To Color Your Life

Emily jumped off the couch and rushed to her friend, "You little sly fox, you didn't even call me!"

Kelly laughed and hugged the girl, "Then my appearance would not have been so spectacular! Hi boss," she waved her hand to Justin. "Wow, even Barkens is here," the red-haired tod pretended to notice the man purely by accident.

Gregor was not particularly impressed by her appearance either. His greeting was enough for a slight nod, after which he returned to his steak, perceiving Ohara as a waitress who had come up to pick up dirty dishes.

Emily did not dwell on the relationship between these two, let them figure it out. She was incredibly happy with the return of her best friend. Now that Kelly was back in business, they could do something beyond one's wildest dreams. It was not for nothing that at the university people used to call Kelly as Mad Ohara behind her back.

Kelly was dressed in a black short, tight-fitting dress, which favorably emphasized all the charms of her figure. She was never shy about revealing outfits, unlike Emily. Those who did not know her might think that the girl was flaunting herself.

But Emily knew that Kelly just liked these clothes. And if instead of seductive dresses, she liked pajamas, for instance, then Ohara would be wearing pajamas. She practically never gave a dime about the opinions of others.

"Well, finally, there is someone with whom you can have a good drink!" Catherine flew up behind and hugged the girl, "Ohara, these guys are too nice and proper, well, you know what I mean. Next time you go on vacation, take me with you."

"Kat! And I also thought, why are you not at the table? Now we can definitely start the party. Hey darling!" Kelly beckoned one of the waiters with a manicured finger. The one who was the most impressive, naturally.

"I'm listening to you," a huge dark-skinned bruiser walked over to their table. The loincloth sat on him as low as possible, his chest was tied with leather straps, and there were two stripes of paint on his cheeks - white and red.

Kelly nodded her head approvingly, "You guys have chosen a great room," she winked at the waiter, which made the guy's smile wider. Oh, it looks like another victim hit the net. "Well, well, well..."

Ohara looked at the boss with Emily, "These don't need much, they still have plans for the evening," looked at Barkens, chuckled, "This one doesn't drink at all," looked hopefully at Joyce. Kat showed her thumbs up. The silent dialogue was successful.

"So bring us the best cocktails that you guys make here. Two alcoholic, two medium alcoholic and one non-alcoholic. Okie, handsome?"

"Ten minutes - and they will be on your table, Miss," the man gave Kelly a meaningful glance and walked away towards the bar.

Ohara watched him go, focusing on the man's strong thighs. "Guys, you can't even imagine how I missed my job."

"Was that the job that you really missed?" a comment from the side immediately followed.

Kelly glared at Berkens. Emily hasn't seen such a range of feelings on her friend's face for a long time. From a playful cat, Ohara instantly turned into an evil fury, but did not release her claws and only smiled maliciously,

"Well, some boring workaholics don't understand the desires of a creative person, Berkens. Emotions are what drives the progress of this world. Cinema, music - everything is created thanks to the love and passion that we receive in life. If you were even a little interested in this, you would understand what I mean."

Kelly sincerely believed that any experience, even an unsuccessful one (especially a love one) is a plus for unleashing creativity. Maybe that's why she parted with her boyfriends so easily?

Emily took a mental facepalm. Oh, Kelly, you can also suggest that Gregor listen to a couple of good tracks for inspiration. Hayes was confident that the suggested songs would be very familiar to the editor-in-chief, given her friend's taste.

"What can I do, I've had a tin ear ever since my childhood, so I don't understand music or art," Barkens shrugged.

Ohara was momentarily confused. She clearly did not expect the man to agree with her. "Uh, well... Get yourself a girlfriend who understands this, then. Maybe your life will be filled with colors. By the way, there is an amazing music band, which is called "Colors of Life." I recommend you to listen to their songs. They are quite something."

Emily and Gregor exchanged glances.

"I haven't heard of this one," answered the editor-in-chief, "Would you give me a disk or something?"

Hayes buried her face in the boss's shoulder so as not to laugh out loud. It was a lot of fun watching the confused Kelly. Especially knowing her love-dislike for the enemy idol that was sitting at the table. 

"Oh-okay," Ohara muttered and eyed the entire man with a suspicious look. "Hey Barkens, did you screw up any of your voodoo rituals there? It seems to me that something is wrong with your head. You are a little… a little…" the girl frowned, trying to find the right word. "Weird."

"For a person who is claiming to be editor-in-chief, Ohara, this is a little vague description," Gregor leaned back on the couch and looked at Kelly with a slight grin.

While the girl was in a mental shock, the brute-waiter brought the order.

"Your cocktails, Miss," he put the glasses on the table and turned to Kelly, but she didn't even notice him. She looked at Barkens as if she had seen him for the first time.

"Thank you," Catherine replied for her, and the man departed. "Well, let's start a new round!"

She squeezed into her seat where she used to sit next to the editor-in-chief. But after thinking it over for a few seconds, she moved to Justin and Emily.

Kelly got out of her stupor and examined the sofa. The only free spot left was next to Barkens, but reach that she would have to crawl through him.

The man, judging by his relaxed posture, did not plan to move and leave the table either. Well, okay.

Kelly approached the edge of the sofa with an air of importance, but either her heels were high, or Barkens's legs were too long... The girl stumbled and fell on the man. More precisely, she sat down directly on his lap.

Ohara never considered herself a shy girl. Modesty was not about her at all. But at that moment, Kelly Ohara felt embarrassed for the first time in her life. And she felt something else too... something hardened.

If it weren't for the dim lighting in the hall, everyone would have noticed how her cheeks were almost the same shade as her hair.

The man grabbed her by the hips and pushed her a little to the side. But she already felt everything!

"Ohara, I've always wondered how you can walk in such tight dresses?" Gregor's whisper sounded behind her ear. And from this whisper, all her body was seized with a sweet tension. What the hell?! Since when does the cold-blooded snake Barkens have such a seductive voice?! Plus, with suspiciously familiar notes!

His palms slightly squeezed the girl's thighs, "If you continue to sit here, I will need looser pants. Can't you feel it?"

She could TOTALLY feel it!

Kelly got blown off his knees in a matter of a second. She plopped down on the sofa next to the man, grabbed a cocktail and drank half of it in one gulp.

It looks like there have been too many changes in Pharaoh while she was absent.

"Boss, there will be a battle for Pharaoh in two days, right?" she turned to Justin, ignoring the knee of the man next to her that touched her leg.

Evans nodded, "I got your report in the e-mail, already included the data in the final presentation."

"Excellent report, Ohara. You're doing fine. Even on vacation you managed to work productively," Barkens praised her, and Kelly almost choked on the cocktail. What the hell is this?

She looked at Emily, who was smiling slyly. What did her cute mouse do to these guys? Okay, so she tamed the boss. Kelly never doubted Em's charm. But what's the deal with Barkens? It's like he's become... sexier or something?

Kelly shook her head, banishing the nonsense from her thoughts.

"Boss, I suggest we use our dark horse," she nodded at Hayes, "Emy, I know you weren't planning on staying, but listen to my idea. I met a guy in Hawaii. Do you remember, Marco?"

Barkens shifted to the side, as if the girl's closeness had become unpleasant to him. What's the matter with him? And why does it piss her off?

Kelly decided not to delve into the incomprehensible sensations. "So, this Marco guy," she continued, "He works as the creative director of a large fashion house. All fashion shows that are held in Milan do not take place without his participation. I briefly described our situation to him, naturally, without furnishing into details. And he suggested that we do this...."