Chasing Imperfection (Chasing 2)

“Holy shit, that’s like mammoth work! Imagine the publicity that could give me! WOW! I am so qualified for this! Art and design is what I live for! Of course, I would so do it for you! Are you on crack?!!!” Chad shrieked with sheer astonishment.

This kind gesture would revive Chad’s confidence and would undeniably cement his name as an artist. Blake no doubt needed help with his hired design team and I’m positive that he could hire anyone he desired. But he chose an amateur, Chad, to do it. His confidence in Chad spoke volumes. And the plain fact that he’d take extra measures to ensure Chad is on his way to proper recovery—and what a recovery it’ll be! He looked out for people he cared about. That much was obvious.

“What’s your going rate?” Blake lightly enquired to the gaping Chad.

“Nah uh, you won’t pay me dude! This is the least I could do for you after what you’ve done for me. Consider this labor of love and redemption.”

“If you’re quite sure, I don’t want to take advantage of a recovering friend.”

The food arrived and my eyes landed squarely on my dolce indulgence. “Yes, quite totally sure!” Chad smirked at my blissful face. I barely touched my entrée and satiated my gnawing appetite for sweets.

I finished it with record speed and took the opportunity to excuse myself and leave them both. Being this near with Blake—and wide awake, not asleep—made me anxious. Our relationship is at a standstill. But neither he nor I had the nerve to bring up the daunting subject. I suppose we’re both cowards in that respect.

I was done with school for the day and had nowhere to go, really. So, I decided to be frivolous and treated myself (I needed the works) to the Sanctuary Spa in Covent Garden, a short walk from my flat. I have yet to come back to my own apartment. Since Blake decided that I had to sleep with him (more like next to him at this rate), I seem to have forgotten my own life.

My beauty jaunt finally finished at six and I darted to Blake’s in Mayfair. It took four and a half hours of blissful massages, scrubbing, waxing, facials (loved the pure oxygen blast), and mani/pedi.

I checked my phone and smiled when I found a text from Kyle. Yo! A few peeps from motherland passing through Friday. Let me know if you can join us!

Who’s all coming to visit? I replied. The idea of seeing familiar faces sounded like a good idea right now.

It’s Mickey and the gang. Are you coming through or what? I would love to but I didn’t want to promise and end up not showing up. I will try. I will get back to you Friday.

My phone beeped almost immediately. Come on. You gotta try! Yeah, I will.

That’s the tricky part….Going without having Blake throw a boiling showdown. I will try Kyle. You know I will, k?

I shoved my phone back to my purse as the cab stopped in front of Blake’s building. I paid and thanked the cabbie.

When the elevator opened its doors, I knew Luke and Chad were pattering about in the kitchen. Their loud teasing and constant bickering made it evident as they laughed and teased each other. The smell of dinner cooking permeated the air. Both gents sounded ecstatic. I grinned silly as I passed by the kitchen and entered Blake’s bedroom. My grin instantly vanished when I saw Blake come out of the bathroom, freshly showered with only a white towel wrapped around his hips. It hung loosely and the apparent V on his hips that pointed downwards to his groin—made me drool on the spot. Not to mention his defined chest and chiseled abs made me downright breathless. Hard, defined, bronze masculine beauty at its rawest and finest! What a hot piece of….

Move bitch and don’t look back, I mentally screamed at myself.

“How was your afternoon, Sienna?” His placid, formal tone made me snap into reality.

Yeah, ice man is back.

“It was fabulous.” I delivered with great fake enthusiasm and sprinted towards the walk-in closet. I’d rather eat dirt than let him know that his indifference affected me a great deal.

My butt barely reached the large rectangular closet chair when Blake strode in the closet and stood before me. Oh my God! Can’t he put some clothes on before he decides to talk to me? I’m about to faint just by having him this close to me, staring me down with those infinite pools of gold-flecked midnight silver eyes.

“I wanted to tell you that there’s a company gala on New Year’s Eve. I already informed Chad and everyone. The company made an announcement but this time, William will formally announce his retirement and appoint me as his successor.”

Right, cheery-o mate! Congratulations? Is that what he expected me to say? His annoying icy formal demeanor makes me want to pull all of his hair out just to see if I can get a reaction. His impartial take on my feelings and obvious disdain, made the dagger in my heart twist a little bit more.

“Is that all?” my alienated, hollowed voice rasped out. He cocked his face as if to say something then decided against it and left the room hastily.

I exhaled a heavy sigh and composed myself. I dragged myself to change and joined the merry couple outside to help prepare for dinner. Playing pretend was a more palatable option than facing the icy fact of my present problem.

After dinner, Luke decided to stay over. I’m sure it was rather odd to be sleeping in the house of the man you work for—but Blake made him at ease. Good to know he’s all accommodating and nice to everyone. It was only me who was excluded in this cozy realm.

Blake stuck to his usual night time routine. He went out like a light the second his head hit the pillow and as far away from me as possible.

Must be nice to be him, I thought acidly.

These past few nights, I’ve been sleeping rather late than usual. Apart from dark circles, the only good thing I gained from my standing nightly vigil was that my nightmares were not hounding me.

26

Sienna

When Friday rolled around, I still haven’t mentioned anything to Blake about my friends from LA who are all staying over at Kyle’s house. It’s not that I’m scared to mention it, but it was more like being weary about the simple truth that things aren’t hearts and roses between Blake and me.

Earlier, when I spoke to my classmate, Aloy, she mentioned great internship programs with PR companies and other opportunities for us to help out during London Fashion Week (which I totally missed two months ago). I marked my iPad calendar with the registration date for the 2013 week. The LFW would be a great reference for me if I want to compete in the volatile world of Fashion. The PR internship would be a great way to see another side of brand marketing and I want to take advantage of these great opportunities that my school offered.