We meet again

EMBER

Ember felt herself waking up, her senses rushing back. As her eyes parted, she stared up at the ceiling of the unfamiliar room. She could also feel a sharp pain throbbing on her back, making her shiver. With all the strength she could gather, she sat up, the blanket falling off her body.

She clutched it back up but only then did she realize, she wasn't naked. Her clothes were back on her perfectly. She rolled slightly to her side but she wasn't surprised to see it empty. She was all alone in that room. The room she spent last night doing things she would've never imagined doing.

But he was gone.

And then dawned the consequence of what she had done.

When she looked to her side, the memories from last night reeling in front of her eyes back to back, she spotted something on the small bedside table. She pulled herself to the corner of the bed and picked up the envelope placed on the table. Carefully, she opened it and looked inside, her eyes widened.

A bundle of dollar bills.

She spotted a note on its side.

"I only take what I deserve. You'd never give me more than that. But if you ever change your mind, I'll be there," the note said. And below the words, Jack had left his number. He hoped he would call her. He had even returned the money Ember had scattered on him, just deducting his payment.

Regret washed over her. She clutched the note in her hand, still relieved that the money is still safe. Her life savings were almost lost because of her impulsiveness. But even after all this, Ember had no idea what Jack wanted from her. Why wasn't he just like every other gigolo? Why wouldn't he run away with the money, and never look back?

She stood up, grabbing her things with an upsurge of thoughts. How much more was there to regret? The night was gone, and so should the memories. She decided to not look back anymore.

She knew she had learned new things about herself. What her body was capable of, and how her body reacted. Not what she can provide but what she needed. So there wasn't much to debate about anymore. She saw herself differently at that moment, she had gone out of character.

But even if it wasn't a pleasant feeling, she wouldn't let it be a mistake.

Ember stood up, crumpling the note in her fist, and started to leave. But just before she passed the exit, she dumped the crinkled note in the trashcan. She decided she didn't need to look back again.

~

3 YEARS LATER

The monotonous ring of the cell phone went off loudly, shaking up the otherwise quiet room.

Ember had tossed and turned enough to avoid waking up but that was her last straw. After weeks and weeks of running around, eating takeout, and giving interviews, she had finally thought of getting a long sleep. But she couldn't stretch it any further. She sat up, scouring for her phone.

"H-hello?" She said, suppressing a yawn.

"Good morning, is this Ms. Ember Campbell?"

"Yes, who is this?" She frowned a little.

"This is Mary, from the Sarte group of companies. You gave an interview here a week ago and we think you fit right into our standards. But right now we're a bit under emergency, it'd be great if you can join from today itself. So, should we see you at 9?" The woman spoke, her words drowning in the back of Ember's head. She was blank.

"What-?" She was still processing it all, sinking back into the real world. Her eyes widened. "You mean I got the job?"

"Yes! We'd like you to join right away if that's not a problem," the woman said, her spirit enthusiastic and supportive. Ember felt her eyes burning.

"No.. yes.. I'll be there on time. Thank you. Thank you so much," Ember said. She hung up and buried her head into her palms. Sarte's group of companies was her first choice, the one she wanted to work in the most. It felt unreal.

Ever since that night, even she couldn't even remember the man's face clearly, things have changed drastically. But step by step.

Ember had started loving herself, putting her needs first. She found her interests and ever since she started working towards her motives, the last 3 years, Sarte group of companies was everything she wished for. She pinched herself in disbelief.

There's no way she could lose this opportunity.

~

It only took 30 minutes for her to get ready because even through all the changes, her punctuality stayed intact. She had long wavy hair now that she pulled up in a ponytail and put on her best-fitted formal clothes with a slight touch-up of makeup.

She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She was determined to make a good impression, by hook or by crook.

Sarte wasn't too far from her place so she took a cab. She was 10 minutes early as she stepped inside the huge luxurious building that looked nothing less than a mall. It looked professional and chic, just like she had imagined. People spilled in and out, busy. She somehow made her way to the reception and was asked to wait. It really was like a dream.

She checked with the receptionist and was asked to wait for some time. But the time stretched to an hour and then two. She was informed that the CEO was running late, he was caught up with something. But Ember was too optimistic to lose patience.

But suddenly, he heard a commotion right outside the building. Ember moved up a little to see better and all she saw was a sea of reporters jostling and camera flashes right outside the Sarte building. They were all waiting for something.. someone.

And that's when, in a minute, a black BMW drove in the midst of the reporters, making them go almost wild. The door swung open. Ember stood up to get a clear look and she saw a man step out. He was tall, a navy blue suit that couldn't hide his big built and broad shoulders. He wore a white shirt underneath with the first two buttoned loosened that peeked into his porcelain skin. And it.. reminded Ember of...

But as her eyes finally trailed up to his face, her breath stopped. Her stomach dipped into a bottomless pit. She felt her blood run dry just by looking at his face. She couldn't tell if it was because how gorgeous he looked or how oddly familiar he was. BUt Ember could bet she hadn't met him. There was no way... right?

He had sharp features and a chiselled jaw. He had ocean blue eyes and jet black hair with a single strand of hair falling on his forehead. His expression looked uninterested as he ignored the clamouring media hovering around him, he started walking straight towards the entrance. Ember's heart kept pounding in her chest. She was still holding her breath, standing near the entrance.

But there was someone else who had also stepped out of the same car behind the man. Her red stilettos exited first and then exited a beautiful brunette with features of a model and a red dress that highlighted her curves But as her face registered in Ember's mind, she realised...

The woman was none other than Selene Hudson, the supermodel.

As she stepped out, Selene rushed to catch up with the man who didn't seem to care. They climbed up the stairs to the entrance as someone standing right opposite to her, greeted them. Ember too choked out a little "good morning" to them.

Suddenly, Selene stopped for a second and shoved her purse in Ember's hand. She looked up at her with confusion, the man had also stopped to exchange a few words at the reception.

"Take my purse to my cabin, quick. Also, get me a black coffee and my salad," she said in an obnoxious bossy tone that gave Ember the ick. She spoke before Selene could walk away.

"I can't-"

"What?" Selene raised an eyebrow with disbelief. "Did you just say no to me?"

"I really can't. I have a meeting with the CEO," she said, trying to convince. But that's when Selene started laughing hysterically. She looked back at the man as he joined her and Ember's conversation.

For the first time, he looked right at Ember. His cold and intimidating eyes fell on her, making sparks shoot up her spine. He looked just as unbothered but for a split second, amusement passed through his eyes. But then, his lips parted and he said something that shattered everything within Ember at once.

"You're fired."