The Start Of Something New

I became quite used to the office environment and the feeling when I got my salary… Now that was something I could get used to. As for Adam and his 'dinner', it went well. I made it clear that I was not looking for a relationship and Adam took it well. We became very close friends, something a certain someone cannot relate to. You know who I mean.

While all this was happening, a very nice romance was going on. But let me tell you how all that started.

Lisa started getting recognised for her 'unique' design, which all started from a cup of black coffee. She always thought her luck could not be that good, but it was. She started making all her designs which were only on paper before, and she started her own boutique with the help of Jaque while working under him. As for Jason, let's just say, he really planned on wooing the one he loved.

After he landed with the crew in Country G, they made their way to Rosa hotel which was part of a hotel chain under Margery, a very influential figure in Country G. She was a billionaire, a writer and an activist most importantly, she was a fan of Jason. So, the whole crew got a free stay for almost five months, which was a very expensive gift they could receive. The hotel was rated five stars so one could guess how much the rooms would cost, especially since many royal and presidential suites were reserved for the director and the main cast. Margery got a date in exchange for this, and she felt quite happy to do so too. Her husband, however, was dissatisfied. Don't worry, she's not a love rival, she's almost fifty for crying out loud.

Jason felt that she was very cute and gladly accepted the 'date' with or without the favour in exchange. He was quite happy to be there, you know, he was trying to forget about his lover fleeing after all. The fresh air, the historic places, the food and Margery cheered him up. Margery was a sweet-heart. The only thing which was quite annoying was the actress who was supposed to act beside him as the quirky, upcoming actress. Sheila (stage name) or Barbara (her real name) was quirky to the point that it was annoying, always clinging to him, calling him Jasey in a very coquettish tone which was really cringe-worthy. There was still a week before the shooting started, so Sheila thought that it would be 'totes cool' to get along with Jason, so regardless of how much Jason denied she dragged him all the way to the boutique of the new and hot designer. She had been dying to get her hands on one of Lisa's designs.

"Come on, Jasey. Let's buy new dresses!" She dragged him away. The only reason he put up with this was because he had a hard time saying no to people, he was afraid of making people feel bad so he cannot say no.

"Tanya! Get to the counter. These customers are waiting for the billing. Hank, attend to this lady here." Lisa was very busy because of the customers, it was the peak season for tourism in Country G so there were many customers flooding in.

Jason gasped as soon as he saw Lisa. And Lisa reacted the same way. "Jason?"

He attracted the attention of the people around, "AH! Look, it's JASON! Can we take a selfie?" With Jason's personality and as a public figure, he could not say no. After everyone was done, he got pulled away by Sheila. "Jasey! You promised!" said a sad Sheila.

"Well, well. Jason, I never thought you would visit my boutique." Lisa said in amusement. She was a very big fan of Jason.

"Ah! Lisa! I so love your designs." She said in a bratty tone as she interrupted them. The only reason she was hired as the actress because her father was a big producer of the film. It's not like Jason can't produce his own film. He was filthy rich even without his family's influence. Being called the 'movie king' of the generation does not come easily. His career started as a child actor and his fan base grew ever since.

"Lisa?" he asked with interest. "Well, that's me. A humble designer." She said.

"Humble? More like very famous. I admire you, Lisa. You established yourself quite quickly, truly an admirable businesswoman and designer." Jason said with admiration while he gave out a flirtatious smile, earning a small blush from Lisa.

"Jason! You're embarrassing Lisa! Sorry, he does not have manners." Sheila obviously could not hold her jealousy in. She was supposed to be praised and admired by Jason, not Lisa.

Lisa was not like those pretentious women. She is assertive, speaks what's on her mind, and is direct. She especially does not like people who behave weak and need protection when they can take care of themselves. "I'm sorry but who are you?" She asked the fuming Sheila. Now, Sheila was not a very famous figure, but she still had a fan-base for herself. Seeing that Lisa does not put her in her eyes angered her. "Have you been living under a rock? How can you not know me?"

"I'm sorry I can't recognise every single person. To have my recognition, they have to be extraordinary." Lisa replied with a challenging expression. Sheila was thoroughly angered. She had influences in this Country because her father had some production houses here. "We'll see who's extraordinary once you get black-listed from every fashion gala."

"Look, I don't know who you are but let me see you try. In case you did not know I'm interning under Jaque, his influence alone is much better than your family combined. I do not think I have a need to expose my background as well."

Sheila paled after hearing her words. How could she forget Jaque? She was very much aware of Jaque's background. He was a native to this country, and the adopted son of Margery who could not bear children. So, it meant that he was the sole successor of Margery's hotel chain and her husband's flourishing mining business. Though Jaque did not have the intention to take over so fast, he still kept an eye on those businesses while he pursued his dream of fashion.

"You may leave if you want to." Lisa pointed at the door.

