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Squaring her shoulders, Ms. Galena considered her plan of attack.Hmmm, I definitely need more staff right now, possibly interns, where they can learn the ropes and gain experience. Interns would save on the budget as well. Oh, and I should hire a personal assistant as well.
Gabriella realized that if she could whip the magazine back into shape and increase advertising for this next quarter, Tempest would most likely back off. Thinking aloud, she said, “Okay, I can do this. I’ve conquered higher mountains, and I have been successful throughout my career. I need to develop the right team and, from there, launch a campaign to reach potential sponsors.”
The afternoon had proven difficult for Gabriella, and she needed a quick power nap to recharge her energy. She rose from her desk, locking the office door. Gabriella sauntered over to a small couch and decided to lie down and close her eyes for a few moments. As her mind filtered through the happenings of the day, Gabriella’s thoughts wandered to her coffee break at Sunny’s, where she had encountered the attractive barista.
Gabriella remembered the beauty and innocence of the barista; her kind brown eyes shone with patience. Gabriella imagined the young woman at the Deluxe office as her personal secretary, friendly, polite, and eager to serve. Gabriella’s imagination removed the tacky uniform, instead dressing thelovely brunette in sexy office attire with a skirt that landed just above the knee.
Hmmm! Maybe I should pay her a visit again, at Sunny’s. I do not doubt that she’ll remember me as a demanding bitch. But if she knows how to handle my personality gracefully, she might make a great addition as my personal assistant at the office.Gabriella stirred on the couch as a smoldering arousal crept into her body.
4
“Can you take over the register? I’ll move to the espresso machine and handle the flood of orders. You’re better on cash anyways,” Marlee suggested to Sofie, who was more than happy to trade places. Sofie was efficient at completing coffee orders but working the old and worn machine was not her favorite task. Plus, Sofie had a bad habit of spilling hot liquid on herself, especially when there was a morning rush at the coffee shop.
This morning, Sofie had chosen a colorful top that she had sewn herself, wanting to keep herself looking stylish. Sofie’s clothing choices were one way that she would express her enthusiasm for fashion, anchoring herself to the hope of a career in her graduate field.
Sofie switched places with Marlee. “Sure, no problem. We make a better team this way.” The coworkers winked at one another before resuming their focus. Sofie stood at her station, eyeing customers in the line as the next patron approached her till Sofie greeted the customer with her signature smile and warm welcome.
Between 6:30 am and 9:30 am were considered rush hours at Sunny’s, and while Sofie knew that the line would eventually die down, she currently felt the pressure of guests waiting for their morning brew. This morning felt especially endless. One by one, a patron would square off in front of Sofie’s till and communicate their order. Sofie would then type in the request, provide the order to the customer and accept payment.
Sofie was grateful for the consistent work and the regular hours, especially now that she was saving for a new place to live. She considered the situation with the new roommates to be only temporary and having a purpose every morning was better than moping around, heartbroken, after her breakup with Charlie. But Sofie’s passion was a career in fashion, and it felt unfair that she continued to struggle, especially after graduating from her program at the top of her class.
But whenever she would feel discouraged, Sofie would remind herself to stay focused and to remain open to opportunities within her field. She knew that if she committed to her goals, she would achieve whatever she desired. Sofie was the first and only person in her family to go to college; she was well aware of her capabilities.
As her eyes scanned the line, she recognized the difficult woman in the Burberry coat from yesterday. The one that had turned her insides to mush. Sofie’s eyes were drawn to the woman’s lean, statuesque physique. She definitely looked like a model, wearing a this season Chanel dress cinched at the waist. Her silver bob was perfectly coiffed, and her mature skin was luminous despite the fine lines that had appeared. Sofie was captivated by her.
I wonder what she looks like when she smiles. Would anything make this woman smile?
Feeling slightly intimidated, Sofie avoided eye contact with her as she approached the front of the line. Thanking thecustomer in front of her before addressing the woman, Sofie took a few seconds to lower her eyes and clear her throat, taking a nervous breath. Sofie caught a whiff again of the Chanel perfume, it was intoxicating and seductive.
“Hi, good morning. Nice to see you again!”
The tall woman peered down at Sofie, eyeing her intensely. “Hmmm, mmm. I’m sure it is. If you recognize my face, do you remember my drink order?” The woman seemed to be toying with Sofie, challenging her to speak up. The woman didn’t sound as irate as she had the previous day. Still, her poise and sense of command made Sofie nervous, and she wasn’t sure if this was some cruel test.
Thinking quickly, Sofie tried to recall the drink order.There was something wrong with the milk; oh yeah! It was almond.Beaming proudly, Sofie replied, “I do! It was an almond latte. Um, extra hot and, ah, extra—” The woman cut Sofie off before she could finish.
“Very little,notextra; you were about to say foam, weren’t you?” The woman’s blue eyes pierced through Sofie, making her feel pinned to a wall. But there was playfulness in her tone; it was as though the woman was teasing Sofie while still maintaining an air of dominance. Sofie felt something stir within her, a sensation that felt a lot like arousal.
Until this moment, Sofie had not yet experienced any attractions at her job. There might be the occasional patron that Sofie would notice as cute, but no one had thrown her off balance like the woman standing in front of her. Gulping while she played with her ponytail, Sofie giggled like a schoolgirl. “Um, yes, I was. You’re right,littlefoam.”
She locked eyes with the older woman in front of her for a moment, daring herself to stare back. A bolt of excitement shot through her core, bursting in her stomach. The corner of the older woman’s mouth curled into a grin as she raised aneyebrow. Maintaining her gaze on Sofie, the woman responded simply by nodding. Sofie felt desire pooling in the pit of her stomach.
That half smile. Fuck.
Sofie went to punch in the order when she heard the woman comment, “I like your blouse; the color is quite fetching on you. Is it Ralph Lauren?” Sofie looked up from the register, blushing slightly. Touching the salmon-colored, polyester-blend material, she shook her head slightly.
“No, it’s not. I-I made it, actually.” Sofie cleaned her throat, trying to project her voice. She was always shy to share her fashion projects, knowing that her humble nature could sometimes impede her success. Still, she was excited that the older woman had noticed. This woman’s dress sense was clearly exquisite and Sofie felt a warmth inside that she had noticed Sofie’s blouse. “And see? I made this skirt too. The material is stretchy, so it’s easy to work in.”
Sofie stepped back and lifted her apron to show off her skirt.
As soon as the words escaped her mouth, Sofie immediately felt embarrassed, as though she had shared too much.
Shut up, Sofie; this rich lady doesn’t care that you made a shirt from your tiny, shared one-bedroom apartment.Avoiding the woman’s stare, Sofie communicated the order, “Okay, so, one large almond milk latte. That will be $5.50, please.”
Keeping her eyes on the register, Sofie waited to receive payment, but the older woman paused. Inhaling, Sofie glanced up to see the woman smiling down at her, almost as if she was checking Sofie out. Sofie sensed a thrilling tension between them that was also confusing.
Is she flirting with me?
The older woman wore an amused expression, and her face softened. “Is that so? It’s not exactlymystyle, but I do like it. It works well on you. And it looks well-made. I can see from herethe cut is beautiful and the stitching is very well done.” Pulling out a Gucci wallet from her Chanel purse and handing Sofie her credit card, she asked, “So, I sense you have an interest in fashion?”
