~ Two Weeks Later ~
Sade's POV:
A distinctive aroma infiltrated my senses, stirring me awake. Fluttering my eyes open, I looked to my left, finding dawn had just barely broken. The sky remained a faint shade of dark blue as the sun peaked its head ever so slightly over the horizon. It was then that I heard music coming from downstairs, making my eyebrows crease.
Realizing, once turning over, that the space next to me was empty, a small frown crept onto my face. Looking around the room, I then sat up as it was also empty.
It's the crack of dawn, so what the hell was Lauren doing that I'm smelling food and hearing music? As I pulled the comforter back, and slid on the sweatpants in the chair next to the bed, I went downstairs to find out. Soft notes, I'd assume from the piano instead of the record player grew louder the farther I went down the steps.
The kitchen was clean, and hardly looked any different from the way it did last night. Glancing ahead of me, there she was, and I grinned softly to myself at the sight. Her curly hair was down and flowed past her bare shoulders. Dressed in pajama shorts, a tank top, and a blanket over her legs, she had her head down as her fingers played with the keys, slowly creating a melody. Mumbling soft lyrics and hummed notes, she'd tilt her head from either side while her hands moved about.
At first, I just watched her in awe, a slight smile spreading across my lips as I leaned against the kitchen island. Again, I wished for a camera to capture the view before me; the city lights beaming with the vast view just before the piano, and Lauren at the center, seeming so at peace.
There was a notebook sitting atop the instrument, and a pencil on that. And when she had muttered a lyric with the most beautiful note, then wrote it down just to shake her head and start to scribble it out, I spoke a soft protest,
"You should keep it-" a frightened gasp left her as she whipped around to look at me, and I chuckled while ambling up to her. "Don't scratch it out Honeybee, it sounded really good." Laying a hand over her chest and closing her eyes as I grew closer, she shook her head while slowly turning back to the piano,
"Jesus, Sade-"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I cooed, brushing hair back on her shoulders as she then turned to look up at me. Once our eyes met, I ran a hand along her cheek, and she leaned into my touch. "Couldn't sleep?"
Instead of an instant response, she pulled the blanket back from her legs to hold up while sliding her other arm around my waist. A smile tugged my lips as I sat on her lap and she wrapped both arms around me, sliding a rather chilled hand under my t-shirt. I shivered while giggling a little,
"Baby your hands are colddd," I said, wrapping my right arm around her shoulders.
Simply chucking softly, Lauren paid me no mind while grabbing my left hand and lifting it to place sweet kisses along my arm. Heat sparked beneath my skin and cheeks as I bit my lip.
"How else are they gonna warm up?" she asked before finally looking up at me with a grin, her eyes now studying my features. "I'm sorry if I woke you. I closed the door and tried to keep quiet-"
"You not being next to me is what woke me," I said, twirling her hair on my finger. "Well that and I smelled food-" she laughed as I playfully tilted my head. "Care to explain that by the way?"
"There may or may not be freshly baked cookies in the oven. But I made them about an hour ago, so they're just in there to keep some warmth." She chuckled as I gave her a look that said, 'you baked cookies...at six in the morning??' And it made me smile. "Yes, I baked cookies at six in the morning- it was impulsive, I know."
"Mhm...what kind?"
"Your favorite," Lauren said, bringing my hand to her lips. "I figured you'd like to have some at work or something, I dunno." I smiled while shaking my head, then glanced around at the piano and open notebook full of words and a few pages on the side of it. "At first, I had an idea for a song that I needed to write down," she spoke softly, following my gaze. "I'd gotten up to use the bathroom, and was in the middle of washing my hands when it came out of nowhere. So I just ran down here real quick... But then I sat down, and the next thing I know, I'm baking cookies at five in the morning while writing pages of lyrics." I chucked, sliding a lock of hair behind her ear,
"Looks like you had some things on your mind..."
"More than I was aware of apparently," she sighed while looking at the keys, then gazed lovingly at me.
At first, I'd begun to return the look, but the sight of my name in Lauren's writing caught my eye. My hand was still interlaced with hers as I lifted them to point slightly behind her,
"Not to pry or anything, but I can't help but ask why my name's there..." she glanced back, and smiled while letting go to grab the paper and sit it between us.
"It's a song... about you," she said, her lips twisting to hide a smile once she looked up at me. In return, I smirked, arching a brow. "I'd started on it- a while back before we'd even gotten together- and I thought I'd add some notes to it."
