[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/0CELXpE.png[/img]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/flX8mBY.jpg[/img][/center][hr]
[hr]Red dress. Black dress. Red dress. Black dress. 

God fucking dammit, why was being a woman so goddamn complicated?! Aisling Hawthorne held a dress on a hanger in each hand, placing it against her body, back and forth, debating on her options. Tonight, she was invited to to her soon-to-be boss' happy hour. This was her chance to network with the people she would spend the next couple of years with. When she looked up the bar online, she realized this wasn't her typical happy hour. The bar was inside a five star restaurant, where a single plate cost at least 30 dollars. With a sigh of exasperation, the brunette stared at herself in the mirror, contemplating her appearance. Honestly, she couldn't wait until she came home for her nightly bath and a glass of red wine. 

Black dress. Red dress. Black dress. Red dress. 

Five years had passed since she graduated high school, since she left her childhood behind, and since she moved on to pursue a career. Thanks to her time at Camp Liberty and her time with her old friends, the 'Mother Wolf' still having contact with Alex and Oliver, but not so much anyone else, especially Jackson, she discovered she wanted to work at an editorial company. Who would have known her love for reading would soon become a career of hers? Most people would assume she would get a job working outdoors or a job working with children since there was no denying that she would be a good parent someday. The thing she loved about editing and helping authors get their books ready to be published was: it was a form of counseling, in a sense. She was going to help writers make beautiful masterpieces and give them something to be proud about. On the plus side, her mother didn't disagree with her pursuing this career path either. 

As much as thinking of how her first impression would go with the majority of people that worked at her company, she didn't want to get flustered or nervous thinking about it - god knows she couldn't afford making a bad impression. Ash knew she'd be fine, she just needed to make sure not to come off as a complete bitch, that should be easy, right? Her thoughts began to trail back to the people of her past... Alex had confessed to her shortly before she broke things off with Jackson. Like she told Jackson, she had expressed to Alex that she couldn't enter a serious relationship, not now, at least. Luckily for her, he cherished their friendship over romance, any day. Oliver was feeling more and more at home the closer he got with people at Liberty. He actually had a wild romance going on between him, Kitt, and Tate, having run to Ash for comfort on multiple occasions. Eventually, he decided to take a chance with Kitt, and Tate understood that perfectly fine. When it was the last day of camp, it was kind of bittersweet. He actually began to cry knowing Ash was leaving. She assured him to never hesitate to contact her if he needed her, and he didn't. He writes emails to her like diary entries and she still absolutely adores him.  

Thinking about the last day of camp made her mind fall on that childish smirk she remembered so fondly. [i]Jackson Drake[/i]. As much as time passed, she still could remember his facial expressions vividly and his goofiness that made her laugh. Bringing both dresses close to her in an embrace, she thought about the man she pushed away to continue her life as her mother's daughter. To this day, Aisling still struggles with being honest with herself. Where was he? How was he? Was he happy? Did he have--

"[color=dodgerblue]I think you should go red. I haven't seen you in that dress in awhile.[/color]"

Her mind was ripped out of her thoughts of her first love. Glancing by the door of her bedroom seeing her handsome, mysterious fiance with a glass of bourbon in his hand, she gave him a playful stare that translated 'of course you want me to go red'. With little to no disagreement, she tossed the [url=http://www3.pictures.stylebistro.com/gi/Spike+TV+2010+Video+Game+Awards+Arrivals+OKSb2rziENdl.jpg]black dress[/url] on their bed (yes, she and this man had recently gotten a house in LA together - he still has a home in Manhattan, though). Midway through college, when Ash was losing her way and not believing in her pursuit, this dashing, successful man came into her life and lifted her up when she was down. He understood where she was coming from and he took care of her. She was lucky to have him in her life. Without him, she didn't know how she'd function. He kept her emotions stable and helped her mind not think about her own darkness (a darkness she never realized she had until he came along). He was too good of a man for her and she was internally grateful. 

Oh, and he was right, she couldn't remember the last time she wore this dress actually. 

As if able to read her thoughts, the 6'1" man answered with a light smug on his face, "[color=dodgerblue]It's when I took you to Tapestry, two years ago. Our third date... I think.[/color]"

Nodding in remembrance, also surprised he remembered something like that, she gave him a soft and loving stare, a look she had only given to one other man before and that man was no longer in her life, "[color=lightslategray]Oh yeah! Of course... that's when you almost choked on your [i]water[/i].[/color]" Chuckling to herself, knowing very well it was cruel for her to find it funny, she started putting on her dress as his eyes hungrily scanned her thin yet fit body.

"[color=dodgerblue]And you almost choked from laughter.[/color]" Her dress dropped on her body. Placing his drink on a nearby dresser, he strolled behind her and traced his finger down her bare back. He took in her addicting scent and gently pulled her hair to one side. Softly, the man she assumed to be the love of her life, caressed her neck while zipping up the dress from behind. 

"[color=dodgerblue]You're beautiful, babe.[/color]" Her eyes closed as he whispered sweet nothings to her. However, that was short lived, when he pulled away from her with the noise of sudden banging and ringing of the door. Her eyes snapped open in frustration - whoever that was killed the mood, great. 

"[color=lightslategray]Who's that? Emily shouldn't have gotten here yet--[/color]"

"[color=dodgerblue]Probably some Jehovah's witness or hyper ass girl scouts. I'll get it.[/color]" Giving her a deep peck on the lip, he whispered, "[color=dodgerblue]Maybe after my flight, we can Skype...[/color]" He winked at her like the bewitching wolf he was, and left her to do whatever. 

Strolling down stairs, the muscular man walked to the front door of his [url=http://cdn.houseplans.com/product/7qnrj7qaugbeqhvipdelvbds9m/w800x533.jpg?v=9]second home[/url] and peered through the peep hole.

[color=dodgerblue][i]Who the fuck is this?[/i][/color] He thought to himself, with an annoyed expression plastered on his face. Ash's fiance didn't like what he was seeing. Going to his window, the door still very much making too much damn noise, he peered through his curtains and noticed a red car and a hot blonde. Well, the car at least was nice and the babe, but he didn't like the insolent boy on his porch. Not one bit. Opening up the door, the hazel green orbs blankly stared at the face in front of him. The man immediately felt superior to him because of the lack of class this visitor had. Plus, who would deny that he was far better looking than this... thing. Not Ash, that's for sure. 

Stepping out of his door barefooted, and closing it behind him, he crossed his arms, "[color=dodgerblue]Can I help you? If you're trying to sell me anything, I'm not interested.[/color]"