Please Don't Leave
Written By: Terra
Rating: MA
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. I DO NOT own any of them. I make no money
for anything I write.... I only do this for my twisted mind.
Summary: Buffy and Angelus meet up 5 years after he events of Please
Love Me.
AN: Thanks to all those that sent me feedback on Please Love Me. It was my first story and the response that I got from it was amazing. This next part goes out to all of you. Please continue to let me know what you think.
Thanks to my wonderful friend and beta, Cathy!!! I couldn't have done any of
this without you! *HUGS*
* * * * * * * * *
Chapter 1
It had been five years and still her thoughts always returned to him. The
barriers she had put up to keep him out had failed. Angelus had found a way
through to her heart, and she couldn�t shut him out now. However, he had taken
her heart in his hands, and shred it to pieces.
He had given her a choice, and she walked away to prevent any more heartache.
The fact that he had never found her wasn�t surprising to her. She hadn�t hidden
well, but he obviously didn�t really want her.
After arriving in Boston, she had started using Anne, her middle name. Slowly,
she began building a life for herself. She started waitressing at some dumpy
diner where she met Toni. Grateful to get out of the dingy hotel she was in, she
accepted Toni�s offer and moved in with her.
With a job and a decent place to live, the idea of going to college entered her
mind. Buffy had always wanted to be a fashion designer. And so finally having
full control over her life, she enrolled.
Graduating top of her class provided her with a job straight out of school. The
gowns and other designs she created were a success. After about a year, a small
yet prestigious design firm offered her a job. She had accepted the job, but
only if they offered Toni a job as an assistant or receptionist.
Her life was perfect, or almost anyway, only love was missing. Or more
specifically, a man that she could love, and who would love her in return. There
had been plenty of dates, and a few boyfriends over the years, but none had
lasted longer than a month. They just never measured up to her standards. There
was always something about them that was just wrong.
She�d had never been able to admit it, to herself, but she compared them all to
Angelus. Nobody could ever make her tingle the way he could.
�Damnit why can�t I just let him go?!,� she thought.
If only she hadn�t of woken up and heard him talking to Spike that morning. They
would be married and living happily together.
�Would we really be happy though, or would he be cheating on me? Hell he
probably would have been bored with me by now and tossed me aside,� she
thought. �Why did I fall in love with him? Why did I give in to him that
night? Well, at least I will always have that one night of perfection with him.
I should really see a shrink about this. The middle of the damn day and I am
drifting off thinking of him. ARGH!! Think about something else, like say your
work!�
BUZZ! BUZZ!
She sighed as she was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her intercom.
�Stop doing that damnit! It�s over! He really didn�t want you!� Buffy said
aloud.
�Yes?� she asked.
-------
�Top Design, this is Toni. How can I help you?� she chirped.
�Holland Manners,� the deep voice said.
�He�s in a meeting with his designers this morning. Can I take a message?� she
asked.
�Tell him Angelus O�Shea called. I need a gown designed for my fianc�,� he said.
�Okay sir, is there a call back number I can give him?� she questioned.
�He knows it already. Just tell him to put a rush on it,� he said coldly.
�I�ll give him the message the moment he gets out. Have a nice day,� she smiled.
----
�Mr. Manners, here are your messages. Mr. O�Shea said to put a rush on it,� Toni
told her boss.
�Mr. O�Shea? Do you mean Angelus O�Shea?� at her nod, he spoke again, "Get him
back on the phone right away. We have a file on him already, so get the number
from there.�
Toni made her way quickly to the filing cabinets. She had seen that look in her
boss�s eye only a few times before. The client had money, and lots of it, so her
boss wouldn�t take any screw-ups on this one.
---
�Mr. Manners, I have Angelus O�Shea on the line,� she told him.
Holland picked up the phone, and hit the button that would allow him to speak
with Angelus. �Good afternoon Angelus. How are you?� he asked.
�I�m good. Did your receptionist tell you I needed a new gown designed?�
Angelus asked.
�Yes, she did. What occasion is the gown needed for?� Holland questioned.
�It�s for an engagement party. I want a dress that will take not only *her*
breath away, but everyone else�s in the room as well. I want her to stand out
from every other girl in the room,� Angelus told him.
�That�s not a problem. Do you want one similar to the last one that we designed
for you? Also, I need the measurements and color that you want the gown,�
Holland said.
�No, I want this dress nothing like the last one. I�ll fax over the measurements
to you this afternoon. Also, you know I want your top designer on this. As for
style and color, we�ll go over that once I get there,� Angelus said as he ran
his hand through his hair.
�Our best designer is somewhat new to the scene, but the work she does is
unbelievable. You can describe what you want to her and she can bring it to
life,� he said proudly.
