*Amora's POV*
3 weeks ago, Tuesday...
Mr. Young stood up as he fixed his blazer with a tight expression on his face. Everyone's heads turned to him in confusion while glancing back to Mr. Geoff, who was just briefing us on what we'll do with the soil and land during the excavation phase.
A minimal sigh escaped as he announced out of the blue, "Sorry but I knew I wouldn't even be able to stay for long." While tucking his seat in his chair and carelessly walking away with his hands in his pockets, he faced the group again. "Mr. Geoff, please do reframe from reading off the screen if you want to prevent your audience from sleeping." As he finished his sentence he glared at the nearest person to him, before freely kicking the bottom of their seat and left the room.
Evan erupted from his seat with his eyes popping open, and drool evidently smeared across his mouth. Oh, Evan- I wonder what you did last night, huh?
What's his problem? Is a stick shoved so far up in his ass that he has to be like this? Seriously, if you're having a bad day, no need to spread all this negativity to other people. Especially if it's to the entire research facility's boss.
Doesn't he have any ounce of respect for the guy? I mean, sure, Evan deserved that- But Mr. Geoff was just doing his job, even if it was boring. All these emotions got me fired up, yet deep down, I couldn't help but feel empathetic for Mr. Young.
Out of my entire career, I have never met such a difficult man.
3 weeks ago, Friday...
Shit. It hasn't really dawned on me but once I realized something, with all my might, I began to sprint. Ah, right, he doesn't like it when people waste his time.
Evan and I were working on some terracotta modeling clay to imitate what a whole Neolithic pot used to look like- When I was suddenly called out to the lobby by Mr. Young. First off, it was morning, and secondly... If I remember correctly, he's not even scheduled to meet with any of us.
As I ran in panic, I wiped the grease off my hands on my old grimy apron and descended down the white steps that led to the lobby. In a blur, I caught a glimpse of my work trousers, which was evidently covered in dirt and clay. It's just another day for the people in this building because they all know that if you see a woman in her late 20's, looking like a 5-year old that played with clay and food for the first time in their lives- That's Amora, alright.
Out of the entire crowd, my eyes immediately spotted him and decided to book it and just sprint full speed ahead. Just a couple of feet away, stood Jackson Young in a fresh black suit as always. When we locked eyes, his steely grey eyes bore into mine while his face remained emotionless.
Heavily panting, I took a glimpse of him through my disordered hair and managed to say. "Mr... Young..." Inhaling a breath of air, I offered him a quick smile and fixed my hair. I tiredly wheezed. "You called for me?"
He scrunched up his nose and examined the floor, "So, this is how you normally look." While putting his hands in his pockets. Is he- What the fuck is in his pocket? Also, what is he insinuating here?
Dumbfounded, I felt the stillness of his looming figure that towered over me. Uncomfortably, I felt his gaze run up and down my profile. "Can't you try a little harder at looking more decent in public?"
I was trapped. Trapped and was being currently held underneath his scrutinizing eyes. And I had to admit, my confusion wasn't helping the situation either. So... He called me out here to insult how I look? What's new? For the entire week, all he's done in our interactions was subtly insult me and act like I was the worst human being on earth.
Seriously, what did I ever do to you?
In awe at what this man just asked, I tilted my head as this was just too much- I cannot let him get away with this. "Ha, okay." I huffed as I folded my arms. "Sure, I look horrible but I'll have you know, I was working when you called and since I know you'd never call someone like me- I assumed it was urgent," I rambled on as my arms flailed in the air; Trying to explain to the best of my ability. "And- And I know how busy you are, so I ran all the way-"
Bluntly, I was cut off when he unexpectedly nabbed my right wrist and pulled me along as he walked. Surprisingly, his touch was so cold, that it made me slightly shiver.
Resisting his grip, I glared at him while I blew the strand of hair that was bothering me. "What the fu- Mr. Young, what do you think you're doing?" I squirmed under his grip and pulled the other way but he won't budge. After a few seconds of struggling, I grabbed his hand with my free hand and tried to pull it away.
