If this situation were broadcast on television, there would be a melodious violin orchestra in the background emphasizing the moment in which the eyes of the two adults connected.
Serena did not try to talk while she was being under his scrutiny, she did not know what to say to him. She was processing the information of seeing the image of her nightmares in front of her; just a few steps away. There wasn't much to see of her, though, she was wearing a white blouse and a black pencil skirt covering her slender body, her reddish hair down; highlighting her black eyes, small nose, and raised cheekbones. Nothing to do with the usual outfit style there.
He suddenly folded his arms and arched a slight but outlined eyebrow, forcing her out of her thoughts.
Why was it being so difficult for her to think straight?
Serena swallowed hard and approached the desk, the pounding beating of drums in her ears was that of her heart in her chest.
She thought of getting on the exact cold mood that he seemed to be in but the pain that she felt in his proximity made that goal difficult and before she did something stupid she sat down without being able to avoid staring at him with courage while she remained attentive of his every move.
It's been five years now, five years in which she has tried to seek in life, building brick after brick, and now that she was almost done, here he was again, as the final decision of whether she could move one or keep leaving in the past. life was so unfair to her.
Why him? Why was he here? cant he even remember her? She thought this was Mr.Leonard Coffrey's enterprise.
So why on earth was he here?
- You may begin - he said with his firm neutral voice as he sat down to listen to whatever she was to say.
- My name is... Serena Jean Williams and I just graduated from the University of B.T.U - she trusted her grades to him sliding the paper across his side of the desk - as you can see I had good grades. this is my title of CEO assistant - she trusted the paper in the same way and carried on talking - and my grade of public relations. - same procedure.
She then waited impatiently for him to speak up, everything seemed too interesting judging by the way he was staring at the papers on the table so statue-like. and his focus made her so unfocused, at the point of making her feel she was going to lose it.
- Why did you consider my enterprise as a starter for your carrier?
- is a fair deal- she answered, to what he roused an eyebrow questioning - am good of what is needed here, which will make my job easier and the salary is beyond my expectations, that it makes it a fair deal.
- I must believe that you have more inclination towards money? - he asked a bit harshly. And she smiled.
- Is it not why we all work for? - asked her in return.
- miss Jean, do you believe in business loyalty? or... in loyalty at all? - he smirked in triumph as his insinuation left cracks all over her cold mask.
She realized her anger was just a tin surface away and that at any moment she will have no choice but to let it loose.
- I only believe in my self- she looked in his eyes - and with trust solely on my instincts. I have learned not to remake mistakes - now it was my turn to smile - after all confidence is the best outfit.
- you must have been exercising it in these past years - his blue eyes darkened and she could sense the rage in his tense shoulders but she wasn't having it from him, she was not to let slip the slightest provocation.
- until it became part of me Mr...- she looked directly into his eyes elongating the pronunciation for him to fill in his name. something she played not to know about.
-What are you doing here?- he asked with anger, his square jaw showing a pronounced tense muscle.
- the mask has fallen - she said bitterly - I was wondering how many more minutes It could have resisted."
-Me too, but yours fell in a blink of an eye - she chuckled-what can I say, you had what you wanted a relationship with a millionaire.
- don't ... - she answered through clenched teeth - you dare call me interested
- The truth is painful, huh? She stared at her. - - -How does it feel to be played with you?- Considering that I have the last decision this time, of whether you stay or leave.
- I can leave whenever I want to - she yelled angrily.
-Yes, you have incredible abilities to disappear- he hinted in a hurtful way and hurt her.
-I learned from the best-she got up and leaned with her palms on the table-about disappearing. I guess the student ended up beating the teacher-I saw the confusion on his face and I almost laughed at the situation, did you think I wouldn't find out? Although I might not have done it- you seem surprised. Next time decide on strippers instead of making a relationship your bachelor party.
- Do not add so much modesty to your words or they will be too big for your actions - he said irritated - I know that the press has my photo in the magazines as the new president of the company and that calling their attention would promise a position among other things.
-Wha ... what? -She babbled confusedly
- If what you want is money to avoid making this mistake a sort of news ... I can offer it to you.
Anger contaminated Serena's mind, her words echoing in her head, picking at her wound; a wound that she thought was closed but that she knew from the moment she walked through the door that the suture was opening.
-I don't need your money- she yelled angrily.
- Well, a while ago you told me the opposite - he said ironically, leaning back in his black leather chair - be clear, I'm going to ask you one last time, Serena ...
- Why don't you go and ask your wife better? -she replied instinctively on the defensive interrupting him- I have applied for a job interview, not to relate possible personal intentions, Sir.
- Sir? -It was his turn to stand up and look at her two heads under his chin.
Serena for a moment felt small and hesitant about facing him, but the hatred inside her was a tough nut to crack.
-You haven't given me her name, sir- she snapped, raising her chin defiantly.
Elliot Holmes returned to Vancouver to assume the power of the company that a few years ago had been taken from him, he decided that this was the end of his problems and that his life could return to normal without the photos of his father's name in the headline pointing out his gambling problems, like that he was about to lose family businesses between gambling bets.
However, since he saw Serena enter the door, all his tranquility had collapsed, there was nothing left of that sweet woman that he had known or, that she had believed to know.
So much love she had professed for him and then disappear without a trace. He recollected the images in his mind when he had to return to Seattle urgently because his father had had a heart attack and his mother did not know how to deal with her pressure since they were on the verge of ruin. The attack he had was provoked by betting on all of his properties and losing them in the attempt. The humiliation of his mother made him not think about himself; He worked day and night without rest, all he could do is focus on how to recover what they had lost, he almost married the daughter of the close friend of his father to help in actions and consequently instigate the lifting of the company.
His mind wandered about the last night they were together. They had both sworn love and many other things that had made sense to him before, until three nights after traveling to Seattle he called his home in Vancouver and discovered that the most intriguing woman he had ever known had left without leaving trail; without even a way to contact her, losing all of her eternal promises.
With what intention was she here now, if she couldn't even wait for the third day to leave?
He looked between her two eyes and then determined to be insane, he took her from her arms abruptly - say my name -he ordered her.
-Let go of me - she shouted as he made his grip tighter on her. -Elliot let me go! - she screamed, shaking away his grip.
Elliot smiled with triumph, and looked at her rubbing her arms, her hatred stood out from her eyes, advising him that with her he didn't know what he was in store for.
Serena took each of her papers quickly from the desk the skin of her arms burning as if marked by his touch.
-My name has not lost the sensual tone on your lips - he commented airily to anger her even more and he succeeded from what he could see.
Serena quickly put the documents away, avoiding his eye contact and before leaving the table she said:
- No. My lips have lost sensuality with your name - and without further ado, she left.
She walked out of the office feeling that the building no longer impressed her that much, that she no longer cared how the employees were dressed and not even the smile of the Asian receptionist was the same.
- I wish you luck - she said sincerely - we will surely contact you.
Serena just faked a smile as she waited for the elevator. She was mad at the world.
Well, at least she had told him where his business could go. Serena secured her bag under her shoulder. she was going to find something better. The elevator emitted a buzzer indicating its arrival on the floor and the doors opened automatically.
- Miss Jean, you are hired, come to my office at the first hour tomorrow to sign the contract.
That firm voice.
She slowly turned around and verified that it was Elliot speaking to her. Hiring her.
-We'll wait for her tomorrow- her intense gaze caught her, and behind him, in the background, the Asian woman was smiling, giving half applauses.
What was going on?
Not knowing what to say and feeling that she
was suffocated, she entered the elevator where the bluest eyes she had ever known remained fixed on her soul until the doors closed.