�Good...good. I�ll be announcing my engagement at this party, and I know my
fianc� will want the best. I�ll be arriving in two days time to help,� Angelus
said.
�I�ll have Toni reserve your usual room, and have the limo there to pick you up
from the airport,� Holland said.
�Holland, you know if this goes well then Top Design will be designing and
dressing my wedding. I know that it will be the biggest event for you yet, and
just what your firm needs to really take off,� Angelus said smugly.
�Don�t sound so smug Angelus. Of course, this is what we need to get on the
radar and some better clientele. Angelus, have we ever let you down on any gown
we have designed for you?� He pointed out.
�No you haven�t, so lets not start now,� he chuckled,� Well Holland, I�ll see
you in two days.�
�Okay, and Angelus, the gown will be gorgeous,� he reassured him.
----
�Toni, can you get Anne and send her into my office?� Holland asked.
�Yes, sir,� she answered.
----
BUZZ! BUZZ!
She sighed as she was pulled from her thoughts by the sound of her intercom.
�Stop doing that damnit! Its over! He really didn�t want you!� Buffy said aloud.
�Yes?� she asked.
�Mr. Manners would like to see you in his office,� Toni told her.
�Thanks Toni! Oh and I hope spaghetti is good for dinner tonight,� Buffy stated.
�Since it�s your turn to cook, and we had sandwiches the last time, I assumed
that�s what we were having,� Toni laughed.
�Ha Ha, very funny! I told you before I moved in that I couldn�t cook,� she
huffed.
---
�You wanted to see me Mr. Manners?� Buffy asked.
�Yes, please come in and sit down,� Holland answered.
�Okay. Have you got a new assignment for me?� she asked.
�Anne, you have been with us for what, two months now?� he asked. When she
nodded he continued, �You have done some wonderful work for us in that time.�
�Mr. Manners you�re making me blush. Thank you again for the chance to do all of
this. It�s always been my dream to be a fashion designer,� she blushed.
�Call me Holland. And you�re very welcome. You deserve those compliments because
of the truly amazing work that you do. I�m just extremely happy that you do that
work for me now, and not my competitors,� he laughed.
�I�m glad to be here and a part of your team,� she smiled.
�Well, I believe that I may have the job that could make not only this firm, but
your career, a huge success,� Holland gushed.
�I was hoping you had a new design for me, because I finished up the other two
this weekend. Of course, I wasn�t thinking you would be giving me a make it or
break it designed,� she gulped.
�I think you�re up for this challenge. I won�t give you any other designs
though, until this one is completed. We have six weeks to make this gown, and it
has to be magnificent,� Holland told her.
�Six weeks, for *one* design? Holland, with all due respect sir, but you
know that I work faster than that. I can handle a bigger workload than just one
design, even if it is a make it or break it deal,� she insisted.
�This client is extremely important to all of us. We do a lot f business with
him, and I would like it to continue. The firm that handled him before us failed
to give him what he wanted, and he had them out of business within six months.
He is a very well known man and could bring us a much better clientele if he is
pleased with us,� Holland explained.
Sighing she gave in, �Fine, if it�s that important, then I won�t work on
anything else.�
�Thank you. If this goes well and the client and his fianc� like the gown you
design, then things will get better for us. We�ll get to design all the gowns
and tuxedos for his wedding. To get to design for such a high profile event like
that will do wonders, for not only the company, but for you as well,� Holland
said happily.
�Do you know anything about the style, color, or measurements for the gown yet?�
Buffy asked.
�Toni should have the fax with the measurements for the dress later this
afternoon. As for the color style and color, I�m not sure yet. The client will
be here in two days to work on this with you,� Holland answered.
�So should I try to get a few sketches together to show him? That usually helps
bring out what they want in the gowns,� she asked.
�Yes, go ahead and work up three sketches. Just for your reference, he is a
strong, powerful, and rich man. He always gets what he wants. The previous
gown�s we have designed for him were classy, but with a touch of sexiness to
them,� Holland stated.
�Okay, I�ll get started on them right away. But why do I all of a sudden have
that �Pressure Much� feeling though?� she laughed.
�Pressure, yes lots, but you can handle it. He�ll be here at 1:30 on Wednesday.
Have Toni add you in at 11:00 that morning, so we can go over the sketches,�
Holland spoke.
Chapter 2
Wednesday morning rolled around faster than she had thought it would. She had
two of the sketches done, but still needed a third one. Her mind kept wondering
off to the engagement gown that Angelus had gotten for her. It had been so
beautiful and glamorous.
Before she knew it, her watch went off letting her know it was time for the
meeting with Holland.
Looking down she had completed a third sketch while she was daydreaming. It
looked similar to hers but with several changes. It was a bit shorter, and the
bottom flowed more than hers did. The color she had used was not the bright
emerald that he had chosen, but a sadder color. Sapphire.