We were nearing the revolving doors and I wasn't sure what I'm meant to do in this situation. As we left the revolving door, he proceeded to pull me towards a black car. What the fuck? I
That was when an idea struck me.
Ignoring me, he opened the car door with his free hand and turned to face me-
But I dove down to bite his hand.
"Shit." Left his mouth as he winced in pain, causing him to cradle his right hand as he glared at me with a pout forming on his lips. I bit back my laughter as his sudden change in facial expression completely caught me off guard. He looks like a spoiled kid, not getting what he wanted for Christmas.
Wide-eyed, I stared at the distinct bite mark I made. Realizing I just bit the hand of one of the richest and most influential people in the country. He was right-
Shit, indeed.
I questioningly continued to stare at him as he continued to examine his hand. I cleared my throat to let him know that I'm still here.
Rolling his eyes, he took off his blazer as he asked the brewing questions in my head. "It's urgent. So I need you to come." He glanced at the car door which was still open. "With me." And then back at me.
Opening my mouth, I shot. "Mr. Young, next time- Can't you try to be a little more polite and kindly ask me to come- Instead of pulling me?" As I rolled my eyes at him and slid into the car.
Closing the door, I saw his expression twist to a shock one as if he someone had just slapped him.
~~~
The drive was silent. And awkward.
He was sitting less than a foot away from me and while he sat facing the driver's seat. I, on the other hand, faced the car window next to me the entire time and did my best to give him as much space as possible. Because... You know, I did just bite the man's hand.
When the car rolled to a stop, I had just realized the driver was the guy that's always with him and goes by the name of Tyler.
Beaming at Tyler in the rearview mirror, I thanked him for the ride as our eyes met. He nodded with a quick smile, then left the car in a hurry. Okay... Aren't we meant to go out as well? Why is Mr. Young just sitting there?
He turned his attention to me and charged. "Why?"
My eyebrows creased in bewilderment and I instantly let out, "Huh?" Jeez, he's not only the most difficult man but also the most confusing?
"Why did you make a baseless assumption that I'd never call someone like you?" He questioned me once more, this time, his tone was harder and harsher. What?
Then he fired again before I even had the chance to ask him what he meant. "Why?" He raked his hand through his dark brown locks in agitation while he looked out into my window. "And why do people think oh-so-highly of you, just because they know you're nice and would bend over backward in helping anyone- When in reality you're just lying to their faces?"
As I processed his question and prepared to shoot out my own question, he pushed open the door and left me; Utterly confounded with his questions.
I got out of the car and followed him from behind. Scanning my surroundings, I recognized where we were. Which even made me more perplexed.
Why are we at 5th Avenue? What was so urgent here? In one of the busiest shopping districts. Why, does he need a new pair of pants because he pissed himself from my bite?
Calmly, I just went along with it and followed where he was heading off to- Because it might actually be urgent... I mean, what could be so urgent here, unless he's dashing off to some shoe sale or something.
Not that he would go to a shoe sale or anything.
As we strode down the street with me right behind Mr. Young and Tyler closely following me, I noticed all the women shooting dagger-eyes at me and the amount of attention Mr. Young was attracting.
~~~
The little bastard lied to me.
Well, he's not little but he sure is acting like a bastard. This is urgent? His own shopping? He literally just wasted my entire day and Evan better be doing my share of the work.
We have been going around the avenue for, I don't know, 3 hours straight? Up and down the street we go. And all he's done was go into a high-end store and buy almost everything in it. And the worst part is, I've kept my mouth shut the entire time.
I guess it's because I could literally see this gloomy cloud over his head and I am not going to poke the bear with a stick.
Yet, that is.
Inwardly sighing to myself, I glanced at all the paper bags I was holding, each bag stamped with their own exclusive and respective logos and the smell of overpriced perfume filled my nostrils as soon as Mr. Young pushed open a tall-ass glass door.
