Stuart's POV
Sitting in his car, Stuart received a message from Mr. Asher, his private investigator, confirming what he suspected. Katelyn was in his building.
"She's dressed in a pink suit and white heels, carrying a matching purse," Mr. Asher detailed over the phone.
"Send me a picture," Stuart replied. A moment later, a photo came through. "It really is her," he muttered, feeling a mix of surprise and something deeper he couldn't quite place.
"Anything else?" Stuart asked.
"Her name is Katelyn Scott, the only child of her parents. She lost her father at fifteen, studied in Florida, graduated three years ago, but hasn't worked anywhere besides her father's company. She lives with her mother, Betty Scott, who now runs her late husband's business," Mr. Asher summarized.
Ending the call, Stuart dialed his assistant, Mr. Walter.
"Katelyn Scott?" Stuart asked.
"She's here, sir. Waiting for her interview."
"Have her wait; I'll be handling her interview personally," Stuart instructed, overriding the scheduled meeting with the board.
"Understood, sir," Mr. Walter replied, relaying Stuart's wishes to Katelyn.
---
Katelyn sat in the interview room, waiting. Shortly after, Stuart entered the building, his presence magnetic. Without delay, he ordered Mr. Walter to bring her to his office. Katelyn entered to find Stuart seated, facing the window.
"Sir?" Mr. Walter announced quietly.
Without turning, Stuart said, "She's hired."
Though unsure why, Katelyn felt uneasy at the abruptness. As Mr. Walter handed her the employment paperwork, Stuart finally turned to face her. Katelyn froze, her heart dropping.
"Mr. Brown?! What the-" She backed toward the door, but Stuart reached out, grabbing her wrist gently. She wrenched herself free, her face a mix of anger and confusion.
"How dare you touch me?" she spat, glaring at him.
"Please, let me explain-" he began, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"Explain? There's nothing to explain! I can't believe I almost worked for you," she shouted. "Mr. Brown, the respectable businessman, turns out to be-"
"I know, Katelyn. It was wrong, and I'm sorry. I never meant for what happened that night to happen, I understand that it was all my fault that I couldn't get a hold of myself but if you..."
"It doesn't matter! I remember everything, and I regret every moment of it," she interrupted, her voice cracking. With one last furious look, she stormed out of the building, leaving Stuart standing there, speechless.
---
Stuart's POV
Watching her walk away felt like a blow to his chest, for some reason he seemed to feel her pain, it was unlike him he shrugged, took out his phone, called Victor.
"Hey man, what's up?" Victor answered cheerfully.
"I'm screwed," Stuart muttered, his voice weary.
"Screwed? You?" Victor replied, astonished.
"She was here for an interview. I hired her on the spot, but when she realized I was the CEO..." Stuart trailed off.
"She turned down working for S. Brown Hotel because you own it?" Victor sounded shocked.
"It's complicated, man," Stuart admitted. "I don't know why, but I can't get her out of my head."
"Maybe she's the one you've been looking for," Victor suggested thoughtfully.
"Or maybe she's just trouble," Stuart mumbled, more to himself than to Victor.
Growing up as a child, Stuart liked to cook and do a lot of things including painting, he wished to become a a renowned chef and also wished to own a jewelry store someday which he became and owned his own firm, he was the second child of his parents and the only son. He has an older sister who lives in Norfolk Island where she manages one of their dad's company. Stuart has always been a special child, having a cold heart he never let anyone belittle him and his aura made people flinch in fear whenever they see or hear about him .Victor and Andy has been his best friend and motivator but while Victor is an architect, Andy is a business tycoon who flaunts money on women.
*******
"Katelyn's POV"
Katelyn walked up the stairs to meet Carissa working on her laptop
"What are you working on"? Katelyn asked walking towards her
"It's a new business project for my dad" Carissa said looking up at her
"You want some"? Katelyn asked, passing Carissa the cup of cereal she was eating from
"Nah I'm full" Carissa said pushing Katelyn's hand back and she shrugged "you wanna talk about it now"? Carissa asked Katelyn who stopped eating knowing where Carissa is hitting at
"I didn't get the job" Katelyn said with a sigh
"It didn't seem like you went for the interview in the first place" Carissa said looking at Katelyn's face
"Of course I went!" Katelyn defended
"So, how'd the interview go?" Carissa asked, looking up from her laptop.
Katelyn sighed, "I turned it down."
"You turned it down?" Carissa blinked, surprised. "Why?"
Katelyn bit her lip, hesitating. "Because of... Stuart Brown" Katelyn shrugged
Carissa's eyes widened. "And what about him?" Carissa asked looking at her
"The same guy from a few nights ago was him Katelyn said in disappointment
"What!" Carissa exclaimed
"But why didn't I recognize him? I mean I've always known Stuart Brown owned S.Brown Hotel" Katelyn sulked
"I know right?" Carissa asked
"Yes," Katelyn said, her voice barely whispering. "And seeing him just brought everything back."
"I mean it has always been your ambition to learn from the best, so what are you gonna do now?" Carissa asked her voice filled with concern
"I'm not sure what to do right now but I just can't work under the same atmosphere with him, I would feel suffocated" Katelyn sulked
Carissa wrapped her arms around Katelyn, offering comfort. "Hey, whatever it takes, we'll get through this. Just take it one step at a time."
Katelyn nodded, grateful for Carissa's support
******
Two days later Carissa was driving out when a black Honda Accord ran into her making her flinch in fear as she quickly stepped on her car brake out of fear so she doesn't get hurt, she shut her eyes for sometime to regain her senses but opened it up when she heard a knock on her window and she slowly wind down
"I'm sorry sir, I didn't see you there" she apologized
"You could have gotten yourself killed woman" the man yelled at her making her flinch in fear
"I just said I'm sorry and you fucking bumped into me" Carissa said looking at the man in shock
"You should get yourself a driver or walk on foot if you don't know how to drive" the man yelled and Carissa lost it
"What did you fucking say to me asshole? you fucking bumped into me and I apologized for it and now you're talking rudely at me, how dare you"?? Carissa yelled stepping out of her car
"You should know your place as a woman" the man said pointing his finger at her face
"And you should know your place as a man"!!! Carissa screamed on top of her voice, the man wanted to say something but was cut short by a deep voice...