PRESENT
I straightened my pencil skirt again. I hated waking up so early in the morning. But well, I can't complain now. I have a job and I'm not in school anymore.
I wasn't really the type who would wear loads of make up for work. I mean, it's not a fashion parade. And moreover, I felt extra sweaty and gross.
It's currently 8: 00 and office doesn't open until 9:00. But since it was atleast twenty minutes away, I felt like I was pretty much okay with today's schedule and time.
Moreover I wanted to check on the Asian Corporation's file. It'll take some time.
Walking downstairs I put my bag on the sofa beside my laptop bag. Putting my phone on charge I sat at the table. Freshly baked croissant's smell hit my nose and I inhaled deeply. Mom walked in with the breads and kissed my cheek. She's normally all cranky but today she was behaving odd. Not that I mind. In fact I liked it.
" What's up, Mom?", I asked.
" What? "
" It's just... I don't know, you're acting all..... different.", I tried explaining.
" Different? " , she frowned.
" Yeah. You look happy. ", I tried making sense.
" Happy? Do I not look happy everyday? Are you telling me that I look sad? Sad and depressed? Ashl- "
" Woah Mom, stop! Jesus! I was just trying to say good morning. " ,I dropped the topic. This woman and her mood swings are so unpredictable.
" Oh " , she smiled, " good morning sweetheart. " ,she chirped.
See? I told you.
I shook my head and concentrated on my breakfast. " Where's Dad? ",I asked.
Usually he would wake up really early like the doctor had prescribed. He went for morning walks and was never late.
" Oh honey, he came back home really late from the Anderson's. He's still asleep. "
I had completely forgotten about the stolen transactions of the Anderson company. I made a mental note of asking Liam . Wait, probably not Liam. He would still be avoiding me like plague. I'll just ask Mr. Anderson or dad.
Finishing my breakfast I hopped into my Cadillac ATS. I turned up the volume of the radio as Suga Suga came on play .
You got me lifted shifted higher than a ceilin'
And ooh wee it's the ultimate feelin'
I hummed the tune while stopping at the traffic signal. Suddenly my phone beeped and the ID showed an unknown number.
"Hello? "
"Where are you? ", someone barked on the other side.
"Liam? "
" I don't think you should call your boss by the first name. It's really rude. But what's worse is that I don't like my personal assistant late for work. And your 15 minutes late! "
" But the office doesn't open till 9 : 00 " , I gritted out.
"Well then Ms. Payne, it does from now on. For you. Now get here fast! Is that clear? "
I scowled at the road ahead of me and inhaled deeply, "Yes sir. "
******
I parked the car outside and hurried inside with keys. All the senior post members have the key of the front door. I hurried to the lift and pressed 23.
I waited for five minutes before stepping out. Keeping my bag in my office I walked to the devil's office.
Giving a slight knock I twisted the knob. He was sitting on the leather chair with all his glory looking at some files. As I entered, he looked up from the files. This is when I realised that he was wearing specs. Woah! I had never seen him in specs. I was so engrossed looking at his face that I didn't hear what he said.
Snap!
I blinked two times and looked at Liam again, " Sorry. I didn't hear you the first time. What were you saying? "
He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, " I feel like I should tell you the rules of how it is like to be working under me. "
I tensed up. Here we go.
" Firstly, the office may start at nine for others, but for you, it's eight. I need you to be here in the office by eight every day. Every. Day. Well, except Sundays. "
"What about Saturdays? ",I snapped. What the hell ?
" You have to work from home. Now, second, never question me back. Just abide by my rules. I'm the boss, not you, not anyone else. Thirdly, no Liam-business . It's either Sir or Mr. Anderson for you. Fourth, accompany me to all the social gatherings. Once you're my wife, you have to anyway. But till then I'll take you as my secretary. Fifth, lunch with me. Not other employees , not best friend. During lunch you'll stay here and have it with me. "
" You are the biggest butt hole I've ever seen. ",I glared at him. Who did he think he is? Oh wait. He's my boss. Way to go Ashley.
" Sixth, no bad mouthing about your boss. And any departure from these rules will lead to you getting fired. And I'll make sure you don't get job anywhere else. " , he smirked.
I seethed my teeth and breathed irregularly, " You're a psycho! "
" Oh trust me sweetheart, I'm so much more than that. Now get me a coffee. ", he looked down at his desk.
" Yes sir. ", I said mockingly.
Closing the door behind me I walked away with the constant stinging in my eyes. What had I ever done to him? After everything I went through for two years now he comes back and does this? Threatens the one thing I love, the one thing I worked my ass off for?!
Switching on the coffee maker I put the milk to heat up. I shook my head at how crazy my life has been. 25 years on this planet and yet not a single day goes by without me reminiscing about the past. Why? Was it all my fault? To love someone only to get betrayed and broken at the end?
I poured the coffee into the plastic mug and went into his office again. But not before rubbing my face and washing off the redness. I couldn't let him see that he breaks me. I couldn't let him see that he still gets me.
Placing it on his desk I turned away not sparing a glance towards him during the entire process.
"The Italian company will be coming over today. I need you to be ready with a presentation. Is that clear? "
"Crystal, Sir. ", my voice cracked at the end and I could feel his eyes on me for a brief moment.