Struggling to hold back the tears that had formed in her eyes, she stood and
collected the three sketches.
Holland had loved the first two that she had shown him. The design that was
similar to hers had made him a little unsure. By the end, though he decided to
let the client see all of them.
�Anne, I believe that he will pick one of them. Of course, knowing him, he will
have some changes,� Holland said as he stood.
�After the things you said the other day, I had assumed that,� Buffy laughed.
�Go take your lunch break and prepare yourself for this meeting,� Holland
instructed.
�You make it sound like I am about to met my maker,� she giggled.
�Well, many people do think that Angelus O�Shea is our maker,� Holland pointed
out.
Buffy sat straight up in her seat as her face turned white. She was trying to
register what Holland had said to her about Angelus. Her hands began to sweat,
and she her head was spinning.
�Anne, are you okay?� Holland asked worriedly.
�Um�.Yes, just a bit light-headed. I need to get a bite to eat,� she whispered.
�If you�re sure you�re okay. Go on and get yourself some food so you feel
better. Please be back by 1:15 though,� Holland said.
---
Sitting on a bench in the park, Buffy wondered how to get out of this mess. She
hadn�t seen him in five years, and now their there first meeting is because
she�s designing his fianc�s engagement gown.
She couldn�t believe that she was actually going to be seeing him. Getting out
of this situation was not going to be an option. Her career, that she had worked
the last five years for, was on the line. Telling herself that he had moved on,
and so should she, was not helping.
�Professional. It�s a professional meeting, so get yourself together. Go in
there and sell your design �..to the man you love.� she thought.
----
As she walked into the conference room, her heart began to ache. Her eyes began
to water as she thought about their time together. She had become just another
notch in his belt, and then tossed aside like a common whore.
She kept hearing his conversation with Spike over and over again. That it had
been nothing special to him. That night had become her most bittersweet moment.
It had been the most incredible night of her life, but the next morning he was a
changed man.
Angrily, she swiped at the tears that had begun to fall. She must be strong, and
hold herself together. At least until she got home and could have a proper break
down.
�Anne, the limo is ten minutes away. Do you have everything in order?� Holland
asked.
�Yes, sir. I�ve not failed you yet, and I don�t plan to now,� she pointed out.
�I know, but Angelus is a very hard to please man. He can make or break, not
only this company, but your career as well. Out of all the designers I have
though, you are the one that can pull this off,� he smiled at her.
�Thank you! Okay, that pressure thing again. Anyway, you need to go so I can
finish setting the fabrics up,� Buffy stated.
---
She jumped when she heard the knock on the door. She took a deep breath in to
try and calm herself. Buffy stood, and ran her hand down her skirt to smooth it
out.
�Anne, Mr. O�Shea is here,� Toni�s voice floated through the door.
Running her hand across her face, the reality of the situation hit her.
�Oh God!� she thought.
Finally, she began to the door, and reaching down with her trembling hand, she
turned the handle. She swung the door open harder than expected, and it slammed
into the wall. Turning on her heels, she opened the door slightly to check the
wall for damage.
�Don�t be nervous. I don�t bite, unless asked to,� his deep voice was like a
shock wave across her body.
All her breath left her body, as she began to panic. It felt as though her
stomach had hit the floor, and someone was stomping on it.
Clearing her throat she said, �Sorry, just don�t know my own strength.�
Angelus stopped dead in his tracks as her voice washed over him, and turned
around slowly to see if it really was her. Her back was facing him as she
inspected the wall for any damage, so he couldn�t see her face. Slowly he
dragged his eyes up and down her body, eyes widening infinitesimally at the
realization that it could indeed be her.
He had spent five years thinking of her often. Well, �often� wasn�t quite right,
since he thought of her daily. Of course, not a single person knew that when he
was drinking in his study at night, he thought of her.
Realizing that he was still standing there staring at her, he shook his head. He
didn�t want to make a fool out of himself if it wasn�t her. �So, Holland said
you would have some sketches for me to look at,� he said, as he tried to catch a
glimpse of her face.
�Yes, they�re on the table. Excuse me for just a second,� Buffy said, as she
hurried out of the room.
If that wasn�t her, then this designer was sure acting weird. Looking down at
the table there was a binder labeled �Sketches�. Angelus sat down at the table,
and opened the book so he could have something to do until she got back.
The first gown was nice, but didn�t jump out at him. The second gown was
excellent, but wasn�t right for a figure like Cordy�s. The third was
magnificent, but seemed somewhat familiar to him. He would need to make a few
changes to it though because the color she had chosen for it was blue, and he
didn�t like it. They would have to make it a different color, but he wasn�t sure
which one just yet.