Brushing my fingers along the page, I read the lyrics. A soft grin tugged my lips, then I glanced at her.
Looking up from the page once feeling my lingering gaze, she met my eyes, then mirrored my expression.
"Will you play it for me?"
Lauren bit her lip before timidly hanging her head. Signing a contemplating breath, she brushed her fingers over the keys, then looked at me. Sliding off her lap, with my legs still over hers as I sat on the seat, I pulled the blanket over my shoulder before laying on hers.
"It's okay if you're not comfortable baby, I don't want to intrude," I said, after a moment.
"No, I'm going to play it," she said, tracing her fingers softly along my spine. "I just... I don't know, I'm nervous to, for some reason."
I made a face, though didn't move my head from her shoulder,
"You sing to me all the time though?"
"Yeah but not a song that I wrote, and especially not one about you-"
"Oh so there's multiple?" I smirked, arching a brow that she couldn't see. My squeal of laughter echoed through the room as she tickled my side with the hand still under my shirt.
"You play too much," she said, shifting us up to face the instrument. Sitting up from her shoulder, I started to move my legs to give her room, but her hand held them still.
"You don't need more room?"
"Nope," she said, adjusting the blanket over our legs before hovering her fingers over the keys. As she concentrated, I admirably tucked a curl behind her ear, and beamed softly once she glanced a smile my way. "You ready?" Lauren then asked, drawing a nervous breath before looking at me timidly. My hand slid from her hair down her back as I chuckled,
"Baby, it's okay- you don't have to be nervous." I leaned forward to plant a kiss on her exposed shoulder, and she followed my eyes with a blush as I pulled away. "I'm sure I'll love it."
"Okay...." She exhaled a long breath, facing the instrument again with her hands hanging above the keys.
After taking a deep breath and quietly letting it escape, Lauren soon pressed her fingers down, beginning the opening just before she started to sing.
I'd always admire the way she'd close her eyes when playing, or singing, sometimes. The way she'd sway her head slightly, feeling the melody and the lyrics within her. And the way her voice could be so light and airy at times, then it could get thick and sultry like it sounded now.
After the accident, Lauren was afraid the damage to her throat had caused issues within her vocal chords. She had an entire breakdown, thinking she wouldn't be able to sing again. So for a while, she stopped, and it honestly broke my heart, especially since she thought I hadn't noticed. Though when I brought her piano here to New York, I'd heard her sing again late at night, when she thought I'd fallen asleep on the couch. My eyes had remained closed but they were smiling out of pure joy for her. Because now, I get to hear that beautiful voice in combination with this instrument all the time.
Highly recommend that you just listen to it. The lyrics don't match the flow or depth of the song so yeah ;)
"Wow," I whispered, more to myself once she finished. "You..." Lauren turned to me, her bottom lip shyly between her teeth and her eyebrows raised. "You wrote this...about me?"
Now dropping her head and turning away from me, she meekly nodded. She then took my hand to play with my fingers as she spoke softly,
"I uh...I don't know if you'll remember or anything," she let out a laugh, tugging her ear. "But um, before we saw each other again in Tampa, I saw you at a club in New York-" my eyes subtly widened as I sat up straight, completely taken aback. "And I should've said something- I wanted to say something... but Micah was there when he wasn't supposed to be, and he nagged at me the entire night...so then, a good two days later, I-" she laughed again to herself while shaking her head, and I grinned a little. "I couldn't get you out of my head. And initially, I wasn't happy about that, bu-"
"Why?..."
Lauren drew a breath, and glanced at me before looking down again, still playing with my fingers.
"Because...after you stopped sending the letters, I genuinely tried my hardest to forget you...Never in a million years could I hate you, or even be mad at you, but for my own sake and sanity, I needed to forget you. And the fact that I'd only seen you once from afar, and suddenly it was like I hadn't even tried. It made me upset because after all these years, you still had such a hold on my heart. It was still in your hands- and to my knowledge at the time, I thought yours was in someone else's. So, I wrote about it, thinking it'd help me move on..."
A moment passed as silence fell between us, and I'd gone into my thoughts while looking at her. Her side of the story from that night brought back memories of how I felt about seeing her for the first time in seven years. As much as I denied it to myself, I was beyond excited to see Lauren again. It felt as though a long lost wish had finally come true, and all the times I'd told myself I was over her was none other than delusion.
