Chapter 2: Ember

- "One month... Give me one month to teach you how to live."

It's been a good five minutes of my brain trying to process what it just heard. My boss, Ace Faust ... THE Ace Faust wants to teach me how to live?

With what seems to be a superhuman effort, I turn my head towards my cup, wondering if there is an astronomical amount of drugs in it. This is the only possible explanation for what is happening. I'm hallucinating, I must be hallucinating.

-"So? What do you think Selene?" He asks me calmly as if his question had nothing extraordinary.

- "I think that as president of Nova Corporation you have time to waste on a stupid challenge." I answer falsely confident.

- "A challenge? Stupid?Anything else you want to add? Well, that's judgmental Selene. " He sneers.

- "Yes, a stupid challenge, I don't know how else to describe it. You only know me since this morning. What does that mean to you?"

- "You see Selene, I myself was once a little boy who used to be afraid of the little things in everyday life. Afraid of getting a bad grade in school, afraid of the monster under my bed. And then..." He begins before pausing.

- "And then?" I say as if captivated by his words.

- "And then death. It tore my parents away from me like a weed, with a wave of the hand. It propelled me hand and foot tied into a downward spiral of sadness, incomprehension and anger. But that's when I understood... Understood that we only have one life and that it can end when we least expect it. So I became a hurricane... Living at a hundred kilometers an hour, not looking back or forward, just here and now. What if everything came to an end? I'd leave, a smile dancing on my face and you know why? Because I don't regret anything." Said he almost out of breath.

Completely shaken by his words and a shy tear running down my cheek, I let out:

- "Okay, I'll do it."

Snapped out of my trance by the sound of my own voice, I wave my hands in front of my mouth as if to catch those words and bring them back to my lips. It's no use, they came out, they danced in the air before landing softly in the hollow of his ear.

As if he could read my thoughts, he grabs my hands:

- "Too late! You agreed!"

And then there he disappears, like a child running away from hearing his parents say no. He leaves me there, alone, lost and cold.

After returning the book, I set off for my apartment. What just happened? Did it really happen? Did I dream it? Why on earth would I agree to something like this? The questions come and go and start a wild tango in my mind. My legs move forward by themselves and I find myself in front of my door without remembering how I got there. I turn the key in the lock and slump into the sofa.

As I turn my head, my gaze stops on my DVD collection. It's sitting on a shelf above my mirror. For the most part, they are movies about heroines, all fearless and willing to do anything to face evil. And then there I am, the reflection of a ball curled up in its couch. A butterfly trapped in its cocoon, tetanized at the thought of coming out and breaking its wings. Pathetic, I am pathetic.

It has to change, I want to change, I will change.

The next morning, I get up and get ready. I am lethargic, as if my fear had turned into a steamroller and had been running over me all night. I arrive at the office in a zombie-like attitude and take the elevator. The climb to the 35th floor seems so endless this morning that I could fall asleep right now.

TING! The doors open and my forehead meets a hard surface... hard?

- "Turn around Miss Katell."

While my brain is still processing the information of my forehead colliding with my boss's chest, I feel two hands on my shoulders. Hands that lead me back to the elevator I just got off of.

- "Slept well Miss Katell?"

- "Where are we going? I don't think I saw any outside appointments in today's schedule," I say, suddenly aware that he has just pressed the button for the first floor.

- "Shopping."

- "Shopping?" I repeat thinking I've misheard.

- "We have a very important meeting this noon with the boss of Carbon Industry. He's traveling in person from Singapore to sign our contract. So I have to get a new suit for the occasion. I can't afford to wear a suit that isn't new. It would show and make a bad impression."

As he finishes his sentence, the elevator doors open to the lobby. I wait for him to get out to follow him, but instead he leans toward me and whispers:

- "So, not so bad the two-man elevator, right Selene?"

- "I-I thought we weren't on first-name terms at the office."

- "It'll be our little secret," he tells me with a wink before straightening up and resuming his boss-like attitude.

That said, he's right. I was so engrossed in our conversation that I didn't think for a second about my claustrophobia. What a strange man...

- "Are you planning to spend the day in this elevator, Miss Katell?" he says to me as he is already walking towards the exit.

I finally get out of the metal cage and follow him to the car waiting outside with its driver. The journey lasts only about ten minutes during which we can hear the angels passing. We are now in front of a huge luxury shopping center... Enough shoes, clothes, bags and jewels to make you dizzy.

