...*Splash* The bucket of water thrown at Emma's face caused her to jerk awake. Immediately, she felt a hindrance to her movement as she was strapped tightly to a chair. Her stomach hurt and her legs had grown numb from discomfort. She looked around the dim room she was in and noticed people before her whose faces she couldn't make out. Suddenly, a switch was flipped and light flooded the room. It was then, she saw Scarlett and two other men in what she concluded to be a warehouse. Her eyes popped out of their sockets as she remembered how she got there. "Scarlett--A splitting slap jammed her left cheek, and shades of red occupied the spot. "How dare you worthless dirty bitch share my man with me!" "I can explain, please--Another slap hit her cheek. "Please listen to me." She made to hit her again but paused, "What do you want to say, how sweet he was? you think I don't know that?"She was hurt knowing that Emma tasted her man before her! No, she was livid. "No, no please
....As Emma sorted the files on Jace's desk, she couldn't help but notice how he relaxed into his chair, staring at the necklace; the depth in his eyes was unmistakable. His fingers ran back and forth the locket and his face carried an expression she couldn't read - as usual. She felt uncomfortable watching him seemingly gain contentment with whatever he was doing to the piece. Knowing that she owned the piece made it even worse for her as she felt like he was staring into her soul. Jace wasn't one to be out of focus at work, but with the necklace, he seemed pretty distracted. Why was he keeping the necklace like it was important? It looked very ordinary and completely out of his taste. "That must be a really special necklace, sir. You seem to admire it a lot." When he finally pushed his gaze off the necklace, Emma found herself exhaling in relief. "It is." Huh? Emma was stunned. Did he just agree that the necklace was special? Was Jace.. no! She shook the thought violently of
"Emma Smith?". Emma jumped to her feet, waving slightly at the nurse to signify her presence "That's me." "Please come with me," the nurse smiled. Emma pinched herself and followed the nurse into the doctor's office, her thoughts heavy as she wondered what could be wrong with her. "Your result is ready," the doctor picked up an envelope from the desk and handed it to her, "congratulations, you're pregnant." The result dropped from Emma's hand subconsciously, "W-what do you mean I'm pregnant?" She asked, even though she clearly understood what it meant. "You have a baby growing inside of you," the doctor emphasized, confused by the question. "You don't look happy about it, Mrs. Smith-"Miss," Emma corrected despite her worry and the doctor instantly caught a hint of what the issue was. Immediately, Emma bent and snatched the envelope from the floor, tearing it open.This can't be her result! There must have been a mix-up.Oh please Lord, let it be a mix-up.But she was left in s
~"Come to my office NOW!" Within a second, a shuddering Sia strode into the office of Jace Sanders. His expression was enough to tell her she was in for another harsh complaint."What is this?" Jace Sanders grumbled, giving her no chance to stand properly before him. "T-the reports, sir." "I know but what is THIS?" "I-I don't understand, sir." "Why so many grammatical errors? Even a three-year-old can do better than this. Is this supposed to be for me to read?" "Sir, I--"Just staring at it gives me a headache. If I'm going to keep complaining about everything you do, why did you even take this job? Are you trying to annoy me right now?" "No sir, I--"Mr. Sanders!" He corrected sharply. "No, Mr. Sanders. I did proofread the reports before I submitted them to you--"Are you calling me a liar, Miss Davis?" He arched a brow angrily at her. "What? No, Mr. Sanders. I did not mean--"One more mistake. Just one more, Miss Davis. Kiss your job goodbye, do you understand?" By now Si
...~Five years later~."So I heard that big company on Trent Street rounded up construction and started accepting applications." "With how it's going, it would easily be the biggest building in the whole of Willowdale.""I agree. Heard it's some rich man who collaborated with the Mayor to create job opportunities here while also expanding his chain of companies. Isn't that a great development for this hellhole of a town?" "It is. I already sent in my application, I heard the slots are limited..."Two of the restroom compartment doors flew open, and two ladies walked out; they paused to wash their hands. "Yeah, S.H. Group is the toughest place to get into. Although they pay really well, the CEO is super strict and their hiring policy is almost impossible. My sister applied thrice in the big city before...Every other word fell on deaf ears as the lipstick Emma was applying on her lips dropped out of her hand and into the sink. The two girls stopped talking and gave her questioning
...Emma got off the phone when she heard the doorbell ring. Arriving at the door, she opened it and immediately, two paper bags of freshly baked pastries met her gaze, the aroma driving into her nostrils. "Noel?" He lowered the bags, a smile on his face.Noel was her next-door neighbor and the only friend she had in the neighborhood. The only one who didn't judge her. "Hey, Ems?" "Wow Noel," she went into his arms for a hug before opening the door wider to let him in. "When did you return?" "At dawn. I know, I should have come to say hi earlier but I chose to come along with some goodies." "Come in," Emma granted him entrance. As she began locking the door, she heard her kids already playing with Noel. "What are those?" Emma asked, taking a seat. "Freshly baked cookies and milk, the most perfect combo." He winked before handing her the bags."Yum yum yummy!" Lana giggled, "I've missed your cookies so much!" "Mommy can we eat them now?" Joan asked. "Yes. It's late so you'll
