I glared at the blond man in front of me. I watched his brown eyes stare at me without any sympathy, and he made my stomach turn. Frustrating me perhaps even more than my superficial client, Mr. Chasez.

"I can't do this Daryl. I can't. He's an obnoxious, spoiled jerk. And I will not take this harassment and anymore abuse from him." I said flatly and looking through the papers on my desk mindlessly.

"Vanessa, you have to do this, this is a big job. Do you realize how much recognition you and this company can get from it!? And imagine all the other big name celebrities that may follow!" Daryl said leaning forward with his hands bracing himself against my desk.

I sighed, it had been over 45 minutes and I was still trying to make my boss understand that I could not, would not, work for that man anymore.

"And plus this was only the first week!" Daryl cried.

"Exactly! I won't do it Daryl, put Kate or Dave on the job..." I trailed off," Give me a different assignment, or better yet let me take my long promised vacation." I snapped.

Suddenly the man before me stopped being so persistant, and just froze, his eyes glazed over as if he was not even looking at me anymore. The voice that came out was cold and emotionless,"If you don't do this assignment..." I heard the resentment in his voice as he spoke," Then you are fired."

I cocked an eyebrow and looked up at Daryl. I was completely shocked. Being his most trusted and skilled designer, I was in awe that those words were directed toward me,"...fired?" I asked in a voice almost unaudible.

"Fired." He said this time more firm and reasurred with himself then before. Staring up at him, I, just as he, realized he was taking a big risk in saying those words.

I swallowed hard. I could not imagine going back to work for that man one more day! Nor could I imagine losing my job. What would I do? Damn that Chasez for putting me in this situation. I looked up at Daryl to see an almost unrecognizable sign of hope on his face.

Yet again, I was giving in, people aways used me to get their way or make themself look good. Which was exactly what he had just done now.

I took a deep breath,"I'll finish the assignment... but right after this one I will have vacation... or I will quit."

I watched relief wash over his face and he nodded eagerly,"Right, right after this assignment, I promise!" he cried walking out of the room.

I nodded and sighed,"You can do this Vanessa." I tried to coax myself not even believing or really listening to the words I was saying. Of course I could do the job, but could I take anymore of it with him on my back. I had tried to stay cool the first couple of days. But the night before, I came back to the office, he had really set me off. He had started to criticize my art again. I had always been known to be one to get mad and fast and start yelling. But I refused to ever treat my clients with such disrespect. Of course I had never been forced to work with anyone like him.

I had been working at Chasez's house for the last 3 hours. He had come in two hours ago, and walked right past without a word. Not that I wanted him to say anything, I was simply suprised, and incredibly glad. I climbed down from my ladder and took out my cd and replaced it with Celine Dion's Falling Into You.

I was half way back up the ladder when a voice from behind startled me,"Hey."

I lost my balance and started to fall back but caught myself in time. I scowled under my breath and turned my head to look at him, "What? Are you trying to kill me?" I said.

"Sorry... You want anything to drink?" the brunette asked looking up at me.

I was suddenly in complete shock, but was still aggravated from him startling me and snapped,"NO...thanks..."

From my perch up on the ladder, I watched him shrug and begin to turn away. I suddenly felt bad that I had snapped at him. But quickly shook it off and turned back to my work.

I sighed and tried to clear my mind and reminded myself of the vacation I had just been promised by Daryl.

vacation....

"You sure you don't want anything to drink?" his voice called again from in the kitchen.

"I'm sure." I called back.

I put my finishing touches on some of the crown molding I had put up and began to climb down. Once I got down I realized that he was sitting in the armchair in the corner of the room watching me. A chill suddenly went up my spine at the thought. I ignored his stare and picked up some more of my things and began working on another part of the wall. And he was still watching me.

"Ya know I think I'll take you up on that drink."I said seeking the opportunity to end the eeriness that had suddenly come over me since I noticed his presence.

"Sure, what would you like?" He said standing up to his full height. For the first time, I noticed how tall he was, almost 6 feet I was sure, "I have iced tea, water, milk... and I think that's it." he continued.

"I'll have tea." I answered still in awe over his personality change. Just the day before, he had been a monster, an egotistical, arrogant man, and now he was putting on the charm. I shuddered, ignore it Vanessa, I told myself. That's the last thing I need is to start feeling soft for this one.