- "While I'm picking out a new outfit, I'm going to assign you your first mission Selene."

Before I can even react to my first name, he continues with his little smirk:

- "I can call you by your first name since we are not at work. Your first assignment is to pick out an outfit that you would wear if you weren't afraid of how people would look at you."

- "How do you..."

- "Come on Selene, even a blind man would have seen how you clung to your sweater yesterday morning. I must say I'm quite curious to see how Selene Katell dresses... And not her shadow." Said he while turning and heading to the men's department.

Once again, he leaves me alone and lost. Does he think I'm a life-size doll? I'm pretty annoyed by his know-it-all attitude. Nevertheless, he's still my boss and I don't particularly want to get fired on my second day for insubordination. Who knows how a millionaire reacts when he doesn't get what he wants?

I start to walk the aisles, while thinking ... Who is Selene Katell... Who am I ? My eyes are attracted by the coat department. I have always admired the feminine and chic businesswomen. They, who walk proudly in their heels making the world bow.

After much thought, I opt for a high-waisted black suit, a black turtleneck, a beautiful emerald green long coat with a slight iridescence and matching heels. With my 178 centimeters, I never dare to wear heels. But, I have to admit that this outfit looks good. After simply putting the coat on my shoulders, I get out of my cabin and find myself face to face with... A male figure from behind. Black hair, broad shoulders, a muscular back covered with a jacket of the same color as my coat and great god, an ass-

Selene, no. Don't even think about it.

- "Finally ready Selene?" the figure asks me, turning around.

- "Ace?" I say as I mentally slap myself for the thoughts that were running through my mind seconds earlier.

- "Well... Selene Katell, nice to meet you." He sighs as he looks at me gently from head to toe.

Almost mechanically, I bring my hands in front of my chest. The turtleneck marrying my skin is far from the big sweaters that I wear since yesterday. As he places his hands on mine, the sparkle in his eyes turns to fire. As if my hands were made of the most fragile porcelain, he gently lifts them and brings them to the side of my hips. As he releases me, I feel as if my hands are made of lead... Too heavy when they are not carried by his.

-"This color, what a coincidence ... It goes well with your fair complexion but it would be even better like that ... " he begins before advancing a hand towards my face.

With a backhand, he removes the elastic that gathers my hair in a bun. They pour like a waterfall on my shoulders and my face. Again, with a delicate gesture, he brings back the wicks covering my face behind my ears.

- "Perfect, we can go!" He announces while leading me towards the exit.

- What the-? What about my stuff? We didn't even pay!" I exclaim.

- "Welcome to the company gift. And for your stuff, you won't need it anymore. Now let's hurry up, I don't want to be late." He replies, patting the top of my head.

No need? A pat on the head? This man is testing my patience as much as my heart function. I don't even have time to protest when we are already back in the car and he is staring at his laptop.

Not having had the time in this tumult, my eyes finally linger on his new appearance. Black matte shoes, black suit pants, a black shirt and a jacket ... a jacket matching my coat. The first buttons of his shirt are undone and lead to a turned face ... Wait, turned?

Ashamed to have been caught in the act of devouring him with my eyes, I turn away violently towards my window. I'm about to jump out of the moving car when I hear his famous little laugh followed by a ringing phone.

- "Yes... Well... Okay," he says before hanging up and telling me: "Mr. Tan, the boss of Carbon Industry will be here in 20 minutes. Ready for your first meeting, Miss Katell?"

- "Um ... Y-yes." I articulate as best I can with crimson cheeks.

Ten minutes later we arrive in front of the Nova corporation building. As we cross the hall, many eyes turn towards us or rather towards me. Uncomfortable to receive all this attention, I accelerate the step towards the elevator by making my heels slam against the marble. Once Ace gets into the elevator, we head up to the 35th floor to retrieve some documents for the meeting.

- "Miss Katell, are you training for the marathon by running like this?" He is amused.

I decide to ignore him for this time, my heart is starting to have its fair share of roller coasters since yesterday. TING! Here we are. Ace gets his documents and I decide to go get the summary sheet I made yesterday on Carbon Industry. You never know, it could still be useful.

As soon as we arrive, we go back to the hall to welcome Mr. Tan. During the descent, Ace is silent and I can see how serious he is by the sight of his jaw which contracts regularly. Carbon industry is a world famous producer of concert equipment. A contract with them is priceless.

