I flipped through the pages of the portfolio aimlessly. It was horrible. Knowing Victoria, would hate it, I tossed it unceremoniously in the trash and reached for the quickly cooling coffee at the edge of my desk with a groan of frustration.
The day had started off shitty( I broke the coffee machine for the third time). I was halfway out of my office and ready to go bother Tyler and avoid working, when my door swung open and he stepped in. Tyler had on fitted black slack with a nice, dark green sweater that made his blue eye pop.
"Hey, Bitch," he greeted. " You look hot today. Whoever picked out your outfit is a gift from God."
I twirled around, stumbling slightly in the process of my modeling attempt.
"I try." I teased. "And I guess roommates who pick out my outfits pick out my outfits and make breakfast are pretty cool ."
He rolled his eye fondly. "We've got a meeting in ten minutes. I assumed you forgot, so here iI am."
"Thank God one of us is organized." I muttered as I reached for my phone and laptop, then followed him out the door.
We walked side by side, gossiping about the latest as we headed into the meeting room We took our seats at the end of the table , mine by Victoria and Tyler's across from me. He wiggles his eyebrows and I tried to contain my laughter as Victoria walked in.
"Coffee... Norah." she snapped. I stood up immediately and walked back to the break room. After starting a fresh pot, I leaned back against the counter to wait, tapping my heel against the floor and praying the machine wouldn't break like it always seemed to do in my presence.
As soon as it was done, I grabbed the steaming mug and scurried back the meeting room, where everyone was settling down into their seats and shuffling through various papers. I set the coffee in front of my boss, then slid into my chair next her.
"Alright, next months issue," Victoria started shuffling through some papers. " I'm thinking work place chic. Ideas. Go!"
"Section on leather,it's so hot right now," Tyler immediately put in. Everyone nodded in agreement and tapped away at their MacBooks.
"What about a section on women bosses? Powerful and sexy?" A women named Alice tried. She was a pretty blonde with a bob haircut whose ideas were never original, but once given an idea , she could pull together a perfect article. And she was really fun to party with, so therefore one of my good friends.
"So overdone."someone groaned. Alice glared at them until Victoria started talking.
"I agree," She mused, twirling a pen between her long ,thin fingers. "We need something fresh."
Everyone threw ideas in, some being immediately thrown out with disgust, others put into consideration. I chewed on the end of my pencil absentmindedly as I brainstormed, the waited for a lapse of silence in the storm of editors spitting out ideas.
"How about being your own boss? Someone who has risen to the top worked hard to get there, and has extremely good taste." I attempted, while my eye stayed trained on my chipping fingernails as I waited the harsh backlash from Victoria.
Instead, She gave me a strange look before smiling. "I like it. Who though. Think people."
"What about that blogger, Leighton something? She started a blogging website that's getting really popular. She's hot, too." Aaron suggested.
"That's good. Could be interesting. Any other ideas?"
"Oh my god!" Tyler suddenly squealed. Everyone turned to face him as he clapped his hands excitedly.
"Shawn Mendes."
I heard murmurs of agreement throughout the room as everyone typed away on their laptops. They all seemed to know who he is, except for me. "I'm sorry, who?" I questioned with knitted eyebrows.
Tyler giggled and sipped his coffee. "Oh, my oblivious little North Carolina girl. Shawn Mendes of Mendes Enterprises. The self made millionaire, only twenty-four. Plus he is super sexy too. Always dressed is designer. Mysterious sort of a bad boy, which everyone thinks is to die for."
"Oh..." i replied as a typed his name in google and waited for the images to load onto the screen. "Oh. Shit he's hot!" I exclaimed. Victoria's eyes burned into me and I turned bright red. " I mean, Oh wow, he is very handsome?" I squeaked.
She rolled her eye and I turned back to my computer with a sheepish grin. It didn't take long for me to zone out of the conversation when there were plenty of articles about the gorgeous CEO who had immaculate taste in clothes. The first article was Business Weekly.
'Shawn Mendes is 24 , and is already a multi-millionaire . His corporation and brand name are growing exponentially, along with his wealth. Mendes recently bought a two story bachelor pad valued at 3.7million dollars. He owns 6 car , each worth over 100k. His beach house valued at 1.5 million. And he did this all on his own'
Impressive, I clicked on the next link. It was a New York socialite blog.
