CHAPTER 16

Casey and Michael shared a meaningful glance towards each other and sat back, they couldn't believe their friend was loved up but had not declared or wooed the young girl yet. They thought they would be in for a good show.

"Let us help, what is she like?" Casey asked keen to help his friend secure his wife.

Knock Knock

Michael turned to the door and stood to welcome April, the designer that Dean had chosen though now the thought that he knew why.

Michael had thought she was beautiful and sweet and would give Dean a run for his money, it was a show he would pay to watch. But he would certainly help him if he messed up.

Dean sat up and ran his fingers through his black silky locks and then fixed his suit. He smiled at the door as it opened.

Casey watched his friend smile and it not only shocked him but horrified him. This man only smiled when something horrible was about to befall someone. He glanced at the door and saw his design manager Emily walk through the door. He thought of something and turned his head back to his friend Dean. Dean's smile dropped and he looked angry, Casey felt like he definitely missed something. He thought maybe Emily was his new sister in law but now he was sure he had misunderstood.

Dean who's heart raced as he had waited for his angel to arrive felt his heart sink when he saw another woman walk through the door. He didn't care who she was, he just wanted to see April again. He looked at his friend and frowned unhappily.

"Hello, CEO Casey, Michael and CEO Davis." Emily smiled coquettishly at the men opposite her.

Emil had opened the door and her heart fluttered as she saw Dean Davis who was smiling at her. She approached the sofas where the three handsome men sat. She was hoping to get Casey or Deans attention. Who wouldn't want to be Mrs Walker or Mrs Davis, she showed what she thought was her best feature as she pushed her chest together rather seductively.

Unbeknownst to Emily none of the three men were the least bit interested in her bosoms as long as they weren't anywhere near them.

Micheal took over the situation fearing Deans wrath spiking and the newly appointed manager would end up fired. "Emily did I not say we had an important client Dean Davis and I wanted April to attend this meeting?"

Emily looked shocked but then quickly regained her sultry smile as she looked at Dean and Casey. "But I am so well equipt in so many ways to please you gentlemen and I have great experience."

"I'm sure you do," Dean mumbled under his breath he had no time for this flirtatious woman with vile makeup, he stood up. "Casey take me to your design department."

Casey was intrigued to see what his friend was up to and he stood and smiled back at him, "This way buddy."

The three men walked out of Casey's office and straight past the gawping Emily. "... wait for me."

Wait

In her heels, she couldn't match their stride as she then watched the lift doors close. Only then did she let her smile slip. As she waited for the lift she thought of how to get even with her new employee.

In the lift Micheal was nudging Casey and Casey in return was nodding in agreement. Dean was acting weird and it had to be due to their soon to be sister in law.

Bing

The lift door opened and he finally saw her. Her head was focused on work she looked forever and independent.

There was a steadiness to her as if all the storms in the world were a whispering breeze if she was there. She was kind and clever, perhaps that's what drew him to her.

As he walked towards his angel she looked up and smiled her usual friendly smile.

And at that moment, in that fraction of time, her smile was in every God-given feature, and Dean knew he was home. He smiled back as he approached her work desk, no one else in the room existed to him.

"Afternoon." He held back the nickname that flirted on his tongue. "You were requested upstairs." It was more of a statement than a question. His onyx eyes never left hers.

April couldn't believe her neighbour was here too, was he everywhere? She smiled back and saw that Michael was standing just behind him, she forgot to finish reading the email that he had sent her. Now she wondered did she mess up?

"Sorry." She didn't know what else to say, right now all the rooms eyes were on her and she felt like it was appropriate to apologise.

"You don't need to ever apologise to me, it's nearly lunchtime so let's go and discuss the project." Dean beamed at her expectantly.

April looked behind him to her boss Micheal and he was nodding excitedly behind her, thinking that Micheal needed the project she replied to Dean, "Sure let's go."

Right now in Michael and Casey's mind, Dean had sprouted two fluffy ears and a tail that wagged happily right now he was so ecstatic. They looked on in shock, they definitely would accompany them for lunch.

April stood up and got her handbag and approached Dean.

Bing

The lift doors opened and Emily came out, her dress seemed shorter to April's eyes.

Seeing April stand side by side with Dean, Casey and Micheal she felt hatred well up in her heart. But she kept composed with her flirty smile and fluttering eyes.

"Gentlemen now we have the designer, where are we going?" She went to her desk and grabbed her handbag, she was brazen and shamelessly inviting herself to lunch.

"Michael." Dean's cold voice rang out and Micheal shivered unconsciously.

