A Close Call with the CEO
Odetta Lawrence has a secret, she is posing as Olivia Reyes, a renowned breakout fashion designer. The world was finally recognizing her for her talents but not as her true self. She falls in love with the distrustful bigshot CEO of Luxe Textiles, Edward Cummings and Edward is falling for Olivia, but what happens if she lets her heart lead? Will she give up her career for love or love for her career? *** I hear she assaulted a local in Delhi, what a racist. _Exes15 Olivia scoffed tossing her phone into her purse and zipped it up clapping her hands together. "If you'd like, I'd put up that outfit," He leaned on the wall. "Maybe buy it off your hands," She spread her arms to keep them apart, Edward just had the best way of endearing her and she stood her ground. "You...you will?" She nearly forgot about the headlines. They walked together on the beach, she held her hands together. "I appreciate that," She bit her lip. He stepped in front of her and she stopped "I could grab my boat_" "Yes, I'd love to sail," Tasha stepped in wearing a green wrap up bikini and fabric around her waist, she rolled her eyes when Dante nudged her and she blushed. "Quit bugging me alright?" She said and bit down a laugh then blinked at Olivia. "Poor dear, I'm so sorry about that guy...," Olivia fidgeted locking her fingers, "Nevermind," Edward held her shoulder and she disliked his advances. "I know, he was really good looking, I guess you never can tell," She ranted holding on to a bunch of keys and sighed. "The boat," "Right," She said and they roamed to the docks. Olivia watched a crab wrestle with a broken shell and she saw another empty one. "Are you gonna give it or live in it?" He cackled unknotting a rope, he had help with the sails and she tossed it in the water. "No thanks, I'm fine, it's a really nice boat," "Thanks, it's just a rental," He said and he stepped inside stretching his hand. "No, thanks I got it," She stepped up and her other leg was stuck in-between. "Help," She crossed over. "It's slippery," He said and made it to the controls after he released the sails. "Are you sure you know how to sail? Because I'm concerned_" "You had to stand and watch me do a safety check. Olivia, there's a lotta things I had to learn," He said and twisted the keys and the jets rumbled spewing a stream of water. "Hang on," He said and she reached around his side. "This is not funny," She said leaning on his shoulder and he was the least ridiculous at the moment. "Here we go," Edward stirred the boat and he was aware of the direction of the wind and set sail across the shores till he was sure they hit the water. The smell of salt lingered in the air and he set his hand above his eyes at the distance. Olivia was wistful and held on, she couldn't think of the last thing to worry her, maybe a sail was what she needed the whole time. The water wobbled and the sky was getting grey and he picked up speed warranting another grip from Olivia. He felt a drip on his skin and she yawned. In a moment, the turbines gradually stopped spinning and her head rose stepping away from him. A smile returned to his face when he was sure they were safe, the island was just a few metres away, he would drive there in a moment but still, they had to enjoy the view. She sat down on a chair wistful about her dad's trips. "It's been a while since I've been on a sail," "Not long enough," He went to retrieve two glasses and handed her one. "Been a while since I've had a drink," She swivelled. She sipped and her eyes popped at the sweetness. "Apple juice?" He laughed. "I figure if we did, then none of us will be leaving this boat," She imagined careening and Edward laying on the edge, wasted and she shook her head. "Better safe than sorry," She crossed her legs
Chapter 14: Sparks fly
"Lawrence? Your name is Lawrence?"
"No, I mean yes it's_ it's Odetta," She stammered.
"Hmm, suits you"
He thought maybe she was a Sandy or an Irma, to him they sounded alike anyways.
Odetta sounded like a woman with charm and a dash of mystery.
He scanned her black blouse, white cotton sleeves, black mid-length pants and black sneakers and he snorted.
Now he really cared what she wears.
She brushed her hair self-conscious and he caught it, she screeched internally at his hand on her wrist and he examined the cuts on her hands. His eyes scraped. down her arm and he met her eyes.
"You're the cleaner, right?" His eyebrow went up in a sardonic look.
"Yes, why would you ask?"
He scoffed at her attitude.
"I'd like to give you a little token of my appreciation for that save," He straightened his tie and her eyes lowered to his neck. "I'd give you an overtime,"
Her heart skipped a beat and she may have said 'yes' too loud and he raised an eyebrow.
"I'm excited," She drawled and he may had seen the biggest smile in the world. "Thank you,"
He gave her another good look. Her cheekbones though. "Dinner,"
"Dinner? Me and you? T_together?"
"Of course," He shrugged.
She nodded quickly and gasped when Tasha stepped in.
Odetta moved aside and saw her arm was still lodged in his hand, she bounced back and Tasha held up her arm on top of her elbow.
"Edward,"
"Tasha, I was just packing out," He said with the usual charm.
He let go of Odetta's arm and she nodded.
"I see," Tasha eyed her.
Odetta caught the flash in her eyes and she held her hands together.
"I just happened to see you at the...last floor, and about our trip?" She blinked.
