3. MEETING DEBORAH

My alarm clock ringing beside my bed woke me up at exactly 6:30 a.m. I stood up sluggishly from the bed as I have a morning run to do before getting ready for work, as I don't want to be late for my first day at work.

After changing out of my sleepwear I put on my running joggers and pink tan top with a running shoe and plug in my earphones ready for my run.

I've been running for 10 minutes when I suddenly sense someone running quietly behind me. I was tensed and scared as I turn back to behold a beauty, she's beautiful with blonde long hair.

“Hi good morning, I'm Debbie. I've never seen your face in this neighborhood" she blah blah on expectantly trying to recall if she has seen me or not?

“Hello! good morning to you too, I'm Nina just moves in yesterday".

“Really? WOW!! Welcome to our neighborhood I live alone at block D"

“Okay, nice meeting you too, I live at block F," I told her as I continue running because I was almost late for work.

“Gotcha later," Debbie said smilingly as she retreated to her house and I ran in the opposite direction to mine.

I arrive at my office at exactly 7:30 am, to meet a pile of files waiting for me to sort out. I guess the last journalist left a lot of work for me to do.

I was busy sorting out files into the cabinet when the door suddenly open, I was on my knees my back facing the door so I couldn't see the person that comes in until I stood up and turn to see a man in his forties smiling at me with an outstretched hand.

“Welcome to Melton's Media, miss Miller" I'm the general manager and I came to welcome you officially to our company."

He was licking his lips as he was undressing me with his eyes. I know his type. I smile at him showing my perfectly set teeth.

“Thank you, Mr., ____? " I look at him waiting for him to supply me his name. Which he did with another sexy growl.

“Mr. Shawn Mendel"

“Thank you, Mr. Shawn Mendel. If you excuse me, I will like to sort out this?" I told him as I gesture to the files on the floor.

“Okay, Miss Miller, have to drop some document with your secretary, read and work on it, cause the big boss needs it urgently," he said as he walks to the door and went out.

The day flew by quickly and before I know it, I was heading home driving my white Honda CR-V car, my dad has gifted me for my 26th birthday.

Immediately I got home, I parked my car in the garage and took the elevator to the fifth floor, and open the door to my penthouse room.

I dropped the file I have picked up from my secretary and my bag on the couch and went to the kitchen to prepare something to eat.

After eating, I put a call through to Lily. It rang for three-time before she picks it up.

“Hey! Baby girl" She called drowsily, obviously just waking up from sleep.

“Hi! I'm sorry to disturb you. How's your shopping going?"

“Okay. But I'm still annoyed with you" she replied sounding more awake now.

“I'm sorry. I'm just bored here. How's Danny"

“He's good. Are you just returning from work?"

“Not really. About an hour ago "I reply looking at the time.

“So how was your first day at work?".

“It was fun. I get to meet new faces and most especially I met a new friend"

“Really? So, you are replacing me already. So quick, I'm not even married yet" she said feigning annoyance.

I laugh heartily “You’re so funny, Lily. Her name is Deborah and she's my neighbor"

“Wow! That's good, now I can have fun knowing that you won't be alone like you are right now"

I smile. Leave it to Lily to worry about me. I heard the doorbell" Lily, I have to go, it seems someone is at my door".

“Okay. Be careful. Bye". She hung up as I went reluctantly to the door. I open it to meet Debbie standing there smiling.

“Hi! Hope I did not disturb you, I'm bored at home, so I thought why don't I come and meet you" she said quickly without stopping a bit.

“No. It's Okay" I said, opening the door wider to usher her in.

“What would you like to take," I asked her as she sat down on the couch.

She looks up at me and smiles “Anything? Like juice and chocolate"

“On the way" I call excitedly as I ran into the kitchen to go get what she wants.

We are currently playing truth and dare between the both of us.

“Truth or dare," Debbie asks immediately she spin the bottle and it stops in front of me.

“Truth?" I said a little bit nervous. It has been long having played" truth or dare" since I was still working at Lily's club in Italy.

She looks up as she thought about what to ask me, I grew nervous the more “How many times have you had sex" she finally asked and I let out a breath.

“Once" I replied immediately, I didn't see anything wrong with my answer but that was no the case for Debbie.

“What!?" Her hands still on the bottle as she looks at me shocked. I look at her embarrassed.

“It's not---- like---- emm---- I----" I give up because I wasn't able to form any words that make sense. I took the bottle from her and spin it, it stopped at her front.

“Have you ever been in love with two men?" I asked her. She smiled.

“Yes. Sort of." She looks at me seriously" How did you know?"

“Nothing. Just figure that you are beautiful and must have had men falling over themselves to date you" I said, making her laugh excitedly.

“So, what did you do?" She looks at me like she couldn't comprehend what I was saying.

“In that situation of two men" I repeated.

“Nothing. I just went for the one I love. That's all" she replied hastily.