Micheal turned to the overly keen design manager and sighed. If it were anyone other than Dean he would have suggested the design manager accompany them but he knew from his friends face there was no room for negotiation.

"Emily your presence is not required, we have our designer so you should stay here and manage the other projects that concern you." Michael tried to use a firm tone so Emily would stay and he hoped she would hear his underlying message.

The other workers kept their heads down but were all secretly gloating inside. Emily was a difficult manager to work for. She felt superior as a human being and delegated jobs to them that she felt was beneath her, this not only added to their own workload but meant they had to work longer hours.

Emily was haughty, her outbursts towards them were erratic and without cause for the majority of the time. For them to see her being rejected they all were delighted. They wouldn't mind her wrath later as she had taken a face slap for the first time.

"But... but I am her manager, she is new here and knows nothing." Emily started to stutter, she wanted to try her luck, she didn't want to miss what could be her ticket towards becoming Mrs Davis or Mrs Walker.

Aaran giggled and hid behind her computer seeing Emily's face fall. She composed herself and looked to April, "Go enjoy your lunch, we can have a welcome lunch tomorrow for you."

April smiled and nodded, "Thanks."

Knowing that April had agreed Dean went to the lift and hit the button. Following just behind was Casey, Micheal and April.

Bing

Once the lift had arrived they entered together. Micheal and Casey made sure to stand so that April was beside Dean. Teamwork was what was needed to help their ill equipt best friend.

Once the lift doors closed Sean, Aarna, Sophie and Paul all got back to their work, taking sneak peeks at Emily as she stood there staring at the lift.

Emily had never been told to stay back, she felt like a dog being ordered by her master. Who was April? How did she get an invite?

Emily's eyes bulged as she watched the lift. Her fingernails dug into her palms leaving small red semi-circles. She felt like tearing that new girl's hair out when she saw her leave with the two most eligible bachelors in the City.

That should be her, she ground her teeth and turned, storming back to her desk and banging her handbag onto the floor. She had to show April who was boss when she came back and as for her getting to be Dean Davis interior designer, she can dream on.

Meanwhile, Dean, April, Michael and Casey had just walked out of Walker Interiors together. They stood at the doors and April felt slightly awkward but she was glad Micheal was there.

Dean looked at the two lightbulbs and frowned he was about to tell them to clear off and to stop ruining his date when Casey interrupted.

"I'm Casey Walker as the CEO I would like to welcome you to the company and treat you to lunch and as Deans best mate I am sure he won't mind." Casey smiled at them both.

April looked from Casey to Micheal who were both smiling and nodding. "Thank you, CEO Walker, but I wouldn't want to impose."

"You are not imposing... he is." Dean borrowed his eyebrows he wanted to spend more time with her today and these two friends of his were in the way.

April was shocked by her neighbour's unusual behaviour and she was unsure of what to say. Because in her past life he was cold towards her but she thought that was because he was hurt. In her new life, he was nothing but kind and always smiling.

"Let's all go, I know a great restaurant just around the corner." Michael smiled and waited for April's approval.

"Okay." April smiled up at the three handsome men as they all were waiting for her reply.

Seeing her agree and smile again Dean was content with the arrangement after all they were his close friends. It was necessary for her to get to know them, "Micheal seeing as you know the restaurant why don't you lead the way."

His message was clear to his two friends, walk ahead and let me walk beside April. Casey was not positive that this would be his sister in law in the future.

They all walked to the restaurant, it was just a few minutes walk. Dean was happy just to walk beside her. They arrived at the restaurant and the restaurant manager showed them to a private room.

The restaurant was called The lantern it had a warm and bright vibe an intimate, relaxed environment.

Micheal and Casey sat on one side and Dean and April sat on the other. Dean pulled out April's chair and she sat down then he took off his suit jacket and sat beside her.

The waiter handed them a tablet and left the room. Dean took it and gave it to April, "Ladies first."

April ordered herself some sweet tea and her meal and then passed the tablet back to Dean. Dean was very proficient and ordered for the rest of the table.

Seeing their friend smile and accommodate someone was indeed shocking for Casey and Michael.

Casey was sure his friend has fallen hard so he wanted to help him start a conversation, "So April my best friend here needs some help with his condo and office."

"Oh yes Dean what do you need me to do? What style do you like, what colours and fabrics do you prefer? What about lighting? Do you like your office to feel like a home? " Her eyes sparkled and she became animated as she asked him questions.

Dean laughed at her, "I think I need your personal touch and talent, I will let you choose."

"Sorry I got excited and asked too many questions." April looked away, Dean's smile dazzled her.