[Jackon Young's POV]
"Oh honey," A bittersweet chuckle escaped as I glanced around the dark living room- Probably thinking it's another supposed "poker night", I trudged towards the fridge and as I reached for the handle- A clattering noise echoed down the hallway. "I'm sorry but you'll have to zip that big mouth of yours, okay?" Then a heavy thump made the wooden floor vibrate.
Ruffling my wet hair with my hands to dry it, I padded down the hallway to see what the whole commotion was. I traced where the laughter was coming from, which lead me straight to the door that opens to Dad's study.
The ancient wooden door was pried open and as I stepped into the room, a brew of muffled cries reverberated louder.
As quiet as a mouse, I crouched down and made my towards the back of the four-seater couch.
"L- Look, just spare him- Please..." A feminine voice croaked as I stealthily shuffled towards the thick pillar that conveniently stood close to the sofa. That voice... It's a little deeper but I think I know... "He's your son!" The voice screeched. Was that Mom?
Carefully, I crept to the side of the pillar and saw the broad back of a man cloaked in darkness. He towered over Mom- Who laid on the floor, sobbing.
In a blink of an eye, a splash of realization hit me and as I reached for my phone to call 911- A metallic thunderclap burst through the room; Sending turbulent waves that pierced through my ears. Then, it was followed by a high-pitched scream.
From pure shock, I flinched, causing my grip on my phone to loosen.
Sending it to the cold hard floor. My mind raced. My heart raced. Was- Was that Mom? Who was shot? My ears felt like it was bleeding and only heard a mumbled voice as I cupped my ears in pain.
Breathing heavily, I noticed my trembling hands and shook the thoughts that were racing through my mind. Moments passed as it took a while for my hearing to get back to normal- That was when I heard the footsteps.
Each step thumped on the wooden floor.
And it grew louder. And more resonant.
I pressed my back to the pillar as I closed my eyes in fright. When the sound of movement has resided, I blinked my eyes open and saw-
Dad. With a gun fastened to his right hand.
~~~
A couple of weeks ago, after the dinner party...
The brown-haired girl doesn't seem to fit the puzzle. But somehow the woman that held the room in her hands, did. Or, at least, it felt like it did. Maybe it's best to forget the girl in my dreams. Maybe there's really a reason why out of all the memories I've recollected, the ones where I've shared with her, didn't fully come back.
No, I can't do that. They seemed like happy memories. I was happy. Content. She was something worth holding onto. She was someone important to me. And I have to get back to her at all costs.
If it weren't for that heartless bastard, I wouldn't have had to leave her.
I cursed at myself for having doubts about her as I slid into the driver's seat of the car.
~~~
Present time...
"Not. A. Single. Word." I sighed as I faced the tinted side window. And saw Tyler flash a cunning smile at the corner of my eye. Snapping my fingers, "Hey, eyes on the road, please- I don't want to die." And glanced back at the rearview mirror of the car and spotted a grinning Tyler. "Yet." I added.
Defensively, he replied, "I didn't say anything." His face was still pulled into a smile.
As soon as the car rolled to a stop, I slid out of my seat and pushed the door closed.
Tyler did the same while he tossed the car keys to the valet employee with a wink. Rolling my eyes at him, I fixed my blazer and slid my hands into my pocket as I marched into the building.
Secretly, I took a glimpse at what I was wearing today. Damn, I lost 2 of my most expensive outerwear to the same person. Will she return them?
Falling into step with me, Tyler cleared his throat and spoke. "You have to admit that you're a bit excited, right?" He clutched the leather bag he was carrying and continued. "I mean, we've been here almost 24/7 for 3 weeks now..." Ignoring him, I walked a little faster to catch the closing elevator. Stepping in, I swiped my ID on the sensor and tapped the 2nd floor. "And I've noticed how weird you get whenever you're around her- You get extra colder than usual." He wiggled his eyebrows while emphasizing on "her". He went off, "Extra weirder. Extra meaner."
If I ignore him, he'll stop- Eventually.
But he carried on, "Your big man is highly against this deal yet you're still pushing for it- You're meeting with strange people these days..." The elevator dinged open and as we both got out, I couldn't help but clench my fists at the thought of him. "You've been seriously bribing me with food lately..." Then, he walked a bit faster and halted in front of me. "Tell me, why do you think it's a great idea to start ruffling up his feathers now?" I shook my head at him, signaling that I don't want to talk about this now. Although I attempted to step around him, he just blocked me. "Especially now? Out of all the times- When you know that this is probably the biggest and most important transaction he'll ever make."
I intentionally let our shoulders collide as I pushed past him. I stated. "He wanted me to follow the same path as him and start a company- I gave him one but under my own terms. I built this company from scratch, so while he thinks that our companies are legal partners... My company is still legally mine. And what I say, still goes."