“But I thought, it is advisable to be with someone who loves you, than being with the one you love" she stared at me like I've got horns on my head.

“What?" I ask her touching my face to see if something was on my face.

“Nothing," she said and stood up abruptly" can I use your toilet".

“Yes" I replied and she rushes off without waiting for directions.

“Can we order pizza" she called out to me from the toilet.

“Of course, yes". I took out my phone to call the pizza guy just as she walks into the room smiling and back to her bubbly self.

She sat back down on the couch and took the remote flipping through different channels before finally settling on one. She turns to me and smile " I have a question though"

“Ask away" I reply as I sat down too after calling the pizza guy.

“Why did you say you've only had sex once?"

“That's because I've only been with a man and it was a one-night thing" I shrug not a little bit concern about my lack of sexual experience. For now, I just want to focus on my work.

She looks at me with wide eyes, her mouth slightly opened “Really! So indirectly you're still a virgin" She called the virgin with disgust.

I nodded. She went back to watching the movie while I went to open the door for the pizza guy.

We've been eating for thirty minutes, when Debbie's phone rang, she picks it up and went to the balcony to receive it.

“I'm sorry. But I have to go" she said walking back into the room to get her bag and another slice of pizza. She chews it as I walk her to the door.

“It's Okay. Goodnight" I said opening the door for her as she walks out.

“Goodnight to you too," she said as she hugs me.

I close the door and went to bed after going through the document I brought home from work.

***

Deborah Melton

After receiving the call, I walk out of her house. I couldn't bring myself to stay in her presence any longer. She seems psychic.

How will she tell me to go for the one who loves me not the one I love? Who does that?

I open the door to my apartment and met Darcy waiting for me. She was damn furious. She immediately stood up and walk angrily to meet me.

“Young lady, where have you been? For the past one hour," she shouted, looking at her tiny watch at the back of her hand.

I huff and brush past her, she's my manager for God's sake, not my mother.

“Give me thirty minutes to get ready," I told her walking to the room.

She sat down on the chair “who in their right mind will forget a launching show" she murmurs to herself.

“I can hear you" I shouted at her from my room, she huffs and laugh.

“Okay fine. Just get ready cause we are late and Mr. Alex will have both of our heads for dinner"

I couldn't believe I've forgotten all about the launching of "LUSH" today. Being the only model and face of LUSH, I ought to have been at the venue earlier, but this is all because of that psychic Nina.

She almost made me lose my modeling career. I quickly shower and put on my white bareback gown which fitted me like a second skin and my white platform heel with my purse.

I didn't bother with the makeup cause being the face of Lush beauty, the makeup will be done by them.

“Let's go" I call to Darcy as she stood up to look at me. She smiles appreciatively at me.

“Wow! You look like an angel" she told me as she took my shawl and purse and walk me out to her car. She brought her black and white G- wagon, I smile appreciatively at her as her driver open the door for me and went to the other side to open the door for her.

We arrived at the venue and I was awed. I didn't know it was going to be this a big event. Mr. Tim, Darcy's driver drops us backstage and I scrambled out without waiting for him to come to open the door for me.

The makeup artist starts running to meet me when she saw me with her kits in her hands, she soon meets up with me and orders me to sit down.

“You are very late, Miss Melton," she said politely to me.

“I didn't know it was going to be this elaborate" I reply as she started applying foundation to my face. I sat still as a rock, I could hear Mr. Alex's voice from the stage welcoming the guests and inviting them to buy all the products of Lush. He's the brand manager. I can't imagine what he will say to me after the show.

“Ladies and gentlemen, join me as we welcome the face of Lush, miss Deborah Melton". He said just as the curtains open and I walk in smiling and posing for different pictures.

I was used to being the center of attention, this was just the tip of the iceberg to me. As the night drag on, I've changed into six different outfits and with different makeup on my face, while I keep on smiling at the camera.

Finally, the event came to an end and I couldn't be more thankful. I'm currently sitting backstage while Darcy is fussing over me.

“Wow! Thank goodness, it's over. I thought I will die from exhaustion" she complained bitterly.

I look at her and scoff "You are one to talk, you need to see how my legs are paining me from those heels and poses. I think it will bruise by tomorrow" I show her the part of my leg which was paining me while she helps me apply ointment to it. The door opens and Mr. Alex walks in.

“Miss Melton, that was a job well done" He complimented me as he shakes my hands and perks me on the cheek.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Alex" I replied smiling.

“You're welcome. I should have to reprimand you for coming late to your event but you've made up by tripling the sales of our products tonight"

“Really! Thank you, sir,"

“That be all for now, Miss Melton. Enjoy your night" he said and walk out.

Darcy was so happy; she just couldn't stop thanking me because that also means a raise in her paycheck as she drove me home.

I went to sleep with a smile on my lips thankful that the psychic Nina didn't ruin my life....