"Come on, Jasey!" She grabbed his hand so that she could drag him out of the boutique. "Just so you know, you lost a very valuable customer!" She shouted while dragging Jason away, only to be greeted by numerous people who wanted to enter the boutique. She did not care because many people were waiting for her designs. A person like Sheila did not matter but Jason on the other hand, she was curious to know what type of person her idol was. Maybe he was snobby like that girl too, who knows? Jason was in a trance because of Lisa, so he did not react till now, but after he found himself out of the boutique, he broke free from Sheila and ran into the store.

"Um, Lisa!" He called out. "Yes?" Though this time, Lisa sounded a bit distant.

"So, I was thinking, how about dinner today?"

"Sorry, I'm busy. I have a thing."

"Can't that thing be me?" He asked.

"I'm not convinced yet," Lisa said with doubt, but internally she was already screaming yes.

"I'm extraordinary after all, you said so yourself," Jason added in a flirty and confident manner.

"Dinner tonight then. Here's my number." Lisa gave her number. Just as she was taking his, Sheila interrupted them.

"Jason! What are you doing? You're not supposed to go with her! She's so ugly!" Actually, Sheila spoke out of the inferiority complex. Lisa was much prettier than her. She looked like a schoolgirl while Lisa gave much more mature and sexy vibes. She's a fashionista, after all. She knew what clothing flatters her.

Lisa rolled her eyes at her comment, "Jason, do you like her?" Lisa asked out of the blue. She especially did not like sticky relations. Sometimes she wonders why people don't speak, if they spoke and told these types of girls on their face the whole situation would be resolved but no, instead they stay quiet and let their partners assume stuff. Since he asked her out, let her clear this 'mess' out before misunderstandings.

"Not at all." He replied without hesitation. He did not even spare a glance to Sheila.

"Then it's settled. Miss, please leave or we have to call security for kicking up a fuss."

"Dinner is still on, right?" He asked out of doubt. "Maybe." Lisa returned a playful reply.

He flashed a smile at her before he left leaving behind an angry Sheila behind. Sheila furiously glared at Lisa. Lisa did not mind. She had a no-nonsense policy, so if there was drama, she would go the opposite way. She got a vague impression of Sheila, she was no analyst like Amelia was but she got a fair understanding. Sheila seemed to want attention. She wants to be this bubbly person who everyone likes, but she comes off as annoying. Anyway, Lisa took her own sweet time in picking out the perfect outfit for this date. She had a small crush since forever and now that he asked her out; she was over the moon.

Lisa can be pretty outgoing, but she toned it down ever since she became friends with Amelia. Lisa was not an A-grader. Honestly, she barely passed, but she was good at art and fashion. Amelia changed her for the better. Her grades improved and her personality toned down a bit. She pursued fashion only because of the confidence that Amelia gave her. Her family was not happy with what decision she took. Lisa wondered how her dear Lia was doing now. She did not get the chance to meet her ever since she came to their house on Halloween.

It had just turned 7, and she did not get a call from him yet. "Damn it!" She cursed. This is what happens when you do not have his number. She was about to get his number when Sheila interrupted. Lisa was not those type of girls who felt inferior when making the first move. If she likes someone, she does not mind taking the initiative to ask them out, heck, she thought that she should be the one to propose someday. She felt that time had slowed down while time ticked from 7 to 8, there was still no call. Feeling dejected and angry with herself for believing him, she was almost ready to change her outfit when she finally got a call. She guessed it was Jason. This time she thought of rejecting him for making her wait that long.

"Hello?" She asked in a very obvious angry tone.

"Hey, it's me."

"No kidding."

"Come down, I'm outside your apartment."

Lisa immediately looked out of the balcony and saw him next to a very expensive car. She did not know much about cars, so she did not know what model it was. He stood there with a bouquet of orchids instead of the normal red-roses.

She squinted her eyes as he started waving at her. "You're late. I'm not coming down."

"I do not think I am, sweety. I never told you a certain time. According to my watch, I am right on time. But it's so cute that you were looking forward to this." He gave a very cheeky smile as he got up the stairs. Maybe because he knew that she would not come down easily he got her out of the house to see which floor she lives on.

Lisa remained rooted to the ground, refusing to move. She was blushing because of what he said. What he said was true, he never gave an official time. She assumed it.

He ringed the calling bell, interrupting Lisa's thoughts. She opened the door looking confident as ever because she did not change yet. Her beautiful wine colour, deep neck dress blew him away. He gasped as soon as she opened the door.,

"Damn, I think I am extremely lucky." He muttered. Lisa was not going to ditch this guy for this matter because she was not like others and frankly, she did not cook anything and she was extremely hungry so she was going to go for it.

Jason acted like a gentleman, opening the door for her, pulling the chair out as she got seated, giving her the bouquet.

Lisa looked at the orchids and smiled. She did not like roses, her favorite flowers were orchids. She wondered how he got to know about this matter.

"You know, usually a girl likes getting roses. Was getting orchids your unique thinking? That too blue orchid."

"Well, roses are over-rated. A little girl once told me that blue orchids meant strength. She wanted to be strong enough to stand up for what she loved instead of being a pushover. I admire her very much. You kind of remind me of her." He replied in a rather serious tone.