He nodded and headed into the kitchen. Not a moment later he came back out with a tall glass of iced tea with a lemon in the side. I glanced up at him quickly,"Thanks." I said taking it from him.

"My pleasure." he replied simply and went back to his seat. Now this was becoming more than strange.

My pleasure...What was that?

What if he wanted to rape me or something? I thought to myself, it would not be too far fetched a thought.

Shaking off the idea, so as not to freak myself out I began to sip from my glass.

The drink was cool,sweet, and soothed my throat, which not until now I realized was partched.

Then suddenly my gaze rose to the man in the chair. He was not looking at me anymore, but was now reading from a paper on his lap. He too was sipping from a glass of iced tea. For the frist time, I noticed his long, masculine frame.

His face shaped perfectly. With a strong definite jaw and cheek bones, that one could imagine being chiseled by one of the ancients.

Then his gaze met mine and I realized I had just sighed heavily. First he just stared at me, and finally after a moment smiled. And I suddenly noticed his gorgeous blue eyes. The last time I had really seen them, was the first day we met. Yet, in the heat of him screaming down my throat, I never realized just how incredible and unique they were. I swallowed and looked back down at my work.

What is wrong with you !

Just that morning I had screamed at Daryl about how evil this man was and how I despised him, and now I was in awe at his every feature.

I breathed in deeply and looked back to my work. I tried to focus on the project before me, but was at a loss. I glanced back up at him and met his gaze. Quickly looking away I wondered why he suddenly was so sincere and kept eyeing me. My watch read 6:30. Seven o'clock I decided was when I would leave.

I dipped the tip of my brush back down in the gold paint and tried to bring it steadily to the wall. But with the feeling of his gaze, on me I could not seem to consentrate.

I rolled my eyes and took in a deep breath. I was irritated now that this man had been arrogant and offensive and now he was making me incredible uncomfortable on the job.

I looked back up at him and his gaze was still on me.

"Do you mind!" I said irritably,in less a question and more a statement.

His blue eyes seemed to change when he looked at me this time to respond, as if before he was in a daze,"What?" he asked.

"Its difficult to concentrate when someone is watching you." I responded to his dumbfounded statement.

He just smiled,"Yes... but I know that you Miss Lynn can work very well under pressure."

I was in shock at this cockiness. Was this a game, him driving me crazy for the last week with criticism and his outbursts?

My heart was racing and I could feel my face flush with anger. I wanted to swallow this and just take it like I had been. But this was ridiculous. I hated talking down to a client, but he had pushed the limit.

I rose from the floor to stand and face him. He was still seated in his chair with the remnant of a very handsome smirk on his face.

"Mr. Chasez..." I began.

"JC." he cut in.

I ignored his suggestion,"Mr. Chasez. I am a professional. And I know you are as well. This is ridiculous. You are a rude, cocky, arrogant, obnoxious man. I want you to be very well aware that I would rather eat my left foot than to finish this assignment. But, we have a deal and a contract that states that I must finish here, so if you would please just shut up and leave me the hell alone I would be most obligued."

He smirked and bit his bottom lip,"Are you always so serious when you tell your clients off, or do you ever lash out? I know there is a temper somewhere in you. Use it, I think it would have more of an effect."

"You are so loving this aren't you?" I cried glaring at him and despising that mischevious look in his eyes.

The same eyes that I had been adoring moments ago.

He shrugged," I dunno... it could be better."

I felt like I had been slapped hard across the face, why did he always make me feel so ashamed, embarassed and vulnerable. I hated it. I hated not being able to control my emotions around him. He made me want to scream and cry at same time.

"You jerk!" I yelled my chest heaving and I could feel the tears burning my eyes.

I grabbed my tools ignoring the fact that I was not finished. I hurriedly packed them up and turned ready to get the door.

As I stood up he was already taking strides toward the door. I sighed, and began to walk hurridly. He opened the door and stood to the side for me to walk out. In the process my arm brushed his chest and our eyes met. Once again his eyes were the dazed cerculean blue that I had admired earlier.

Time seemed to stop for a moment, and I was not exactly sure what I expected him to do next.

Then he finally broke the moment of silence,"You're sexy when you're mad."

I swallowed hard and in shock and fury flashed him and his charming blue eyes one last glare. I rushed out of the apartment. What had I really expected from him in those last few moments in the apartment?

INDEX