To Color Your Life

This time Emily was going to work with a feeling of agitation not related to her job. Justin Evans, as if he was really very busy, did not remind of himself after going to the cinema. Not a call with another joke, not a message.

And the girl didn't like the fact that she didn't like it. After breaking up with Peter, she made a vow to herself that she would never run after a guy again, crave his attention and care.

And here it is again. Yesterday she kept glancing at her phone screen, but besides her grandmother and Kelly, no bosses called her.

Once she even almost dialed Justin's number herself (completely by accident!), but she managed to press the call reset button in time.

To Emily's surprise, Grandma didn't look upset after Kevin and Mrs. Claren's emotional goodbye. As if there were no such obsessive attempts to bring their grandchildren together to continue offspring for the good of the nation.

Kelly was glowing with golden tan and love. Apparently, her Italian knew his business. Emily did not attach great importance to this fact, as she was already used to it. The personal life of her friend was usually stormy, but, unfortunately, not long.

However, how long her own stormy personal life would be, Emily did not know either.

After once again admiring the stunning light show as she entered the department, Emily stopped at the door. Today she was not greeted by any hot guys in the form of butlers or ancient gods. And it made her happy.

She wanted to reach her workplace as quickly as possible and start completing assignments. Having been called onto the carpet by Gregor Barkens for the second time because of the failed deadlines was not part of her plans.

"Good morning, my dear Emy," Catherine Joyce paraded towards her with a sly grin on her lips.

"Good morning," Emily smiled back. Kat's mood was suspiciously cheerful. "And what does it smell so good for? Oranges?" The delicious scent of citrus was in the air.

"Oh, you tell me what it smells so good," Kat put her hand on Hayes's shoulders (that's what model height means!) and pretended to sniff the air, "For me, the air smells like love." Plump red lips framed a snow-white smile.

Love? What is it about?

Emily glanced around the spacious room where her colleagues sat at their desks.

Oh, not only Catherine was casting such glances at her, but almost everyone present. And the girl did not even doubt that they were intended for her.

Damn, did the rumors about her pregnancy reach here too?!

For some reason, Emily hoped that the boss would somehow solve this issue, because he himself said that he did not like gossip.

But Justin Evans, apparently, was busy with other things, instead of dealing with the reputation of his employee. Moreover, a temporary employee.

Well, Hayes, you again thought of something that does not exist, she sighed. And why did you decide that he would take care of you? This man is used to gossipping. Such situations mean absolutely nothing to him.

"And what is this?" Emily was taken aback when she found a huge basket of... fruit on her table.

The other employees' desks were the same, but her basket was twice as large as the others.

So that's why the air smelled like oranges, as if there was a cafe for making fresh juices, and not a publicistic magazine!

Although she really rushed to conclusions when she called this place a publicistic magazine. The Pharaoh magazine was least of all reminiscent of a department of a book house.

A postcard was attached to the top of the basket handle.

Please note: an unfolded postcard, visible to absolutely everyone!

"You need to eat more vitamins in your situation." Read the inscription.

In your situation?

In your, damn you, situation?!

Justin Evans, you're a dead man!

Emily dropped into a chair and covered her face with her hands.

Who grieved a minute ago that the boss hadn't responded to the rumors? That's right - one stupid girl named Hayes.

But the boss is great. The question was solved very effectively!

Yes, he solved the issue so effectively that soon the entire publishing house would be chipping in for sliders and baby diapers!

What did he say? Something like "I have a reputation" and blah blah blah? And also about the fact that in rumors he will be satisfied with both options?

Judging by the fruit-littered office, Mr. Evans decided to confirm the rumor.

Shameless rat! Usually people warn about such things!

Emily mentally thanked her colleagues for trying (keyword: trying) to pretend that nothing was happening. She got up from the table and went to the recreation area.

A small area of the room, separated by a partition from the main room, was lined with ottomans of various sizes and shapes, and even a hanging hammock. There was not enough palm and coconut to feel like on the shores of Bali or anywhere in Thailand.

Emily took her phone out of her pocket and pressed the call button.

Three short beeps seemed endless to her.

"Hello, Miss Hayes? Good morning," Justin Evans sounded vivacious and cheerful as always.

"Mr. Evans, what does this mean?" the girl tried to seem polite, although in fact she wanted to start her remark with a couple of gentle curses, "Is that how you solve the issues?"

