~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, “Thank you,” I appreciated it. He waved his hand off and said, “It’s nothing.” Oh, it's more than nothing. You literally saved me from meeting that grumpy old uncle again. I turned around and rushed to my office in case I was needed for anything else. A few minutes later, I was summoned to Mr. Grumpy Old Uncle's office. I wondered if he's amazed by my work; he ought to because I did everything I could do to make it perfect. I knocked on his office door lightly and strided in after two knocks. Before I could take a look at my surroundings, I heard his booming voice. “Are you sure you read this properly?” He snapped at me; his glare was emitting dangerous vibes, and his aura wasn't helping at all. My brows furrowed, “I did look at it carefully,” I muttered, trying to avoid his gaze, which was impossible. “I bet you are blind, because if you weren't, then you would have seen the errors in all the files. The dates are inconsistent, the summaries are incomplete, and some sections are outright missing,” he snorted, his angry eyes flashing with annoyance. I blinked, obviously taken aback. I was sure I had checked everything carefully, putting things in order. “I-” I started to speak, but he cut me off. “You think this is acceptable work? Or perhaps you have any excuse to give. This level of carelessness won't cut it in the real world; this isn't your father's house where you can do anything you want, okay? I need someone smart, not someone clumsy,” he shouted. My temper flared, and I clenched my fist at my sides. I wanted to yell back at him, What's his problem with me being my father's daughter? Why does he have to remind me who my father is? It's not like he's my dad's rival or something. He's my dad's best friend, yet he's treating me like I stole his money or perhaps something important to him. I bit my tongue and held those terrible words I wanted to sprout in his face. I don't know what his purpose is, but I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me lose my temper. “I’ll fix it,” I said tightly. “I don't just want you to fix it, young lady. I want you to make it perfect,” He said, emphasizing the word 'perfect'. I nodded my head and left his office, I glared at the closed door. “You are dimwit, moron,” I muttered underneath my breath and stormed away. Just as I was about to get my ass on the chair when my phone rang, I checked who the caller was. The scowl on my face was replaced with a grin. It was Taylor on the other end; I rushed to the bathroom to pick up the call. “Hey, there she is!” Taylor's cheerful voice echoed through the line. “How is the new job going? Are you crushing it yet?” She asked; beside her was Mike. He had an amusing expression on while looking at me, both eager to hear my answer. I let out a groan, “You mean crushing me.” “Uh-Oh,” Mike chimed in. “What happened?” Taylor questioned, her tone now serious. “I got myself a grumpy, annoying boss,” I groaned and made an aggravating expression. “Wait, you mean your dad's hot best friend is the grumpy annoying boss? Tell me more,” Taylor said, looking interested in what I have to say next. “Please, that guy is the most condescending jerk I've ever met. He talks to me like I'm some spoiled brat who can't handle anything; he keeps mentioning my dad in every issue that comes up. Today, he embarrassed me in the meeting room, just the first day, and it feels like I've dug myself into a mess,” I prattled. I'm sure my facial expression would have told them how much I really want to stab him in the head. There was a pause on the other end; if this wasn't a video call, I would have been bothered about them not listening, but the way both of them stared at me like they were trying to process my words. Just before I could ask them anything, they burst into laughter. “Oh, Abby,” Taylor teased. “Looks like you've got yourself a sweet boss. Maybe he's just testing you, you know, making sure you can handle pressure.” I rolled my eyes sarcastically, "Yeah, sure, he's doing a great job.” “Don't take it personally, Abby,” Mike said, his tone softer. “That’s true; these old guys have a way of pushing buttons to see what you're made of. Just keep your head down, do the work, and show him you are not the pampered girl he thinks you are,” Taylor chirped, agreeing with Mike's words. “Easier said than done,” I muttered, but their words did ease the sting and anger boiling within me. “Maybe he sees potential in you; that's why he's pushing you." Taylor stated. "Well, I'd prefer a little less ‘pushing’ and a bit more appreciation.” “Come on, if he's that rude. Maybe he's got a crush on you,” she teased in a playful tone, and I squeezed my face, looking disgusted. “Eww, gross, Taylor. No thanks,” I replied, and then we all laughed, the tension easing.~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.
~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.