Thread: A Devil's Game ::: {Ariamella & Prince of Smut}

Andrea? Macy Hill stopped abruptly, silently counting the editor-in-chief of Couture as one more addition to her list of hated people. It was so goddamn annoying when Heidi called her by other names, especially the name of the other assistant, Andrea. She turned to face the entrance of a large, pristine white office, a fake smile plastered on her face. Yes, Heidi? Is there something I can do for you? Of course. I need the the mock-up of next month's issue at my townhouse door by six o' clock sharp tomorrow evening. I always am punctual with it, Heidi. I know. A hint of a smile played at the older woman's lips, not in an unkind way but not in a friendly manner either. Oh, and I offer my condolences on what happened earlier in George's office. But now that Andrea has the executive assistant position, I expect you to fill my other assistant role quickly, Macy. You know the interview procedures and whatnot. The brunette stood in shock for just a moment before recovering, not only at the use of her real name but also at the mention of her brief issue in the CEO's office. I'm sorry, but you know what happened earlier in George's office? How? And how many of you know? The half smile on the sixty year-old woman grew to a full grin. Heidi was always one for gossip. Just the larger, managerial group of us. News trickles down you see, and by tomorrow morning, I'd imagine most all inside this building will know of what happened. Silence ensued, and Macy stared at her boss without a single reply on her lips. Heidi's eyes searched her own, and after a few seconds she looked down at her desk and coldly said, That is all, Andrea. Macy gave a curt nod and spun on her heel, grabbing the bag off her own desk that was situated in the larfe expanse outside of Heidi's office. Across hers was another desk still filled with Andrea's personal belongings, and she rolled her eyes and sighed. She had to fill another junior assistant position yet again, but this time it was because that same junior assistant was promoted to the position she had wanted. Life worked out in funny ways. In really shitty, funny ways. A few moments later and she was stepping inside an empty elevator, ready to go home and relax. But her thoughts were interrupted as the ride came to a stop, doors opening for... Oh god, none other than Andrea. Macy gave the girl an icy look as she stepped inside. What are you doing here, on the Opportunity floor? Shouldn't you be gathering your things from Heidi and stuffing them in your new executive assistant desk? Andrea wore a smug face as the elevator doors closed. George had me deliver something to the chief editor here. But don't worry, I'm packing up my things tomorrow morning, and you'll have all the space you need to interview the other girls hoping to be my replacement. An awkward silence hung in the air, then Macy opened her mouth again, aggression coloring her tone. We both know George chose you because you took credit for my work and probably sucked his dick. And we both know you don't get anywhere because you come to work looking like shit. You don't keep people's attention, Macy, and you never will. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other errands to attend to. The elevator doors opened and Andrea stepped out, her words still ringing in Macy's head even after the elevator closed once more and brought her down to the lobby of the Brandon-Demmings Publications building. She exited the large glass doors into the rush of five o'clock traffic of Manhattan, eyes cast down as she walked to a nearby caf to get a small snack to fuel her as she walked home to her apartment in the Lower East Side. It was a moderate distance, one that was usually traversed by taxi, but when she wanted the time to think to herself, she would walk home. It wasn't terrible as she only wore half-inch heels and carried a light purse, and she found it enjoyable to take note of the restaurants and various shops that held locals and tourists alike. One of the newer boutiques fell in her line of view, and she stopped for a second to admire the highly priced clothing that she most likely would never buy. It's not that she wouldn't fit, but rather that she found flashy clothing to be a waste of time. She came to the office dressed in business-casual, and that was enough for her. Of course, some people found it odd that she never cared for high fashion, yet worked for the editor-in-chief of one of the largest fashion magazines in the world. The world was funny like that. Andrea's words came back to haunt her, and she suddenly found herself questioning how she looked. She wasn't by any means ugly . Long brown hair framed a lightly made-up face and cascaded down her toned upper body, which reflected the overall fitness of her figure. But the questioning feeling passed, and Macy's haughty conscience reminded herself that the quality of an employee didn't come with looks but with effort and smarts. Yes, this is what she thought to herself every time an incompetent hopeful showed up for an interview at Heidi's office. But whatever consolation words she told herself didn't soften the blow of losing a promotion to Andrea, Heidi's junior assistant who had only been with Brandon-Demmings for eight months. It was proof that looks had prevailed over actual brains, and the very thought still made her mind swim with hate and jealousy, a dangerous combination of emotions for a woman to have. In an attempt to calm herself, she stopped in front of her favorite bookstore, arm reaching for the handle when she noticed something odd another bookstore across the street, one she hadn't noticed before. How long had it been there? She crossed the street to sate her curiosity of the establishment bookstores were her favorite because they were quiet, peaceful, and nothing beat the 'new book' scent that filled the air. The inside was lit well, showing off antique decor that gave the store an eerie vibe that was interesting all the same. Shelves of books lined the walls with categorical headings above each section, and older books were displayed in glass cases on either side of the entrance. Macy walked toward them, surprised to see first edition copies of various fiction titles, with The Great Gatsby and The Scarlet Letter among them. In the center of the store was a vacant station for check-out, and a few glances around told her that the place seemed empty despite her getting the feeling that there was another presence in the store. It was odd, as she got the distinct impression like she wasn't supposed to be there, but she walked around and browsed the shelves anyway. After some short time, she picked up a book that had an enticing blurb on the inside cover, and she settled in a leather chair at the seating area a few feet behind the check-out area.