Chapter 6 - Set Fire To The Rain Part 2

The day dawns beautifully, April has always been my favorite month because of the cherry trees at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Every year at this time, Jebe would take me there and we would stare at the flowers for hours. Today I smile to see that Debbie remembered and sent me an arrangement with cherry blossoms that I soon ask Alice to put on the coffee table. Today I made a point of using the dining room of the apartment, since we had visitors.

When I woke up at five forty in the morning and went to my room, Doug was still fast asleep, I took the opportunity to get some more sleep before getting up at half-past six and starting to get ready. Today I choose a long-sleeved jean button-down shirt that doubles to the elbow and grabs a white pencil skirt with lace accents of the same color, I choose a Jimmy Choo strap with brown straps and put on some jewelry and do some light makeup for morning.

I prepare all my stuff and go to the dining room, where I find Doug sitting at the table talking to the girl who arrived with John, she looks me up and down and raises an eyebrow, I just smile and speak sweetly:

"Good morning everyone." I walk over to Doug and sit down next to him. " Did you sleep well? " Ask.

" I slept, I just didn't like waking up alone. " He speaks staring at me. "Why didn't you sleep with me there?

" I slept, but I got up early, I needed to get ready. " I speak, picking up a band of a papaya that seems juicy to me, I feel Doug's eyes and the girl's on me. "Pleasure, Ella Monroe and you?" I ask, watching the girl eating a piece of papaya.

" Danna Fisher. " Says dismissively the dark-skinned, blonde-haired woman. "So you're such a Ella?

" The only one, at least here. " I speak staring at her, I notice that she adopts a defensive posture. " Why? " Insist.

"Last night, John...

"Good morning everyone." John's thick voice makes her stop, he directs Danna a menacing look. "I thought I had been clear about you going before eight." He speaks, sitting down at the head of the table.

"Don't be rude, John, let the girl have coffee." I say, drawing his attention to me. John closes his eyes staring at Doug, who does the same.

"Do you want to talk about education? Just you who were fucking like a bitch in heat in the middle of the room? " He questioned, I made sure not to slap him in the face, but before I could say anything, Doug stepped forward.

"And what do you have to do with it? I bet how it brings anyone home. " Says staring at John, who exudes anger. " Ella owns the house as much as you do, if she wants to, she could fuck even in the chandeliers of this apartment.

" Only if she wanted to break them. " Danna intrudes, laughing. She has now earned my dislike, John and Doug stare at her just as I do.

"You're going to leave my house now, you cow." I say with authority, John just stares at the woman, who looks at him as if asking for help, which she doesn't get. "Where have you ever seen! Are you in my house and making fun of my weight? Just a skinny one who spent the night with a guy for money? I question, as the woman gets up and leaves. John stares at Doug even more angrily.

"He also has to leave now. If Danna can't stay, he doesn't either. As soon as Doug finishes biting into the bread, we both get up.

"See you later?

"Yes, when I arrive I'll call you." He pulls me to himself and kisses me like never before, not even in our best. What the fuck did it give Doug? When he lets go of me and leaves the room, I sit back down and continue eating my papaya.

I look at John, who stares back at me. The voracity I see in his eyes makes me afraid. What the fuck is going on with these guys?

I had devoured three toasts with honey, a cheese sandwich, half a papaya and a large cup of coffee. That wasn't even half of what John ate.

I grab my things and leave for work, before I go to business, I go to pick up Tessa and together we go with Vincent in my new car. A white Rolls Royce Phantom. I feel like I'm a queen with the gift Patrick gave me.

The day at the office starts off busy, we have a lot of things to get right, besides having to take care of details of the May issue, the brides special, the sponsors, the advertising and the editorials, this could drive me crazy if I didn't have experience in all this. Me, Debbie, and our team are nailing down the last details of the next editorial when John walks into the room with a woman I know from somewhere. The woman looks around and then stares at me.

She's dressed to cause. A tight red dress sticks to her small body, slender high heels, makeup that wouldn't look good on anyone else, and flawless shoulder-length light brown hair. Making her look like a magazine model.

"Good afternoon." He greets John, with a big smile. " As I was telling you, Debbie is the editor-in-chief here, I think you'll get along well. " He explains to the woman who is still staring at me. "Marilyn, I'd like to introduce you to Vivian Chermont...

" The French Empire Publishing House? " I ask cutting him off. "What is she doing in New York?

"She came at my request to help with the new issues of the magazine. After all, not everyone agreed with the change you dictated to the magazine. " John smiles, I know he did it to tease me. " Because Debbie shares the same vision as you, she has brought in someone who can control her madness. "Wretch! I smile feignedly and look at Debbie who returns my gaze.

" John, I think your father has made it very clear that I am the editor-in-chief of every issue of the magazine in the world. " She fried Vivian, who looks at her. "I believe Chermont can go back to France and await my orders.

"As you know, I'm one of the owners of this magazine, so I can put whoever I want here." He challenges her with his gaze. "Vivian stays until I decide.

" Just to remind you, I also own the magazine and I don't want Miss Chermont here. " I say, heading towards John and the woman. "Vivian, it was a pleasure to meet you, but you can go back to your branch.

"Ella, don't be ridiculous." He says with a disgusting laugh. "Let those who know how to work act before you sink the magazine.

"How is it? You know I have the power to fire you now, don't you? "I feel my blood boil.

"John would hire me again." She exchanges a naughty look with the wretched one, who smiles. "I think you should spend your time on a diet instead of threatening me." Vivianne is asking, I think of a thousand ways to break her face, but I remember what Jebe always told me and I just smile.

"I leave the diet to you, dear, I guarantee you have people who like what they see." I look at John with malice, he stares at me in a strange way. "Well, if it's going to stay I think it can start now." I smile feignedly, turning to my team. Everyone looks at me with doubt. "Mark, could you pass on to Vivian what we decided about the editorial?

"Of course, Ella." Mark replies, looking from me at Vivian, who has a furrowed brow.

"Debbie, I have to get out, you're in control." I step between the two who are not understanding anything. "Vivian, welcome to my magazine. Since editors report to me, anything should speak to me. " I look at the rest of the team and see the confusion on everyone's face. " I was already forgetting, John and Vivian, don't forget that I have the support of the other two parties, the directors and most of the staff of the magazine. So don't challenge me. " I turn my back and threaten to leave the room, but I stop on the doorjamb, and turn around. " Vivian, in this empire there is only one empress, this post, whether fat or not, is mine. " I explain, smiling wryly. " Always keep that in mind. I watch the incredulous gaze of almost everyone but Debbie, who smiles proudly.

I go to the broker walking decisively. John may think he's smart, but today he'll find that two can play his little game of teasing.