The next day couldn't have arrived any faster. Every ticking second felt like an eternity as I approached Jayden's office. I paused at the door, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves before I mustered the courage to knock. Leaving Leo behind at the hospital was tough, but I wanted to ensure our future with this meeting.
The atmosphere was tense as I entered. Sitting behind his imposing desk, Jayden looked up with that unreadable gaze of his.
Jayden's expression remained unreadable, but he gestured for me to take a seat. I sat across from him, the room filled with an almost unbearable silence. This office was filled with memories that almost felt sinful; I shifted uncomfortably.
I feared he might ask why I called him crying so late at night. I tucked my hair behind my ear and nibbled my lip, a nervous tic of mine. His eyes followed my movement intensely. I couldn't help but feel exposed. He always had a way of knowing what I was thinking.
Finally, Jayden broke the silence, his voice crisp and businesslike.
"What happened to your hands?" he asked, eyeing my bandaged hands.
"W-wha? My hands?' I look down at my hands. "It's nothing; that's not what I came here for. Could you please get to the job?" I blurted out, my hands instinctively flying to my mouth.
'Shit, I should be careful how I speak to him.'
A quiet sigh escaped Jayden as he leaned back in his seat. "Like I said last time, I have an offer for you, Briana. I need a new secretary, someone I can trust."
I nodded; that was easy enough to follow.
"I can do that. Is there anything specific you want me to know? I asked.
"Nothing I can think of for now; you know me well enough to understand how I like things done." The familiarity of his tone stirred an unsettling mix of emotions.
I didn't like what his voice was doing to me.
I sat up straighter, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I'm here for business, Jayden, not to rehash the past."
'Fuck! Briana, get it together.'
He nodded; the flicker in his eyes told me he didn't believe me either.
"Good. Then we understand each other. Your responsibilities will be strictly professional, with no personal entanglements."
I nodded again, my mind swirling with a mix of emotions. I couldn't deny that I needed the job, and the opportunity to provide a better life for my child would definitely open up in this space.
"You start next week. Use this weekend to sort yourself out. I'll have the official mail sent to you," he said, standing up.
I tensed as he walked around the table, stopping by my side.
He leaned close, "Welcome to the Steele Family."
"S-sure! I'll be here Monday morning!" I jumped up and rushed out of the room.
I leaned against the cold elevator wall on my way down and tried calming my heart. Why did I still react this way to him?
Softly slapping my cheeks, I took deep breaths.
'Get a grip, Briana; this person dumped you without a backward glance.'
The elevator doors opened, and I walked into the lobby.
'I got the job. I actually got a job!'
————————————————————————----------------------------------------------------------
After the intense encounter with Jayden, I left his office feeling an odd mix of relief, uncertainty, and a smidge of triumph for standing my ground—well, sort of.
Once I stepped out of that towering building, the crisp air seemed to breathe new resolve into my lungs.
Rushing back to the hospital, where Sophie cared for Leo, I burst into the room, greeted by the delightful sound of Leo's laughter. Sophie looked up from her book, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Hey, Ria! You're back earlier than expected. How did it go?" Sophie asked, anticipation in her voice.
Leo, bouncing on his tiny toes, greeted me with outstretched arms and a contagious giggle.
"Mommy, Mommy! Up!" he squealed, his bright hazel eyes gleaming.
"Hey, little lion, did you behave for Auntie Sophia?" I scooped him up, planting kisses on his pale cheeks.
"Hmm," he held up his stuffed lion, laughter echoing through the room, dissipating the tension from my shoulders.
It was clear that his fever was under control.
"Guess what? Mommy got a new job today."
Leo tilted his head, hazel eyes locking onto mine. "New job, Mommy?" he asked.
Sophia beamed. "Really? Tell me everything!" she exclaimed, setting her magazine aside.
"Jayden offered me an assistant position."
Sophie's eyes widened in surprise and then lit up with joy. "That's incredible news, Ria! Congratulations!"
Leo, sensing the jubilation, clapped his tiny hands as if joining the celebration. "Yay, Mommy!"
