My Little Secret

The thing about writing a story based on facts is to not reveal too much about yourself. Striking a balance is necessary, or it would turn into a disaster. I had been staring at my computer screen for hours trying to figure out what to do. Nobody was in the office

I close my eyes and focus, gather my thoughts and open them.

I gasp as I see Victor standing beside me.

"I need your signatures on these" He says and places the paper on my desk and walks away. They were papers related to copyrights of the story I was working on.

Andrew was flying down to meet us this weekend. We had four major book releases and he wanted to discuss the progress of the story I was working on as well. It was a little weird because he was Ivan's dad. As long as he didn't know that Ivan and I were seeing each other, it was fine. I didn't want him to think I was slacking off or trying to get on his good side. There were a lot of rumours flying around already. Things like Ivan and I got together because I seduced him and now, I was using him to get famous. That Catherine broke up with Ivan because he cheated on her with me.

The other day I heard Meghan gossiping with a few other employees in the cafeteria.

"Obviously. She's now trying to get her hands on Bryan as well. I mean, spare him. He is married for god sake." She laughs.

The smile leaves her face as I enter in. I wanted to tell her to mind her own business. I wanted to let her know that she was leading a pathetic life by screwing Victor. But that was exactly what she wanted. A reaction. For me to make a scene in front of people. I made my coffee as they whispered and left one by one. She was a bully.

"I would be expecting you at the dinner party, Sofia" Bryan says as he walks in.

Bryan was early to the office. He always came in before all employees and left in the end. He worked, all the time. It was as if he saw nothing beyond work.

"Me? I couldn't Mr. Radcliffe. It's an elite party. I don't know how these things work."

"Your book is going to be great. You've got a great publishing house to work with. Great mentors. You should start practicing attending these dinner parties. Soon you'd be doing more of these." He says and walks towards his cabin. He was wearing a white shirt with anchors on it and navy-blue trousers with suspenders. He had a well-built body, it complimented him quite well.

I had to get a dress for myself. I had never been to these parties. I had very little time, I decided to get a dress during lunch.

Prepping for dinner parties like these was a task. I did not even know how to put makeup on. But I knew I had to. I chose a grey body-hugging dress. It was a risk, seeing that we were going to eat. It meant I would bloat any moment. Did I want that? Nope. But was I going to change my dress? Nope.

I wanted to look my best at my first elite party. I wasn't used to these kinds of parties, since I'd have to chew like I was eating air and I'd have to use cutlery instead of hands. I did not mind using cutlery, but using cutlery meant eating foods that require skill, which I was sure I did not possess. I was used to eating pizzas and burgers and of course, fries. 

I was confused between the hoop earrings and the small diamond studs I had.

"What do you suggest, Poirot?" I ask him. He was lying on the bed and looked up, excited when he heard me call out his name.

"I think so too." I say and put the hoops on.

I hear the doorbell ring and walk towards it, being careful not to trip on my dress.

"You look, wow." Ivan says as I open the door. He examined me carefully for ten seconds.

"Is this you?" he asks and comes in. I smile and get on my toes to kiss him. He was about fifteen centimeters taller than I was.

"I got you a sunflower" he says and gives me a big yellow sunflower.

"I love sunflowers!" I exclaimed.

"I know."

"How so?"

"If it isn't obvious, Sofia Malitz. You have the habit of talking about the stuff you like and you repeat whatever you say. A lot. I know you love reading and the library. Your favourite genre is romantic. If that isn't obvious. You like watching horror movies, you get scared later. But you like the thrill of it. And the thing that tops the list, is, drumrolls…" he says and beats the drums in the air, "Me." He finishes and laughs.

My mouth widens into a smile. I couldn't believe he remembered, he observed so much. I always wished to be noticed. Not like a celebrity, but noticed for the small things that mattered to me. To know that he actually kept mental note of all this, meant a lot to me.

"Before we head out" he says and stops me as we were stepping out. "There is actually a minor complication."

"What?"

"Catherine is in the car, downstairs. I had to. We had some contract signing thing and she was invited too."

"Oh. No issues." I say and I grab my bag.

"Usually, most girls would be mad. With all this." He says and adjusts my fringe.

"Lego" he says and takes my hand. I guess it was going to be a good night after all.