Chapter Two

Four Years Later

Emma's POV

"I'm late."

I exclaimed loudly when I looked at the time. I hurriedly got up from bed, fumbling around the room, trying to wear my skirt and blouse at the same time.

I knew what I was trying to do was impossible and the only way I could get something done was to wear each of them one at a time but because time wasn't on my side again, I had to hurry.

Contrary to what I thought, I successfully managed to wear both the skirt and the blouse and once that was done with, I was out the door almost immediately, making sure to lock the door before finally leaving.

I had decided to take a nap after taking Jason and Anna to preschool, it was their first day and they were very excited. I made sure I woke up as early as possible so I could get everything ready and thankfully, we were quite on time.

I decided to take a short nap after dropping them off as I still had some time to spare, my short nap turned into a full deep sleep which made me wake up twenty minutes later than I was supposed to.

I was rushing because it was my first day at work and I was returning to New York after four years, I didn't want to ruin it myself.

It took a lot of debate and mulling over on my part before I could find the courage to come back.

Immediately after the divorce, I changed my name back to my maiden name as I didn't want to carry any remnant of my past, I just wanted to put it all behind me and thankfully I was able to do just that.

I didn't seen or heard from Sam again since that day, I wondered what had happened to him, I tried calling him, but his phone was turned off, I even went by his house but it was empty, it was like he disappeared.

I tried looking for him but I eventually gave up and moved on with my life.

I rushed out as quickly as my legs would carry me and ran straight for the bus stop. I knew the chances of me making it to work on time this morning were very slim but I still had to try.

By the time the bus arrived at the office, I was just ten minutes late, I hoped the boss wouldn't be too angry. I practically jumped out of the bus when it was almost in front of the company building.

I didn't know where I was going or who I was supposed to talk to, I just followed my instincts and decided to go upstairs, all I knew was that I was going to be working directly with the CEO.

I stepped out of the elevator when it reached the topmost floor, I went to the receptionist area where I saw a middle-aged woman who looked as if she was busy.

"Who are you and how did you get here?" She snapped at me, not even giving me a chance to introduce myself.

"I'm here to see the CEO," I answered the best way I could.

"You think everyone that comes here just waltzes into the office, commands to see the CEO and we just open the door for them?"

"I wasn't commanding, you asked a question and I answered." I tried explaining myself, not sure where her hostility was coming from.

"Madam, what is it that you want? And you have ten seconds to answer me before I call security." She threatened me.

"I have a meeting with the CEO, I'm the new executive assistant," I told her.

She eyed me warily from head to toe, a look of disbelief in her eyes but I didn't say anything again. She then shifted her attention from me to the computer sitting in front of her, scrolling through it for something.

After keeping me waiting for five minutes, she pointed me in the direction of the CEO's office, I followed her direction and I found myself in front of a big door which had the words "CEO" written boldly on it.

I knocked on the door and I heard a faint come in on the other side before pushing it open.

"Who are you?" Was the first question that was thrown at me when I stepped in, by a guy who seemed to be in his early twenties.

"Um, I'm the new executive assistant sir."

"And you dare show up by this time? Don't you have any work ethic? Or you didn't deem it fit to come to work early?" He seethed.

"I'm sorry sir, but there were a few unexpected incidents…." I tried to explain but he wouldn't listen.

"Your personal life is none of my concerns, all that matters to me is that you're in this office, right on time, and since that will be an issue for you, allow me to help you out, you're fired."

I stared at him in disbelief, my ears not hearing what he said, "What? I'm so sorry sir. Please if can give me one more chance, you won't be disappointed." I pleaded.

"Get out of my office right now miss, or do you want me to call security to drag you out?"

"I will do anything you want sir, anything, just name it." I offered, now very desperate.

I could see him perk up and his eyes glistened with mischief when those words left my mouth.

"Anything right?" He asked again, leaning back in his chair and stroking his jaw.

I was hesitant before I answered, but I gulped and opened my mouth to speak, "Yes sir, anything. Just don't fire me." I pleaded again.

"Tell me miss, are you married?"

I was shocked by his question but I answered him anyway, "No sir, I'm not married." I answered honestly.

"Good. If you want to keep this job, you have to show me a good time." He said, tapping his lap, his eyes raking my body hungrily.

My eyes widened in disbelief, I couldn't just believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

"Excuse me?"

"Are you deaf or are you dumb? Or it's both?" He snapped at me.

"I understand what you're saying sir but I'm sorry, I can't do that," I told him.

"Then get out of my office right this instant." He instructed and I was back on my knees again, pleading with him to allow me to keep my job.

I was still on my knees when the doors to his office opened again. We both looked up in curiosity, I wanted to know who dared to barge into his room like this and I could tell he wanted to know as well.

"What's going on here? Why are you in my office Sebastian?" A woman who looked to be in her mid-fifties came into the room. Although I could tell she was older, she was still looking gorgeous.

"Mum? What are you doing here? You're not supposed to be back yet." The man whom I discovered his name was Sebastian sat up straighter in the chair, a panicked look on his face.

"Why am I not supposed to be back? This is my company and I run it as I see fit." She told Sebastian before looking at the floor and that was when she noticed me.

"Who is this? And why is she kneeling on the floor?" That was her question.

"Don't worry about her mum, I will handle her." Sebastian interrupted me before I could get one word out, even making a move to stand up, round the desk, and throw me out of the room no doubt.

"I didn't ask you to answer me, did I?" His mother asked him and he halted in his actions.

"Hi ma'am, my name is Emma Jones,” I answered her timidly after she gestured for me to stand up.

"Emma Jones?? You're the new executive assistant for the company. Welcome on board, it's a pleasure to have you join us." She gave me a warm welcome, even extending her hands out for me to shake.

"But why were you kneeling on the floor?" She couldn't help but ask.

"Mr Sebastian fired me for showing up to work late on my first day, I was pleading with him for my job. I really need this job ma."

I noticed she sent a stern look in Sebastian's direction before turning her attention back to me, "Listen, Avery, I own this company and so you answer to me and alone, pay him no attention. I don't know what he has told you before but your job offer still stands."

"Thank you so much ma." I thanked her profusely.

"You're welcome and please call me Mrs Williams or Jessica." She told me and I nodded.

"I know it's your first day but the timing is just perfect, we have a conference to attend, you don't mind, do you?" She asked and I couldn't help but hesitate.

I had to go pick Jason and Anna up from school and there was no one else that could do it.

"Is there a problem miss Jones?" Mrs Williams asked me when she took notice of my hesitance.

"I have to pick my children up and there's no one else I can call," I explained to her.

"You can pick them up along the way, I just need you to familiarise yourself with your new job, you don't have to stay till the end of the conference." She told me and I nodded my head pleased with the option she had given me.

We left the office and I stopped at the twin's school to pick him up.

When we arrived at the venue, it was just like every other conference, "You can bring them inside or leave them in the car with Sebastian."

Mrs Williams told me, I decided they should stay in the car so I would be more focused on work, I told Mrs Williams and we entered into the venue with that.

Everything was going on well until a distressed looking Sebastian came to where we were, "What's going on?" Mrs Williams asked him.

"They ran off." Was all he said.

I went into panic mode immediately and I made a move to turn around to start looking for him when I heard Jason's voice, "That's mommy." He said excitedly.

I turned around about to run to him when I noticed that him and Anna were pulling someone behind them.

"Emma?" He whispered in disbelief.

I could only look at him with wide eyes, I hadn't plan to reunite with my ex-husband on my first day of work.