He called out as he caught up with me, "I'm just saying... You're clearly asking for something you'll reg-"
I lowered my voice as we continued to walk down the hallway, "Get real, Tyler. You know this day would come," I intervened him while we made our way to the field room. "Now all you have to do is pick a side," I turned to face him as I swung the door open and ended with, "And stay on it." Before grabbing the suitcase from his hand and closing the door into his face.
Crossing my legs in the seat, I leaned back as I folded my arms and tilted my head. She's been talking for a couple of minutes now and I've been trying my best to stay focused. Because every now and then, the same chocolate-eyed girl would stare at me from where she's standing.
It's weird. The last 4 weeks have been weird. Almost surreal.
It was a breakthrough; Every second with her was like peeling the layers of an onion. Layer after layer drives me closer to the truth. Ever since that week I spent working with her, it felt like, deliberately, the mist that's been fogging up my mind has lifted. Little by little, some light is shed on the memories that have been kept in the dark for so long. The missing memories that have bothered me ever since I was diagnosed with-
I clicked the pen and firmly decided to push away the thoughts that have been eating my mind for the past few weeks and continue as I've always been.
I can't afford to get distracted now. Not when I'm about to start a war. I have to stay focused...
But that woman... Amora... Has to be her, right? It could be, if my speculations are right.
*Amora's POV*
3 weeks ago, Monday, in the conference room of the research facility...
Loudly sighing, I paced around the room with the last pile of folders in my hand. My legs came to a stop as I scanned the scattered and categorized folders that laid on the long table. Placing my hands on my hips, I stretched and rolled my shoulders backward. Last night's training was a bit intense and I could still feel the raw cut on top of my right shoulder.
Humming to myself, I slightly winced as both my arms raised to tie my hair into a ponytail.
My thoughts were then disrupted by a cough. In the moment that I spun around and glanced up to see who wanted to give me a heart attack- My grip on the folders loosened as I locked eyes with his.
After what seemed like hours, I broke free from his gaze as I knelt down to pick the folders up. Fuck, why am I this embarrassed? First official meeting with Mr. Young and I've already made a fool of myself.
While I picked them up, out of my peripheral vision, a pair of black expensive leather shoes came into view.
He apologized, "Oh shi- I'm sorry." As he knelt down in front of me. His tone softened as his facial expression did too. His cologne suddenly dominated the air around us.
With a quick smile, I muttered, "It's okay." While I reached for the green folder that was in between us. I quickly glimpsed at the door frame and felt something warm over my hand. Glancing down, I found my hand trapped underneath his.
Well, this is awkward. A few seconds passed and his eyes still held mine. Grabbing this opportunity to search his face; The sunlight emerging from the window made his skin golden like honey. His sharp nose complimented his chiseled jawline that was slightly adorned with a thin stubble.
He made a face as if he just realized that his hand was on mine for more than just a couple of seconds- Before, hardening his expression again. Hastily, he stood up while clearing his throat.
I turned myself towards the table and as I distributed the folders in their rightful piles, I let out a shaky breath as I haven't even noticed that I've been holding my breath. Satisfied with the organization, I swung back around- Only to find an approaching Jackson Young with an unreadable expression plastered over his face.
Before I had the chance to even react or move out his way, he leaned over me with the top button of his dress shirt just an inch from my nose. His brick wall of a body just an inch away, I felt his face move past through the crook of my neck as he leaned in further to place a red folder on a pile.
The air was encased of electricity and I felt myself gulp as he continued to stand there, with his feet still planted just a few centimeters away from mine.
Awkwardly, I glanced around the room and little by little, his face inched closer to mine while I slowly shuffled backward. Up to the point where I felt the sharp edge of the wooden table dig into my lower back. Rotating my head to the side, I focused on the projector that was attached to the ceiling as his breath fanned over my face.
But in just mere seconds, he pulled back with a piercing glare that was clearly aimed at me while he moved to my right side to put another folder on a pile.
Then, he proceeded to walk away as if nothing happened and sat on an empty seat.
And I froze in confusion while my heart continued to drum against my ribcage. What the fuck did he just do? Okay, is he blind? Does he not see all this space?
He crossed his arms as he announced in a matter-of-factly tone. "It was on the wrong pile."
Oh, whoops. Sure, I make mistakes too because after all, I'm human too. But there's no need to be so smug, immature and-
"Next time, do a better job. Don't waste my time."
And annoying about it.
Holding back to the best of my ability, I bit the insides of my bottom lip and got ready for the presentation as people started arriving.
Sometimes, I really do have to fight the urge to talk back.
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helloooooo! hope you're doing well! nothing really to say except that i'll be uploading whenever i can because as much as i don't want it to, my life's about to get really busy with stupid school...
so that's that. really hope you enjoyed this chapter.
if u did, make sure to vote, comment and recommend this to someone who woul want to read it!
ireck_wings