Chapter 2

Jewel ran.

   She was certain Liam had recognized her as well because he had also whispered her name.

She was unable to get a good look at him but she was certain a lot had changed since the last time she saw him.

Liam Ledger was her highschool crush and her best friend, he was also the father of her son.

She had gone looking for him all those years, now, fate had brought him to her and she had run away from him.

Jewel decided not to think too much about the encounter. If it was the will of the universe, they would meet again.

…

Jewel was still a bit shaken when she arrived at Mangero LTD. She was directed to the CEO's office and asked to speak to his secretary.

A stern-looking woman sat behind a polished desk, her eyes fixed on a computer screen. This must be the CEO's secretary, Jewel thought. She took a deep breath and approached the desk, wearing a polite smile.

"Good morning," Jewel greeted the secretary, trying her best to sound composed despite her racing thoughts. "I have an interview with Mr James at 10:00 a.m. I apologize for my lateness."

The secretary's gaze lifted from the computer, and she examined Jewel with a critical eye. 

A curt sigh escaped her lips, and she responded in a dismissive tone, "You're late. The interview was scheduled for 10:00 a.m., and you missed your slot. We have a strict policy on punctuality. I'm afraid you'll have to reschedule."

Jewel's heart sank, her dreams slipping through her fingers. She mustered the courage to speak up. "I understand your concern, but I truly believe I would be a valuable asset to this company. Is there any way I could still have a chance to speak with Mr James?"

The secretary's expression remained impassive, her voice unwavering. "I'm sorry, but we have a tight schedule, and we cannot accommodate latecomers. You should have been more responsible. Please leave the premises."

Tears welled up in Jewel's eyes as she turned to leave, her disappointment overwhelming. She had come so far, yet it seemed like her opportunity had evaporated in an instant.

Just as she reached the lobby doors, a commanding voice echoed through the corridor. "Hold on a moment!"

Jewel turned around to find a tall, distinguished man standing by the entrance of his office. It was none other than Mr James himself, the CEO of the company. His gaze was filled with curiosity as he observed the unfolding scene.

He approached Jewel with a warm smile. "I couldn't help but overhear the conversation," he said, his tone calm but firm. "Miss... Jewel, was it? I have a few moments to spare before my next appointment. Please come into my office. I would like to speak with you."

Jewel's heart skipped a beat, hope blossoming within her once more. She followed Mr. James into his office, her earlier disappointment fading into the background.

As the door closed behind her, Mr. James gestured for Jewel to take a seat.

"I'm terribly sorry for my lateness. It won't happen again," she managed to say, her voice filled with genuine regret.

"No need to apologize, Jewel," he said, his voice reassuring. "I appreciate your dedication in making it here despite the circumstances."

"So, you said you still have time for one more interview?" Jewel asked

"No. I said I still have time to speak to one more person."Mr James replied

Jewel prepared herself for the rejection she believed was imminent. "I understand if you've already filled the position. I'm truly sorry for wasting your time," she said, disappointment lacing her words.

Mr. James leaned forward, his gaze steady yet compassionate. "I have indeed made a decision, Jewel, I am really sorry" he admitted, his voice gentle."

Jewel's heart sank further, the flicker of hope dwindling. She mustered a polite smile, preparing herself to graciously accept the outcome.

However, Mr James surprised her as he reached into a drawer and pulled out a business card. He held it out to Jewel, his expression now more earnest. "You see, I know someone who's in need of a personal assistant," he explained. Please take this card and call to schedule an appointment."

Thanking him, Jewel got up to leave.

Immediately she got home, she called and an appointment was fixed for the next day.

The company was the Armstrong empire, the most influential empire in the city. The company's CEO had always kept a low profile, so, she had no idea what he looked like.

Sighing loudly, Jewel sank into the sofa. Once more, her thoughts drifted to Liam Ledger. She cursed herself for running away but then, she was also glad, she wouldn't have known what to say. 

Also, she wasn't ready to tell him her secret. She wasn't sure how he would react finding out they had a son together.

…  

The sound of his alarm beeping woke Liam Armstrong up. With a strangled grunt, he reached over to his bedside table, hitting the snooze button on the alarm. The bed felt warm and cozy, he needed a few minutes before he could get up.

Turning to his left, he felt a soft body snuggle closer to him, it was his fiance, Keren. With a light smile on his face, he pulled her in tightly, he could smell the strawberry scent of her shampoo, burying his face into her neck, he planted a kiss there.

Raising his head, he whispered Good morning into her ears, his voice sounded husky and he knew she loved it, all he got in response was a grunt. This meant she wasn't fully awake.

He moved his lips to her neck once more and started planting kisses there, this made her laugh gently and she turned.

"Good morning baby" she said

Hope you slept well? Liam asked

"Like a baby" she said, giving him a peck on the lips. "I like sleeping next to you and I particularly enjoy waking up in your arms, I can't wait to be your wife so I'll get to experience this everyday for the rest of my life" Keren said sweetly.

"I can't wait too baby" Liam responded. Caressing her face gently, he was about to pull her in for a kiss when his alarm went off again.

"Why?!" He grumbled against her.

"Because you have to get up and go to work, you lazy man" Keren responded playfully.

With one last kiss, Liam got up. After putting on his sportswear, he went for his early morning run, when he got back, he showered and started getting ready for work.

After dressing up and putting on his Rolex wristwatch lastly, Liam went downstairs, he had a light breakfast, picked up his car keys and was about leaving when Keren walked down.

"Are you leaving without saying goodbye to me?" Keren asked, pouting.

"Of course not, come here", Liam said. He gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"I might come back late today, it's going to be a really hectic day at the office, so don't wait up for me, ok?"

"Alright. I Love you" Keren said

"I love you too", Liam responded. With that, he walked out the door, got into Audi SQ7 and drove off.

When he arrived at his company's headquarters, Liam was surprised to find only his secretary there, he assumed the first person he had to interview for the post of his personal assistant would already be there, considering he was 15 minutes late.

After responding to his secretary's greetings, he instructed her to send the first applicant in whenever he or she showed up, he wanted to tell her to call and Inform the person not to bother showing up again, but for some reason he couldn't figure out, he was in a good mood, so he decided to give the person the benefit of doubt, hopefully the person had a good reason for turning up late to an interview.

Walking into his spacious office, he set his briefcase underneath the large table. He then decided to look through the files of the applicants he was supposed to be interviewing.

Picking up the first file and opening it, the name caught his eyes immediately. Jewel Wright. He froze. Surely it had to be someone else, right? He questioned within him, there were many people with such names, this particular Jewel was not his Jewel.

The previous day he had bumped into a lady who looked just like Jewel, she had whispered his name, but before he could speak, she ran off. He had called out her name, but she didn't turn back. He concluded that he must have mistaken the lady who collided into him for Jewel.

For the first time in a long while, Liam felt anxious, he could not wait to see the face of this lady who bears the same name with the girl who had once stole his heart.