~Tuesday~
"I'm not going to charge you, Mara. You're my best friend. You already keep my identity a secret and get me coffee. That's payment enough." I say quietly. I glance out my office window and see a girl who's about sixteen sitting on one of the velvet couches. I bought and revamped most of my office and waiting room decor with Mara before I got more publicity.
"I'm paying you. You deserve it. And I'm not trying to have you lose five hundred bucks because of me. Take it." She hands me five one hundred dollar bills. The only rule I have here at Cupid And Company is that we only take cash. Basically so my identity doesn't get revealed while doing credit and debit transactions, though that isn't a high risk. Just a precaution. Then I gradually put the cash into my bank account. I'm pretty sure my bank teller thinks I do something illegal for all this money, but it's worth it. I can pay rent and feed myself. It's all I need. Everything a twenty three year old girl needs.
"No." I say a bit louder. I hand her the cash back and she scowls.
"How can I pay you then, Adelaide?" She shoves the cash into her wallet before putting it back into her purse. I roll my eyes.
"Find me some arm candy." I say sarcastically, turning to my office door to let the teen girl come in. "Next?"
"Perfect. I will come bearing arm candy by Friday. Love you Addie, bye!" She says over her shoulder as she leaves the office.
"I was being sarcastic, Mara!" I shout after her. All she does is wave over her shoulder, leaving me gaping after her. I feel someone tap my shoulder and glace at the girl waiting. "What?"
"You called me. I'm next?" She said.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Come in." I look for Mara, but she's gone. Great.
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~Friday~
I pace back and forth in my office, glancing at my wall mirror every few seconds until I just decide to stand in front of the mirror and adjust parts of my outfit. I curled my already curled hair so that the blonde locks are extra curled. My pale blue dress reaches a couple of inches about my knees and fits my curves quite well. I'm wearing white two inch heels that make me around 5'3. I have on only mascara and chapstick on. I'm not quite a makeup person. I tug my dress down a bit more in the back before sitting at my desk.
I turn my chair around to face the window. From here on the nineteenth floor, you can see everything in New York City. That's why I moved here; to be able to work in a place as fast paced as me. Woburn, Massachusetts was way to small and I knew the same people my entire life. It was pretty boring. Then I got into Columbia University here in New York City and I haven't regretted moving here since. I majored in Business Management and Creative Writing. Being an author was my backup in case my business didn't take off, but it did, so now I just have my degrees in both topics. People seem impressed when, in reality, each course was a two year program. I finished one, then did the other for the last two years I was in university. Pretty easy programs if you ask me.
After a few moments of silence, I start to study the skyline. I'm fortunate enough to have a nice office with a view of Central Park. Yes, I'm high up, but that only further proves my point. I can see so much from here. Like I'm flying or seeing something from an outside view. It makes me feel powerful. I cross my left leg over my right and rest my chin on my hand before zoning out while watching a couple around my age laugh at something from their picnic blanket. Their date is like the kinds you see in Hallmark movies; romantic and sweet and obviously planned by whoever the better chef is. I smile before I'm interrupted by someone clearing their throat.
"Who are y-" I turn around and see a very attractive man standing in front of my desk. He's tall, maybe 5'11 or 6'0, with floppy brown hair and a kind smile. He has a strong build and is muscular, but is dressed quite professionally. He wears a pair of black dress pants, a white button up with the sleeves rolled to his elbows, and a pair of nice dress shoes. No jacket, which is more than fine by me. You can basically see the thriving six-pack through his shirt. I shut my mouth instantly.
"I'm Nico. Nico Hart. And you?" He has a deeper voice with a playful tone.
"Call me Cupid if you're here for an appointment. But you shouldn't be. My schedule is clear for the day. And I'm not taking walk in's today, sorry." I uncross my legs and stand up to walk to the door and open it for him.
"My cousin's friend Mara said to come here." He says calmly.
"Mara Lozano?" I question, letting the door shut. He nods. "I'm so sorry, there was a mistake. I said something sarcastically and her and her stubborn methods took me seriously. I'm so sorry to have wasted your time, Mr Hart."
"Please, call me Nico. If you don't mind my asking, what did you say? I won't judge." He sounds somewhat playful.
"Uh, sure." I say in a questioning tone. "She was talking about paying me for setting her up with someone, per my job description, and I told her I wasn't going to accept her money. She then asked how she could pay me and I sarcastically said to find me some, uh, 'arm candy.'" I make quotation marks with my hands.
"Arm candy?" He chuckles. I nod, a light blush creeping up my neck and onto my cheeks. "I'll take that as a compliment."391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RmNUsgr6i
"I'm so sorry. You're free to go. I didn't expect her to actually do it. I've been friends with her since we were freshman in college and apparently I haven't learned to censor my sarcasm after five years of friendship." I apologize quickly before opening the door for him again.
"What about this; I bring you down to the cafe on the first floor and I get to know you. Maybe we could be friends. Or more?" He said with a smile.
"I- Alright." My blush brightens.
"Oh, and I didn't catch your name." He says, offering his arm.
"Adelaide Knight, but feel free to call me Addie." I smile.
~Ten Months Later~391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqWmASRufl
"How was work, Addie?" Nico sits on our couch in all his handsome glory. I take my flats off and leave them in the shoe rack next to our apartment door.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFo0EvIazH
"It was annoying. Michael Rovenoff is demanding a refund even though he married the girl I set him up with. Just because he decided to divorce her. I refused, of course. He dropped it after I threatened my lawyer on him." I sigh and walk over to the couch, laying down on Nico's lap. "How about you?"391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXCgVDEPMA
"I took the day off to clean and get something." He explains. I arch my brow.
"What'd you get?" I ask, sitting up. I cross pull my feel up under my butt and crack my knuckles. Without a word, he stands up and jogs to our bedroom, then comes back and sits on the coffee table in front of me.
"Addie, these ten months with you have been the best ten months of my life. Now, before I say anything else, promise you won't cry, okay?" He looks me dead in the eyes. I nod slowly. "Adelaide Zara Knight, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?" 391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODgx3hhNPZ
"Oh my god, really Nico?" I feel tears well up in my eyes. With a chuckle, he nods. "Of course! I'd love to marry you." He stands up with a triumphant whoop and wraps me in a hug. He spins me around before setting me down and kissing my passionately. I kiss him back and we stand there for however long we do. I lose track of time.
"Remind me to thank Mara for this. For you." I kiss his cheek and he nods. I feel him smile. Then he takes my hand and slides the most beautiful ring onto my hand.391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAp3hhLhnxF
"I love you, Nico." I smile while looking at the ring.
"I love you, more."
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