I couldn't suppress the grin that crept across my face. I chuckled, hugging him close. "That's right, little champ. Yay, Mommy, indeed."
Sophie reached out, squeezing my hand in celebration. "I'm so happy for you, Ria. You deserve this."
Her genuine happiness warmed my heart, reinforcing the feeling that I might have made the right choice.
"Thank you so much; things will get even better for us."
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I felt nervous and excited the following day as I walked towards Jayden's office building. My heart was pounding, a mix of being thrilled and anxious.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened the wrinkles on my suit and stepped into the grand building.
'Let's do this!'
The polished marble floors echoed my footsteps as I approached the elevators. My coworkers, or at least I thought they were, exchanged glances as I approached the receptionist. It was like walking into a sea of designer-clad, makeup-caked faces; I stood out like a sore thumb.
"Briana Summers? Mr. Jayden is waiting for you," Olivia, the receptionist from before, stated, giving me another once-over.
The clear judgment hung as we rode the private elevator to the top floor. Olivia's icy silence made it clear what she thought of me.
"Jayden doesn't usually hire personal assistants," Olivia remarked with a condescending smirk.
"I wonder what makes you so special."
I chose not to engage, maintaining my calm facade. The snide comments stung, but I wasn't too surprised. This was the world of the rich and snobby. Olivia's attitude would probably be one of the many I would face going forward.
The elevator opened and saved me from the suffocating smell of Olivia's perfume. Jayden's office door opened, revealing the man himself immersed in work. The stern lines of his face softened slightly as his eyes met mine.
'Ignore it, Brianna! It means nothing.' I reminded myself mentally as I walked further into the room.
"Briana," he acknowledged—his voice, a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Good morning," he greeted, his voice soft. "Sit down."
I sat, feeling the intensity of his gaze as he outlined my responsibilities. "You're not just a personal assistant. You're an extension of me," he stated, his tone calm. "I expect nothing but excellence. Can you deliver that?"
I met his gaze, and determination burned in my eyes. "I didn't take this job to deliver anything less, Jayden," I replied, my voice steady.
He nodded and looked back at the files on his desk. "Great, let's get to it then."
The day was filled with tasks and demands. Jayden's world was a complex web of meetings, negotiations, and strategic decisions. I shadowed him closely, my notepad ready to capture every directive.
In a rare moment of respite, Jayden leaned back in his chair, his gaze assessing. His dark hair was getting mussed as he ran his fingers through it.
I wonder if it's still as soft as it was back then.
'Get a hold of yourself, Miss Summers!' My cheeks flushed as I turned to arrange the files to distract myself.
"You're holding up well," he remarked, a glimmer of acknowledgement in his eyes.
"Were you not expecting me to?" I didn't look up from the files I was sorting; there was a presentation in a few minutes.
He murmured something I couldn't catch. "What did you say?" I asked.
"Nothing, keep it up," he said.
I frowned at him; why was he acting weird?
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Later that day, a woman came to the office, her blonde curls bouncing with each step; if her top went any lower, it would be a belt. I cleared my throat as her perfume threatened to suffocate me.
"Jay darling, you didn't answer my calls." her shrill voice grated in my head; judging by Jayden's grimace, I wasn't the only one who felt that way.
Jayden handed me a file and said, "I need this delivered to the 38th floor. It's urgent."
"Can't you just send a mail?" my hands went to my mouth; I needed a filter.
She finally decided to acknowledge my presence. "Who is this? I didn't know you hired a help; why is she speaking to you like that?" she glared condescendingly.
Jayden sighed as he massaged his temple. Ignoring her question, he answered, "I could, but this needs to be sent physically," he motioned towards the door.
"Don't you know workplace etiquette? or manners at all?" she asked, turning to me. She was basically glaring a hole in my head.
"Now, Brianna." Jayden reminded me; I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.
Frowning, I took the files and left them alone, 'if he wanted me out of the office, he could have just said so.'
Navigating the busy office floor, I felt the judgmental glances from both male and female staff. Whispers followed me as I made my way to the elevator, the invisible line between the elite and the rest becoming increasingly apparent.
