Chasing Imperfection (Chasing Series 2) (39 page)

    
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
wi
th 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, w
hen 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 m
arked 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 opp
ortunities that my school offered
.

  
  I flipped both of the
grilled cheese sandwich
es
and waited for
them
to be golden and crispy. I’m
making Chad and I grilled cheese sandwiches and fr
esh tomato soup. The weather outside was freezing and a good tomato soup was in order.
I loved grilled cheese with my tomato soup. My papa always made it for me and it was one of those things that reminded me of my good childhood with my dad.

    
Even though the temperature in Blake’s apartment was a
bout seventy degrees, Chad was
in his sweats. Once the sandwiches were done, I placed them on separate plates and took out two deep bowls for the soup. “Chaaaaaad! Food’s ready!”

      I went over to the coffee maker and
started a pot
while I hummed along as I moved about. “Oh, you made lunch?”
I stiffened upon hearing his voice. Wasn’t he supposed to be at work or something?

     “You never mentioned you were coming over and besides, I made grilled cheese—I’m not too sure if you like them.”

     “Where did you get that notion? Do you not remember the time when you came over with grilled cheese and tomato soup when I was rottenly sick? I’
d
never had grilled cheese
before that
—but I loved that you took care of me then.”

    
How could I forget? I stayed over
like a good doting friend would
for two days to make sure he was breathing
and not about to die. He got
really ill aft
er that safari trip in Africa.

     “Oh, um, do you want to eat with us? I can make another one.” Why are we talking again? What the heck happened to
ice man?
I wanted to ask him but bit my tongue.

     “If it’s not too much of
an inconvenience
—
then that would be quite lovely.”

    
“You never sai
d you were joining us for lunch
mighty Knightly.” Chad strode in the kitchen along
with his laptop
in his right hand.

     “Mighty
Knightly?
” Blake looked amused
.
“
T
hat’s comical.”

    
Chad took the food and placed it on the breakfast table. “It’s fitting….that’s all.” Chad chuckled and started to boot his laptop. “I’ve been working on ideas, Blake. But I will let you know once I’m done. I want to present them to you with mockups and such.”

     While I started to make another sandwich, Blake was right behind me. I tensed at his close proximity and
was
extremely baffled
by
his change of attitude.
Wait
—could it be—possibly because he finally got over what I did? Could it? God, I hope so. I really want to move forward and just be us again.

     “That’s an excellent idea. I meant to tell you that the design team wants to get in touch and talk to you. I could give you their emails and you can CC them with your ideas or you can meet up with them in Marbella and speak to them directly. Which
is
best for you?
The team has a month and half to decide before deadline.

     Chad nodded and frowned
at
his screen. It’s great to see him in his element again. I can’t be any more proud of him. What a brave, strong man.

     “I take both of you want coffee? I’ll make it
,
”
Blake offered.

     “Yes, please,” Chad and I
echoed together.

     
Blake moved about and prepared three cups of coffee
and placed
them
on the table. Once everything was set, all three of us sat on the table. Blake placed a glass of orange juice next to my coffee. I frowned, “Uh….I didn’t ask for juice?”

    
He
shrugged, “you need vitamin C, Sienna. All I see you drink is coffee as
of late.” HUH.

     “Okaaaay.”
  Odd—a
nd super weird.

     Chad giggled and started singing
LOVE
by Nat King Cole.

    
L
is for the way you look at me

    
O
is for the only one I see

    
V
is very, very extraordinary

    
E
is even more than anyone that you adore can

    
Love is all that I can give to you

     Love is more than just a game for two

    
Two in love can make

    
Take my heart and please don’t break it

    
Love was made for me and you
    

  
He kept
eyeing both Blake and I as he sang. Chad even wiggled his brows when he sang ‘Love was made for me and you’ part. It was really ridiculous and very cute but I couldn’t take any more of the beautiful song. “Chad—
you have a beautiful voice but this isn’t the
X Factor
!” I chided him knowing quite well the song was meant for us and not him. But it was a touchy subject.

     Much to my dismay, Blake just laughed. “Bravo, Chad! You should list singing in your bright resume.” Why was he amused anyway? Grrrr.

     I dipped my grilled cheese in my tomato soup and took a large bite. I choked on what came on Blake’s mouth next. “You should sing at my
wedding. I love that song.” Uh, WHAT THE FUCK?! Wedding?
To whom?
Camilla?

     I coughed and Blake patted my back. My entire body tingled from his touch. I wanted to die right then and there.
He hasn’t really touched me in four day
s
. FOUR long agonizing days of him ignoring my existence.

     “I’m fine
,
”
I murmured, hoping he’d take his hand off my back which he did—after a
long
minute.

     Both men engaged into discussion about themes, designs and whatever else I didn’t want to pay attention
to
. I just want
ed
to finish my lunch and dash out of the kitchen. The shrill sound of my phone came
just in time
and I got up and grab
bed it off
the kitchen counter.

    
Kyle
. Shall I or shall I not? I contemplated in haste. Curiosity won out. 

     “Hello?”

    
“
Doll!!!!
Where the hell are you?
I’m really pissed that you weren’t at Heathrow when we arrived earlier!” Jen a little miffed but excited at the same time.
Heck
, Kyle nev
er mentioned Jen was coming too. Or
did he?
No, definitely not. That’s something I wouldn’t have forgotten. Not Jen.

     “BABE! I wasn’t told you were coming. I thought it was Mick and the boys. So, so sorry! You know I wouldn’t miss you for the world!” I really wouldn’t. Now, I’m going to light Kyle’s ass on fire for not mentioning this to me.

    I went out of the kitchen because I
noticed both guys were
eavesdropping. I needed to get dressed and go see Jen ASAP. With my phone tucked tightly
between
my ear and shoulder, I quickly took my clothes of
f
. Down
to
my electric blue lace thong, I paced back and forth in the vast closet as I listened to her and figur
ed
out what I wanted to wear.

     “….so I declined Caleb’s proposal you know… I mean, I have yet to finish school. Why do I need to rush to be a housewife? Come on, seriously. He totally ruined our relationship. It was doing so well until that hella big explosion.”

     I stopped
pacing when she mentioned
“
proposed.
”
What’s with men rushing to get married these days and women backtracking?

     “
Hold it
—
proposed?
And you declined? That couldn’t have gone down well
. He’s such a great guy Jen!”
I met Caleb once when Kyle dragged me to see Jen.

      “I know….doll. But come on! Anyhow, get your cute bum here before I
decide
to come and get you and end
up
getting lost around here.
Gawd
, you never said London had some
totally
cute men
!
Okay
—the guys are hollering me to finish. Kyle’s taking us out—
see you
soon
doll and be quick
!” Jen immediately ended the call before I had the chance to say a word.