"Raven, the design for the Austin project was approved. I need the documents dated and filed. Also, your schedule is cleared for your one o'clock meeting."

"What meeting?"

"Have you not checked your emails this morning?"

"I will. I apologize."

"Have those files completed before your meeting. That will be all."

I rolled my eyes in frustration as I closed the door. I went straight to the computer to check my emails.

To: Raven Monroe
From: Cairo Wilde
Subject: Mandatory
I am sending this to all employees. I have been absent from other business ventures. There has been a meeting set up with each of my employees to assess your time here in the company. I greatly appreciate all of your hard work and dedication.
Raven Monroe- Conference room 102, Time: 1:00 p.m. Do Not Be Late.

This was a first and nerves were a sure thing. I quickly completed the tasks Lorraine had assigned me to do, per usual. Then had a few extra minutes and decided to go ahead and head to the conference room.

I stepped into the elevator and there stood the elevator man. His body was hugged by a fitted dark grey suit that matched his stormy eyes.

"48 please."

"I see there is no bumping into each other today."

I did not have the courage to respond. The doors opened and without glancing back I headed to the conference room. As I went to take a seat Mr. Elevator man was taking a seat across from me with files in front of him.

"I guess my meeting is with you?"

"You would be correct Ms. Monroe. Are you okay to start?"

"Yes."

How long have you been working for the company and what is your position?"

"Six months and I am Lorraine Black's assistant."

"How are you liking the position?" His eyes never broke contact with mine. No matter what those stormy eyes were doing to my insides I needed to sound and feel confident right now.

"Great. I like getting first-hand experience with how the company holds itself and what the clients are expecting. What potential clients are possibly looking for in their ventures through Wilde Towers."

"That is great. What are your goals with this job both inside and outside your current position?"

"Honestly, I love design. I love art. Taking something from a page and turning it into a real structure through pure imagination is a work of art. This job also pays very well. I am wanting to design and open my own studio. A place where people like me can come and bring what they love to do to life. Whether it be art, design, just about anything."

"That is very inspiring of you Ms. Monroe."

"Thank you."

"If given the chance to move forward in the company, would you?"

"Absolutely. A designer. Sketching out new modern structures, where for each of the clients is a one of a kind design."

"Just one more question Ms. Monroe."

"Yes?"

"What are your thoughts on our current CEO?"

"Well, I have never met him. I could not even tell you what he looks like. He takes care of his employees. He pays very well and we have decent hours. Financially great. Yet, there is no personal connection between him and his employees. Simple gatherings, mingling with us, and getting to know his employees more than what is written in our file. He has worked hard to get to where he is. His employees work just as hard to keep him there."

"Well, Ms. Monroe. That will be all and thank you for your honesty."

"Thank you, Mr.?" I asked as I shook his hand.

"Cairo. Cairo Wilde."

All thoughts of reality have left my brain. My grey-eyed elevator man was none other than Cairo Wilde. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I just basically told the most powerful man in this business to climb off his high horse and mingle with us common folk. If I could slap myself without looking like a fool even more I would.

As I am sitting back at my desk I still cannot stop thinking of how much of a fool I made of myself earlier. My phone dinging brought me out of my thoughts. Unknown number. I went ahead and opened the messages.

Unknown: This is Cairo Wilde. I hope you do not mind I retrieved your number from your file.

Me: No. No problem. What can I help you with?

Cairo: I would like to thank you for your answers today in the meeting. I had a few questions for you.

Me: You are welcome. Ask away.

Cairo: First. Would you be willing to make a list of ideas for some activities that can be held for the employees?

Me: Yes, absolutely

Cairo: Great. Also, there is a new opening I would like you to apply for. If you are interested?

Me: Absolutely.

Cario: I have a smaller client that is looking to open a new venue here in New York. I will email you all of the details. You will need to sketch an interior structure that will catch their eye and allow Wilde Towers to represent them for being their designer.

Me: I will Mr. Wilde. Thank you for this opportunity.

Cairo: I have another proposal but there are some more details being ironed out before I can present that to you as well.

Camille has been busy remodeling the inside of my apartment this week. New living room set, dining room set, and bedroom set. In her words. If Shane sat on it or slept on it. Got to go. I was so excited to tell her of this possible opportunity.

I rushed into my apartment to tell her the news.

"Babes. What could possibly have you looking like a bag of pop rocks?"

I sat her down and told her about the entire day. How I made a fool of myself to get a chance at a big promotion.

"Congratulations Babes."

"Thank you but this is only a chance."

"Raven. You got this. You are one of the most talented people I know."

"Thanks, Cami. I am so excited about this."

"Well, I will let you get to work. I need to go home and start dinner for Matt. Call if you need me okay."

"Thanks, Cami, be careful."

"By the way, this conversation about the sexy CEO is not over."

I searched through my emails for the files Cario was to send over. I read each recommendation, thoughts, wants, and dislikes. I read through the brief info on the venue. 'Wet and Wild Lingerie boutique. Wanting a new fresh setup that customers will enjoy. Something they have not seen before and have them wanting to come back. I want something Classy. We are in New York. So classy but with that secret sassiness as well.'

Ideas began to pour out of me. I grabbed my sketchbook and began putting them down on the page. It was like a fire in me that I had this chance and I could finally shine at what I was good at.

Done. I looked at the clock. 8:00 p.m. Dang that was quick. I was still to excited I decided to go ahead and text Cairo.

Me: Sorry to bother you so late but I wanted to go ahead and let you know I have committed the files to memory and completed sketches to present to the client.

I held tightly to my phone waiting for a response. Maybe he is busy. I may not get a response tonight. It is after business hours. The phone began vibrating. Cairo Wilde. Almost fumbling the phone I accepted the call.

"He-Hello."

"Hello, Raven sorry to disturb you."

"No problem at all Mr. Wilde."

"Please call me Cairo." Knock. Knock. Knock.

"I apologize Cairo there is someone at my door. Please give me one second."

"No Problem."

I set the phone on the counter. I swung open the door quickly regretting that decision.

"What are you doing here Shane?"

"You won't answer my calls or my texts. You even changed the locks. We are in a relationship and you are acting like a complete bitch."

"Excuse me. Relationship. You throw that out the window when I walked in on you fucking my stepsister."

"What did you expect Raven? You are twenty-four years old and are still a fucking virgin. I needed certain things that you weren't willing to give."

"I expected nothing. Shane. It is time for you to go. If you ever come back here again you will have to change your name from Shane to Shannon."

I slammed the door in his face fuming in anger. Shit. Cairo. I grabbed the phone trying to be as professional as possible.

"I am extremely sorry Cairo. Where were we?"

"So, You have completed the sketches and are wanting to present them to the client."

"Yes. Unless you need to see them first."

"No. I will contact the client and get a meeting set up soon as possible. I will text you the details."

"Thank you, Cairo. Really appreciate this. You have a lovely evening."

"You as well Raven."

I fall onto my bed with his voice in my head. It is familiar like Dejavu but I cannot place it. I came to a decision. Hot shower and sleep. That is what I needed after tonight.