"I saw you too," I admitted softly, and my girlfriend soon picked her head up to look at me. "At the club.... Hunter dragged me out since I hadn't been in a while and there you were..." The look of fondness I was giving her made Lauren blush, which only caused my smile to grow. "And you looked...so beautiful-" twisting her smiling lips, she blushed harder and dropped her head. "I was stunned to say the least, and I was anything but upset to see you, but I do think that I was scared..."
"Scared?..." I nodded,
"Of all the possible changes that could have happened between us. That maybe you didn't feel that way about me anymore, because it had been so long and because of the letters. It scared me because I knew how I felt, but was afraid to find out if you felt the same.... And then at the dinner..." letting my head drop a bit, I took a small breath. "When I saw you with him, and you introduced him as your fiancé... it hurt me way more than I thought it would, even though that's the sole reason for us separating in the first place..." Feeling a squeeze on my hand I glanced at her, finding her face emotionally frowned in protest. "I wanted you to be happy, with or without me... but it hurt to see the 'without' part, especially when I wasn't really happy without you."
"I wasn't either though..."
"I know, which is why I looked at you the way I did when I saw the color drain from your face as he whispered in your ear. Before then, I tried my best to avoid eye contact with you-"
"I thought you were mad at me," Lauren laughed, and I joined. "It was driving me crazy because you wouldn't look at me-"
"I couldn't," I chuckled in playful defense. "It would've been impossible for me to share glances with you across that table, knowing you were with someone else." She tilted her head sweetly at my words. "But believe me, when you weren't looking, my eyes were definitely on you, admiring from afar."
Lauren met my adoring gaze, and our contact lingered as she squeezed my hand softly.
Again, we spoke to each other without the use of any words. And I was never the type to believe in soulmates in my teen years, but since meeting her, that's changed. I never thought it possible to love and care for someone so extensively. To a point where you'd do anything for them, and go anywhere. You want to see them happy, no matter if it hurts you. And without them, the world is gray compared to the immense color you see when they're around. She's the love of my life, if not more. And as of now, I'd decided not to wait any longer to show her that.
"I think my sleepiness is catching up to me now," Lauren said through a laugh, pulling me from my thoughts. She'd straightened up her notebook and papers on the piano before turning to me. "I'm sorry for waking you, I know it's around time for you to get up for work-" I held up a hand shaking my head,
"Baby I can get there anytime I want, I just prefer being there when everyone else is." Swinging my legs off hers, I took the blanket over my arm and stood. "Which means today, I'm going to sleep in-" she smiled and took the hand I held out to stand as well. "Come on, it's cold down here." Lauren chuckled as I pulled her along.
~~~~~~~~~
Making my way down to the runway unit, which was a few floors down from my office, I checked in on their progress.
Most of my work was done for the specialty unit: haute couture and red carpet designing. I'd design about five pieces a year for the runway, and allowed the rest of my employees to really shine there year round. Ghana mostly took care of the runway unit since that was her main skill and focus, but sometimes she'd step in for me since she's been with me the longest and knows all three units well.
Charlie stood at my side, slightly following behind me with her tablet against her chest as I passed each glass room, popping my head in some and complementing certain pieces. I'd been smiling since arriving on this floor because they all seemed so happy to see me. I only visited the unit once a week in person while everyone was working. They'd greet me with excitement and wide smiles and seemed eager to hear my thoughts on their work.
Last year, I'd started a holiday tradition for this unit since it's so competitive and fast paced. It had always reminded me of my days in college. They way everyone was working day and night to make it, no matter what. Back then, I'd have appreciated more light hearted and wholesome moments within my work environment, so that's what I intended to create.
Today, I was here to announce it, then leave them be to head a few floors up to the fragrance unit.
"Hey you guysss," I said to everyone once standing at the center front of the floor where there was a sort of stage and board on the wall. They turned to me with smiling hi's and hey's before getting quiet to give me their full attention. "So as you all knoww, it's December first-" hoots and claps followed the statement, causing my smile to grow. "And for those of you who've been here a while, you know what that means. But for those who're newer here, I'm here to announce our annual Winter Games-" more clapping followed my words as I dropped my clasped hands.
