Behind The Shade

She was at the front desk, bent over, rummaging through a purse of what looked like nail polish when they got to the studio.

A quick look around ensured she was the only one here, to my relief. And no, I don't have stalker tendencies, it would have been awkward if I had to ask for her from someone else. I don't even know her name

I could say 'Good morning, I'm here to see the lady who came in just now... the one with plump, kissable lips'...Nah, even Damon wouldn't say something like that

"Hi there" he said in a soft but firm voice.

She didn't respond. So he got a bit closer and knocked on the desk then stepped back in case she was as crazy as Damon said.

That got her attention

She jumped, looking up at him like a deer caught in the headlights.

Then he noticed she was wearing airpods__that's why she didn't hear him

Jasmine had airpods plugged in, listening to a BTS playlist, whilst picking colours she wanted to use for a client's press-on nails order, when she saw a hand flash knock on the desk.

She looked up at the owner who was wearing a red shirt and had a baseball cap pulled low, shielding his face.

How long has he been standing there?

Khaleed seeing as she didn't recognize him, pulled off the cap and watched her expression go from recognition to confusion then it grew impassive.

The guy from that night?

There's no way she could forget his face

Why is he here though? She pulled out the air pods so she could hear him.

"Good morning," He said in a deep but smooth voice, it was sexy and distracting.

Maybe he's here for a mani-pedi, men take care of their nails too...she thought

Or maybe a facial...with me sitting on his face. The voice in her head cackled

She shook her head as if to stop the dirty thoughts

Woah, where did that come from?

"Good morning___How can I help you?" She answered in a tone she reserved for customers

Damon snickered, and that was when she noticed him. Also good looking, his pretty face somewhat familiar.

Khaleed looked back at him with a raised brow silently asking what was funny, he turned around and walked out smirking.

I could think of a number of things you can do for me and they're not makeup related...He thought, his lips curving into a smile.

"A lot of things really but first___" he drawled instead, looking from her face to the bag of nail polish she was holding.

"Would you like to make an appointment?" She asked, getting impatient but managed to keep her voice pleasant

He chuckled at the bored tone, her voice sounded husky, like she just got out of bed, after bouts of sex

"I'm not here to make an appointment"

"Why are you here then?"

She asked with a frown, setting down the nail polish she had a death grip on when she noticed that he kept glancing at her hands like she was going to hurl it at him.

He hasn't given her a reason to, yet.

"We kinda bumped into each other a while back, I'm sure you remember. And it's just my luck I saw you again today.

"I know you've got work to do and won't keep you, I'd like for us to talk, maybe over lunch sometime?" He asked with what he hoped was a hopeful look, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"If you could give me your number, I'll be out of your hair"

This guy is something alright. How can he just walk in here and ask for my number like it's the studio's website?.

No, she wasn't going to give her number to a stranger that suddenly appeared at her workplace, how did he know I work here? It doesn't seem like a coincidence

"Overconfident much?"

He suddenly looked contrite, and rubbed the back of his neck nervously, It made him look almost boyish and cute. But she wasn't moved by good looks, usually.

Seeing that he wasn't going to leave, and she didn't want to have to explain to her boss or colleagues, why this man was in the studio this early, if not making an appointment__They might start getting ideas

"Your phone" she held out a hand out

He looked surprised for a moment then he pulled out a sleek black phone from his pocket and gave it to her

She put her number on it and then gave it back

"What's your name?" He asked, calling the number she typed in

She felt her phone vibrate and pulled it out.

He showed her his phone screen "Had to be sure" he said grinning "Your name please?"

"Jasmine"

He smiled a megawatt smile she knew probably melted girls panties, but not hers, she didn't smile back.

"If that's all..." she said staring pointedly at the glass doors

"Thanks, I'll text you

And have a nice day" He said still smiling, her cold tone did nothing to douse his happy mood

She nodded and watched him walk out.

"She gave you her number? What did you say to her"Damon asked surprised " But you're Khaleed Hadi, of course she would"

"I asked politely " he said grinning "And I'm pretty sure that's not why she gave me her number.

I don't think she knows me"

"Is there a girl in New York who doesn't? I don't think so. I'd say she's just weird.

Looks like you still got it kiddo" he joked

"I know bro, I know"