04: Caught Unawares

BLAIR

      Him.

It was Him sitting right in front of me, dressed in a dark blue suit that molded his muscular form and a sparkly white shirt with two unbuttons undone. His dark hair was brushing the top of his collar and he had an undercut hairstyle that made him look incredibly attractive. His eyes were grey. The lightest of greys. His eyelashes were incredibly long for a male's. There was a scar on his face, a scar that made him look frighteningly badass. It was Altan, the guy in the photo. But for certain reasons, he looked different. He was a werewolf. I could tell. He smelt like lavender. Maya, my wolf, wouldn't stop whining about how good our mate looked.

However, there was a dark aura around him and his eyes held nothing but cold emptiness. Realizing this, I snapped out of my reverie and started to panic. I knew I shouldn't be anywhere around him. It's safe to say I was afraid of falling for him. But, I needed this job. I had two options. Walk away and avoid heartbreak or take the job and risk it all.

Altan picked up a pen, his eyes not leaving mine. On the other hand, I decided to make a decision that I would probably regret thereafter. I decided to do everything I could to protect my heart even though I would be taking the job.

"You're here for the interview?" His husky voice reached my ear and a shiver ran down my spine. I forced out a smile and replied sharply, "Yes, sir"

"You can sit" he said, gesturing at the chair in front of him. Only then did I notice the golden nameplate on the side of his huge desk table with the name, Mikael Kane (CEO of Kane's Enterprises). It seemed like he had changed his name. Who was I kidding? He probably didn't know anything about the curse.

"Tell me about yourself" he said, leaning back on his swivel chair, his facial expression blank.

"My name is Blair Kennedy. I'm 21 years old. I--"

"You're hired" he said, without blinking.

"W-what?"

"Do I have to spell it out for you, Ms. Kennedy? Just sign the contract" he sighed, rubbing his temples with an irritated look on his face. Confused and totally shocked, I took out a pen, skimmed through the contract and finally signed it. Our eyes locked again and I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. This man looked lethal. I was starting to regret my decision already. I was probably just being  paranoid but I swear, when our gazes met, I felt like I was drowning in his eyes.

And it terrified me.

......

I slipped off my black stilettos and threw them across my room in a fit of rage. I was both exhausted and pissed after working for Mikael fucking Kane for a whole day. He was even more evil than the devil himself. How can someone be so demanding and rude?! How can someone be so cold and brutal?! I groaned and collapsed on my bed, staring at the ceiling blankly. I haven't even worked for him for a week and I already hate him. How on earth did I fall in love with that brute during my past lives?

Now I would have to put up with him for 364 more days thanks to the stupid contract.

I sighed and rose to my feet. I took off my dress and stared at myself in the mirror, my new tattoo on full display. I glared at it and stepped into the bathroom to have a refreshing bath. Half an hour later, I was lying on my stomach on my queen sized bed, dressed in a pair of blue denim shorts and a black T-shirt with my phone clutched in my grip. I rolled up the left sleeve of my T-shirt, exposing the rose tattoo on my upper arm. I didn't want to call mum just yet. But then, I was curious. I needed to know why and how I'd gotten the tattoo without knowing it. So, I swallowed my pride and dialled my mum's number.

"Blair? Is that you, baby?" Mum said and I sighed, nervously fisting a handful of the bedclothes.

"It's me, mum"

"Oh, baby girl. I miss you so much" she said, sniffling.

Here we go.

"Mum...." I whined and she half chuckled and half sobbed.

"My baby is growing up so fast and I'm-- I'm scared" she whispered, the fear in her voice making my heart squeeze.

"Mum, please--"

"I know, I'm sorry-- I'm just really emotional today"

"You're not pregnant, are you?" I asked, trying to lighten up the tension.

Mum let out an awkward chuckle. "Come on, Blair! You can't be asking me that! By the way, how's Atlanta treating you? Have you found a job yet? How's Maggie? Are you okay?-"

"Woah, woah, mum. Calm down. First of all, I'm okay. Aunt Maggie has been nice and really helpful"

"Why do you sound like you mean the opposite?" Mum said and I could imagine her narrowing her eyes.

"Well, I've got a job. Aunt Maggie has connections. Oh, and guess what? Altan is my freaking boss!"

"W-what?!" My mum gasped, horror reflecting on her tone.

"He's horrible! Now, I have to put up with him for a year!-"

Mum remained silent and I paused for a bit, worried that she was going to overreact.

My fear was immediately confirmed when mum began to sob.

"Mum?-"

"You have to come back home right away! I told you not to leave! But, did you listen to me? No, you didn't! You ended up running to him! This is bad, Blair. You have to come back home!" Mum exclaimed and I frowned.

"Mum, I can't just come back home. He's hired me already. What's done is done" I said, calmly and my mum let out a sharp, audible breath.

"You have to stay away from him, Blair. You can't-"

"Mum-"

"I'm serious, Blair-"

"Mum, listen to me-"

"Blair, this is dangerous-"

"I have a rose tattoo and I have no idea how I got it-"

Mum let out a strangled gasp and started muttering under her breath. Soon, she broke down into tears.

"Blair, that is really bad! The rose signifies your relationship with him. It blossoms when you start to develop feelings for him. It turns blue when his time is drawing near. Each petal that vanishes signals that he is one day less to live. You have practically automatically connected that's why the rose is on your skin. It's going to be even harder to resist him, Blair. Oh God, I can't lose you again. No, I can't!" Mum cried and the line went dead.

I stared at my phone, stunned.

Maybe I could find a way to avoid him. But then, I just realized that I was supposed to be working with Altan for a whole year as his P.A/ Secretary.

How inconvenient.

Mum was right.

Coming to Atlanta was a horrible idea.

I've been caught unawares.

My life really does suck.