Chapter 28
ચાંદો
Pierce closely watched Arianna as she diligently made her way through the warehouse. He tried to give her some space; however, Pierce was curious about how Arianna’s creative mind worked.
“Pierce, you’re hovering,” Arianna called out as she browsed through the large selection of area rugs.
“My bad,” he mumbled, leaving Arianna to her own devices.
Arianna smirked once Pierce walked away. She knew he was excited to see what she would come up with, but at the same time, Pierce was stressing her the hell out. He scrapped an Amara Lewis design for her, and Arianna knew she had to come correct. The thought of disappointing Pierce or designing something that wasn’t to his liking was maddening. What if he hated what she did but told her he liked it to spare her feelings? Pierce reassured her there wasn’t a budget, and he was open to just about anything, but Arianna couldn’t keep her anxiety at bay.
Arianna knew she wanted to go for something masculine, but the real question was, should she go with “in–your–face” masculine or a masculine design with a slight trace of femininity?
Arianna recalled that Pierce’s home was decorated in a clean white and black motif that matched the outside of the house, and she didn’t want to stray too far from the original color scheme.
“Miss Carter?”
“Yes?”
“If you can make your furniture selection in the next hour, then we can have the furniture delivered by tomorrow afternoon,” the store associate assured
her.
Arianna’s eyes brightened up. With the furniture delivered tomorrow, she could paint tonight and complete the room tomorrow.
“Thank you. I’ll come find you when I make my selection,” Arianna confirmed with a broad smile on her face.
Arianna left the clerk and found Pierce reading a magazine in the sitting area.
“You hanging in there, Pierce?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Are you enjoying yourself, sweetheart?”
“I am. Not gonna lie, I’m a little nervous, but mostly grateful and excited.”
“You have no reason to be nervous.”
“Would you tell me if you didn’t like it?”
Pierce sighed and threw the magazine he was reading on the coffee table. He patted his thigh and held his arms open for Arianna. Arianna smirked but quickly accepted Pierce’s invite and wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m gonna level with you, sweetheart. I’ll tell you if I don’t like it, no matter how much it hurts your feelings. Why? Because you wouldn’t be learning if! sugarcoated things for you. I’m your biggest supporter, and that includes giving my honest opinions. Not everything you design will be a hit or appreciated by your clients. I’m sure if you spoke to Amara, she’d tell you that there were many times when she had to go back to the drawing board time and time again. One thing you’re gonna have to learn in this industry is that not everyone’s taste is the same as yours, and you can’t let that discourage you. You also have to realize that they are paying you to give them what they want, not what Arianna wants. I’ve seen your drawing boards, and the talent is there; you just need a blank canvas to prove yourself.”
“Wow…you have such a way of words, Pierce. Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
“Don’t mention it. Plus, it doesn’t matter if you fuck up the room because it’s a random guest room that will probably never be slept in. I take that back. You might have to sleep there if your snoring gets too out of hand.”
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18:43 Sat, 14 Jun
Chapter 28
“Ugh, I don’t even like you anymore,” Arianna huffed, trying to climb out of Pierce’s lap.
“Aww, don’t be like that. You know I’m just messing with you,” Pierce teased, tightening his arms around her.
“Let go, Pierce. I need to finish so that we can get back to your home and get to work. They told me that they could deliver the furniture tomorrow. We need to leave soon so that I can get to painting ASAP.”
“Do you need help painting?”
“Nope. I don’t want your assistance at all, and I don’t want you to see the room until it’s finished.”
“You’re the boss,” Pierce sighed, letting Arianna up. “Here,” Pierce said, offering Arianna his credit card. “Check out when you’re finished, and then come get me. I’m sure you don’t want me to see what you’re purchasing.”
“Thank you, Pierce,” Arianna whispered.
“You’re welcome, Arianna.”
Arianna had been locked in Pierce’s guest room for more than five hours. Pierce tried to get her to take a break several times, but Arianna refused, fearful that she would lose focus.
“Sweetheart?” Pierce called out, knocking on the bedroom door.
“What’s up?” she answered through the door.
“I need you to find a stopping place. Dinner will be ready in five minutes.”
“Dang? Already?”
“Yep. Wash up and meet me in the dining room.”
“Aight.”
of paint across both
Arianna washed her hands feverishly in the sink, but the black paint still stained her hands. She somehow managed to smear a her cheeks. It was most likely when she wiped away the sweat that dripped from her forehead. She sighed heavily and made her way to the dining room. “What’s this? Are you trying to give me options for our Halloween costume? You’ll be a raccoon, and I guess I’ll be a trashcan,” Pierce teased.