As soon as we get out of the elevator, a magnificent black sedan stops in front of the entrance. A man in his fifties gets out, dressed in a red suit whose fabric seems to me to be expensive. After a few handshakes, Mr. Tan accompanied by what seems to me to be his associates, Ace, other employees of Nova Corporation and myself enter the meeting room. Ace places me next to him before starting his presentation. The minutes pass and he starts to quote the figures of Carbon industry. However, something is wrong, I feel it and I see it in Mr. Tan's lips that slowly pinch. I then look at my sheet and realize that Ace is giving the figures of last month and not of this month. His previous assistant must have made a mistake. This is a disaster, if it continues, Mr. Tan could take this mistake badly and reconsider the contract. So, with a delicate and discreet gesture, I slide my card until it covers Ace's notes.

At first, he is disturbed by my gesture, but he soon understands what I am trying to tell him. Then follows a verbal pirouette, pretexting some comparison with last month to show the incredible growth of Mr. Tan's company. And it works! The man puffs out his chest like a proud peacock. Relieved, I rest my back against the back of my chair. The meeting lasts all afternoon and ends with the long-awaited signing of the contract. Mr. Tan is so satisfied that he invites Ace to the restaurant to celebrate. So, without a backward glance, the two men leave the room.

While I'm on the way to my apartment, I rant, I would even say that I'm mad with rage. He drags me in a store, abandons my clothes and then I save his ass with Mr. Tan, all without eating all day and not a thank you? A simple thank you would have been enough, but no.

Still cursing Ace, I see in the distance a man with a dozen cardboard boxes at the bottom of my building. Weird ... I didn't know anyone was moving in. As I get closer, I realize that the man is wearing a work outfit and must in fact be a delivery man. I dodge the boxes to get to the door when the man calls out to me and asks:

- "Hello Miss, do you by any chance know someone called Katell... Yes, that's right, Selene Katell."

- "Um yes ... It's me, how can I help you?" I ask him, running my brains at a hundred miles an hour to guess what he could possibly want from me.

- "These packages are for you, and this letter too."

- "You must be mistaken, I didn't order anything, and certainly not in this quantity."

- "Yet this is your name and address, I am only doing my job miss. Can you sign here so I can continue my deliveries? " He says, handing me a small digital tablet.

I sign to release the poor man and find myself surrounded by these mysterious packages. I pile them all in my elevator and take them up to my house. So here I am, sitting on the floor in my living room, surrounded by ten packages and a letter. What if they were bombs or worse a cut up corpse? My God, I really have to stop watching action movies, it's getting serious. With a trembling hand, I decide to start with the letter, it's the safest. It says:

Thank you.

Signed A.F

The whole thing is followed by a phone number. A ... F ? Ace Faust ? No way ... But thank you, it could be the one I've been craving about for an hour. There's only one way to be sure. The number, I'll call it.

BEEP ... BEEP ... Hello?

Ace, it's him. I am so surprised that I drop my phone and hang up at the same time. Replacing the idea of a cut up corpse by an overflowing curiosity, I throw myself on the packages. I find coats, pants, skirts, dresses, heels and so on. There is in these boxes the perfect panoply of the business woman at the top. My arms fall off, there must be hundreds, no thousands of euros. I can't accept, I can't, I can't... Can I?

While my brain is struggling with this dilemma, I realize that I forgot one last box. I bring it closer to me and see a second envelope hanging up. I open the envelope first:

To your true self,

Do not open until instructed.

Signed A.F

As curiosity gnaws at me, I decide to put it away in my closet so as not to crack. Not being able to decide on the future of the other boxes, I decide to take a shower before eating.

Once I've wolfed down my meal, I slump onto my bed and stare at the ceiling. I am brought out of my thoughts by my phone ringing near my hand. Thinking it's my mother and her daily evening call I pick up.

- "Hello mom! I just got into bed."

- "Well Selene, I wasn't asking for so many details," answers a voice that is clearly not my mother's.

Panic-stricken, I take the screen away from my ear to look at the number.

Shit.

My caller is none other than Ace. 

Note to myself : look at who is calling me before picking up.

- "Um ... Ace ... Sorry, I didn't look before I picked up."

- "That)s what I thought. Did you get my packages?" He said while laughing softly.

