He said no?

My eyes collided with the coldest and most intense blue eyes I'd ever seen. His gaze was cold, sharp, judging and calculating. There was nothing soft or welcoming about him, his jaw was stiff and sharp, it was almost as perfect as his clothes. They were slick and ironed till the last edge. There was not a single strand of his dark hair that was not in place.

His presence lingered in the air and for the first time ever, I accepted that I had never seen anyone with such presence or charisma and that made me question accepting this deal.

"You have been staring for too long. I find it rude" His voice was cool but precise. There was nothing welcoming or polite about.

I didn't mean to stare but he was nothing close to who I'd imagined "I apologise but it is only wise that I look at the man I am supposed to style"

"It is rather unfortunate that there would be no need for that" his eyes found Mis Emily and he shook his head "I do not approve of her. I'm sure you can do better"

"Excuse me?" I was already on my feet. I felt smaller while seated.

"Mr... Mr Roberto. She's a top designer..."

"I said you can do better. That is final..."

"Excuse you, I am standing right here"

"I am very well aware of that"

"And? How can you talk down on me in my presence?"

"You just witnessed it. I don't see you fit to be my stylist"

"Then why did you seek me out and on what criteria are you judging my work?" I asked, my hands placed on the table.

"First of all, I did not seek you out. I entrusted that task to my secretary and she has obviously failed. Secondly, I do not owe you any explanation..."

"Unfortunately you do. Oh yes you do because you and your secretary have wasted my precious time because of this contract. I have cancelled meetings and I am supposed to be with a client at this moment but here I am, so you can not tell me that this contract is not happening"

He gave me a cold stare "It is not my fault that you seem desperate..."

"I'm sorry to inform you that you are the desperate one here"

The aura in the room was stiff and cold. No one intervened, it was just me and the rude brute.

For the first time since I set my eyes on him, he dropped his nonchalant attitude and finally gave me his full attention. It was like he found me unworthy before.

He inserted his hands into his pocket "And what led you to such conclusion? I would like to inform you that Luciano Roberto is not desperate for anyone's services"

I cocked my head to the side and cleared my throat "well that is not the impression your secretary gave to me. Miss Emily barged into MY company after work ours and demanded a meeting with me. No appointment, no email, no invitation. She insisted that it was urgent and that it couldn't wait. I had other appointments and I had no choice than to heed to her pleas because my personal assistant told me it was urgent"

Mr Roberto turned to Miss Emily but she avoided his gaze. He cleared his throat and turned back to me "that can hardly be called desperation..."

"Then when I finally saw her, she all but pleaded I take the job. I mean if you're not so desperate, why offer a ten million dollars contract exclusively for a year. I don't blame her, if this is how you act towards all the stylists you meet, it'll be a nightmare working for you"

"Yet here you are fighting your way to get the contract"

"That is because I do not quit and I love challenges. You challenged my profession and implied that I wasn't good enough. I would love to watch you see how your low expectations are crushed. I've also wasted too much time and cancelled meetings, I have lost money so I can't go back to square one. This deal is happening, right now" I kept my stance professional but it was more than that.

I really needed this even though I'd be working for such a mannerless brute. I need this to give Lilian and Greg maximum evidence that I have been working and spending time away for a good reason. Deep down I just wanted to get away from them for a while... I just don't know why but I need this year long job. A good excuse and perfect job opportunity.

Mr Roberto tapped the table twice and then looked at Miss Emily "I have not changed my mind. Let's leave..."

"I'm sorry but we... We can't sir..."

He frowned "And why is that? What made you come to such conclusion?"

"Sir... Miss Roberto's collection is coming out in a week. We're already short of time to start the styling and promotion. If we don't sign a contract now, I'm not sure we can find another capable stylist before then, and even if we do, it will be too late..."

"You work for the biggest company in the country, how can anything be too late?"

"You don't understand sir... Whoever we choose will need to get your measurements and know your preference before getting the fits tailored to the data collected. We're already very far behind..."

"There are thousands of stylists in the city"

"But I don't think anyone is more capable than her. She had a good rating system and I've seen her works. I believe she'd be the best... If we don't sign now, Miss Roberto's collection might..."

"Alright fine. But you will see me in my office when we get back and you have a lot of explaining to do"

I fought to hide my smile and tried to keep a nonchalant expression. I can't believe I'd be working for THE Roberto limited. This will be a raise to my company and I'm ready for the risk.

Our eyes met and we just stared at each other. He muttered under his breath "this better be f*cking worth it"...