“Ha! You’re funny! Maybe you should attend dateless.”
“Don’t be like that, sweetheart. You know I was just joking. Take a seat…eat…and then continue to ignore me. I made creamy Tuscan chicken with sweet tomatoes and spinach.”
Pierce watched in amusement as Arianna leaned into her plate and took a giant whiff.
“Ahhhh,” she sighed, leaning back into her chair.
“Does it smell good?”
“I’m just messing with you. I can’t smell a damn thing because of the paint fumes.”
“Yeah, no dessert for you.”
“What did you make for dessert?”
“Brownie lasagna.”
Chapter 28
“Oh, my goodness, Pierce. That sounds so decadent. Are you sure that you should be eating all that chocolate?” Arianna teased.
“Little girl, I’ll have you know that I went to the doctor the other day, and I have a clean bill of health, mentally and physically”
“If you say so. Shit, this is delicious. Can I hire you to be my personal chef? You have nothing better to do with your day than stalk me at work.”
“You’re so feisty tonight, Arianna. What’s gotten into you?”
Arianna shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly and continued to dig into her food.
+23
“Keep it up, and I’ll have to teach you a lesson. Last I checked, you don’t mind my stalking, especially when I’m going down on you on your lunchbreaks.”
Arianna kissed her teeth loudly, knowing that Pierce had got her there. “Whatever, Mr. White.”
Pierce chuckled lowly as he cut into his chicken. He was going to tear her ass up later tonight.
“Seriously, have you given any more thought to our Halloween costume?”
“Yes, I have. I want to see what you came up with first.”
“Originally, I thought a pirate and a siren, but Patrick said that there would be a lot of pirates.”
“Agreed.”
“Then I thought, Bonnie and Clyde, and finally, Hugh Hefner and a playboy bunny.”
“Pierce, you’re so naughty! I do like that last idea, but I was thinking Medusa and Perseus.”
“Perseus…as in the one who cut off Medusa’s head. You don’t think that’s a little morbid?”
“It’s Halloween, Pierce. What you thought?”
“Honestly, they are both pretty strong contenders. I’m fine with either one,” Pierce admitted.
“I’m leaning more towards Perseus and Medusa, only because I don’t want to feed into the older man, gold digger bullshit. Which sucks because that’s a great idea,” Arianna pouted.
“Unfortunately, people suck. Are we still going car shopping next weekend?”
“That’s the plan. I’m taking you along so that you can get me a grandma car.”
“You’re being dramatic. Has anything besides that toy car caught your eye?”
“Not really. Prepare yourself for an all–day affair.”
“My schedule is always open.”
“Just like that smartass mouth of yours,” Arianna quipped.
“Keep it up, Ari,” Pierce lowly warned. “How’s the room coming along?”
“Everything’s going as planned. Don’t forget you need to be out of the house between 1:00 and 4:00 PM tomorrow.”
“Right. I’m being kicked out of my own house,” Pierce drawled.
“Is it bad that I want it to be a surprise?”
“Nah, I’m just messing with you. I made sure that I scheduled a tee time with Patrick tomorrow.”
18:43 Sat, 14 Jun
Chapter 28
“You’re such a good boy,” Arianna purred, earning a pink blush from Pierce.
“Are you going to continue working on the room tonight?” Pierce asked after clearing his throat.
“No, I’m at a good stopping point, and I’ve done all I can.”
“Good. Do you want dessert now or in bed?”
“Bed,” Arianna immediately replied.
Pierce tried to hide his smirk. He thought Arianna’s eagerness be in his bed amusing, especially since she was begging to go home last night.
“Alright. I’m gonna do the dishes. You can go get cleaned up. You might want to pay extra attention to your face and fingers, Arianna Raccoo–Rose.
Arianna huffed in annoyance, left the table, and put her dishes in the sink. She prayed that Arianna Raccoon didn’t stick as a nickname. Arianna preferred to be compared to a tanuki. At least they made better pets. She bounded up the stairs and made it to Pierce’s bedroom. She made a beeline to the bathroom and laughed at how ridiculous she looked. Arianna took a picture and sent it to Jesse.
A: If you had to compare me to any animal, what would it be?
J: Raccoon, without a doubt.
A: =[
J: Idk what you’re mad for. You asked.
Arianna undressed and found her face exfoliating cream and went to work washing the black paint
“I thought you would be done by now?” Pierce questioned, entering the bathroom.
“I got caught up sending nudes to my bestie,” Arianna teased with a playful wink.
However, her antics did not blow over with Pierce well.
off of her face.