As I stood by the elevator, the man behind the desk greeted me with a smug grin and a condescending tone.
"Ah, you're one of the boss's new hires, right? The flavour of the month?"
I narrowed my eyes at him but turned away as the door saved him from my tongue-lashing.
Upon reaching the 38th floor, I encountered Mark, a senior executive known for his sharp tongue and disdain for newcomers.
"Running errands already, are we?" he quipped, a sly smile on his lips as he took the file.
I met his gaze squarely. "Efficiency is part of the job," I replied, calm.
"Sure, you wouldn't be here if you weren't efficient in what you do." he looked at me from head to toe.
I took a deep breath and relayed Jayden's information to him before leaving.
I didn't trust myself not to smack that look off his face.
Back in Jayden's office, I found him engrossed in several documents. The bi-ahem, the lady was gone. "So fast?" I asked, walking into the room. He grunted, not looking up from his work. "Here's the document you requested," I said, placing it on his desk.
I moved to the large floor-to-ceiling window in Jayden's office, hoping to let some fresh air in. The choking scent of her perfume still hung in the air, and I needed a breather.
Gently sliding the window open, I let the cool breeze filter into the room, welcoming the relief it brought. The soft rustling of curtains mixed with the muted sounds of the city outside provided a momentary distraction from the stifling atmosphere within the office.
A tired sigh escaped me; it was only the first day, and these fools were already on my neck.
Jayden glanced up, his eyes meeting mine with a silent question on his raised brow.
Without words, I knew he was asking for more than the report. A flood of unspoken thoughts clogged my throat, wrestling to get out.
Jayden's gaze lingered, "Is there anything else?" he finally asked.
I hesitated, my mind wavering between telling him about the workers' behaviours and risking proving their claims right or working through things on my own.
"No, that's all," I replied, hoping my voice didn't betray anything.
The tension hung in the air, and he kept staring for a while, making me uncomfortable.
"Can you stop that? I already told you there's nothing else," I glared at him.
He infuriated me; I despised how he could figure me out so easily like I was still the same naive girl back then. The audacity to act like this after everything drove me mad. And the worst part? The possibility that I might actually need his help.
Jayden returned to the documents with a nod, yet the charged energy lingered— I turned towards the door and sighed. This was the first day, and I was already getting so stressed.
BRIANNA It had been my day off, so I decided to stroll by the riverbank, allowing myself a moment of introspection. The air was crisp, and the distant hum of the city faded into the background. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the faint call of my name until it was right behind me. “Brianna?” The voice sounded hesitant, unsure if I was the one they were looking for. I turned, narrowing my eyes at the silhouette approaching me. A woman clad in worn-out clothes stepped into the fading sunlight. As she drew closer, I recognized her tear-streaked face — my mother?! “Brianna!” she exclaimed, her voice seemingly mixed with surprise and joy. Without warning, she engulfed me in a tight embrace, and for a moment, I stood frozen, the shock of her sudden appearance stunning me. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered as she pulled back, her teary eyes searching mine. Confusion flashed across my face, prompting me to pull away, studying her with disbelief and guarded caution. “How did y
BRIANNA The next day at work, I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to the encounter with my mother. My phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I saw my mother's name flashing. I peeked at Jayden, who was engrossed on his screen. I wasn't sure he would let me pick up the call. I swiped it and returned to work, thinking, 'Maybe I'll call back later.' The phone started ringing again, and I decided to mute it. I looked up and found Jayden staring at me. "Aren't you going to take that?" he asked. "It's not important," I said, pushing it aside. We both continued to work, but the phone kept vibrating. "Pick your call, Brianna, it's fine," Jayden waved me off. I took a deep breath and stepped outside Jayden's office to answer the call. "Hey, Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady. "Brianna, sweetheart! How have you been?" my mother's voice echoed through the phone, a hint of genuine concern in her tone. "I'm managing,
