Love In Black And White

LEIA'S POV

"I'm sorry miss Summers, your work is great, but you do not have any relevant work experience for us to hire you" my interviewer said to me as I sat in his office.

"But you said my work is great " I defended

"Yes I know, but I am in no position to hire someone without the required qualifications. It's company's policy " he explained as tears gathered in my eyes.

This is the fifth rejection I'd be getting this month and I was beginning to get exhausted.

I picked up my bag and canvass, and then walked out of the building. How am I supposed to get work experience when no one is willing to employ me as an artist?

I walked away as I headed towards the coffee shop where I presently work.

"Good morning Mrs. Madison. Did you sleep well?" I greeted my employer hoping she wasn't in a cranky mood.

"Hi Leia, yes I did," she responded curtly, without asking about my own night.

Mrs. Madison, my employer, is a 60 years old woman that has a son named Carter, an asshole to be precise.

She owned a coffee shop, in Manhattan, New York where I worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday as a cashier.

The place was understaffed, so I often juggled multiple roles to keep the shop running smoothly. I did the waitressing, prepared the coffee, and sometimes cleaned the place after work.

Mrs. Madison wasn't paying well but I still do all of these things, and yet she doesn't even appreciate my efforts.

Her very nasty character is the reason why most of the employees stopped working with her. But I chose to stay since I haven't been able to find something better.

I stashed my personal items into my locker and made sure everything was in order before any customer walked in.

To prepare for the first customer, I tied on my apron. I stepped behind the bar and switched on the electronic cash register alongside the coffee machines.

For a whole year, I had the privilege of learning how to prepare coffee from Lucia, who used to work here. She taught me the art of creating designs on the coffee and the techniques for preparing a good espresso.

I learned Lucia's complete guide to coffee, and I appreciated the time she invested in teaching me. Lucia was the best thing about this shop until she left.

The first customer was Ana, an old woman. She loves having her coffee at the shop. She always insisted I make her espresso, claiming I had a special way of making it and it tasted better than the ones she had ever tasted. She is a flatterer and a dear old soul.

More customers began to walk in , so I had to take their orders and have them prepared, keeping up with the rhythm of the early morning rush.

After attending to a lot of customers, to the point that I exhausted myself, I decided to take a quick break since it was almost time for lunch.

Carter walked right into the shop as I was having my lunch. He stared uncomfortably at me for a minute or two. Then he walked into his mum's office without a single word and I was left alone. What was that about?

After lunch, I went to the laundry room to wash all the napkins that coffee was spilled on. I heard the door close behind me and I looked back and saw it was Carter.

He had this salacious look in his eyes and he kept coming close till there wasn't space between us.

"Hey Kitten, you look good today," he remarked, rubbing his hands against his lips as he looked me up and down appreciatively.

This weirdo.

" I told you not to call me that. What part of 'I don't like it' don't you understand?" I said to him not hiding my irritation.

"It's not my fault you look so good, Leia. Only if you know what you do to me."

"I don't have time for this and I need to continue what I'm doing," I replied, trying to maintain my distance.

"No one is stopping you, " he retorted.

With that, I left his side and continued with my tasks, my back turned to him. I couldn't see what he was doing but then I felt his hand grip my waist.

His proximity sent warm breaths against my neck. His hand moved to my breast, and instinctively, I gave him a swift strike to his groin. I heard him wail in pain.

"You fucking bitch!" He yelled as he crutched low holding his daddy's gift as he gritted his teeth in pain.

"There is more from where that came from. Just try me again, and you'll see what I'm capable of. You're messing with the wrong girl, " I warned him.

Imagine having to deal with such harassment every day.

"You're gonna regret ever doing this" he angrily muttered before storming off.

After he left, the breath I had been holding came out in a gasp " What the hell" I said to the quiet room.

Carter had been making advances at me but never this bold. He only made flirtatious comments, some perverted and others cringy but he never dared touch me.

I always drew the line and put him in his place.

More reason why I need to find my way out of the job.

After the worrying encounter with Carter in the laundry room, I did not see him again for the rest of the day and I had no troubles or warnings from his mom. It seems mommy's boy was too ashamed to report to mommy. I snickered.

The day progressed rather well, with no other bad encounters with customers as usual and I finished my task and left the shop after closing hours.

I stopped by a grocery store on my way home and grabbed some food items.

Afterward, I took a bus going to the South Bronx, where I shared a small apartment with my best friend, Scarlet.

Scarlet is the most amazing friend I've ever made. Easy to talk to and fun to be around.