...."I got your outfit ready, Mr. Sanders." Sia said as soon as Jace walked out of the conference room, "It's in the dressing room of you're office." Jace nodded once, his gaze fixated ahead of him. "I also received a call from the new branch in Willowdale, they closed applications and want to know if you want the resumés sent here to you or on your visit." "They got all two thousand slots?" "More than that. They laid off some to reach the benchmark." "How many for the top positions?" "About two hundred applicants, sir." "Too many. Call back Rex and tell him to lay off the ones without experience.""Yes sir." "Send me the exact figure when that is done." "Yes sir." "I'll not be receiving any guests for now. Call me first if anyone shows up." He said, "and prepare the complete manuscript of the meeting." "Yes, Mr. Sanders." Sia had barely gotten to her seat when Scarlett showed up. "Is Jace in?" She asked. "Yes ma'am. Hold on, please; I'll just call him to announce your
..."Should we take a break to order some food?" Drake asked, massaging his neck, which had gone stiff. "Go ahead," Jace urged, picking another resumé. It had been two days in Willowdale town and he was already feeling the difference from the luxurious city life he was used to. Every experience he had in this town brought him back to his past, the life he lived until he turned ten. The life he wished to never go back to. Drake grabbed his phone from the desk and began scrolling through the net for recommendations. Jace's gaze didn't leave the resumés he was sorting out."Finally, a place with enough reviews," Drake breathed out, drawing the phone closer to his face to read out the name, "it's called Priscy's Delight. Sounds kinda cool." Drake flashed Jace a look and retracted his gaze almost immediately, "Their tacos have the highest review, five stars. Should we get tacos?" "Yeah, sounds great," Jace gave a thumb up without losing concentration. "Alright, tacos it is. It's quit
....Emma had just applied the last touch of foundation on her face and blended it in when her room door slid open, and Lena entered. For a moment, she paused at the door, looking weirdly at Emma. "Emma?" She arched a confused brow, as Emma turned to her."Yes. Where are my kids?" Lena absentmindedly pointed at the door, "What the heck did you do to your face?" "Make-up." Emma smiled, "you didn't recognize me just now, did you?" "Yeah but...why?"Emma's smile spread, "you really did not recognize me?""I mean I knew it was you cos who else would have access to your room? And also, your outfit.""No, my face. It looks different like I'm an entirely different person, doesn't it?" Emma needed complete assurance. "I... I guess," Lena stuttered, unsure. That was enough to make Emma giddy. "I'll meet Jace like this. He might think I'm a different person too," Emma giggled, as though she had cracked a tough code. "Um," Lena sounded doubtful, "this is too much makeup, Emma, what if
Emma stared at the menu, lowering the paper from her face to glance at Jace whose expression was nothing like the usual. "Have you decided?" He caught her stare and she almost jerked. She glanced back at the menu, dropped it, and nodded. A waiter arrived at their table, took their orders, and left. "Mr. Sanders, are you alright?" She could no longer bottle up the question and act like this side of Jace was normal. He looked excited and was smiling a lot, it was something Emma rarely experienced, and she feared that he might be sick. Whenever he gets too excited, he ends up falling sick. "I found her," he beamed "You found who?" "E. The locket's owner." Emma's breath hitched, "Is that what this is about?" Jace nodded readily, "We're meeting this week, but somehow, I've been restless. I'm not supposed to be telling you this but you're the only one who knows about us." Well, Jace normally sought advice from her as his secretary but she no longer works for him, so this was surpr
"Ouch." Branson pulled away from Emma as she wiped the surface of his scratch. "Sorry," she apologized, "just a little more, okay?" Reluctantly, he came close and she quickly cleaned the rest of the blood off. She kept the blood-stained swab aside and gently applied ointment on the clean surface. He stayed still as she placed a bandage to cover the cut and then arranged his hair to hide it. "All done," she smiled at him. "It'll be gone in no time." He nodded and pouted his lips, "I'm sorry for making you angry, Mommy. I did not mean to do that," he said almost inaudibly, but Emma heard him just fine. Despite his apology, Emma noticed the hurt in his ego, and it reminded her of Jace. Branson was not sorry for what he did, he just wanted her to feel he was. "And I'm sorry for raising my voice at you," her smile reduced a bit, "you know I'm not trying to be mean, right? I'm truly proud of you for standing up for yourself and I just don't want you to get hurt. It breaks my heart t