I turned on my heels and scurried off to my office. Afraid that I would break again, I started my computer to begin work and to distract myself.
*******
The day passed almost in a flash. I was so busy with the presentation that I skipped lunch. Not cause I wanted to. Nope. Definitely not. Who doesn't want food, Duh? Rather cause I had completely forgotten about it.
The meeting with the Italian company went really good. Well, all and everything aside, Liam really was good at his work.
Currently, I was arranging the files to take them from the presentation room to my office. Everyone had left. My side jaws were hurting so bad from all the fake smiling. It's crazy how this game of business works. Fake ties and fake friendships just for profit. No remorse, no feelings at all.
Sighing loudly and shaking my head unconsciously at the thought, I turned towards the door, only to be met by the one and only devil himself, leaning on the frame.
I did what I was doing for the past two hours and had quite mastered by now, I faked a smiled at him and said in a sweet voice, " Sir, did you need anything?"
"Where were you during lunch? "
" In my office. Where else would I be, Sir?"
"Why did you skip lunch? Or did you have it by yourself even after my clear instructions? "
I skipped cause I had work to do, you frick!
But I didn't say it, " Cause I wasn't feeling like having lunch today, Sir. Also, the presentation went well, didn't it Sir? This will benefit so much, Sir. Also -"
" Stop using 'sir' so much! "
I mentally smirked. The reaction I wanted. I innocently blinked and went forward, towards him, as slow as possible, not breaking eye contact,
" But Sir, I can't bad mouth you, can I now Sir? Neither I can call you the L-word. Oh no no", I faked getting fainted, " anyway, see you later, sirrrrrrrr. " ,I dragged the 'r' while running out of the room.
Stupid Liam and his stupid rules. Two can play a game, you moron. Once inside ,I began laughing like a hyena, slapping my thighs while sitting on the sofa.
Suddenly there was a knock. Shit. Please let it not be him.
I straightened my skirt and the shirt I was wearing.
Opening the door just a little bit I peeked outside.
" Oh my god! Ellie!!! ", I opened the door wide and hugged her close. It's been like forever since I'd seen her.
"What brought you here today? How have you be- ", I paused, " Ellie you're pregnant?!", I squealed and hugged her again. Her chest rumbled as she laughed while hugging me back.
" What can I say, I missed this place so much. And more than anything, I missed you Ashley. "
" I miss you too Ellie. You were a far better boss than him. ", I pouted.
"Hey now, you shouldn't say like that. I came here to meet everyone. I saw Dorothy outside and all the others greeted me as well. "
" And Liam?"
" Oh he's with Josh. They are talking business. You know how boys are like. ", she rolled her eyes and we began walking towards Liam's office.
Both the men came out laughing. Josh was Ellie's husband and I had rarely seen him, except for the get-togethers and parties.
" Hello Josh ", I greeted as we approached them.
" Oh hi there Ashley. I've heard so much about you. My wife really likes you more than me. " ,he laughed.
" The feeling's mutual, Ellie. ",I laughed as I turned towards her.
" Alright now we better get going. I'm already four months pregnant and trust me the hormones are killing me. Can we get ice cream on the way back Josh? ", she pouted.
" Of course , darling. "
Although Ellie was almost in her mid forties , she had a sweet childish behavior which nobody could help but love.
" Congratulations! " , I shouted as they approached the elevator.
"You too, my child ", Ellie said as the elevator door closed.
I stood there confused. Me too? Why me too? They were pregnant, not me.
Brushing off the confusion I turned around only to be held back by Liam.
" Ashley I needed t-"
" Liam my man! ", boomed a person's voice from the other side.
" Theo!! ", I shouted in joy and ran towards him and wrapped my arms around him. It had been so very long since I'd met him. The voice of someone clearing their throat broke us apart.
Liam smiled at him but glared at me the next moment. What on earth is this guy's problem? Can I not have a moment with my friend as well?
"Get inside my office. We'll talk there, Theo. ", he said.
Theo winked at me and made his way into Liam's office.
I too started walking back to mine when Liam said, " I suppose you'll maintain more decorum inside the office next time onwards , Ashley."
" It's Ms. Payne for you. "
" You'll be shocked to know on how eager I am to change that. ", he smirked, " get us a coffee. "
I stomped my foot on the floor while walking to the small kitchen. Past week's melodrama had made almost forget that I was already engaged. But I couldn't blame myself, for I was trying too hard to forget it as well.
Walking inside with two cups of coffee I placed them on the table.
" Ashley join us. ", Theo chirped.
"Umm... I, umm, can't. "
"Oh well", he frowned but quickly smiled, " I just wanted to congratulate you. "
" Oh, than- wait what? ", I said.
Okay someone has to tell me what's going on. First it was Ellie. Next Theo.
" Am I missing something? ", I asked.
" Wait you don't know?! ", he asked bewildered.
Theo looked at Liam with confusion marred on his face.
"Liam, do the honors. ",he said smiling sheepishly.
"What's going on?", I asked.
He looked at me hesitantly, " We're getting married. "
" Oh really? I thought we were just role-playing in front of two hundred people on our engagement day. ", I said with sarcasm dripping in my voice.
" No Ashley ", he rolled his eyes, " we are getting married in two weeks. "
What.
The.
Actual.
Fudge?