Chapter 5
KAYLA'S POV
"I got it!" I squealed in happiness, watching mum and Liam scream.
"I'm proud of you baby," mum's teary voice said, making me smile till my cheeks were almost hurting.
"Thanks mum, I love you."
"Is Austin coming home today?" Liam asked, sipping a liquid from his favorite cup.
"Yes. He's preparing to." Sadness filled me again. The thought of him leaving me alone was scary. I couldn't imagine life without him.
Even though he introduced me to Stella, I still wanted someone I knew so well to be around.
Liam grinned. "Good news for me, sad news for you."
I rolled my eyes, almost tripping on my heels I dumped on the floor. "I better get going now. I'm sure he's packed up already." They blew me kisses, and I hung up.
I packed my loose hair into a bun, and walked to the living room to find Austin ready. He was on his phone, typing away, as usual.
He looked up the moment he saw me, tucking his phone into his pocket. "I'll miss you so much baby doll." Hurt flashed in his eyes, as he wrapped his arms around me. I felt relaxed as he held me, totally not squeezing me into him.
"Austin. Please. I. Can't. Breathe." I struggled for air. He chuckled softly and loosened his grip around me.
"I'm sorry, but it's just hard to let you go." He sighed.
It was hard for me too. Living alone in New York City without my boyfriend or my family or best friend wasn't really a big flex. In fact, I dreaded it.
"I love you." I whispered in his lips as we locked lips.
"I love you too, baby doll."
I wiped the tears away from my cheeks. He gave me one last kiss before entering into the taxi that was waiting for him.
It drove away with my boyfriend in it. Far away from me.
I entered the house. Everywhere was suddenly lonely but I tried not to allow the loneliness make me sad. I tried to watch TV just to whileaway time. It was my new life, and I had to live with it.
I picked up the rule book Liliana gave me and scanned through it. Although it is a really small book with just a page, I couldn't help but be curious about the content in it.
I opened it.
Rule 1|| No lateness.
Rule 2|| Dress properly. It is an office, not a nightclub.
Rule 3|| No chitchats while at work.
Rule 4|| No close relationship with your boss.
Rule 5|| Learn to mind your business.
Rule 6|| Anyone with a bad/ nonchalant attitude will be dismissed immediately.
Rule 7|| No close relationship with your boss.
Rule 4 and 7 made my lungs hurt from laughing too much. I was sure Xander wrote the rule book. He was really strict with his privacy and I respected that.
I walked to the kitchen, and poured myself some orange juice. The spaghetti from the other day stared back at me, as if begging me to heat it up and eat it. I gagged immediately and shut the fridge close.
The house was boring. I couldn't wait to begin work tomorrow. I was sure it was going to draw me away from feeling lonely.
I gulped all my orange juice and dumped the glass into the sink.
The next morning came faster than I had imagined. It was barely five hours that I had fallen asleep on the couch in my sitting room.
I hurriedly wore my black heels, mentally cursing myself for falling asleep late. I was bothered about my hair that was in a mess. I was sweating profusely despite the slightly cold weather.
My phone rang , and I quickly went for it.
"Hey." Austin's voice filled my ear. "Are you at work already?"
"I'm screwed. I woke up late." I cussed myself again. I placed my phone on my dressing table, and turned on the speaker. I quickly combed my hair, and wrapped it into a tight bun.
"Xander will understand. The time difference between Oak Hill and New York is so much."
I scoffed. "But I still have to be early. He's your cousin doesn't mean I have to be late on my first day at work."
"Still doesn't matter. Xander is my buddy and will understand your tardiness." Austin whined.
"Can we not do this please? Your cousin hates my guts and wouldn't waste anytime to throw me out at every given opportunity." I took one last look at my hair and straightened my dress.
"Xander doesn't hate you."
He was trying so hard to defend his arrogant cousin that I had to face it. I did not report at the office in the next ten minutes.
"Bye babe, I'll call when I'm off from work. I did not wait for a reply before I hung up. I picked up my bag and ran out of the house in a hurry.
I was lucky to catch a taxi and get to the company. Although, I was five minutes late.
"Late on your first day? That's sad." Liliana eyed me, as she sipped on her coffee behind her desk.
I ignored her and made my way to sign the attendance book.
"You look like pure shit. I wonder what Mr Mackenzie sees in you. I've been shooting my shot for years, not knowing he's with some kind of shit looking girl."
I rolled my eyes, not allowing her words get me. Keep your cool Kayla, I mutter to myself.
"You're ignoring me now? I'm sure you will need my help later."
I turned to her after I finished signing. "The only thing I need your help for is to tell me where you got that hot steaming coffee from."
Her grin widened. She took one more sip. "I think I'll like you. I got it from the new cafe down the road."
"Thanks." I smiled at her and walked away to the elevator.
The elevator dings and the door pulls open. I walked through the hallway, and to my office that was right beside Xander's.
My office was not as large and beautiful as Xander's, but it was everything. It had a small desk with a telephone on it, and a chair behind it. A small shelf that had few files on it was at the extreme of my office.
A smile tugged at my lips. I was proud of myself.
• • •
"Kayla?" A voice called.
I blinked. Wait, where am I?
I raised my head up, drool plastered on my cheeks. I wiped it off immediately with the back of my palm.
"Kayla Anderson!" A loud voice called, making me flinch.
I looked up to see Xander. His cold eyes pierced through my skin. His jaw clenches and his breathing rage.
"Yes sir?"
"What the fuck are you doing sleeping at this hour when you're supposed to be working?" He questioned. My eyes searched the floor in fear.
"Follow me to my office! Now!"
"Yes sir."