JAYDEN As I stepped out of my sleek black car, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. The click of my Italian leather shoes echoed through the marble foyer. In the expansive living room, my half-brother, Ethan, reclined on a couch, engrossed in his tablet. The two brothers nodded. “Long day at the office, Jay?” Ethan asked, not looking up from his device. “You have no idea,” I replied, loosening my tie as I moved further into the manor. My mother, Eleanor Steele, stood at the top of the stairs, an imposing figure with a stern countenance. Her disdain for Ethan, my half-brother, was apparent, a constant reminder of the infidelity that had fractured our family. “Jayden,” Eleanor nodded, her piercing gaze assessing me. “Mother,” I replied with a curt nod, keeping my composure. Ethan’s eyes flickered between us, silently observing. He knew his presence was the reason for a lot of our disagreements. I moved towards the stairs, the air heavy with tens
BRIANNA I had returned to work. Most of the day was spent in the office, so I didn’t have to deal with the bitches downstairs. Jayden seemed swamped with some proposals, so we were busy. After endless papers and clauses, Jayden finally decided the proposals were perfect. I stretched as I walked away from the table, looking for something to drink. I glanced at the time and frowned. It was almost closing hour. Just how many papers did we go through? “Brianna?” Jayden called from his desk, dark eyes meeting mine as I looked up. “Yes?” He stared at my outfit for a few minutes, seemingly thinking about something. “What is it?” I asked, shifting on my feet. “We have a meeting at The Rutherford Tower in a few minutes. Get what you need; we’ll be closing from there,” he finally responded. “Oh, okay,” I said. Now I was looking at my outfit. The Rutherford Tower was an upscale skyscraper immersive restaurant in the most expensive suburb of the city. I rushed to the toilet to see what I co
BRIANNA "I've been searching for you, Brianna," he said with a grin that revealed too much confidence. "Wasn't sure it was you at first. You've changed a lot." The blood drained from my face as I stared at him in shock. It was Luke, my ex-boyfriend from years ago. The memories of our toxic relationship flooded back, and I instinctively tried to pull my hand away. His grip tightened, and I winced, the pressure bruising my skin. "You shouldn't have come here," I managed to choke out, my eyes locked onto his. "Couldn't stay away, could I? Missed you, babe," Luke continued, his cold and predatory eyes tracing over me possessively. Fear coursed through my veins as I assessed my surroundings, searching for an escape route, an ally—anything. The restaurant's patrons continued their oblivious chatter, and it seemed no one paid attention to the waiter or the poorly dressed woman caught in an uncomfortable situation. "And Leo, too. How's our little guy?" Luke's voice lowered, sending a chi
BRIANNAThe kiss caught me off guard, its suddenness and intensity leaving me breathless. Jayden's lips pressed against mine, a surprising warmth enveloping me. But just as quickly as it began, he pulled away, leaving me slightly dizzy. I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest that the kiss had ignited. He didn't let go, and I didn't want him to. His hand stayed on my waist, holding me flush against him. I rested my head against Jayden's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It lulled me into a warm sense of safety. We stood in the elevator, his arms around me, a comforting strength in his hold. The elevator chimed, and the doors opened to reveal the bustling lobby. Jayden led me towards the exit where the car was already waiting, still holding my hand. The ride back to wherever Jayden was taking me was silent. I stole glances at his profile, dishevelled appearance, and the blood splatters on his shirt—he had stepped up for me without hesitation. Sitting beside me, Jayde
BRIANNA As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened. Back when... I never expected to see Luke again, and certainly not this way. Our relationship had started so well. He had come into my life soon after I found out I was pregnant with Leo. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, making sure I didn’t fall into depression from overthinking. We went places I had never thought of going and tried new things together. We even decorated the nursery together. There were certain things he did that were a bit untoward, like having the final say, trying to isolate me from friends and coworkers, saying things like “Oh, I just want it to be the two of us,” or “I’m your best friend; you don’t need anyone else,” Luke’s once-charming demeanour became overshadowed by possessiveness, and his eyes betrayed a simmering rage beneath the surface—one moment, showering affection; the next, succumbing to an explosive rage over trivial matters. As our relationshi
