"If we both wanted to see each other, we should follow the scent of sea breezes," I said softly.
"Okay… till we meet again… my love," he replied.
---
JAMIE'S POV
Beep! Beep! Beep!
My alarm blared. I groaned, rolled over, and slapped the snooze button. Dragging myself out of bed, I brushed my teeth and trudged into the kitchen, stomach already grumbling. As I poured cereal into a bowl, my eyes flicked to the wall clock. My heart stopped.
Oh crap. The interview!
I sprinted upstairs, took a shower faster than ever before, and threw on something stylish enough to pass for professional. Not even bothering to lock the front door, I dashed out like lightning and hailed the first taxi I saw.
"Hello, miss. Where to?" the driver asked.
"21 Avenue, off Gates Road, next to Bookers Hotel," I replied quickly.
"That's the great CHAN AVEZ Box Office," he said, glancing at me through the mirror.
"Yes. Now please hurry. I'm cutting it way too close."
After several minutes of enduring the driver's non-stop chatter, I finally arrived with five minutes to spare. My pulse was racing.
I rushed inside the building and headed straight for the receptionist.
"Hello, ma'am. How can I help you?" she asked politely.
"I'm here for the job interview," I said, slightly out of breath.
"And your name?"
"Jamie Reynolds."
"Alright, Miss Reynolds. Follow me."
As we walked through the marble halls, I looked at her curiously.
"Heyyo... can I know your name?" I asked.
"Ayers. Ayers Charles," she replied curtly.
We walked in silence after that. There was something cold and professional about her, almost robotic. Moments later, we stopped in front of a door.
"Miss Reynolds, go in," she said.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped inside, eyes closed, as though that would help me absorb the strange aura I felt radiating from the room.
After a long, slow breath, I opened my eyes.
"I thought you were going to act like a blind person, Miss Reynolds," a deep, sarcastic voice said.
I gasped.
For a moment, I thought it was my inner voice until I saw a tall figure silhouetted against the window. The blinds cast shadows across his face, making it hard to see his features.
"Who are you? And how do you know my name?" I asked cautiously.
"Are you going to sit down or keep interrogating your boss?" he said, his voice cold.
Clap. Clap.
The lights turned on.
My jaw dropped.
"No way... Devil incarnate," I muttered.
[Why I said that? Office interior: black and white. His clothes: pitch-black. His face: dangerously flawless. The kind of beauty that steals breath.]
I've read enough novels to recognize a man who looks too perfect to be human.
"Wait a minute. Aren't you the guy whose wife insulted me and got me fired? All because I accidentally spilled coffee on you?" I snapped.
"You're that nosy waitress who couldn't stop staring at me," he retorted.
"Staring? Please. I was looking at the woman next to you. Don't flatter yourself."
"Do you realize you're talking to your boss?"
I swallowed hard.
Oh my God. I have to work under this guy. This is a nightmare.
He's definitely going to make my life a living hell.
---
FLASHBACK
"Jamie, go serve that man in the white tuxedo," Eren, the manager of Drink & Shine Coffeehouse, instructed.
I grabbed the tray and walked toward the couple. But something about the woman unsettled me. She looked familiar, and her smile didn't reach her eyes.
As I approached, she locked eyes with me. Her gaze was so cold, I nearly tripped. My focus slipped, and before I could stop it—
Splash.
Hot coffee spilled all over the man's expensive tux.
"Are you blind?" the woman hissed.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am. It was an accident," I said calmly, trying to hold it together.
The man said nothing. Just stared at me like I was dirt.
"Incompetent. You shouldn't be working here. I'll make sure you get fired," she snapped.
I looked to him, hoping he'd stop her. He didn't. Silent and spineless.
After they left, Eren stormed over.
"Jamie! How could you be so careless?"
"I'm really sorry. It won't happen again," I said, ashamed.
"Oh, it won't. Because you're fired," he declared, and walked away.
I stood there in shock, tears welling in my eyes.
How would I pay rent now? How would I survive?
---
END FLASHBACK
"Are you done daydreaming?" he asked.
I didn't answer. I just handed over my qualifications.
---
AARON'S POV
Her qualifications were solid, maybe even impressive. But honestly, I had another reason for keeping her here. There was something about her. Something real.
"Looks good. You're hired as my P.S.A."
She blinked. "Sir, I applied to be a manager. Not a... whatever that is."
"First, call me Aaron. Second, I'm the boss. I make the rules," I said, tone cool and final.
That should shut her up for now.
"Miss Reynolds, here's a booklet. Your office is right across from mine," I added, handing it to her.
"Thank you, sir. Have a nice day," she replied, but her voice dripped with sarcasm.
She turned and left, clearly still furious about the coffee shop incident. I couldn't blame her.
The truth?
I never wanted her fired. Abigeal insisted. And when Abigeal insists, she gets what she wants.
She has something on me. Something that keeps me chained.
Finally a rewrite...I hope you guys love it.