Emma woke up the next morning with bags hanging under her eyes, and tired muscles. Her kids noticed and asked about it but she gave them an excuse and prepared them for school.Dropping them off in her car, Emma started for her workplace. Pulling into the restaurant's customized polo, she heard her phone beep and grabbed it before opening the message. It was a text from Jace, to the woman who took advantage of him five years ago. Almost immediately, her phone vibrated and it was the same unknown number that she now knew belonged to Jace. She answered before it could ring out loud, her eyes watching out for her strict boss. "Yes?" she spoke in a low tone, making her voice come out cold. "Did you receive my text?" "Yes," Emma palmed her forehead, "must you really do this to me?" "Do you want me to send a ride?" "No!" Her voice came out hushed. "Fine, let's meet but I pick the venue, day, and time." "Why should I let you do that?" "Because there's no way I'm meeting a stranger
Emma shut the door and handed the mug of coffee to Jace before joining him on the bench outside the house, creating a generous distance. "I would have invited you in but the room is a little out of place." "I understand," Jace said. He stared skeptically into his coffee cup."I made sure the water heated up to a hundred degrees," Emma told him, noting the skeptical look on his face. The situation felt familiar, like Deja Vu. "Oh," Jace nodded and took a sip. "Quadruplets? Your kids." "Yes, they are." "And their father?" Jace asked, throwing his gaze around. Emma lowered her gaze, "he.. he's somewhere. I-I don't know." She was clueless on how to respond. "What do you mean you don't know? Is he not aware he has kids with you?" Emma shook her head, fiddling her fingers. "You didn't tell him?" She shook her head again. "Why? Does it seem right to you to keep your kids a secret from their father and raise them alone like you made them all by yourself? Is it not too much work fo
...Emma stared blankly at the mail she had received an hour ago. Dear Miss Smith, Thank you for applying for the post of Secretary at Sanders Howard Group Of Companies. We have reviewed your application materials and would like to invite you to a physical interview for the role with Jace Sanders, S.H. CEO worldwide. The interview will last for thirty minutes and take place here in the company's branch, Willowdale. Please let us know when you are available during the following times posted on the webpage.We’re looking forward to speaking with you.Best,Jace Sanders. (CEO).Unlike most CEOs, Jace was always in charge of interviews for top positions like the one she applied for. He selected the ones eligible to be interviewed too. Emma sure did not expect a positive reply to her application. The heck, she didn't expect a reply at all. Aside from the fact that she was among the last set of applicants to submit her resumé, there were over five thousand applicants, most of which
..."Should we take a break to order some food?" Drake asked, massaging his neck, which had gone stiff. "Go ahead," Jace urged, picking another resumé. It had been two days in Willowdale town and he was already feeling the difference from the luxurious city life he was used to. Every experience he had in this town brought him back to his past, the life he lived until he turned ten. The life he wished to never go back to. Drake grabbed his phone from the desk and began scrolling through the net for recommendations. Jace's gaze didn't leave the resumés he was sorting out."Finally, a place with enough reviews," Drake breathed out, drawing the phone closer to his face to read out the name, "it's called Priscy's Delight. Sounds kinda cool." Drake flashed Jace a look and retracted his gaze almost immediately, "Their tacos have the highest review, five stars. Should we get tacos?" "Yeah, sounds great," Jace gave a thumb up without losing concentration. "Alright, tacos it is. It's quit
...."I got your outfit ready, Mr. Sanders." Sia said as soon as Jace walked out of the conference room, "It's in the dressing room of you're office." Jace nodded once, his gaze fixated ahead of him. "I also received a call from the new branch in Willowdale, they closed applications and want to know if you want the resumés sent here to you or on your visit." "They got all two thousand slots?" "More than that. They laid off some to reach the benchmark." "How many for the top positions?" "About two hundred applicants, sir." "Too many. Call back Rex and tell him to lay off the ones without experience.""Yes sir." "Send me the exact figure when that is done." "Yes sir." "I'll not be receiving any guests for now. Call me first if anyone shows up." He said, "and prepare the complete manuscript of the meeting." "Yes, Mr. Sanders." Sia had barely gotten to her seat when Scarlett showed up. "Is Jace in?" She asked. "Yes ma'am. Hold on, please; I'll just call him to announce your
...Emma got off the phone when she heard the doorbell ring. Arriving at the door, she opened it and immediately, two paper bags of freshly baked pastries met her gaze, the aroma driving into her nostrils. "Noel?" He lowered the bags, a smile on his face.Noel was her next-door neighbor and the only friend she had in the neighborhood. The only one who didn't judge her. "Hey, Ems?" "Wow Noel," she went into his arms for a hug before opening the door wider to let him in. "When did you return?" "At dawn. I know, I should have come to say hi earlier but I chose to come along with some goodies." "Come in," Emma granted him entrance. As she began locking the door, she heard her kids already playing with Noel. "What are those?" Emma asked, taking a seat. "Freshly baked cookies and milk, the most perfect combo." He winked before handing her the bags."Yum yum yummy!" Lana giggled, "I've missed your cookies so much!" "Mommy can we eat them now?" Joan asked. "Yes. It's late so you'll