- "Yes ... About that..."

- "Please don't tell me you can't accept. It's so cliché."

- "Well... Thank you then, even though I have no idea where I'm going to house it all."

- "Should I order you some cabinets?"

- "Oh no! Enough with the gifts!"

- "It's so easy to tease you!" He replies, this time laughing out loud.

This time it's my turn to laugh softly. It's so strange, we've only known each other for two days and it feels like years. He has this way of making people feel comfortable. With the phone still to my ear, I turn over in my bed and pull my comforter close to me. It's the first time I've talked to a man on the phone at night before going to sleep. It's nice.

- "Hey Selene..."

- "Hmm?"

- "Thank you again... This contract is thanks to you."

And here I am with an uncontrollable goofy smile. Thanks to me ... He just said it was thanks to me.

- "Good night Selene." He almost whispers.

- "Good night Ace."

As soon as our call is over I sink into the arms of Morpheus. And, for the first time, I do so with a light heart.

After a very restful night, I get up and have a quick breakfast. After a good shower to finish waking me up, I kneel down in front of the parcels to choose something to wear. I take out a black shirt with a Claudine collar, a pair of white tailored pants and a long black coat. As for the shoes, I can't help but see the pair of scarlet pumps. The red .... The color by definition of the femme fatale. After looking at them for five minutes I end up choosing simple black pumps. Red is a color that must be worn proudly, I'm not ready yet.

As I arrive at the office, I go to the front desk to get the copies of yesterday's contract. The same young man as when I arrived hands me the papers and says:

- "Here are the copies of the contract Selene!"

- "Thank you ... You remember my first name!" I said rather surprised.

- Since you arrived yesterday with that green coat, everyone knows you! You are so tall, you look like a model!"

- "Th-thank you!" I said, feeling the pink in my cheeks.

So this is what it feels like when someone compliments you? What an intoxicating feeling. And I thought I couldn't wear heels because I didn't want to look too tall... Here I am, qualified as a model! I continue my little mental celebration while giggling and heading for the elevator.

- "Well, someone is in a good mood this morning!" laughs a voice behind me, a voice that is none other than Ace's.

- "Oh, good morning Mr. Faust!"

- "Good morning Miss Katell."

Today and tomorrow go by in a flash. Mostly tidying up and filing, but also some research for potential new clients.

It's already Friday! Time flies. I have already finished my first week at Nova Corporation. And, without boasting, I think that Ace is rather satisfied with my work!

While I have my nose plunged in my computer, I hear stealthy footsteps approaching my office. Before he has a chance to scare me for the 150th time I raise my head and walk ahead of him:

- "Can I help you in any way Mr. Faust?"

- "I have something to tell you Miss Katell." He replies with a pout, clearly disappointed that he missed his chance.

- "Hmm?"

- "You know that tonight Nova Corporation is organizing a charity gala whose funds will be donated to orphanages?"

- "Of course! I've gathered the essential information from the clients who are invited. I've already printed them out, you-" I begin before he interrupts me as usual.

- "That won't be necessary. In fact, tonight you will accompany me."

- "Accompany you?" I exclaim.

- "You heard right Miss Katell, accompany me. You will be my eyes and my voice. After all, who is better placed than you to help me with all these customers? You know them by heart, probably even more than I do."

- "But come on, I don't even have anything to wear, the gala is only two hours away!"

- "Go home, a cab is waiting for you downstairs and ... If you've been a good girl, it seems to me that you still have a package to open." He finishes as he leads me to the elevator.

This man has the gift of getting me into doing things without asking me. So here I am in the aforementioned cab, on the way to my apartment. Once there, I rush to my closet to take out the package. I remove the lid and my arms fall off. In front of me is the iconic red slit dress. The one the heroine wears at the end of the movie. It is accompanied by stilettos of the same color and a pair of elongated diamond earrings. As if I had forgotten how to breathe, I start to miss the air and my head starts to spin. Without thinking I grab my phone and dial Ace's number who answers almost immediately.

- "I can't ... I can't!" I say breathlessly.

- "Selene ... Selene ... Breathe."

- "I-I..."

- "Breathe in. Breathe in, breathe out... That's it, keep going."

I listen to him and try as best I can to calm my breathing. His soft, steady voice helps me and I finally regain control of my body.

- "Are you feeling better?"