And he didn't even open the door for us. AND, on top of that, he's buying all these overpriced crap and he's not even carrying anything himself. Not a single bag.
Okay, now he's seriously getting under my skin. At this point, I'm not even saying anything to him because I'm a little too irritated that I might just give him a piece of my mind.
Tyler and I struggled to get the door open and budged our way in as the staff gave us a weird stare.
His presence seemed to have made the air tense up as soon as the salespeople saw Mr. Young. As he walked around the store, almost anything he sets his eyes on, he throws it to a saleswoman- Who, of course, didn't have a problem with it as she made googly eyes at him.
As he grabbed a dress from a rack and threw it to Eleanor (who was the saleslady bearing all the shit that Mr. Young was throwing at her), I dropped all the paper bags, stepped in, and caught it with my hand. And as I turned away from him, I shot a subtle glare and neatly folded the dress against my tummy.
Offering her a warm smile, I gave it to Eleanor who murmured a "thank you" through a grateful smile.
Striding back to the bags I dropped, in a low tone, I told Mr. Young. "It isn't polite." And picked up all the shit I was carrying and stood next to Tyler, who had a smug look on his face.
He stood there and coldly stared at me.
Then I spoke, "What?" I shrugged as I wiped the sweat that was forming on my forehead with my the back of my hand. "It's degrading and mean." Mentally preparing myself to what he's about to say, I focused on Tyler instead- Not wanting to see Mr. Young's dangerous expression right now.
But he didn't say anything.
And remained silent the entire time he skimmed through the racks.
~~~
Dozing off, I thought of what my dinner would be. Because at this point, what's the point of going back to work if it's already 5:30 pm.
Yeah, pizza sounds good right about now. Yeah- Oh, I'm craving pizza now.
Dreaming of the toppings on my pizza, I was suddenly surrounded by a strong muscular scent and felt a cold and sharp touch on my hands. Which were itching with pain as some straps were digging into the palms of my hands.
I was slightly aggravated because just a moment ago... I was smelling the warm steam from a freshly baked pizza.
But the cool breeze of AC washed the raw pain away when I felt all the weight disappear. Blinking my eyes open, I was greeted with the grumpy face of Mr. Young. Who was now effortlessly carrying all the paper bags in one hand.
Then with his other hand, he handed something to me and looked away as he demanded, "Try it on." And gently placed a rectangular box on my arms, which were held out open as I gaped at him in puzzlement. "Changing room's there." When I didn't move after that as I was still stunned with all this, he inadvertently linked his arms with mine and led me to the room.
He sat me down on a one-seater velvet couch and knelt down in front of me. Okay... I'm assuming this big-ass room I'm in is the changing room. Sure why not waste space.
Unanticipatedly, his facial expression hardened as his grey eyes bore straight into mine. He abruptly commanded. "Try it on and don't come out unless you hear 5 knocks on that door," He pointed at the door that stood just a few meters away. "That means it's me."
Before closing the door and leaving, he firmly said. "Lock the door. Don't come out unless you know, for sure, that it's me. 5 knocks." And left as he pointed at himself when he said "me".
What the fuck did I get myself into?
[Jackon Young's POV]
Shit. This isn't good. They've been tailing us the entire day.
This means... That he's found out about it.
Jogging into the men's toilet, I stared at the mirror wall and discreetly signaled Tyler to stay close.
I just wanted to see her. And get answers from all of these questions I wanted to ask. It's driving me insane.
I didn't see her yesterday, so for some reason, my mind thought it was okay to mold all these questions during the entire day.
But every time I do see her, everything seems to fall apart and fall into place at the same time.
And all questions vanish.
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also also if you know anyone who would enjoy this, please share it with them or... recommend it to them?
ahh i feel like my chapters get longer and boring as i keep writing
i'll try to update weekly... but if i get too busy then you can only expect what i'd be doing in a saturday night
and im so sorry for that ahhh
keep safe and happy!
ireck_wings