Scarlet is beautiful in a classical way, she has flowing golden curls and ivory skin; with piercing green eyes. She was taller than average and slim like those catwalk models, but in her 'ordinariness' she was stunning.

Something radiated from within that rendered her irresistible to both genders.

Scarlet gets home earlier than I do, but she doesn't enjoy cooking, so I do the cooking for both of us. I planned to make Chicken Riggies tonight, an Italian American dish, combined with chicken, peppers, onions, and rigatoni pasta in a spicy tomato cream sauce.

I don't want to brag but...I am an amazing cook. Everyone should know that but not everyone should eat my food. VIPs only.

When I got to my apartment, I dropped some of the stuff I bought in the refrigerator and some other spices in the cupboard.

I called out for Scarlet when I noticed she had not come out from her room since I walked in.

She answered and came out looking stunning with a nice dress and bold makeup.

My girl is undeniably sexy and that dress. Damn, even I am tripping.

"Where are we going tonight? I asked her

"How do I look?" she asked not caring to reply

"You look so good, chica. I should lay you on a canvas. Tell me darling, where are you going?" I said as I walked up to her and twirled her around as she laughed gleefully.

"So...there is this guy I just met and he is so charming. He is taking me on a dinner date tonight," she said with excitement in her voice.

"Can you believe he gave me his credit card to do some shopping, and of course, I got you something nice" she added

Now that's what I like to hear.

"Seriously? This guy must be fucking rich" I said to her in incredulity and excitement.

"Yeah, he is. See what I got for you." She said as she brought out a black short dress that was quite revealing. Uh ohh... who let the harlots out?

She saw the self-righteous look that quickly covered my face and she said scoldingly. "Wipe that look off your face now. You need to start going out and pop that cherry of yours. You've been working so hard and you need a break. Do you even know what a dick looks like?" She made an incredulous face as she asked the last question.

Of cos, I know what dick looks like. I kicked one today, but I dare not say that out loud. For now.

I threw a pillow at her, and she giggled dodging it. But she was right though.

I needed to pop my cherry and get a taste of the gist and frenzy.

The truth is that I'm not the type of girl who believes in waiting for the right guy or after marriage. I just don't have the time to even think about it.

It's high time for me to explore my lady part.

I took the dress she got me and caressed it. The dress is actually gorgeous asides from its sluttiness.

"So would you consider going out tonight, even if it's just for a drink? You never know, you might meet your Prince Charming." she asked

"I have work tomorrow and I'm honestly exhausted. I might consider going tomorrow night." I said still shying away.

"I knew you'd say that. But it's fine. One of these days I will take you out to have a drink and I won't take 'no' for an answer. I gotta go now, he is already waiting outside for me." She blew me kisses as she rushed to leave the house.

"Take care of yourself and be careful," I called to her as she dashed through the door leaving me as I wallowed in self pity.

LEIA'S POV

"Wait! Please wait!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, sprinting towards the bus stop. The bus driver heard me and I dashed towards the bus, panting like a dog as I got in.

The thought of running late to work almost made me piss on my pants, considering the kind of person Mrs.Madison is.

When I got to work, I met a new lady arranging the table. It appeared that Mrs.Madison had hired someone new, which meant I would have less work to handle. Thank God.

Carter arrived at the shop earlier than usual, and I can't help but wonder why. Honestly, I did not expect to see him so soon after our encounter yesterday. No shame really.

He gave me a disgusting look but I simply rolled my eyes in response. I can't be giving the devil my attention.

A man dressed in a sleek black suit entered the shop and took a seat. The new lady, whose name I hadn't heard yet, took his order while I prepared to make the coffee.

He requested for café latte. When he got his coffee, he liked it so much and said it was one of the best coffee he ever tasted.

"Keep the change," he said, handing me a hundred-dollar bill as he passed the counter to leave.

"Thank you sir" I replied gratefully.

The first time a customer gave me a tip I naively told Mrs.Madison and she took the whole money and gave me nothing. So since then I never told her about it again.

"Mai!" I heard Mrs.Madison call and then the new girl answered and went to meet her. So her name is Mai. Let's see how long this one lasts.

A few minutes later she came out cursing at Mrs Madison but I heard everything she said. God, that ended rather quickly.

"That woman is such a bitch! Like how do you cope around her?" she asked with so much bite in her words.

I don't. I just smile and wave like it never happened. But I didn't say that.

Instead, I just smiled and told her that, she could be nice when she wanted to be. As if.

Mrs. Ana came into the shop to order her usual and I told Mai that I would attend to her myself. She didn't understand so I explained why to her.

After a rough day and with little help from Mai, it was time to clock out and close for the day.

