A lot had happened over the span of one very tiring week.
Firstly, Averie had returned back home to California for Christmas. Nothing new occurred with her family, they still found ways to be disappointed in her. But what she definitely didn't expect was to come back to London being tied to her old best friend again. Her and Camila haven't stopped texting since Christmas, as it should have been all along.
On top of that, Theo was suddenly even more possessive, the first act of physically hurting her wrist imprinted into her mind. He was upset that Averie had left him for a few days, said he wanted to come with her. As if she would ever say yes to that.
And most suddenly shocking—Draco Malfoy had bought La Perla for her. He had spent almost a hundred million dollars just so she would work under him again. He still wanted control, but this felt different. She knew he wasn't doing anything out of spite, hatred. He had even bought her chocolates and her favorite flowers. She had no idea how he knew what her favorite flowers were. But the white roses perched happily upon their vase in her kitchen, reminding her of him every glance she took at them—which was a lot.
She took one last glance at the roses again before hurrying out the door, not wanting to be late for her first day back at Mature Divinity.
Averie was only a little excited for today. Sure she was happy to see Zara and Lucas, to be back in the setting that treated her well—not the people. However, she wasn't happy about Pansy Parkinson. Although Averie had almost forgotten about the grouch from hell, she knew Pansy would be more than dreadful for her to be back.
And Draco...well she still didn't know where she stood with him yet.
For him to show up at La Perla as the new owner, handing her chocolates and flowers and holding her hand, brushing her hair out of her face.
He was a completely different person than when they last interacted. The last time she saw him, it was him that teased her, threatened her. It was the day when she quit. It's been months since then, and now he seemed to be...different. It made Averie doubt her ability to sense something rotten, because the thing was that he wasn't. She didn't want to regret saying it, but he was being...sweet. She couldn't forget what happened, though. How he humiliated her for something he initiated. Most of all she was plainly confused now. Even more because Averie recalled that his touch felt comforting on her skin. Like she wanted more. How the fuck did that happen?
It was too risky for her. He was a ruthless man after all. Her thoughts were always on the fact that maybe she hadn't seen the rest of his bad side yet. She was nervous that he was playing with her again, wanting to get into her head even more.
But Averie also figured that rivals like them don't spend millions on each other unless there were underlying thoughts, maybe feelings. She had always doubted that Draco Malfoy actually liked her in an intimate way, but then again he was always so unpredictable. She'd probably never know how he truly feels.
Since she was so conflicted with her feelings, Averie decided that she would observe him today, see how he treats her. If it was anything like yesterday, she was sure that it was him actually being genuine. His eyes had never been so soft when he looked at her, she hoped there weren't any hidden intentions underneath.
What Averie was considerably excited for was the fact that she wouldn't see Theo at work today.
She was grateful for the small break, though she was sure he would be checking in on her as soon as she left the building. That would be hours from now though, she thought.
Finally she was in Mature Divinity's lobby, immediately sighing with relief at the contrasting warm air. She had worn a small black skirt with an overlaying leopard printed coat. The coat was thin enough to wear all day in the office, meaning the outside was colder as well. And along with her black heeled boots...let's just say it took longer than expected to walk there.
It didn't feel special returning. It was almost as if her body didn't notice that it was a different building again, the route still engraved in her mind.
The elevator felt the same, the floors felt the same, almost as if nothing had changed in those few months. That wasn't right, though. So much had changed.
Averie stepped out of the cart as soon as the elevator bell rang, singling her arrival. She had been anxious to see both her new and old co-workers, even more anxious to see the man who brought her here—bribed her to.
But he wasn't in sight when she stepped onto the office floor.
Though she couldn't really see anything besides a big wave of crimson hair crashing against her body.
"Hmph!"
"Evie!" the all too familiar voice exclaimed, tightening her hold on the hug.
She recognized every feature immediately, returning the affection.
"Zara! Oh—I've missed you so much,' Averie sighed.
"I missed you more! You look so good! Ugh— I missed your little face," she joked.
"I would have missed your face but I see you in my dreams," Averie winked, making her friend laugh.
"What a flirt. Save that for Malfoy, though."
"What—why? He's not—like we're not—" she sputtered.
"Evie...he cleaned. He cleaned the whole office yesterday before he told us you were coming back. He was so...compulsive. It was weird, I've never seen him like that," Zara pondered.
Averie didn't believe it either. He actually got up and cleaned himself? Months ago that would have been a bad joke, even just a week ago she would have thought it to be comical. But now...
Maybe he really was trying to change.
She didn't want to get her hopes up, but maybe—just maybe he wasn't all bad inside. After all, things weren't always how they looked to be. She learned this was true from Theo, how he made himself out to be sweet and kind all while trapping Averie in his consuming lies.
Maybe it was the opposite with Draco.
But whatever she was thinking fled her mind as she just shook her head, not wanting to get into this first thing in the morning.
"It's true," a voice said from behind her. It was distinct and sounded like a smooth bee, buzzing through her ears. It belonged to none other than her friend, Lucas of course.
"And he made the cleaning lady mop under my feet when I was still sitting down," he continued. "I don't know if he even saw me there actually."
"I doubt it was just because of me," Averie breathily chuckled, wanting them to see that it wasn't because of her.
