3

Chapter 3 

A year later, 

“Godammit Ruth! How could you wake up late today!?” Meredith cursed annoyingly under her breath,running across the street on her cheap four Inch heels,sweat trickling down her face in the heat of a summer morning. 

It was decided last night that Ruth had to drop her at the office partly because she doesn't want her ex-boyfriend to see her sweaty and red after a year on her first day of work. Yet, She's going to present herself the exact way she was trying to avoid. 

On the way to the company, She called Ruth who hadn't woken up but she was persistent. She wanted to murder her best friend because she's late for work on her first day. 

As she walked through the glass door, the security asked for identification which she showed the card with a proud look on her face. She beamed and walked up the building and towards the floor which was given to her. Posters of male and female modelers were plastered on the big screen and walls, her smile widened when she saw the line of clothes displayed on the screen. Westmore fashion company is one of the largest billion dollar companies in the city. She worked and studied day and night in order to get into the company. And here she is,a year later working as a designer for her dream company. 

Her office is situated on the fifth floor - white, pristine and spotless room with a table, computer and an expensive chair that made her feel giddy and excited. The walls are a colour of pastel providing a soothing and calm effect. 

The knock on the door interrupted her gawking, Milissa- the woman who interviewed her entered with a warm smile on her face, obviously thrilled to work with the young designer. 

“I see you've arrived. Welcome to the family Meredith Bloom” Melissa exclaimed, giving her a sideways hug.

“Thanks Miss Melissa. I hope I’m on time” The older woman nodded with a smile. 

“You won’t be if we don't move now” Meredith's eyes widened in embarrassment. 

They walked out of her office and took the elevator pressing it to the eight floor where the meeting was to be held. Her palms are sweaty, and heartbeats pounding so loudly against her chest at the thought of greeting her co-workers and the executives of the company. 

The two women walked inside the hall where some of the representatives were already seated and chatting away comfortably. 

Meredith wanted to be jobless at this point, which made it sound so much better instead of walking into the room of unfamiliar people who would be judging whether she wants it or not. It reminded her of the days she walked through the hallways of her highschool with oversized shirts and pants that hide her body from the mean Teenagers who always teased her. 

She shook her head willing to not dive into her past life. She's now a designer and much thinner than the times she used to be. 

Melissa as if sensing her anxiety,took her hand and led her to her seat. 

“Relax, they don't bite” 

Melissa teased, giving her a smile of encouragement. She found herself grimacing because once the nerves kicked in, her urinary bladder tended to work up. Now she had to deal with wanting to release her bladder and dealing with new people. 

“Hello Everyone, This lovely lady here is our new designer. I hoped everyone would treat her with respect and welcome her to the family” There was a sound of cursing,which made everyone look up towards the person including Meredith. Her heart tightens and shock was an understatement of the year. She felt the need to evaporate into space like thin air. 

Staring right back at her is the man who left her heartbroken for someone more beautiful than her. He still looks as gorgeous as day one with brown silky hair and emerald eyes that held so much love,once upon a time. She looked away before she jumped over to where he sat and pulled his hair out in frustration. 

Zachary couldn't believe his eyes. The woman who sat across from him was the love of his life whom he had left because he was a shallow human being. His mood dimmed tremendously but he couldn't keep his eyes off her. Adorned in a peach colour blouse and a black pencil skirt, she looked too good to be true. Her dark hair is styled in contrast to her untanned,flawless face, which is styled in wavy waves that fall down to her waist, making her the most beautiful woman in the room. His heart clenched in regret and he looked away,the sadness reappearing when he saw her. 

By the time the introductions were done,the light dimmed and the screen lit up, emitting a gentle effect across the room. The sounds of footsteps made Meredith look towards the door. 

The people around her stood up when the new addition who seemed much more powerful and high ranking than the people around her strolled into the room with confidence and a lazy stride. 

His face is almost hard to see because of the darkness but she stared nonetheless. 

“Mr Westmore,Good morning” Cheered Melissa with her normal,chirpy greetings. The other remained still as if scared of the man who held so much power with only his presence. 

“Settle down. Carson, start the presentation” he ordered with so much authority. And then the man who is called Carson stood up and started presenting with a fake confidence under the scrutiny of their Ceo. 

                        ********* 

“That’s it for today, I'll see you next week” 

Meredith felt a nudge on her knees and she scampered in shock scattering her things to the floor. The lights were back on and she had to blink many times to make her vision clear. When she could see clearly, her heart got stuck in her throat because of the set of blue eyes that were staring at her with no emotion. Just plain rude and cold. 

She blinked again to see if it was a dream. She couldn't be hallucinating right now, her mind can't be playing tricks on her. Staring right through her soul is none other than Gray who had given her the best sex of her life. 

This couldn't be! 

“You! Did you fall asleep during the presentation!?” his voice held no recognition, much less warmth in it. He talked to her as someone beneath his shoes - like a chewing gum on the back of his shoe.  

Her mouth refused to work accordingly, so she said the word that's been bugging her for the past thirty minutes. 

“My bladder is about to Explode!” She blurted out. “No,Sir I didn't fall asleep” She added hurriedly. 

Melissa is the only person who has the guts to cackle in front of Gray; the other people suppressed their laughter,biting their lips in between their teeth. Even Zachary's lips twitch at Meredith's expense. 

“Then Why are your eyes red and droopy? Are you new here? I didn't see you before” Gray continued, determined to make her feel intimidated and it's working. 

“I- I”

“Gray! Come on,spare the little girl” Melissa interrupted, sending him a pleading look. 

With one last look,Gray strides off the room with a frown deepening with every step he takes. There are numerous exhales of relief and a numerous laugh resonating through the room. 

“Run along if you need to release your bladder” Carson exclaimed and the whole room erupted in laughter. 

At this,Meredith wanted the ground to swallow her up. It was her own fault for drawing attention towards herself but she wasn't still over the shock of meeting Gray after a year, if she were aware that Grayson Westmore is actually the Ceo of the company, she knew she would have never jumped into bed with him,even if it was a year ago. Although she felt slightly hurt that the man didn't seem to recognise her, She wanted it to stay that way. 

By the end of the day, She is torn Between wanting to g****e Gray westmore and throwing her laptop away. The first choice, however, was a temptation she couldn't resist and she did just that. Knowledge is power and there is no harm in knowing more,even if Gray Westmore has got nothing to do with her life.