Dove
He was the most beautiful man I had ever seen!
His skin a darker shade of caramel than mine that showed off that he spent a lot of time in the sun. The scent of a cigarette always used to disgust me but off him it smelt like the most expensive cologne I had ever smelt. I was sure because he probably used a cologne to match. It smelt like power and pure masculinity.
I could not see his eyes under his sunglasses but I was sure he was picking me apart with just a glance. His top lip was slightly thinner than the bottom. My heart thudded when I saw the bottom corner gold lip ring piercing he had which made him look sinister. When he smiled I had never found the gap between his two front teeth more attractive in my life.
He had dimples that made you forget your name and his chin had a lighter intent that gave his structured chiseled jaw more authority than humanity could ever allow. His eyebrows were thick yet perfectly groomed and the tattoos that once scared me, up close, were works of art.
He towered over me with ease and I could not help but crane my neck to look up to him. I had never met anyone so tall!
If he was the reason I would be killed today then it would be a good death because I would do anything to be wrapped up in arms that looked like they could snap a tree in half.
Never in my past six months in Miami had I seen a man like that. A few had been close but none matched up to him. A Cowboy in boots with a hat however was strange to see on the Miami strip.
Whoever he was, he was clearly not from here.
I watched his retreating back as he walked away then disappeared around the corner and I felt like dying. My one chance of speaking to someone that good looking and I blew it.
"Stupido, stupido," I slapped my forehead again and again before I gasped. He had seen everything. The crying. The begging God for strength not to kill Stephanie. He had seen me ugly sob my eyes out and just stood there to watch the whole scene unfold.
Even though I knew I would never see him in my life again I deeply wished he had caught me when I looked better.
Yet then again it was wrong to pin over someone you met in an alley at the back of a building! Even though it truly was free access it was not everyday I saw someone lingering back here. Was he trying to get into the office and if so what was he planning to do?
He could be a robber or murderer! Or he could be here to kidnap me! I was not sure at nineteen if it still counted as kidnapping but organs sold a lot on the black market these days! They always trapped you with the pretty ones.
Yet he barely seemed interested in me. Maybe I was not worth kidnapping. That made my confidence drop to an all time low as I looked down to my sneakers then let out a scream when what I thought was a rat was next to me.
It wasn't. It was just a dark leaf.
Being around mysterious handsome strangers had that effect on you.
"Dove," I heard someone call for me as the door to the back entrance opened. Rodney, a fellow stitcher and one of my classmates came climbing down the metallic stairs. His dark hair trimmed short into a buzz cut. He was no different to me. Black jeans and a matching shirt with white Nike Air forces. He had on his gold chain without a cross pendant. A tattoo snaked up his neck.
I sniffed weakly and let out an audible grunt so he could hear I was there. When he saw me he gave me a small smile before coming to stand next to me. He handed me a piece of gum which helped lift my mood slightly. I had forgotten lunch today and even though I knew the gum would not help my starving stomach I was grateful to be chewing on something.
"You should have just let me buy you lunch Dove?" He sighed as he looked up to the sky.
I shook my head, "It could help you with the bus fees."
He looked at me with a small smile, "Stephanie is going to work you into the ground. Look how thin you're becoming."
I waved my hand dismissively, "I wanted the job and the pay is good. I just have to hold on for the next six months. Who knows what will happen?"
"I think if they let you show your designs you would have been picked," he shrugged, "you captured the vision this all so famous Pereira dude wanted."
"Were you there for the meeting?" I raised my eyebrows as I turned to him.
He shook his head. "I was passing by. He looked livid. I could only look for a few seconds before Stephanie spotted me and gave me a glare."
I nodded with pursed lips, "I don't think the CEO would like my design. Stephanie said it's too hip."
"That's because she's straight from Beverly Hills and hates clothes. She doesn't see the vision. She's creating pretty girl things and that isn't fashion. It's ridiculously commercial," he chuckled. "Maybe send an email through. You'd be surprised."
I shook my head, "I'm not ready for that. I just got to America. I just want to keep my head low, finish school and get some experience before thinking of anything big."
"Fashion isn't about experience Dove. If you have the talent there's nothing that can stop you."
I pursed my lips. "I'll think about it. For now let's just get in and finish the work. Otherwise I'll have Stephanie more on my ass than she already is."