"Tomorrow can wait, we'll have a real talk on our flight. Madame Brooke is on hold at the moment, Lawrence," He called and walked to his office.
"Dante'll be eager to discuss further," He said and Tasha glared at him dragging Odetta and growled stomping her feet.
"Ugh! Lawrence!? That witch!" She brushed her hair and then brought out her iPhone to make a call. "Hello?"
***
Odetta pulled her arm and she felt his hand tighten on hers walking faster.
"I don't think this evening might be a good... time,"
He was reaching his office and he stopped cuffing his sleeve.
"Lawrence, you told me not to push myself too hard,"
She laughed nervously raising a finger. "Uh...no, _I_"
"But you were implying on it, right?"
"Yeah, well... yes," She said recalling that day and his eyes flickered on her nodding and then he packed his suitcase.
"Uh, I forgot to clean_Oof, okay," She stumbled when he set his bag on her hand and she hung it while he locked the office.
...
Danica paced around and patted her door "Olivia! Get your ass up and take a shower!" She barked.
"I'm_I'm Olivia, present!" Odetta snorted pushing up from her bed, she brushed her hair out of her face and groaned at the time. "Sweet geez, it's six am,"
Danica rolled her eyes holding a brush and waited while she opened the door wearing a white bathrobe.
She jogged to the bathroom. "My name is Olivia Reyes,"
She took her toothbrush and sorted out her hair. She had been sleeping in since Edward left for Delhi with Tasha Limelight.
She was supposed to make an appearance too for a fashion show they were putting up before the ceremony. She had to work on a fresh and new clothesline that would wow the world.
She brushed her hair and had split ends and blew it to her contentment. Packing it up to wear a skull cap. "I'm late for my flight," She said and Danica knocked.
"Let's go, our ride to the airport is only like thirty minutes and let's go!!"
Olivia stepped outside in her fifth number Candyflower which was a multi-colored dress with many puffs around her bodice and long sleeves and a low V-cut dress, tight skirt and she wore black heels to go.
Her hair was a straight long black wig with golden beads and she wore small glasses with a lollipop in her mouth. "Is this necessary?"
"I think everyone needs a little Cleopatra," Danica said sweetly.
"You mean Anthony?" Olivia asked raising an eyebrow.
Danica chortled fluffing her sleeve. "Yeah, that's what I said,"
She sighed and did a shimmy dance. "I'm excited,"
"Me too, flight," She announced.
Odetta cleared her throat. "Got it," She held her purse and her clothes ruffled in the right places.
***
The audience awed at her clothesline and clapped.
Odetta watched the flash of lights at the runway, from the backstage and she got some models in Delhi to sport her tafetta racetrack clothing.
There was a dress that especially attracted them, a white abstract square tangle-print sleeveless dress with ruffles on the collar and arms and a black string woven on the collar, her hands were braced in her pockets and there were two sling materials flowing down from the sidesnicely, she posed in her faint blue jeans and white platform sneakers. Giving a winning pose that they bought.
"I call that one Get Sporty," She said by the drapes.
"Looks good,"
She gasped at his voice. "Ed," She closed the curtains behind her and looked up at him.
He wore a skin tight vest with yellow sleeves and she gaped at him with studded wrist bands, edgy low riding jeans with black leather suspenders hanging at his hips.
He wore blue laceless sneakers.
His eyelined blue eyes popped and his hair was ruffled. He looked stunning and she blushed. "Wait...this is my number,"
She said stupefied.
Edward was wearing a number between a jock, pop singer and goth mix.
"Yeah, we ran out of models," Danica sprayed his hair. "You look good,"
The models nudged Olivia from outside and she stepped forward to give way. Her shoulder nudged into his chest and Edward took her hand and she looked up at him, grinning.
"Heh," She brushed his shirt.
"It's showtime I guess," He said casually and Olivia groped when he took her hand leading her out and Danica shrugged.
"No, no," She protested and feigned a smile when the lights flashed and while they 'strut their stuff'.
The crowd went wild as they did a finishing walk down the runway.
"More, more! Olivia, Ed over here!" The paparazzi cried demanding their attention and they stood for more shots and Olivia looked up at Edward and her heart skipped a beat, she suddenly felt like her dream man had come to life.
It seemed like the time slowed with him and he winked snapping her out of her trance before they parted.
She gulped smiled when a male model steadied her and she waved at the audience getting ahead of them into the drapes.
She stepped down and swooned getting a bottle of water.
"Ollie, that was... amazing," Danica said stunned and she groaned touching her head. "I can't do this," Her legs wobbled sitting back.
"Hey!" She signalled her bodyguards and they helped her quickly.
Danica caught her wig and she hissed "Go go go," She waved them away and Olivia slumped in their arms while they conveyed her away from backstage.
Edward brushed the curtains open "Hey, you left me hanging there...Olivia?" He looked around.
His expression turned grim and he sighed raking his hair, he didn't see any sign of Olivia or her bodyguards.
***