"Alright, you say that now. You've always been in denial," Zara winked, making Averies eyes roll playfully. She had missed her favorite co-worker. But it still wasn't true. It couldn't have been.
"So how have you been, Averie?" Lucas asked from his seat at the desk. His hair had grown a bit longer, now resting just above his eyebrows. In Averies opinion she preferred this look. It suited him better.
"Well...I'm fine," she shrugged. "It's strange coming back here but I just couldn't resist the title promotion."
"Promotion?" Zara exclaimed, scoffing afterwards. "Maybe I should make him fall in love with me next."
Averie wished she hadn't said that—for more reasons than one, but mostly because of the annoying snarl from behind them after the words fell into the air.
And although a few months had passed without hearing it, she immediately recognized that sound of disgust to be from Pansy Parkinson.
She cringed as her first words floated through her ears, "Averie Wilson."
Averie didn't turn around as she spoke, wanting to just ignore the annoying girl.
"Thought you'd been fired ages ago," she mockingly laughed. "Did Olsen say demotion? Are you the maid now?"
Averie rolled her eyes to Zara and Lucas, who were both anticipating her response. Lately Averies filter has gone unseen, though she wished that she had it. But Pansy was not worth any of her time, nor her words. Ignoring her was now the only way she would deal with the girl.
Pansy scoffed.
"I'm talking to you, Wilson," she sneered. "You surely weren't missed here."
"Do you guys hear something?" Averie gestured to Zara and Lucas. "It's an annoying screeching sound, ugh make it stop," she dramatically said.
Pansy went silent, and if Averie turned around she would have seen the face of absolute anger. "How dare you even—"
"Get lost, Parkinson."
Averie teamed up at the new voice approaching from behind her. She hadn't turned around yet and still she could feel his eyes burning into her. Finally she looked over her shoulder, meeting his own crystal blue eyes.
"Draco," she dragged out. "She was ignoring me!"
"I said—get lost," he snarled, still looking behind her. "Now."
Pansy huffed loudly, gritted her teeth and scrambled away cursing under her breath. Malfoy always had that strict authority over her.
"As for the both of you," he then said to Zara and Lucas, "I'd say to do the same."
They both took the hint, giving each other side glances and leaving the room side by side.
"We'll just be at the vending machines," Zara mumbled to Averie, not without a little wink in her direction as well.
Averie suddenly felt the air electrify as they were now the only ones in the vacant office. It was foreign, more compassionate and warm than her previous moments like these. Her mind was still set on when Draco bought her flowers at work, her favorite kind too. She didn't know what was happening—and that scared her because she liked how it felt.
"I just wanted to talk about the spring collection," he half-chuckled. "You can calm down."
Averie rolled her eyes at him. "I'm the calmest."
She's the calmest? she thought. Who says that?
Draco looked at her amused, his hands stuffed into his trouser pockets as he stood cooly in front of her. Averie on the other hand felt awkward as ever, her hand unconsciously moving up to twirl a piece of hair around. She was nervous.
"Right. Anyways the new theme is midnight. Olsen already started but you are ten times faster. It'll only take you a day at most to catch up," he explained.
It was so odd hearing him compliment her. If that could even be considered a compliment.
"So like before, you will split the collection, only this time it's not for picking a winner."
"Why is it being split if I'm the new creative director?" Averie asked, placing one hand on her hip.
"About that..." he sighed. "I think I'm going to leave that part for someone more experienced."
"You're full of empty promises then," Averie scoffed, pretending to be hurt. The effects made Draco's eyes widen, immediately opening his mouth to salvage anything he could.
"No it's just y—"
"—Because I was under the impression I would also be getting a raise," she cocked one eyebrow, hoping he would catch on. It took only a moment before he had a knowing look in his eyes, mirroring the mischief in Averies eyes.
"That can be arranged," he smirked. "Name your price."
"A hundred and sixty thousand." She stood straight. That was definitely a reach—for a salary of almost two hundred thousand, but if she was right then Draco wouldn't mind.
"Is that it?" he questioned, as if he was unbothered. Perhaps he actually was.
"Yes."
"Alright."
Averie grinned, happy about her new salary. She wouldn't say she was exactly materialistic, but she relished in the touch and feel of having money, and would bathe in it if she could. It was a good thing Draco had as much money as he did, with someone who liked it like Averie did.
A few moments passed, neither of them making an effort to say anything. An awkward feel around them made Averie confused. It was like she didn't know how to talk to him now that he seemed to be permanently changed.
Maybe he's really changed overnight, she thought. It was still hard to get used to after knowing the savage side of him suddenly disappeared.
Flashbacks of the other day flooded her mind—again. It became unbearable to ignore.
She cleared her throat before speaking, "Thanks for the flowers again. I don't know how you found out white roses are my favorites, but thank you."
She looked down to her shoes as she softly delivered the words, her shyness inevitably clutching her.
He stepped forward confidently, smirking once more and Averie felt an air of comfort around him.
"We can't bloom without letting us grow," Draco mumbled, taking her hand into his and guiding it up to his lips. They placed a tender peck on her knuckles, and her stomach was racing trying to catch all of the butterflies swarming around.
"Now go start the work, hm?" he said, before dropping her hand and striding into his office alone. Averie barely heard him, her mind was solely focused on one thing at the moment—
He looked too good in that suit.