"How it works is every designer in the runway unit is to individually compete against each other as we get closer to our Winter Show. It's holiday themed, because yes, I am one for the sentiment-" they laughed as I layed a playful hand over my chest with a look up to the ceiling. "So you'll receive a simple challenge every four days, starting today and ending on the seventeenth. Each challenge will appeal to a different skill and style just to get you guys out of your comfort zone, and it will collaborate with something relating to the season, whether it be colors, material, eccetera. And with that being said-" I turned to get the iPad Charlie had ready for me. She handed it to me then faced the group as I turned back around.
"The first challenge is called 'Oh Santa,'" I said and they looked at each other with intrigued expressions and nods. "The challenge is to create a look inspired by the infamous fat guy in a suit-" laughter spread throughout the floor before the second part. "But without using the color red," I chuckled once hearing their groans and seeing hands being thrown up in distress. "Don't worry, it's possible. Just think outside the box," I said with a wink. "So, starting today, I expect your looks to be completed by next Tuesday, where you will be judged first thing in the morning. The next challenge will be announced that day, and by the end of the games, our winners will have their looks showcased as a special feature within the show."
Claps and cheers erupted within the room, making me beam as I looked around. "Alright, that's all for today, I'll leave you all to it," I said while stepping off the podium and Charlie followed as we made our way straight for the elevator. "If you guys have any questions, Ghana here is at your service, as well as myself and Charlie. Byeeee-"
"Byeeeee-"
When getting back into my office, Charlie stood before my desk to give me an afternoon rundown.
"I'm excited to see how they'll pull this off," she said while using the stylist on her iPad. I sat in my chair with a satisfied exhaled,
"Me too."
"Okay, so first things first-" I sat up to rest my crossed arms on the desk attentively. "You've got a meeting with Donatella in fifteen minutes. And then, you've got an hour and fifteen for lunch, in which I've been told the Misses is to arrive today?" A grin curved onto my lips as I nodded. "Does she need an escort?" I shook my head,
"She specifically requested no escort, security, or special treatment of any kind."
Charlie looked at me for a beat then smirked before drawing her attention back to the tablet. "So, tell everyone to prepare themselves and act normal when she arrives, got it." Chuckling knowingly, I shook my head and sat back. "Alright and afterwards, no specific time, but before you leave, we'll need you in the specialty unit for a check-in regarding the Winter Show. Also, Tegan has a few questions about some materials on floor 10, so be sure to check in with her before leaving also- I'll remind you."
"Sounds good," I nodded and she did as well before turning on her heels to leave. "And hey, Charlie-" she glanced back. "Have Troy give me a call in five, alright?"
"Sure thing Boss."
~~~~~~~
This meeting with Donatella, I'd been extremely nervous for since getting the call that she wanted to stop by and talk to me. She said it was to discuss and upcoming show that she wanted to collaborate with me on. And to say that I was shocked, would've been an understatement.
To those who don't know. Versace is one of the biggest and most successful brands in the industry. Not only that, but they've been an aspiring brand of mine since middle school. So to be where I am now, and have her give me a call, and not only that but to want to collaborate with me....well shit, I must be doing something right.
And to my great relief, the meeting had gone extremely well. She and I were bouncing certain ideas off of each other, and it felt amazing to have someone you look up to, career wise, validate your ideas.
After about an hour and a half with her, Charlie came to notify me that my girlfriend was downstairs just as we were finishing up. She then took the designer to show her out. The second the two exited through the glass door, I turned around with a smiling exhale, then shook my head in disbelief.
Lauren's POV:
I'd never seen Sade's building before, let alone the inside of it. Of course it was beautiful and impeccably detailed. A smile tugged at my lips as I was guided through the lobby by the doorman, Henry, to the elevator. There were twenty floors, and her office was at the top.
Dressed in forest green slacks, a cream cropped long sleeve, a brown trench coat, and brown square toe heel boots, the elevator dinged upon my arrival. Once the doors opened, I looked around at the busy employees before stepping off. Sade's office was hard to miss since it was a straight line back, and was the biggest section on this floor.
Her assistant, Charlie, walked up to me before I had to shyly wave at the numerous people staring. They'd glanced at me, then do a double take before widening their eyes and slowly returning to their tasks. Some would whisper to whoever was next to them, making that person look on as well.
"To be fair, I told them to act normal, but apparently this is their definition of normal," Charlie said over her shoulder as I followed behind her, smiling and waving at whoever waved at me.
"It's alright, I don't mind," I said just as we were getting closer to the door. "I'm just surprised so many of them know who I am."
