~Abigail~
We were surrounded by the gentle murmurs of other diners. The smell of grilled salmon and freshly baked bread filled the air. I expected dad and I to have dinner at home prepared by Aunt Meg, but dad decided we should go out on a dinner date and spend quality time together. I loved the atmosphere here in the restaurant. It's a 5-star restaurant and can only be reserved if you're a VVIP and you've booked three months earlier, but my dad and I with other little privileged people can just come in anytime, any day. That's one of the advantages of being a Wellington. The view here makes Montreal far more beautiful, especially at night. The landscapes and buildings are just top notch if you're looking from this restaurant's view. I sliced into my steak, a small smile on my face as I recounted the moments with my friends. “Toronto is amazing, Dad,” I said, my eyes lightning up. “The food, the culture, and my friends—oh, you remember my friends, Taylor and Mike, right?” I prattled. “Isn’t Mike the ex-boyfriend?” He questioned, and I shrugged. “Yes, but that's all in the past. Anyways, the three of us went to a social event one time, and it was a blast. I can't believe I forgot to tell you that. One of my best experiences there,” I kept on talking and talking, and he was listening, sometimes chirping in on things I've told him about. “I think I'll move there permanently,” I added. Dad nodded his head but stayed silent for a moment. “I am glad you had a great time,” my dad said, setting down his glass. "But I wanted to talk to you about something important now that you are back.” I tilted my head, sensing a shift in the conversation. “What’s up?” “I have been thinking about your next steps. I know you've had a taste of freedom, and I'm proud of that. But Abby, it's time you've got some real business experience,” he stated, his facial expression looking serious. “So I get to start working right away, in your company?” I asked, my tone neutral. “I have arranged for you to start an internship,” he responded, and I froze on the seat. My cutlery hanging in the air: “An internship?” I repeated. “In your company?” I queried. He shook his head slowly. “No, in Lucas' company,” he answered. My brows furrowed in confusion, “Why not in your company? I thought that would make more sense.” Of course, I know Uncle Lucas; he's Dad's best friend, and literally the only thing I can remember was him and the scowl on his face. I've never seen him smile; whenever he comes to our house, he's always there for business. Dad sighed, placing his hands on mine. “Abby, I want you to learn how to work in a place where people won't be biased toward you because you are my daughter. You will need to start from the ground up—no special treatment, and Lucas' firm is perfect for that. They'll see you just as another intern, and you'll have to prove yourself without anyone holding your hands, and the board members in my company won't give you issues with this kind of shite,” he explained. Of course, I understand that's what I also wanted, but his best friend, I don't think it's a nice idea. “Alright, I know you want what's best for me, but then I need to process your words and think about it,” I stayed, and he smiled at me. “Take all the time you need to, but don't make it very long,” he joked, and I laughed. “Yeah, yeah,” I shrugged, and then we continued eating. ~~~ The next week, I found myself walking into a large, sleek office building where my Dad's best friend walked. The atmosphere was slightly different from what I had imagined; it was busy, professional, and slightly intimidating. I adjusted my blazer, feeling the weight of new expectations. I reached the receptionist stand; she barely glanced at me, more focused on the steady stream of phone calls. I cleared my throat so at least she would acknowledge my presence. “Good morning, I'm Abigail Wellington. I'm supposed to start my internship today.” The receptionist looked at me with her sharp glasses. “Second floor, HR will brief you,” she responded sternly. I swallowed in nothing and took the elevator up. I wondered how the rest of my day would be; the receptionist barely smiled; guess they took in their boss attitude. When I arrived at the HR’s office, I was greeted by a man with a clipboard who gestured me warmly to follow him into a meeting room. Inside the meeting room was Lucas Brooke. He was sitting majestically; his jet black hair was perfectly gelled to the back, bringing out specific details of his facial beauty. His golden eyes shone brightly as he stared at me, my eyes trailed their way down to his perfectly shaped noise, then to his cupid-shaped mouth. Damn, his jaws were perfectly chiseled, and before I could look at his other physique, a loud cough brought me back to reality. I stared at the HR. Mr. Ethan looked like I missed some words when I was ogling at my dad's best friend. “I’m sorry, I missed what you said earlier; can you repeat your words,” I said, silently cringing. “First day at work and you are not concentrating; are you sure