Let Me Stay The Night

The man had a head of dazzling straw–colored hair and emitted a fearsome aura.

Nathaniel removed his shades to regard the contractor with an icy glare as if to warn the latter that he would not hold back against another word of disrespect against Christina.

The contractor was not afraid of the tiny woman, but he was concerned about breaching the contract, incurring the blame of his employer, and worst of all, receiving the fist of the man with the straw–colored hair.

Swallowing his anger, he slipped the contact back into his pocket. “I have another three and a half days. I guarantee we will complete the job.”

Christina descended from the stool, satisfied.

She was in no hurry to leave. As a preventive measure to dissuade them from procrastinating, she remained behind to keep a watchful eye.

“Let’s get some coffee, Mr. Bodyguard.” She turned around to address the hulking figure.

Nathaniel noticed Christina’s smile. For once, she was not complaining about him tailing her, and it cheered him up.

In single file, the pair entered a narrow alley, where time seemed to have slowed down. Christina suddenly felt conspicuous, as if a tail had grown out of her; she was attracting attention wherever she went.

At the window–side café beneath a red and white striped tent, Christina bought two cups of coffee and handed one to the man.

Nathaniel took it. The pair then headed back and settled into the seats at the venue.

A slight breeze tugged at the strands of her hair that were tucked behind her ear. Beneath her fluttering lashes, her eyes twinkled. Her delicate features, outlined against the sun’s overcast glare, made her look like the subject of a dreamy painting.

Christina’s gaze fell on the workers. Watching their gradual progress, she felt a little more at ease.

Then, she went through her list of contacts for some popular models and influencers–artists she had once worked with.

She made three phone calls and received three rejections. They either claimed not to have the time or were tentative to commit.

“Your studio is embroiled in a scandal. People would think I condone the distribution of counterfeit goods if I attended your event,” said one influencer scathingly before she hung up.

lowered her phone and

attending your fashion show. It wouldn’t matter how hard you try,” quipped Nathaniel, who had remained silent

exert a force field that kept others at bay. Despite the proximity the pair shared over

Instead, she kept making

those, in turn, ended

are you putting in so much effort? It’s just a design studio. I believe Mr. Hadley would open a hundred studios for you if you would

up. As soon as they heard her voice, however, they

curt and

him, Christina continued perusing her list of contacts.

chattier than usual today. I prefer him

show up for your fashion show. To them, doing business with an insincere brand

slightest taint to its reputation would be met with the same disdain by the celebrities, and even more so for a tiny studio

him, Christina uttered the name that sprang to mind:

on her wrist

exposed myself?

him Do you bodyguards working

of them equally bossy and

if I were to leave, I won’t be leaving a mess for Yosef to clean up. Besides, this studio is important to

which had just subsided, to rise again. “Are you doing this for Yosef?” he

it once was before I leave.” I wouldn’t feel good leaving

bit his

stays up late for Yosef. She picks a fight with a man several heads taller than her for Yosef. She puts in so much

the time and stood up from her seat. At once, her wrist

sense the intensity of the man’s piercing gaze even through his shades. “Is it your responsibility to leave children behind in Scenic

frowned, displeased. “This is my personal business. It’s not

she snatched back her

his hulking frame giving her a sense of oppression. “Do you like Yosef?

the question, Nathaniel

yes, I will kick Yosef’s