"Oh, my fragile heart was stung by resentment. Didn't you like my innovation? I thought you'd be delighted to have a cup of coffee in the morning."

"What other innovation?" Emily frowned. Maybe she missed something. The coffee and fruit were not the same thing after all.

"What do you mean? From tomorrow, the working day starts one hour later. So you can enjoy your favorite coffee every morning! You know, it's not always convenient for me to travel to the other end of the city to get your order," said the man as if he was in her personal slavery without food and water.

Sorry, can anyone suggest an effective way to get rid of a corpse without consequences? Very necessary.

"Mr. Evans, I enjoy your concern as a boss, but could you do it less, hmm, in public?"

"Miss Hayes, are you now offering me a secret relationship?" he asked with such resentment in his voice, as if she had robbed him of his innocence and left him after the first night, "This is irresponsible! I thought better of you."

And the Oscar goes to.. Justin Evans! Bravo bravo! Applause and fireworks in honor of the nominee.

"Mr. Evans, I'm serious!" Emily rolled her eyes. Looks like she was starting to develop immunity to the boss's jokes. "Why did you send these oranges?"

"What is it? Are you allergic to citrus fruits? Hmm, next time I'll send berries. Hmm, no. Better apples. Apples are not allergenic."

"What does the fruit have to do with it?! Now the whole office in all seriousness thinks that I am pregnant from you!"

"Oh, yes, that's right. You're not pregnant yet. Right, right. I forgot that we have not resolved this issue," the boss's business tone did not match the content of his words.

Emily was ready to swear that at that moment the man was damn pleased with himself.

Shameless bastard!

She really wanted to hit him on the head with something heavy. And then kiss. Well, or in reverse order.

Noticing that the girl had not reacted in any way to his ambiguous remark, Justin asked, "How was your weekend? Did you have a great rest?"

"Yes, that was just perfect," Emily thought for a moment and added, "There were guests at my grandmother's place. I kept them company."

"Wasn't Kevin a dear guest?" said Justin, the man's voice went cold.

Oh-yay, it seems to me or is someone getting angry?

Inner Dragon Emily murmured approvingly. Tugging this big cat by the mustache was incomparable pleasure.

"Yes, he was."

"And how did the meeting go? I hope you haven't scheduled your wedding date yet?"

"No, the wedding wasn't planned," Emily decided not to go too far, but teasing the boss turned out to be a pleasure. "I gave him champagne. He left quite, hmm, happy." And he is unlikely to return.

"Where are you! And I'm looking for you!" Catherine's shout made Emily turn around. "Are you on the line with Justin right now?"

"Uh, y-yes," the girl was confused. The usually cheerful Miss Joyce looked displeased.

"Give the phone to me here," without waiting for permission, she took the phone from Emily. "Justin Evans, God damn you! Why aren't you answering my calls?"

Maybe because he was busy talking to me? Hayes thought, but didn't voice her thoughts out loud.

"Are you the boss or who?! So what if you're going to the airport! We have a problem! I have to submit the material for the issue in the evening, and the model got sick!" Catherine almost fired thunder and lightning. "Yes, that very photo session with Bradley!"

Oh, it seems there are some unplanned overlaps at work. Emily already realized that Miss Joyce was scrupulous about her duties and such a situation was unacceptable for Catherine.

"Where can I get you a model?! Other girls don't fit the concept!" she was indignant at some suggestion of the boss. Catherine shot a sharp look at Emily.

Doubt flashed across the blonde's face, then analysis, which gave way to something from which Emily wanted to hide and pretend that she was not there at all.

This lady is definitely up to something! And it had something to do with her!

"Okay boss. Panic is canceled," Joyce's indignation vanished. She again turned into a source of positiveness and harmony, "I seem to have found a wonderful replacement. Right opposite me."

Emily heard Justin's displeased scream from the phone, but she couldn't clearly hear what he was saying.

"Chao, darling. Emily and I have some work to do." Catherine hung up, ignoring the boss as he continued to speak.

She went up to Emily and put her hands on her shoulders, examined the girl with an attentive look. "Well, baby, how about showing off on the cover of Pharaoh?"

Emily only opened her mouth to protest, but the change in expression on Catherine's face left her no other choice but to shut up.

"Well that's great," Joyce nodded with satisfaction.

It seems that something went wrong again today.