Dark Paradise

Chapter One

~ In the end we only regret the chances we didn't take.

I took little sips of my coffee while I began working on my designs for my first collections. I was in a huge stump for what kind of look I wanted to go for. Something that was in with today's trends but in it's own way a bit different. I recently had really liked the tribal look, the patterns really stood out to me. But I wanted to maybe take a look at the Aztec art, it would still be along to the tribal look but one with it's own class yet still fun.

"Ms. Hernandes you have a visitor." The secretary said as she interrupted my thoughts. I still wasn't used to my new last name, I had changed it not wanting anything to do with my old life. I moved to Paris to forget all about it. Even though I was currently in London for work purposes at the moment.

"Who is it Quinn?" I asked.

"It's umm Mr. West." She said. Of course that ass hole is here again, just like any other day. You deny to go out with a guy and he didn't get the memo you don't like his company.

"Please tell him I'm busy." I groan.

"He's not alone." Quinn says.

"Okay fine let him in." I say a bit to harshly, but it was only morning and it was all too soon for this shit. Quinn nodded in response and left to go get him. I quickly fixed up my past designs and put them in my drawer. When it came to my designs I was really secretive until it was time to present them.

"Good morning Belinda." An all to familiar voice said.

"It's Ms. Hernandez to you Mr. West." I said not bothering to look up from my paper work.

"Ouch we're not even on first name basis that really hurts." He said. I let my eyes quickly look up to him and a man beside him. He was taller then Mr. West, he didn't belong in an office like this. He had a white t-shirt ripped skinny jeans a bandana on his head. He looked good in an odd sense I liked his style.

"What do you want Mr. West?" I asked a bit more politely looking back down to my paper work. I was happy in my line of work, I don't regret leaving the luxury and safety of my home. It's a choice I'll never regret. Even though I still am surrounded by high end class people, I only dealt with those people at work. Once at home I surrounded my self around normal people who didn't judge so easily. Almost like the man standing by Mr. West. I'm surprised Mr. West is even with this man he usually doesn't even look at people like him. He looks down upon them like they're dirt under his Versace shoes.

"I came here to actually invited you to my annual fashion ball. You'd have to attend every known fashion designer will be there." Mr. West said.

"You know I don't go to these high end class parties." I told him as I gave him my full attention.

"Oh come on you have to come you miss every party or get together. Plus my brother here Harry flew in just for it." He said as he pointed over to him. Hmmm I would never have suspected they were related let alone in the same social class.

"Yes and that's because I don't fit in, most of the time I don't know what they hell those people are talking about." I told him truthfully, that and I didn't care about the shit they had to talk about.

"So look at my brother he won't fit in either and he's coming." Mr. West said, Harry scoffed at the comment his brother made.

"You know I don't have to go either Ethan, damn no wonder she doesn't want to go either. If all the people act like you do I wouldn't want to be around them either." Harry spat at his brother.

"Not now Harold. Look Bel I mean Ms. Hernandez you're invited so if you choose you are more welcomed to come if you want to." Mr. West said and stormed out the room with out Harry.

"I'm sorry for him." Harry said as he made eye contact with me. Now I could get a good look at his green eyes.

"It's okay I've grown used to his comments I'm sorry you're related to him." I said. He chuckled.

"And that's why I moved. And I'm guessing you're the famous Belinda Hernandez." He said.

"Yes I am and how do you know this?"

"You're the girl that turned down my brother. I like that." He said.

"Thanks I guess." I said unsure.

"You're welcome. Do I have to call you Ms. Hernandez as well?"

"No you can call me Belinda or Bel." I told him.

"And you may call me Harry or Mr. Styles."

"Why Mr. Styles? Wouldn't it be Mr. West?"

"Nope we're step brothers I don't use his last name." He said.

"That explains a lot. Well it's nice to meet you Harry." I said and stretched out my hand. He took it in his large hand and gently placed a kiss on it. The action made me blush, and I've never really blushed.

"The pleasure is all mine and I hope to see you again Bel. My advice is come to that party. After a while we could sneak out. Have a good day." He said and left my office.

Well that was an interesting morning. Harry is definitely a character and I liked it.

The day went by without anymore surprises. I managed to design two pieces, better then nothing I guess. I grabbed my jacket and bag, I was ready to go back to my bed. For the moment I was staying with a friend, she offered me a place to stay while I was in London. Better then a hotel.

"Bye Quinn see you tomorrow." I waved to Quinn as we stepped out the elevator.

"Good bye Ms. Hernandez." She replied back shyly.

"I told you Quinn you can call me Bel." I said as I walked outside getting hit by the nights wind.

When I was alone at times like this I get too deep in thought. Mostly about my old life. As hard as I tried to escape it and forget about it, it still has a way of creeping up in my mind.

Don't get me wrong I am happy, but even millions of miles away my family still had a way of making my life a bit unhappy, but that was no reason to give up on life, so I kept shaking them away as hard as I can. I guess that was life, a dark paradise. You'd be happy one minute yet so unhappy at the same time.