Chapter 3

Adriel Jaime

I roll my sleeves up as I look at the supposed budget for the opening of the branch at NYC 2 for Spins and Scent, it looks incredibly ridiculous.

“Are you sure I approve of this??” I asked, looking at every member of the financial team to their faces and trying hard not to sound annoyed.

Most of them averted their faces as they usually do, and those who could hold my gaze for as long as 3 minutes noticed the tone my direction was going and their faces went back to the floor.

I don't like scaring my employees, but generally, they bring over this ridiculous type of proposal, and it's worth hitting your head on their chin when you know it isn't needed.

“You approved of it sir, and I was the one who oversaw its usage.” the head of the financial team, Mr. Grant said as he pointed to the pages of the finance and exactly to the place I had signed.

Hands-on chin, I did a thorough look at the signature, making sure this had everything to do with me.

Once I knew I signed it, (although I cannot remember doing so) I stood up from the seat and looked at them.

“Send that budget over to my office, and make sure my assistant brings them to me” I turn around to leave.

“But sir…” I heard Mr. Grant's voice and stopped walking.

Cracking my head on why I had been stopped, I turned around and gave him a hard stare.

He bit the lower part of his lips and stared at me until I nodded my head toward him, giving him a go-ahead.

“I'm sorry sir, but you have no assistant as of now,” he said, turning his eyes everywhere else but at me.

Right. That clicked in on why no one else was sitting beside me at this meeting, so I sacked the last of my assistants.

“Fair enough, send it yourself” Without waiting for a response from him, I turned around and left the office.

I hope the search for a replacement is happening soon because there is a lot to be done. I need more than a hand to oversee all that work, especially with another opening in less than two months.

* *

The door opened, ushering in Jayce. I am always taken aback anytime I see any of my brothers because of the way we all look alike, especially Jayce and me since we both are 6 '2 and seem to take over that height from our father.

“Jaime what's up man.” He came straight to my desk settling his ass there before clasping our hands together in a shake.

“I don't remember wanting you in my office.” I looked at all the work that was staring back at me and sighed.

“We have plans, the meeting, remember??” He corked his eyes out staring at me

Of course, I have forgotten, since there is no one here to remind me of that.

“Right, the meeting” I start turning around the work I have been doing, pushing the papers onto a side of the desk so as not to forget where I have stopped.

“If only you let this one go without fucking her” He hissed.

“I didn't, I didn't fuck her” I eyed him, reminding him exactly why I'm not like he is.

I don't fuck my workers, for me, it is strictly business and when you mix business with pleasure it goes bad.

“Oh really?? But the tales.....” I stood up, shutting him up.

“Can you get your ass up and let's get there already?” He huffed at me before standing up, and we both started walking out of the office.

We elaborated on the opening and how important it was for the business and the sales of that night as we walked through the elevator.

On the down floor, I noticed a little commotion going on and the flocks of people that seemed to have suddenly filtered through my building.

“What is going on here??” I turn to Jayce, who seems to have the same expression on my face.

He looked at me and then his eyes twitched twice, something he seems to do a lot when he has a recollection.

“That's right, I remember now, the search for your new assistant” He beamed at me.

“Oh really??” Since I have no idea of such happening and I have an interest in that too. “Well, I hope they get someone more trustworthy than the others,” I said before turning around and walking away, leaving Jayce still standing behind.

And that's when I saw her. A dark lilac blond hair parked in a sharp ponytail, bronzing brown skin that seemed to scream loud, and the bold way she took her steps into the building.

Her posture is straight, her face (although I cannot see it from here) facing ahead to where she is.

She should be 5 '4 with the heels on and the shabby chic clothing she is putting on, and yet, she seems so familiar.

I stopped walking, all my attention now fixed on the female who just walked in. Why does she seem so familiar?

Her lilac blonde hair is shining so bright, making her brown skin pop up and everyone's attention seems to be on her.

Noticing Jayce coming closer to me, I turned around and averted my face from where it had been before.

“So I've got the news,” he suddenly announced.

“And what could that be??”

“The meeting has been canceled,” He said, “and if you had had an assistant we could have known this sooner. See you mate.” he tapped his hands on my shoulder before turning away.

I took a massive breath in and turned back to the lady I had been looking at before, now she was on cue with the others and had half her face turned towards this way

I twitched my eyes to look at her directly and that's when I remembered the face.

The girl from the opening. The one that was watching my brothers and me throughout the night like a hawk.

What is she doing here?? Knowing I could not stand here for any more minutes, an idea popped into my head and I beamed before walking back to the elevator.