Yayy...I actually had other plans for tonight. I intend to surprise Scarlet by going out with her.

I wanted to enter the laundry room to wash the napkins as usual. But before I opened the door, I heard a strange noise coming from inside. What the hell?

They were soft moans coming out of the room.

I opened the door widely and didn't care to knock I just walked in.

And what I saw gave me the creeps.

The new girl and Carter doing the unbelievable. What the fuck? Like who the hell gets laid on the first day at work?

"Wtf! Can't you knock?" Mai screamed at me.

The bloody nerve of her. "Why do I need to knock? This place is obviously not for things like this.

"So get the fuck out I need to wash these things before leaving except you will since you have a big fat mouth," I said to her in my No Bitch Nicki Minaj voice that always shuts people up.

"Feisty, I love it," Carter finally spoke with a dirty smirk while he swung her panties at my face.

I slapped his hand while dodging it and gave him a scalding look. What the fuck is wrong with this bastard? Is he on drugs now?

She noticed what he was doing and quickly hijacked it from his hand and hastily put it on.

They both walked out of the room with no shame. Carter even had a bloody swagger to his steps.

"Hmm, it smells like booty in here," I said out loud to myself as I shut down against them.

After I finished my tasks, I went home and prepared for the night.

My intention for the evening was simple.

To get laid very fast.

It was finally time to explore that aspect of my life. Being a 22-year-old virgin with no prior sexual experience was not exactly a good look, especially now in this 21st century. It was time to change that.

Scarlet had plans on getting me drunk but I had better plans than getting drunk.

I put on the outfit she purchased for me and she helped me with my makeup and hair. I had to admit, I looked quite different, exuding an aura of someone confident, inviting and ready for a sexual encounter.

"Wow! You look absolutely stunning, girl! Let's go. The Uber driver is waiting for us outside," she exclaimed, grabbing my hands.

Arriving at the venue, we stepped out of the Uber and got right in without joining the long queue. Scarlet knew the bouncer.

We chose to explore a renowned nightclub tonight, that one of Scarlet's friends had told her about. The neon lights rotated above us, casting a glow on our excited faces.

We found ourselves in the crowded bar of the nightclub, and we ordered some shots. The bartender lined up the shot glasses, and I reached out for the first shot, a concoction of tequila with a sprinkle of lime. I winced slightly, savoring the intense flavor that danced on my taste buds.

I took about three shots and got right on the dance floor. Ready for some groove.

As I was dancing, allowing the music to consume me, I saw a man walking towards me.

On a closer inspection, it was Carter, and he had a wicked grin on his face. The fuck.

Did he follow me here? This is an obsessive behavior. What has gotten into him?

"Did you follow me here?" I asked as he got closer and started circling around me, dancing widely.

"And what makes you think I did, Kitten? This place is an open space and anyone can walk in. I am a patriot just like you and you look pretty fine tonight Kitten."

"Can you leave me alone? I don't have time to chitchat with you." I said impatiently as I walked away, swaying my hips dramatically.

"I hope I see you at work Kitten. And you keep those hips only for me"

And then he left without. I pray I won't see him again tonight raining on my parade.

I got right back into my groove and then I noticed a pair of captivating blue eyes staring at me from across the name.

I thought it was the alcohol playing tricks on me. Yet, his gaze was focused on me. He had a very attractive appearance, like the type of man you see on GQ magazine. A fine wine.

I might wanna hook up with him if he is game. I kept his stare moving my hips suavely to the rhythm of Beyonce and Dolly Parton's 'Tyrant'.

He walked towards me, confidently and predatorily. He never took his eyes off me and I never stopped dancing like I was in a trance, captive to his gaze.

"Babe, that guy in the black suit is totally coming for you! I love what you are doing, keep at it" Scarlet whisper yelled in my ear.

"Yes. Do you think I can get him? He is a looker."I replied still dancing. He was getting closer now and I could feel the intensity in his eyes.

"Of cos Chica. He is closer now, let me disappear. Go for it, girl! Get some vitamin D" Scarlet said as she hurriedly walked away.

"You have got me, Princess. Tell me exactly what you want?" He said as soon he faced me as he held my waist seductively and firmly.

God, he had a face built for seductive murder. Damn, and his voice...Oh God take me to heaven and bring me right back

"I am here for what you want as well. No games handsome." I replied seductively close to his ears my hips still moving to the beat"

"I'm Alexander sexy, what's your name?" He said with a charming smirk.

"I'm Leia"

"Leia, if I said I have a hotel where we could pick up the rhythm of this conversation, what would you say to that?" God the way he called my name... like he owned it.