JAYDEN Walking into the house that evening, I already knew something was up. My mother was seated with Ethan, and they weren't in the middle of an argument. "Evening," I said, making my way straight to the stairs. "Evening son, I would like to have a word with you," she said. "Yes? Is there something you need me for?" I asked, standing at the base of the stairs. "Come now, child, I can't cram my neck to speak to you. Come sit," she said, waving towards one of the couches. I sighed and walked over; I had things to do. "I am busy, mother; let's keep this short," I said, sitting across from her. Ethan cast a questioning look my way. I gave him a subtle nod, signalling that I had no idea what was going on. As I settled onto the couch, my mother wasted no time in getting to the point. "Where did you say you went on Tuesday?" she asked, drawing my attention back to her. "What?" I frowned, confused at the sudden interrogation session. "Where were you last Tuesday?" she asked a
JAYDENThe door to my office slammed shut behind me, rattling the framed photos of my family on the wall. I leaned against the desk, my pulse still racing, trying to push down the anger clawing at my chest. The night had gone to hell, and it was all because of Brianna. Or maybe because of Marcus.Damn Marcus.I ran my hand through my hair, tugging hard at the roots as I stared blankly at the floor. Every time I saw Brianna with him earlier, it twisted something deep inside me, something dark and possessive. He had no business being around her, not like that, with his stupid charming smile and easy-going demeanour. She had smiled at him. She had laughed with him. She hadn’t listened to me at all, Stylsmin was not a good set of people to be around.What was I doing? My head pounded, my thoughts a chaotic mess. I could still hear the click of Brianna’s heels as she walked away from me earlier, her back stiff and her shoulders squared. I hated how that walk always drove me insane. That pe
JAYDENI watched her from across the room, my eyes narrowing as I noticed the way she laughed with him. Marcus Stylsmin. I knew him well enough—an up-and-coming business tycoon with a reputation for being charming. Brianna threw her head back and laughed again. Too charming.I adjusted my cufflinks, a practised motion that helped me maintain my calm. Olivia's shrill laughter was grating to my ears, but I barely registered it. My focus was on Brianna. She looked relaxed, almost happy, in a way she hadn't looked for a while now."Jayden, are you even listening?" Olivia's voice cut through my thoughts.I hummed absentmindedly, it was probably her usual nonsense about travelling and clothing brands.My gaze flicked back to Brianna and Marcus. They had moved to a more secluded corner, and Marcus was pouring her a drink. My jaw tightened. The hell were they thinking? "Excuse me," I said, not really caring for a response as I left Olivia's side and made my way through the crowd. The annoy
BRIANNA I sighed as I sipped my drink, watching the guests talk to one another. Jayden had ensured I was by his side for most of the night after the run-in with Alexander. I was confused as to why he was so tense. Well, I mean, I guess I get that Alexander gave off a weird vibe that didn't sit well with me, but Jayden was acting like Alexander had tried to run off with his fianceé. I took another sip as I watched Jayden and his real fianceé from across the room. She had probably had enough of us standing together and came to drag Jayden away a few minutes ago. She kept talking and laughing quite obnoxiously. Even with the music and conversations, I could still hear her. The fundraiser officially started after long speeches and the whole Steele family, plus Jayden's fiance had moved to the stage for that. I had tried to follow, as his assistant, don't get me wrong, but some bitch Jayden hadn't introduced me to yet had stopped me and asked if I was slow, saying something like "Try not
BRIANNA The day of the Gala finally came. It was to be held at the Steele manor. Yes, I had been there a couple of times now, but I never went past the living room and Jayden’s study, so seeing the greenhouse area be turned into this huge outdoor dining space was definitely something. The crunch of gravel beneath my heels echoed softly in the stillness of the afternoon. Glancing down at my outfit, I smoothed out the fabric of the dress. The deep blue hue complemented my complexion, and I chose a subtle smoky eye for my makeup. Jayden had said to make a statement, so I went for the last dress I tried on that day. I decided to leave my hair down so it fell in loose waves around my shoulders, the soft curls framing my face gently. My crystal stud earrings caught the sunlight as I walked down the path. It was a chance to mingle with the city's elite, network, and maybe even make some valuable connections. But they have been rude, condescending, and irritable since I started working