- "Yes, but this dress..."

- "Selene, it's just a dress, what's got you so scared?"

- "Red... It's red."

- "So what? It's just a color. It's up to you, are you really going to let a color stop you from doing your job? If so, be prepared to face the consequences." Said he before hanging up abruptly.

The consequences? Is this capricious millionaire really going to fire me if I don't wear his damn dress? He sounded terribly serious.

Trying not to give in to the panic that overtakes me again, I decide to take a shower. After this one I arrange my hair in a banana bun and apply some mascara, eyeliner and gloss. I am ready except for my outfit. It's there, spread out on my bed, waiting to be put on. I look at it, over and over, as if it would explode in my face if I took my eyes off it for a second. Suddenly, I hear the doorbell ring on my intercom and I hurry to answer it.

- "Yes?"

- "Are you Miss Katell? I'm a driver and they sent me to pick you up. Are you ready? We have to leave now if we want to be on time."

Silence. Storm under a skull.

- "Miss? Are you still here?"

- "Coming!"

Here I am, running around my apartment to put on the damn outfit or I'm fired. Ace Faust, I hate you.

(Author's note: Of course Selene, we all believe that.)

After a 30 minute drive, I arrived (late) in front of a large building that almost looked like a castle. I climb slowly the steps trying not to fall because of my dress which drags on the ground. Once at the top, two men in uniform open the door for me. A long hallway follows at the end of which is a massive door with two new doorkeepers. The doors are closed but you can hear the sound of footsteps, conversations and laughter coming from them. I stand there waiting for the two men to let me in, but nothing.

- "Excuse me ... Is this the Nova Corporation gala? I-"

- "Well, I thought you weren't coming. I told them not to let you in without me there. After all, you are my date tonight. Gentlemen, you can now open those doors." said a voice behind me.

At these words, the two men open the door while Ace places a hand on my back. All eyes turn to us and applause erupts in all four corners of the huge ballroom. There are dresses and suits of all colors, except red, of course. I curse him.

- "Welcome to the annual Nova Corporation Gala, I am delighted that so many of you have come. If you don't mind, as we do every year we'll start with a dance."

- "A dance? You never mentioned a dance!" I said as I began to panic.

- "Take my hand and let yourself go."

Let myself go? I can't dance! I'm going to make a fool of myself.

His hand, still behind my back, guides me to the floor. With the other, he gently places one of my hands on his shoulder and then grabs the other one to keep it there. Gently, he uses his pelvis and his hands to guide me. We dance like that for a good minute and then the guests join in turn the dance floor.

- "So? Not so bad, right?" he asks me still dancing.

- "Were you really going to fire me?"

- "Who knows?" He says nonchalantly.

Annoyed by his answer, I raise my head to look into his angry eyes.

- "Finally you look at me. It took a while."

Bewildered by his answer, the anger leaves my eyes and my cheeks turn pink. Trying to divert the conversation I tell him:

- "The saleswomen have done a good job, the dress and all the stuff are perfectly in my size."

- "The saleswomen? Selene, it was no one else but me who picked out those gifts."

Worse. It's even worse. My cheeks are now definitely as red as my dress.

- "H-how?" I manage to stammer.

- "Let's just say I'm ... Attentive." He whispers in my ear.

If life were a cartoon I'd probably have steam coming out of my ears. I have to be careful. Ace Faust is a famous playboy. I mustn't fall for it.

Saved by the gong, the music ends and announces the beginning of the meal. The conversations and the licking of boots follow one another. I help Ace to identify the customers, making him small reminders here and there. After several hours of the same merry-go-round, the evening ends and he accompanies me outside where the same driver awaits me.

- "Good night Selene." He says before closing the door and tapping on the car to tell the driver to start.

What an exhausting evening. Having sweated, I decide to take my third shower of the day when I get home. And as the water beads on my skin, I close my eyes and slowly start to dance. I remember our dance, his hand still haunting my back, our fingers intertwined, ... Then suddenly, I come back to reality: what am I doing? I'm going crazy.

- "Ace Faust... What are you doing to me?"

Author's note: And here is chapter 2! It's longer than the first one I hope you like it! Feel free to vote and comment it would make me extremely happy!

Did you notice that when Selene thinks she doesn't say "boss" or "boss" anymore but "Ace"? Is it hiding something? We'll know more in the future haha!