"Ask me first, handsome. No wordplay"

"Come with me tonight sexy. Let me have you for the night" he whispered huskily right into my ears and I shook with his breath on me.

"I planned on getting pretty drunk tonight but now I want to have you as a bonus shot. Come back with me tonight and I will make you feel like it's heaven in the city" He drew back from me to stare right into my eyes and drew slow swirling patterns on my waist as he danced with me.

His hold on me directed my body to the beat of the music.

Uhhh... baby boy has got moves.

"Alright Alexander, since you asked so sweetly... you can have me for the night. Lemme tell my friend that I'm heading out. We came together" I replied as I seductively dropped his hands from my waist.

As I walked away I made sure my hips swayed as seductively as Beyonce on the stage.

I did not glance back to check if he was checking me out but I walked like I expected him to.

Scarlet was already engaged in a conversation with some dude and I walked up to her. I told her I was leaving and then she teased me a little but we kissed goodbye and walked back to my handsome stranger, Alexander.

He firmly snatched my waist when I got closer to him and we immediately walked out of the nightclub.

We got into his sleek red Audi and we drove to a popular exclusive hotel. Uhh, this one is money.

When we got to his hotel condo room, he offered me a glass of wine while he took a clean shot of whiskey.

He was so attractive and sexy and I made the first move. No point squirming like a virgin when I was here to lose said V-card.

I dropped the glass of wine on the table and walked confidently to him. My eyes told him exactly what I wanted.

And he immediately got the message and took command when I got closer. He grabbed me by the waist and took heavenly possession of my lips. Kissing me to ecstasy as soft moans escaped my lips.

I have no idea how we got to the bedroom but the next thing I felt was the soft sheets of the bed as he laid me softly on them and spread my legs wide open.

He made quick work of both of our clothes, taking them off expertly. He took a moment to graze hungrily at me and then slid a sleek finger inside me.

It stung a little and a made small wince but quickly morphed my expression.

"Is this your first time, Princess?" he asked quietly close to my ear, his hands still between my thighs

I nodded yes and then looked away shyly.

"Don't worry Princess, you are in my hands and I won't let you go until I pleasure you as promised."

Then he claimed my lips again, this time it was so intense I couldn't feel my legs any longer.

And ohhhh God... he pleased me like never. The best first time of my life. I could write a sexual autobiography.

LEIA'S POV

"I know what you did last night and this is on you. My son saw you last night at the club

drinking like a fool. You're fired!" And then the call ended.

That was my reality this morning after the best sexual encounter of my life.

I had woken up late, after switching off my alarm like ten times, with a strong migraine and hangover. It was 8:30 then with like 5 missed calls from Mrs.Madison.

And when I called to explain myself. She fired me, just like that.

"That bastard Carter" I muttered as I faced Scarlet who was across from me as I narrated what happened this morning. I was now a jobless non-virgin

"I can't believe that lady sacked you," Scarlet said incredulously for the third time.

"Yeah, it's unbelievable. And she is never going to find someone better to replace me."

"She never will. You are the best."

"I need to start searching for a job because I need money to survive." I voiced my concerns.

"Take some time to rest before diving into job hunting Leia. You need it" she said then paused and stared at me expectantly.

"So..., tell me about the guy you met at the club, was he good?"

"Oh no, not now, Scarlet."

"Come on, you haven't given me all the juicy details"

"Alright, okay. He was good... in fact he was amazing. I may not know much but I know what I felt. I still have tingles, a little pain, and discomfort. I didn't even end up getting his number." I guess that's the unspoken rule of one-night stands never get the guy's number.

"Rate him on a scale of 1-100"

"I would say 100. 100% divided by nothing," I said proudly as I cheekily sipped my coffee with a smirk.

"Oh my God...my girl got good D," she said as she jumped excitedly for me. "Welcome to the world of being a woman. Now it won't feel weird talking about sex with you." she winked at me.

"So can you believe what happened at work today? Angela, the girl I told you about that's sleeping with my boss, I heard her arguing with him about being pregnant. I hope his wife finds out about it" She went right off into the hot gossip for today.

"That's awful. I don't know why men cheat on their wives."

"It's just in their genes to cheat, and Angela knew what she was getting into," she said as she walked into her room to change from her work clothes into comfy clothes.

We decided to watch Fifty Shades of Grey for the 100th time. Scarlet made some popcorn for the movie night.

The sex scenes reminded me of Alexander, the guy I met at the club. His blue eyes, his touch, his voice.

I could still feel him and I wanted more

Will I ever see him again? I had left hurriedly very early this morning while he was still soundly sleeping.

