Hello

BRIANNA

A few days had passed since the unexpected encounter with Jayden, allowing thoughts to simmer and emotions to settle. I decided to give it a chance, seeing as I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Outside the towering skyscraper, I fidgeted nervously. A throng of impeccably dressed people swirled around me, contrasting starkly with my thrifted blazer. With a deep breath, I approached the receptionist, who eyed me with an air of superiority.

“Hello. I’m Briana Thames. I'm here for an appointment with Jayden,” I offered, attempting to smile.

“I think you’re mistaken,” she retorted condescendingly.

“Perhaps you should check your list or, better yet, call him,” I asked.

“I’m quite busy now,” she gestured with her manicured hand. Please move along.”

Suppressing my annoyance, I managed a tight-lipped smile. “Could you double-check? My name should be there.”

After a scrutinizing glance, she consulted her list and made a call. Moments later, she gestured for me to follow. Jayden’s office was on the top floor and accessible only by a private elevator. With a hesitant hand, I pressed the call button, my heart pounding with anticipation and apprehension.

As the elevator ascended, my mind raced, trying to compose myself for the encounter ahead. I had no clue why Jayden had resurfaced or what he desired. Still, I strove to confront him without showing his effects on me.

The lobby was wide, with huge mahogany doors at the end. The doors opened to Jayden’s lavish office, which had floor-to-ceiling windows offering a mesmerizing cityscape view.

Jayden, standing by the window, exuded authority even from behind.

“Briana,” his voice, like velvet, reverberated in the room. I internally chastised myself for the involuntary shiver that coursed through me. Composure was key.

“Jayden,” I replied, my voice betraying my emotions.

Taking a cautious step inside, my heels echoed against the polished floor. Silence enveloped us, laden with the weight of our shared history. It felt like time had folded, leaving us facing the rawness of the past.

Finally, Jayden turned to meet my gaze. Devastatingly handsome as ever, his chiselled features and piercing eyes held me captive.

“I have a proposal for you. One I think you’d find intriguing,” he stated, his voice resonating through the room.

‘No, hello? I'm sorry. I disappeared all those years ago. This arrogant prick,’ I fumed silently.

Suspicion flickered in my eyes. “What’s the catch? There’s always a catch with you.”

Jayden’s lips curved into a half-smile. “The catch is simple: I’ve been searching for a new assistant. I believe you’re the right fit,” he stated matter-of-factly.

Unable to suppress a bitter laugh, I responded, “So, you’ve returned to recruit me as your assistant?”

The room felt smaller as our eyes locked, his steel blue meeting my fiery green. Jayden’s gaze was a challenge. “Yes. I’ve made my offer clear. Work for me and embrace luxury.”

His words hung heavy in the air, pregnant with anticipation.

“I don’t know what you think of me, Jayden, but I won’t accept your offer. I won’t work for you,” I declared, my voice quivering with pent-up hysteria.

Jayden’s eyes narrowed, his patience waning. “And why not? It’s a generous offer, and it’s in your best interest.”

Sitting straight, my anger surged. “My best interest? You don’t get to decide that, Jayden. You vanished without a word, and now you want to dictate terms?”

His jaw clenched as he struggled to maintain composure. “Briana, I had reasons for leaving. I thought you’d moved on. Things were different back then. Stop being childish.”

“Childish?” I scoffed, incredulous. “You can’t stroll back into my life and set rules. You can’t erase the past.”

Then it clicked!

I rose abruptly. “Are you offering me a job out of pity?” my voice trembled with rage.

Leaning forward, Jayden’s eyes bore into mine. “No. I see potential in you. A potential that’s wasted serving tables.”

The tension escalated, and both our voices slowly rose. My fists clenched, gaze unwavering.

“Jayden,” I began, my voice laced with rage, “I can’t drop everything and become your assistant. I have my life, my ambitions.”

His expression remained stoic, but there was a hint of frustration beneath the surface. “Let’s not kid ourselves, Briana.”

“You’re barely scraping by as a server in your dive bar. I offer you financial stability and a chance at a better future.”

I felt my anger rising, Jayden’s domineering attitude infuriating me.

“My job, my choice, Jayden. I may not live luxuriously, but I have my pride and do it on my terms.”

Jayden drew closer, his intensity suffocating. “Pride won’t pay your bills, Briana,” he hissed, his blue eyes piercing mine.

“You’re letting stubbornness ruin your well-being.”

“Well-being?” I retorted, my anger barely contained. “Can you talk about my well-being after leaving me like that?”

“Come on, Ria, are we still on about that? It’s not like you’re completely blameless,” he scoffed.

‘The hell do you mean by that?!’

“You don’t get to call me that!”

I pushed my chair back with a sharp screech against the floor. “I won’t be indebted to you, Jayden,” I declared, standing tall.

“I’ll find my way, even if it’s tough.”

Jayden’s eyes flared with irritation, but he remained eerily composed. “You’re making a mistake, Briana,” he warned.

“This is the best offer you’ll ever have. Don’t let your pride blind you to the opportunities I’m giving you.”

My eyes blazed with anger. “Screw you, Jayden. I don’t need your charity. I’ve managed just fine independently and continue to do so.”

With a final, tense look, I turned on my heel and walked out of Jayden’s office, seething.

The door closed behind me with a muted thud, separating me from his heated gaze. As I stepped into the hallway, I couldn’t shake the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The confrontation had been intense, and Jayden’s offer was like a blow to the gut.

In the elevator, the cool metal walls offered a momentary respite. I took a deep breath, reclaiming my composure. Whatever Jayden’s intentions, I was determined not to fall for the same trick twice.

The elevator doors opened, revealing the bustling lobby below. I stepped out, the weight of the encounter still heavy on my shoulders.