Looking up at the ceiling, he sighed. The person that had been haunting him for
years could be in this building. Buffy had turned and walked away from him
without even a second thought. She didn�t even have the decency to tell him
where she was going. Six days had passed before he received the letter from her,
but still with no location.
She had taken some money out of his account, and then shredded his card. He
didn�t care about the money that she had taken, just that he didn�t mean enough
to her to tell him where she was. Two months ago, he had started getting
envelopes every week that just had one hundred dollars inside. There was no name
or return address on it, nor any letter accompanying it. He knew that it was
from her though, because nobody else owed him money. Of course, that was because
he loved his money too much to let anyone have it. She had been the only person
to get money from him.
Although, for some reason he hated getting those envelopes from her every week.
It meant that she wanted to pay him off so there would be no ties. Even though
they hadn�t spoken for five years, it was something that still connected them.
Running his hand through his hair, he got angry. �What the hell is taking her so
long?� he growled.
�Sorry! I�m right here. I just needed to grab another fabric,� she murmured.
Slowly looking up, his eyes connected with hers. He opened his mouth to talk,
but snapped it shut again. As the lines in his forehead became deeper and his
frown got wider, she decided she needed to do something.
�Did you get to look at the sketches?� she asked.
He blinked his eyes to make sure it was really her he was seeing.
�Buff,� snapping his mouth closed and regaining his senses,� Yes, I saw them.�
�Were any of them to your liking, Mr. O�Shea?� she questioned.
�The third one was okay, but needs some changes done to it,� he said, as his
voice took on a hard edge.
�Of course. Do you know what things that you would like to change?� she asked
politely.
�Perhaps a new designer,� he said coldly.
Her head snapped back up as she looked at him with surprise. �Wh---what? You
can�t do that!� she exclaimed.
�I can do whatever I want. And I do believe that working with you *isn�t*
what I want,� Angelus boomed.
�Well, if you really don�t want to work with me, then that�s fine. I was hoping
that you could be as professional as I planned to be, to get through this. Our
past should not effect how we work,� she hissed.
�Past! Well, I would be afraid if things got a little rough you may just up and
disappear on me,� he spat.
�You told me to just go! Arrrrr!" Buffy yelled as she threw her hands up in the
air, "Look, you want the *best* gown, by the *best* designer, and
*that* is *me*. I can make the best gown for you,
and then we would never have to see each other again,� she yelled.
�The best?" he scoffed. "Well my dear *Anne*, not for long. Your precious
career will go to hell when I�m through with it,� he smirked.
She turned around as she fumed over his statement. Knowing the truth behind it,
she wondered why he gave a shit about her and her career.
She turned back around and asked him, �Mr. O�Shea why do you care if I make this
dress or not? I thought you didn�t give a shit about me.�
Smirking at her he said, �I don�t care. It�s just that I don�t feel that you�re
the best person to design my fianc�s dress. Oh wait, she's actually a friend of
yours. Cordelia? Knowing this is for our engagement party, I figured it would
bring back too many memories.�
The surprise she felt at hearing who he was marrying never showed. �The thing
is, that our past is just that � our past. I don�t think it�s something that
matters to either of us. I am professional enough to work with you, and make an
amazing dress. Are you mature, and man enough, to do the same,� she challenged
him.
He sat there with his fingers against his head. Spending some time with her was
very appealing, but he didn�t want her to know that.
�I could squash your career if I choose to, you know,� at her nod he continued,�
but I think I would prefer to see if *my* hard earned money was well
spent.�
She rolled her eyes when she realized he was referring to the three thousand
dollars. �It was well worth it! Now, can you tell me what things you�d like to
change about the gown,� she asked.
�Well, I can tell you, but not until dinner tonight. I�ve traveled all day and
need some rest,� he smirked.
�OH NO! I don�t think so. Working hours are 8 to 5, and not a minute later,� she
said, as she put her hands on her hips.
�I do believe, *I* call the shots here. If you want to keep your career,
then pick me up at 7:30,� he smiled that �make your toes curl� smile.
He stood and began walking to the door. �See you tonight Buffy,� he whispered in
her ear as he passed.
She shivered as his breath caressed her ear. Jumping when the door clicked
closed, she sighed. Only fifteen minutes had passed, but it seemed much longer.
Angelus could rip her insides apart like no other. He made her feel small and
unworthy of him.
�How can I spend an evening with him without falling apart?� she thought.
-----
He leaned against the door as he closed it. Seeing her beautiful face again, and
not throwing her against the wall, had taken so much out of him. He never knew
he had so much self-control. He didn�t understand why this smart-mouthed girl
got to him so much. She always made him feel like a teenage boy when he was
around her.
�Dinner! I hope I can get through this without acting like a fool,� he
thought.
TBC.....