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[hr]The ride was a half an hour and within that time span Aisling and Emily, the woman she used to have a romantic fling with, sporting a [url=http://g02.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1grv8IVXXXXX0XXXXq6xXFXXXE/The-new-fall-fashion-temperament-Women-s-business-casual-long-sleeved-tight-fitting-lace-cocktail-party.jpg]blue fitted cocktail dress[/url], that surprisingly coordinated well with Ash's red, talked about who she should interact with first and that everything was going to go swell, "[color=00a99d]Don't sweat it, you got this in the bag![/color]" The fairly beautiful blonde would say. By the time they would arrive, since they were running a bit late, most of the executives were probably going to be tipsy, which gave Ash an advantage. The car pulled up to the side of hotel Millennium, since the restaurant and bar was on the top floor of it (one of the penthouses reserved for this party), while a valet waited patiently for the women to come out. After tossing her keys to the adorable man with a dimpled smile, Emily had a subtle grin plastered on her mug as if she knew something that Ash wasn't aware of. 

"[color=lightslategray]What's with that look?[/color]" The dark orbs of the female wolf glared at her companion, catching onto the suspicious aura she was giving off. 

"[color=00a99d]Oh, nothing! Let's go in, you gotta meet [url=http://i.imgur.com/ulO1YZb.jpg]Mark[/url] before anyone else! Actually, he's really the only person that matters. The rest you can mingle with whenever![/color]" Emily seemed in a hurry to get inside. Why was she in such a rush? It wasn't usual for Ms. Parker to care about getting to parties like these. As they made their way to the elevator, Ash couldn't help but feel a presence watching her. Turning her head to see if anyone was in the lobby following her, she slowly scanned the room. No one. God, she hated the feeling of being followed. Granted, she should be used to it by now since Ghost always caught her out of nowhere. The elevator door opened and with a sigh, she entered it with her future co-worker. 

Eventually, they made their way to the over-the-top penthouse restaurant, [url=http://images.pxlpartner.ch.s3.amazonaws.com/n28475/images/detailluzernbig/penthouse_1.jpg]bar[/url], and club. Ash's expression never did change. These extravagant events weren't something odd to her. Luckily, the guy she needed to officially meet was at the bar and that's exactly where she wanted to go. As she made her way to her future boss, the nervous woman couldn't help but realize the blondie had disappeared. [color=lightslategray][i]Just great, Em.[/i][/color] Taking a deep breath in, she walked to her new boss' side and asked, "[color=lightslategray]Is this seat taken?[/color]" His name was Marcus Sullivan or what everyone at the company called him, Mark, and he was the owner of Starlight Publishing. 

"[color=f26522]Ms. Hawthorne! I'm glad to see you could make it. Please, please take a seat.[/color]" Without any disagreement, she sat on the free stool beside him. "[color=f26522]Don't hesitate, order yourself a drink.[/color]" 

Nodding and trying to keep her intimidating exterior at bay, she asked the bartender confidently, "[color=lightslategray]Can I have a Jake and Coke?[/color]" The older man's eyebrow rose, but in a pleased fashion. 

"[color=f26522]Not one for fruity drinks I see. Did you know that drink is stated to be the universal manly drink?[/color]"

"[color=lightslategray]I suppose I have heard of what drinks are 'manlier'.[/color]" She paused for a moment, as she thanked the bartender who handed her the beverage. "[color=lightslategray]To be honest, I just like Jake Daniels.[/color]" 

Nodding his head in agreement, Mark took his dirty martini and chugged the rest down. This was probably his third one. Glancing over at her while eating the olive off his toothpick, he curiously asked, "[color=f26522]Are you ready to start your job with us?[/color] Aisling was definitely grateful Mark was drinking right now or this would be far more...nerve-racking. He was known for scaring the daylights out of the newbies. 

"[color=lightslategray]Of course. I'm so thankful you've given me the opportunity to prove myself as someone who truly cares about storytelling and a marketable...[/color]" Emily came out of the shadows with some other coworkers and interrupted the conversation. She had the right, since she was Mark's assistant, after all. 

"[color=00a99d]Hey Mark, James wants to talk to you about his next big idea. You know how he gets when you keep him waiting.[/color]" Mark looked at Aisling apologetic and dismissed himself, walking away with Emily and the other women. As much as Ash should be upset about Emily taking one of her only chances to impress the big CEO away from her, she wasn't. She was actually kind of relieved. Deciding to drink all of her drink in seconds, wanting to loosen up a bit, a familiar voice came up from behind her... 

"[color=#808080]How's my Ash doing?[/color]" Tears welled up in her eyes. No way. This... this can't be true. That voice...

Jumping out her seat, she turned to see Alexander Bryant behind her with a cheesy grin on. Covering her mouth, her expression was complete bewilderment as she bawled, trying her best to not ruin her makeup, "[color=lightslategray]Oh my god, Alex! What-what are you doing here?! Weren't you in Iraq for a mercenary job?[/color]"

"[color=#808080]I decided to surprise you! What better way than at this fancy ass shindig?![/color]" No more words. Running to him, she let his arms tightly wrap around her in a tight embrace. They stood silent as he nestled his chin in her hair. An idea popped in the man's head as he proposed, "[color=#808080]...I know I'm not the best at it, but you love it, so yeah, anyways. Do you wanna turn up the dance floor? For old times' sakes![/color]"

"[color=lightslategray]You bet your ass I do![/color]" Drinking alcohol made her have little to no filter, but thankfully, everyone was in their own world. While they danced, Alex had told her that he couldn't stay too long but he would be here tomorrow and wanted to take her out for brunch. The chemistry between the two still hadn't changed. It was undeniable they were best friends. Over the music, he yelled, "[color=#808080]Congratulations, by the way! Now I can tell you in person.[/color]" His tone changed ever so slightly, as if hinting he wasn't [b]that[/b] pleased that Ash would be married to Lucas soon, since he loved Ash for longer than him, but as her best friend he would accept whoever she chose. Ghost just always thought Ash would end up with Jackson...

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