BRIANNAWhen I arrived at work the next day, I half-expected Jayden to act as if the dressing room incident hadn't happened, as he usually does. However, he surprised me by complimenting my outfit, causing me to blush when I realized I was wearing a green dress.Things felt tense whenever our hands brushed or our eyes met. I found myself making excuses to leave the room, unsure of how to handle this sudden directness from him.I stepped out to retrieve some documents for Jayden to sign and encountered some men dressed in expensive suits and slicked-back hair. They walked past me as if I didn't exist, which irked me, though I was in a hurry.There was something about them that gave me the creeps.They stepped into Jayden's office without knocking. "Steele! I brought mt man over for some business." one of them shoutd as they entered."Lucas, it's been a while," I heard Jayden's voice trail off as the door closed."Mr. Steele, I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me," Mr. Larms
BRIANNA After my meeting with my mom, I was in a bad mood. I threw myself into work, and the Gala preparations made that easy. The hum of the city outside provided a steady backdrop to the muted office atmosphere.Jayden sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on me as I tried to organise the day’s reports. After a prolonged silence, Jayden’s voice cut through the ambient hum. “Ria,” he called, his tone low and deliberate. “Why do you keep dressing like that?” I looked down at my cotton gown. I agree that it had seen better days, but why did Jayden have to ask about it like that? “Like what?” I retorted, meeting his gaze. “Your wardrobe is hardly suitable for the image I want to project.” His steel blue eyes bore into mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “What’s wrong with my wardrobe?” I challenged. He circled the desk, his steps deliberate and measured. His gaze swept over my outfit, a calculated assessment that left me feeling exposed. “It lacks sophistica
As I stepped into the office, the usual buzz of activity seemed overshadowed by tension. I had hoped that the chaos would stay confined to the online world, but as I glanced around the office, I realized that was wishful thinking. Colleagues huddled in small groups, whispering fervently and casting furtive glances in my direction. I ignored their stares, heading straight for the elevator, trying to focus on the tasks at hand. "Did you see those photos of Jayden and that mystery woman?" "Yeah, who do you think she is?" "She's probably just another one of his flings. I mean, why else would she be with him?" My fists clenched. These fools were always thinking with their lower halves. Everyone in the world was as fickle as them. "Hey, Brianna," one of my colleagues called out, a sly smirk on her face. "Did you see the news about Jayden's new girl? Seems like you might know her since you're always hanging out with the boss." I forced a polite smile, trying to brush off the insinuatio
JAYDEN Walking into the house that evening, I already knew something was up. My mother was seated with Ethan, and they weren't in the middle of an argument. "Evening," I said, making my way straight to the stairs. "Evening son, I would like to have a word with you," she said. "Yes? Is there something you need me for?" I asked, standing at the base of the stairs. "Come now, child, I can't cram my neck to speak to you. Come sit," she said, waving towards one of the couches. I sighed and walked over; I had things to do. "I am busy, mother; let's keep this short," I said, sitting across from her. Ethan cast a questioning look my way. I gave him a subtle nod, signalling that I had no idea what was going on. As I settled onto the couch, my mother wasted no time in getting to the point. "Where did you say you went on Tuesday?" she asked, drawing my attention back to her. "What?" I frowned, confused at the sudden interrogation session. "Where were you last Tuesday?" she asked a
BRIANNA As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened. Back when... I never expected to see Luke again, and certainly not this way. Our relationship had started so well. He had come into my life soon after I found out I was pregnant with Leo. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, making sure I didn’t fall into depression from overthinking. We went places I had never thought of going and tried new things together. We even decorated the nursery together. There were certain things he did that were a bit untoward, like having the final say, trying to isolate me from friends and coworkers, saying things like “Oh, I just want it to be the two of us,” or “I’m your best friend; you don’t need anyone else,” Luke’s once-charming demeanour became overshadowed by possessiveness, and his eyes betrayed a simmering rage beneath the surface—one moment, showering affection; the next, succumbing to an explosive rage over trivial matters. As our relationshi