You have no place here. You better leave before I make you wish you-"

She was silenced by the rattling of the door knob. Dimitri had returned. Like the speed of light, the woman's expression changed. Her face became suddenly pleasant as if it was the face she wore all the time. A smile played across both their faces as he walked further in the room.

"Ahh I see you guys have met Adrianna" Dimitri said to both Kyle and Valarie.

Valarie's eyes widened and her eyebrows further shifted into confusion. Adrianna, the name rang too many bells.

"It can't be" she muttered in her head.

"I'll like to formally introduce you guys. Adrianna, this is Valarie my assistant and Kyle, one of the head personnel at Fashion. Valarie, Kyle, meet Adrianna, my date."

As his words registered in her head, Valarie's lips pried open in awe. "No fricking way!" she screamed silently. She was indeed expecting Adrianna to be something but definitely not like this. Valarie's eyes shifted to the woman that stood beside him. Her features were soft, sickeningly innocent. She had magically gone from bitch to bitch-free in no time at all. The feigning made her sick to the stomach and she felt nothing but revolt towards her.

Her smile was now wider than a goal post as her hand reached out for a gentle greeting. Valarie raised her eyebrows, folded her arms and cocked her neck backwards. Just a moment ago she didn't even care to know what her name was and now, she's prompting friendly physical contact? It ached the deepest nerve within her.

Kyle observed Dimitri's expression. His brows were now knitting into confusion as Adrianna's hand remained untouched in mid-air. That ghastly grey smoke started seeping through his eyes. Kyle's body was brushed with a cold air that made him shiver and his hairs stood on end. He wasn't ready to be slayed by the beast. Just the thought made his stomach churn in fear. He hurriedly lifted his hand up to meet Adrianna's and forced a smile.

"It's nice to meet you" he lied.

"It's nice to meet you too" she replied pleasantly. Her eyes caught his gaze and she winked an eye at him in secret. Kyle immediately pulled his hand away. Adrianna suppressed a smile and averted her attention to Valarie.

Valarie's arms were still folded. Her lips were still twisted into disgust as she peered at the star actress. Even without looking, she could feel Dimitri's eyes burning a hole right through her soul. She mentally recited the things she wanted to say. Her viperous tongue was ready to strike and surely it was going to start a nasty fight.

Her subconscious screamed at her. Jumped, waved, anything to grasp her attention. Her voice of ration sung her a hymn. Her job was to ensure Dimitri settled with a woman. Regardless of the type he settled for, she had no choice but to accept it. Playing along, being a good sport and doing anything it took to make whatever relationship he had last was part of the job she unfortunately needed.

Despite her urge to slap the red head all the way into next week, Valarie knew she couldn't. For the sake of her job, and for the sake of herself. Her demon minions sighed in disappointment at her sudden change of mind.

A smile busted from her lips and she smiled excessively. They all looked at her confusingly.

"You should see your faces" she broke into laughter. Her hand raised up to clasp with Adrianna's in a firm hand shake.

"I was just messing around. It's nice to meet you Adrianna. Dimitri have told me about you."

Adrianna clearly forced a smile and played along. Dimitri's eyes almost immediately returned to his normal state and she chuckled.

"You have quite a sense of humor there" he spoke directly to Valarie.

"It's great having you guys meet since you will be dining together this weekend. One of my father's friends invited us to diner this weekend. You two ladies will be joining us. It will be a good time to learn about one another some more."

Valarie mentally rolled her eyes and strangled herself with rope.

"Oh really? Ha-ha. Yes sure, it will be great. Just what I needed" she forced herself to speak.

It was entirely opposite to how she actually felt and she suddenly wished that Nikolai had chosen someone else to tag along instead of her.