She shot me a look to which I humorously raised my eyebrows at. "You're kidding right? The fashion business intertwines heavily with entertainment, my darling. We all know who you are. And to be dating the freaking CEO of this brand??"
"Yeah, okay when you put it like that-"
"It's the only way to put it sweets," Charlie quipped, making me laugh as she opened the door, allowing me in first. "You kids have fun now," she whispered as I passed, then closed the door.
Sade was on the phone as I walked up to her desk, eyeing her with admiration in my gaze. I'd seen her this morning before she left, and hardly wanted to let her go because of how good she looked. But now, in this setting, and in her work element, I simply hoped she had something to cover this glass door. The white flare jeans with the dark red sweater vest and black turtle neck under that, and her effortless straightened low messy bun, with those adorable gold hoops...
"Absolutely...oh no it's my pleasure truly, I'm glad you called..." she glanced up at me, then timidly bit her lip before turning away in her seat. "Alright, that sounds good... okay, you too...bye."
By now, I'd stood before her desk, planting my fingertips on the surface while coyly staring her down. Sade had hung up the phone and sat it on the desk before turning back to face me again.
"Honeybee, you've gotta quit looking at me like that while I'm on the phone."
"Hm, like what?" I asked, a slow smile spreading amongst my face. Twisting her lips to hide a grin, Sade shook her head at me, then stood. Letting my eyes fall upon her body slowly from head to toe, I drew a breath and bit my lip. "Hey, does that glass door have a shade?" I asked before meeting her smirking gaze.
"Yes...why?"
Once she kept contact with my gaze while rounding her desk to close the gap between us, my eyebrows raised in amusement. Sneaking her hand inside my coat and around my waist, Sade took the bag I had in my hand from me to sit on her desk before pulling me even closer to her. She let her eyes roam my features but I took a few glances back at the glass door and windows, feeling eyes on us. A finger curved under my chin and drew my attention back to her just before her lips met mine. And though, feeling a little self conscious, it'd temporarily melted away as long as our lips were connected.
She pulled away with a smile that I couldn't help but return.
"Don't worry, those windows are made to where I can change whenever people can see inside." My eyebrows raised impressively and she smiled. "I've missed you..." I chuckled,
"Baby, you just saw me this morning."
"Uh-well, excusee me-never again-" I giggled, pulling her back in by her arms before she could get too far away.
"I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I said, placing her hands back around my waist before pecking her lips repeatedly. "I've missed you too Emerald-" she pulled away, still doubtfully pouting a bit, and I playfully whined. "Baby, I was kiddingggg." My face neared hers as my hands held her waist into me. "Of course, I missed you," I mumbled against her lips before sweetly kissing them. "I always miss you..."
When her expression grew from a frown to a smile,
I smiled back, then giggled once feeling her fingers tickle my bare skin. Managing to squirm out of her grasp, I pointed a narrow eyed finger at her as she laughed.
"Now that was mean-"
"You started it," Sade shrugged, making her way back around her desk, and grabbing my hand to pull me into her lap. "You finish packing for this weekend?" She asked, wrapping her arms around my frame while nuzzling her face into my neck, inhaling my scent with a hum.
"Yes, I've got my suitcase and yours, 'cause apparently somebody's been procrastinating." Sade chuckled softly against my skin, then kissed my neck before drawing back to look admirably at me. "All that's left is for you to sort out what you would want to take with you because I laid out about five different outfits and pairs of shoes."
"Ugh I love you," she dramatically threw her head back and I giggled, crossing one leg over the other while leaning back onto her and into the chair. "And this outfit by the way," she said, rubbing her hand up my thigh and inside my coat again to caress the skin of my back.
Trying to keep my composure, I inhaled under my breath and dropped my head. Sade giggled, nuzzling into my neck again to plant teasingly sensual kisses that hitched my breathing even more.
"Stop it Sade," I mumbled, though hardly moved away. "We're supposed to be getting lunch remember."
"Ugh fineee," she said, placing a small kiss on my cheek before slightly picking me up with her as she stood. "Such a buzzkill." Taking my hand to pull me along, she grabbed her handbag from under the desk before walking us to the door. Letting my head fall as we walked, I chuckled softly to myself,
"You're so lucky we're at your job right now..."
~~~~~~~~
These next two are very lightly edited, so excuse any mistakes please ;)
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