"Canadian born Mendes was recently seen out with none other than model and actor Lillya Scarlett Reid. He couldn't be reached for a comment , but Lilliya claims she is "just friends " with the drop dead gorgeous 24 year old. But that's not the only women Mendes has been seen with. He's known for being a player so look out ladies."
Interesting Canadian? Its kinda hot once you think about it. I was scrolling through the images, entranced by his mysterious brown eyes, and full pink lips, with those loose curls...when i heard my name.
"Hm?" I questioned, snapping my head away from the screen.
"Nice of you to join us." Victoria seethed. " I was just telling you how it will be your job to get Mendes, to agree to an interview, because the entire article was your idea."
"Oh.Yeah of course.No problem." I stammered, writing down. She gave me an amused smirk that I didn't quite understand.
"Meeting dismissed .Norah , I expect an answer from him by Friday."
I nodded as I shut my laptop and grabbed my coffee before walking out the door. Tyler's shrill voice called after me. "Do you understand what she just did?"He shrieked, dragging me into his office. I shook my head as i sipped my lukewarm coffee. "She just set you up for failure! Mendes doesn't do interviews, ever. She knows it won't work."
"Are you serious?" I groaned , collapsing into his chair. "Not even one for a magazine as big as Vogue?"
"Nope" he scoffed. "He apparently hates publicity. He has punched, like six paparazzi or something. God that's hot . I bet he is strong. I wonder if-"
"Hey! Control your hormones." I command. Tyler just rolls his eyes. " I am going to try and call his office or whatever."
"Good luck." He laughed as I stalked out , making sure to flip him off over my shoulder. I went back to my office and sat down, pulling my hair into a loose ponytail as I looked for an office number online. I found it and dialed it quickly.
"Mendes Enterprises, this is Lauren." A young women answered.
"Hi, this is Norah from Vogue Magazine. I was wondering if Mr.Mendes was available for-"
"I'm going to have to stop you right there, Miss ." She rudely cut in. " Mr.Mendes does not do interviews. Thank for understanding."
I heard a click and the line went dead. I pinched the bridge of and searched for another number, an email address, anything. After a few minutes of searching, I found a business email for Shawn Mendes and immediately drafted a letter.
___________________________
To: Shawn Mendes
Good afternoon Mr.Mendes
Next month's article for Vogue magazine will be highlighting a powerful person who has worked hard to get where they are. Someone who is their own boss. We have agreed that you would be the perfect person to represent this. We would be delighted to interview you for our magazine. Please let us know if you are interested, and what day would work for you.
Thanks,
Norah Wilson, Vogue Fashion Intern
___________________________
I tapped my red fingernails against the keyboard impatiently as I waited for a response. Because yes, Shawn Mendes was absolutely gorgeous and I absolutely wanted to interview him. Professionally, of course. Because I was total professional and cherry red lips were not my only my only motivation.
Halfway through my ' Shawn Mendes shirtless' google search. For professional reasons , of course, there was a notification from my computer, which made me jump a little. I quickly opened the email, as I waited anxiously for it to load.
___________________________
From: Shawn Mendes, CEO of Mendes Enterprises
Miss Wilson, thank you for your offer. Please do not contact this email again or a restraining order will be placed against you. Sorry for any inconveniences.
Shawn Mendes, CEO of Mendes Enterprises
___________________________
I couldn't help the small bit of laughter that escaped from my lips as I dropped my forehead against my desk. Then I started hitting it against the hard wood over and over. Naturally, I was that position when Tyler barged in a few minutes later.
"I assumed that means he agreed." he quipped , with a smirk tugging at the corners of his thin lips.
I turned and glared at him "I sent him a perfectly nice email and he threatened to place a restraining order ."
"So mine was stupid?" I questioned, cocking and eyebrow.
He raised his hands in defense. "To him, yeah most likely." I groaned and dropped back in my chair crossing my arms with a pout. Tyler looked amused as he leaned back against the wall. "You want my advice?"
"Please." I sighed.
"Go to his office. Talk to him in person. You're hot, and he obvious like girls, unfortunately, so use your sex appeal and try to get him to agree."
"I have the sex appeal of a dying horse."
"Fair point."
He shrugged. "Just go. It's the only chance you'll have of maybe getting a legitimate answer for Mendes himself."
"Fine." I moaned, dropping my chin into my hands. Tyler winked and left. I stared at my open computer, where Shawn Mendes stupid millionaire face mocked me. What had I gotten myself into?