A sudden embarrassment had arrested me as I woke up next to him by 4 am this morning

I heard a sudden sharp knock at my room door in the middle of the night that woke me up from sleep.

I assumed it was Scarlet and I grumpily opened it still drowsy from sleep.

And the face I saw wiped the sleep from my eyes.

Right in front of me was Alexander. And he looked so handsome and irresistible. How was he?

"Who let you in?" I asked and he immediately stepped in holding my body captive with his intense captive.

"Your roommate did. Don't you want me here, Princess?" He asked huskily, his mouth close to my ears as his breath tickled my senses.

"Yes, I do, Alexander. I want you right here...everywhere" I whispered in a trance.

"I am here for you Princess. Tell me, where do you want me?" He whispered seductively as he led me backward to my bed.

"Everywhere Alex. Deep and slow"

He deposited me gracefully on my bed as he stood gloriously before me and took off his shirt. I tried to take off mine but he stopped me with his hands and took them off for me.

He crouched down on me as I lay on the bed, his hand on my waist, and he pulled me close to him.

I felt his hand on my thigh as it slowly made its way to my inner thigh. His hands circled my folds even with my panties on. He was playing with my senses and I let out quiet moans at his tease.

"Shuuussshh Princess, we don't want an audience, now do we?" he whispered in my eyes and then slowly kissed his way to my neck. His hands are still at the same spot, still playing with my clits but never taking my panties off or even moving them aside to touch me directly where I wanted.

His other hand fondled my breast, making me moan so hard, and then shushed me with a deep kiss and a quick pinch to my left breast.

My body jerked at that, rubbing my thighs together and then his hands pressed me down and then he finally shifted my panties even as he still kissed me

"Touch me, Alexander, that's what I want," I said in a breathy shaky voice when he finally let go of my lips and I moved my hips closer to him, rubbing softly at his groin.

And then with a deep groan, he went home.

Sliding his hands inside me as his mouth took possession of my breast. His tongue suckled like a man starved and then he gave them quick bites as he rhythmically rubbed on my clit before he drove another finger in.

His different actions left me spinning as I let out a silent scream. My hands went to my hair as I pulled it softly, shifting my hips closer to him for more.

A quick pinch to my clit had me jerking my body up. And I jerked back into reality.

Shit, I just had my first sexual vivid dream. Ohh Spirits, take me back, I wanna go back

It was all a dream. It still felt real.

I was still sitting in the living room with Scarlet who was sleeping peacefully. I placed her on the couch well and covered her body.

I went to my room and decided to paint what I felt about what happened. The image of him came into my head as I sat in front of my canvas, my brush dancing effortlessly across the canvas, each stroke deliberate yet seemingly spontaneous.

With a keen eye for detail, I infused my work with patterns and vibrant colors, creating a harmonious symphonic depiction of my emotions.

After a while, I stared at what I'd done and it was a painting of Alexander lying on the bed. It felt so good painting out how I felt at that moment.

After I was satisfied with what I'd done, I went to bed to prepare for searching for a new job.

"Wake up sleepyhead! Guess who isn't going to work today, but is going to stay with you instead?"

Scarlett's over-excited voice woke me up the next morning.

"What time is it? And why are you not going to work?" I asked groggily with a yawn.

"I told them I have a stomach bug and I really wanna stay here with you and keep you company."

"I'm fine, and I was actually planning to look for a new job today."

"It doesn't really matter. We haven't been spending much time together lately."

"So what's your plan for today?"

"I could help you search for a new job if you'd like."

"That would be great. Thank you for being here for me even though I don't need you." I said playfully and she threw a pillow at me.

"That's what friends are for you scumbag." She said as we started a mini pillow fight. Not a bad way to start the day.

We went to the kitchen and made breakfast, though I ended up doing the cooking while she helped.

"This tastes so good," she said as she filled her mouth more with fried eggs. "Leia you always take care of my tummy."

Only God knew how she would survive without me. I had made an easy breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, cheese, and toast.

I served it on the plate and we both ate while we talked about random things like how we don't like overly spicy food and we searched the internet for any job openings that matched my qualifications.

I submitted my resume to different small companies online, hoping that I would be accepted since I really needed a job.

There were other jobs with bigger salaries, but I was not qualified, because of lack of experience and educational qualifications.

Many companies preferred a college graduate but I only graduated from high school and never went to college. A long story I don't like to dwell on too much so I don't think about my life.

I went to my room to rest, while Scarlett prepared for her hot date with the new guy.

While I was in the bathroom I had gotten a call. I quickly came out to check it and saw that it was from an unknown number. Who could that be? My possibly new employer?