you are ready to work or perhaps you are content leaching off your dad's hard earned money,” he scoffed, and I gritted my teeth. How could he speak so rudely to me on my first day of work? It's not my fault I decided to look at my surroundings carefully before focusing on work, and beside, can't he just overlook this and give a warning? “I am sorry,” I muttered, trying to calm my nerves. This is the first day of work; I can't expect them to be overly nice to me, especially this grumpy old man. “Here is your first assignment; it's nothing glamorous. Just organizing and cataloging old contracts; from there we would see how you'll handle real work,” he remarked. I could see the taunting smirk on his face. If he knew he didn't want me to work in his office, then why did he agree to let me in? I gritted my teeth as I accepted the file. This wasn't what I'd expected on the first day, but I knew this was what my father expected—not me. I wanted no special treatment, not bullying at work. I glanced at him, trying to forget how terribly ‘Ugly’ he is. “I’ll get it done.”~Abigail~I sat at my assigned desk going through the stacks of old contracts that Uncle Lucas, or should I call him the grumpy old uncle, had handed me earlier. The room buzzed with activity, but I felt like an outsider, almost invisible. My focus kept drifting back to the uncomfortable meeting I had with Uncle Lucas this morning.It was my fault. I wasn't concentrating, yet he shouldn't be that rude to me in front of all those seated in the meeting. I won't lie underneath the anger I felt; embarrassment was there.Trying to focus back on my task, once I was done with the HR, Mr. Ethan asked me to take it to the grumpy old uncle's office. Immediately I got to this office, I met his assistant, Ray.“Are you here to give Mr. Lucas this?” he asked, looking at the files in my hands, and I nodded my head.“Alright, give it to me; he's busy now, but I'll drop it at his table,” he offered, and I smiled at him. Finally, someone who is nice to me on the first day at work.I smiled at him, “T
~Lucas~ As Abigail stormed out of the office, the door closed with a soft click, and I leaned back in my chair, a sly grin tugging on my lips. Her expression—tight-lipped, eyes flashing her—gave her away. No doubt she was angry, which almost made me chuckle. I hadn't expected her to agree to her father's request, and moreover, the way she took my criticism, I thought she would snap at me and quit, yet she hadn't done any of that.The look of her barely containing her anger flashed in my head, and I chuckled. She does have her dad's temper, and it is far more entertaining than anything I've ever come across. When she had walked into the meeting room, her beauty had caught me off guard. I hadn't seen her since she was a teenager, all gangly limbs and shy smiles. Now standing right in front of me in that smart business outfit, and her gingered hair styled in a bun made her look more like a mature lady who radiated from grace. Her delicate face was one of a kind; those slim lips were t
~Lucas~ I sat behind my desk, scrutinizing the financial reports in front of me, when the door swung open. I raised my head to see my best friend, Gavin Wellington walk in, he’s the only one who comes into my company like he owns it. Always grins like he's the most handsome fella in the world, but today his usual carefree demeanor somehow felt broody.I became alert, wondering what was disturbing him.“What’s wrong?” I asked my tone firm but laced with concern, leaning my back on the chair comfortably as I studied him. He dropped into the leather chair not far away from my desk, his eyes scanning the room before settling on me.He let out a sigh and scrunched his aristocratic nose up, “I’m sick,” he declared.My brows furrowed, “Well, this place ain't a hospital my dear friend. Get your ass outta my office and go meet a doctor,” I said and he let out a sarcastic laughter.Of course, I knew that wasn't the main purpose of him coming here, the Gavin I know doesn't like it when I know h
~Abigail~I stood in front of my closet, scanning the array of clothes hanging before me. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions. I ought to be happy leaving Toronto for Montreal, where I'd lived all my life, but then I'm going to miss Toronto.It's already a part of me, studying here for four years like a normal student without people knowing who my family is. I wasn't the spoiled child; yes, I loved attention, but not the one filled with fake people.Packing my clothes feels like hard work right now. I'm so going to miss my room, people in Toronto, and school. I'd inhaled the scent of my wardrobe; that warm feeling crept into me.“Are you going to stare at your wardrobe all day, Abby,” I heard Taylor say; her mouth was filled up with cereal, and that made her words sound funny.She's my roommate and one of my close friends here in Toronto. I'd actually asked her to help me pack up since I'd been feeling too lazy to do so.“Nope, I'm just looking for things to pack and things to leave.