Navigating through the people and ignoring the bitch at the front desk eyeballing me while talking to some other lady, I mulled over our exchange.

Jayden’s reappearance had released many emotions, but I wasn’t ready to surrender my autonomy. Pride and independence were my shields against the weakness he sought to exploit.

The meeting with Jayden ignited a fire within me, one I thought had died the night he left. It would be dangerous for me to keep in contact with him.

I was genuinely hurt he didn’t even try to apologize, and what was that crap about me being at fault?

As the glass doors closed behind me, I faced the city beyond. It seemed the sun was about to set.

“Did we really take that long?” I murmured as I shielded my eyes from the Sun-rays.

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After a taxing day at Jayden’s office, I returned to my modest apartment, where Sophie, my neighbour, had been kindly babysitting Leo during my absence. As I stepped inside, Sophie looked up from her spot on the couch, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“Hey, Ria. How did it go?” Sophie inquired, setting her book aside. Her expression reflected a gentle concern.

I collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh. “It was intense, to say the least. Jayden’s offer... it’s tempting, but I’m unsure if I can take it.”

Sophie nodded, her brows furrowing in concern. “What did he offer? Is it something you’d consider?”

My eyes were drawn to the crib in the corner of this room. The child stirred and began to wake, his eyes fluttering open. He giggled softly and extended a tiny hand towards me, revealing a dimple that was undeniably his father’s.

I stood to pick him up.

“Hey there, my little lion,” I cooed as I planted soft kisses on his forehead, relishing in his infectious laughter as he tried to return the affection. His blue glaciers stared back at me, reminding me why this was hard.

As I rocked my child gently in my arms, I sat back on the couch, letting him nestle against my chest. He was still sleepy.

“He wants me to work for him as his assistant,” I replied, wrestling with my thoughts. “It’s a chance at a stable job, a different life. But it’s Jayden and the past... it’s complicated.”

Sophie leaned in, her voice gentle yet firm. “You’ve got to think about what’s best for you and Leo. Can you see yourself working for him?”

I paused, mulling over her words. “Honestly, I’m torn. It’s not just about me anymore; it’s about Leo’s future, too. I want stability for him, but at what cost?”

Sophie reached out, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Ria, whatever choice you make, you’ll handle it. Just make sure it’s the right one for both of you.”

A few weeks passed in the usual rhythm of my life: snobbish patrons at the restaurant, a tyrant of a boss, and tiring days. Leo’s infectious smile was the only respite.

In the full force of winter, our thin clothing barely fended off the cold. A hefty bill on the door from our stingy landlord irked me, exacerbating the struggle to keep us warm.

“Stingy Fucker,” I muttered, fumbling with the lock in frustration.

Jayden’s proposal flashed in my mind. “Not a chance,” I vehemently declared, slamming my fist against the door, leaning against it, determined to fend for myself.

Sophie emerged from her apartment upon hearing the commotion. “Ria, everything okay?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

“Yeah, just the landlord being his stingy self,” I replied, trying to brush off the frustration.

She arched an eyebrow. “The heating bill again?”

I nodded, exasperated. “Seems like he thinks we’re made of money.”

“Leo just fell asleep. Do you want me to bring him over?” She leaned against her door frame.

“Sure, once I get this door to open,” I grunted, turning the key harder.

Sophie studied me for a moment. “You seem more agitated than usual. Something happen?”

I hesitated, then sighed. “Work is crazy as usual, and I can’t stop thinking of Jayden’s offer.”

Sophie’s eyes widened, recalling our earlier discussion. “And?”

“It’s still a no,” I reaffirmed, though uncertainty lingered in my tone. “I’ve managed fine so far, and I’ll keep doing so.”

Sophie furrowed her brow, concern evident in her eyes. “Ria. As I keep saying, you know what’s best for you and Leo. But if Jayden’s offer makes you this restless, maybe it’s worth considering.”

I thought about her words momentarily, the decision pressing on me. “I just don’t want to be tangled up in his world again. I’ve lived there and don’t want to risk it all.”

She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You’re stronger than you think, Ria. And sometimes, the best choices are the toughest ones to make. Think it through again, alright?”

I nodded, grateful for her support. “Thanks, Soph. I’ll think about it.”

The door finally opened. “Great, let me get Leo for you.” She said, strolling into her apartment.

Once we were back in our apartment, the winter’s chill seeped through its thin walls. Settling into the worn-out armchair, Leo and I cuddled together for warmth.

The dilemma with Jayden’s offer lingered, a shadow eclipsing even the warmth of my little one. Would succumbing to his proposal usher in a new chapter of stability, or was it a deceptive mirage masking hidden pitfalls?

The bitter reality of bills and life on the edge gnawed my resolve. I glanced at Leo, his little face serene in sleep. His future weighed heavily on every decision I made. I wanted him to grow up without the same struggles and constant battle against adversity.

Yet, the scars from the past screamed caution, warning against stepping back into Jayden’s world. The wounds he left behind, still tender, whispered betrayal and heartache. Could I risk exposing us to a semblance of that turmoil again?

Sophie’s words echoed, a persistent reminder. The fear of the cutthroat nature of the elite world, its backstabbing ways, and its potential impact on my child waged a war within me. It clashed with the desire for stability, security, and a better life.

The clock’s monotonous tick-tock reverberated in the silent room; each beat seemed to mark the seconds slipping away, edging me closer to a choice I couldn’t evade forever.

The evening draped the room in an amber glow as the sun dipped below the skyline.  I adjusted Leo in my arms, his tiny hand grasping my finger, anchoring me to the present. The decision would wait. For now, cradling my child brought solace.