°•Three months later•°"Matteo, don't bother preparing breakfast for me today. I'm getting late." I quickly instruct him and grab my Gucci bag."I'll prepare something within five minutes." Matteo insists, appearing in front of me. "I don't have a minute to waste. I overslept." I frame my face through my straight hairs on both of my shoulders."Mom would get another reason to bug me." I whisper to myself. "I'm leaving. Do not forget to properly lock the doors if you go out for daily grocery shopping." I say and rush out.My month as an intern is almost over at the office. Today I'll get some real tasks to supervise and I'm already late.I sit in my car and drive straight to Howard's Constructions while praying that I won't get stuck in traffic jams. ...It takes me half an hour to reach my destination. Yes exactly, half an hour. I am late now.I should be here an hour ago and mark my attendance at the reception. My efforts of not marking myself 'late' have gone in vain.I took five
I avoided Freya as much as possible to come back to my normal self and routine. I used my new responsibility at my own office to help me and it did more than I expected.I have been going really busy for the past few months. Taking care of the entire company as a CEO is not a piece of cake. I understood that.I'm swamped in tons of work everyday; meetings, endless phone calls, clients and new projects. It's hectic.I hardly get any leisure time so that helps forgetting disturbing thoughts that includes the marriage that was forced upon me, Freya and my parents as well.Unlocking my office room, I step inside and turn on the lights. It's only 7 in the morning and I'm in the office even prior to my staff. I have developed a habit of starting my day early so I can take care of more tasks in less time. Observing the pile of files and papers on my desk, I figure that Garrett had made my table ready before going home last night. I smile in contentment and settle down on my chair.I feel bad
Within the next few days, I wrap up my stuff and prepare to leave for an important project for my company. Tomorrow I'll be leaving. I don't know whether Freya is coming or not or what her plans are. I didn't contact her or see her. I just found out that Father has talked to her Dad about the project and he said he would talk to Freya. Whatever it is. It's not my headache. I'm already controlling my anger so much and acting civil only because I want to keep my business and personal life separate. I want to stay professional.I have convinced my angry-self that I will only stay silent till the end of this project and after that I won't care if my parents or her parents find out about the grim truth of our marriage. "When will you be back?" Mona's voice breaks my chain of thoughts. She wraps her arms around my waist and places her head on my chest. "Can't be sure. But it will take a month or more." I bring back my attention on her, giving her a light squeeze with my arm. I've come
The car halts stop in front of the villa Mom talked about. I come out and assess the place and the neighbourhood. It's quiet and green.Aligned private bungalows are separated with green spaces that are filled with different sizes of plants and trees. The driver pulls out my two-wheel suitcase from the car and puts it near me. "You move the car from here. I'll take the suitcase inside by myself. It's not heavy." I instruct him, pulling up the suitcase's handle. "Yes sure, Ma'am." He responds politely and walks towards the driving seat.I look at the villa again. This is my new house in Seattle where I've just arrived due to my unplanned and sudden business trip. Thanks to Mom and Dad. Dad's most trusted man Abraham arranged the car and driver for me who picked me up from the airport and brought me here. I've heard that this house and the office space are arranged by Nicholas Eastmond, Rafe's father. It's a relief though that I won't have to worry about my accommodation till I've t
Twenty minutes later, I reach the office; a new, small temporary office that will be solely under my supervision. Dad's assistant has already arranged staff for me who will help me here. The place is nice, has few rooms and an impressive lobby. Seeing the office staff going here and there, engaged in their own activities doesn't make it look like it has opened only a few days ago."Hello, Ms. Howard...I mean Mrs. Eastmond." A hesitant, female voice calls me in the hallway. I turn around with a frown. A woman, younger than me standing before me, looks nervous. "Sorry. I didn't know how to address you." She scratches the back of her head. I don't say anything, just quirk up my brow. She takes the hint, "Sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm appointed as your secretary. Mr. Abraham Willson sent me."Great. A secretary is just what I needed. "Okay.""It's an honor to work for you. Howard is a big name. I'm looking forward to learn from you and become a successful woman someday just
New place, but same old routine. However, it's now tougher to manage two offices at the same time. I've been attending continuous calls since morning and sorting out day-to-day issues. I came to the office early in the morning, following my habit here as well, also because I couldn't properly sleep last night. Enduring Freya's presence in the same house as my wife was not an easy task for me. If I haven't had the fear of being caught by my father that I'm not living in a house that he has rented for me instead living in some hotel, I would've never agreed to stay this near to that woman. Besides, I thought my ways are giving her the bliss of living in a deluxe apartment alone and comfortably while I was bearing the hassles of being homeless and staying in hotels. So why should I suffer while she enjoys the peace of home? That made me at least enjoy the same peace till I'm staying in Seattle. I won't have to worry about where I'll crash at night. I deserve that. But my decision will
I hurriedly enter into the meeting room after Luke Salvatore and take each step carefully this time.I didn't expect my first day would be this disastrous. My clangers have thrown my self-confidence into a garbage can now. If Mom had seen me this way she would have asked me to join self-development classes. And this time I wouldn't have gotten angry on her snarky remarks because I'm truly worthy of them. I take my chair. Luke takes the chair placed at head of the table and Rafe sits just opposite of me. I catch Luke looking at me with pensive expression. I look away because I'm embarrassed to make direct eye contact with him. He had probably imagined me as classy, poised daughter of Howard, but I devastate his imagination and my self-esteem. I don't understand what came under my feet all of a sudden that made me stumble."I don't know if I should ask this or not. I'm feeling just a little concerned." Luke speaks with hesitation. I and Rafe both don't say anything just look at him, w
I put on a darker brown blazer over my lighter brown turtleneck, fitted shirt then spray some cedarwood perfume all over me. While setting my hair with my fingers, I think of calling Mona. We haven't talked since I've come to Seattle. Once I feel like I'm good to go to the formal dinner arranged by Luke Salvatore, I walk out of the room and at the same time search for Mona's name in my phone's contact list. I click on her number and just about to put my phone on my ear I catch Freya coming out of her room in captivating attire. I stop in my tracks.This is the second time in a day that I couldn't recognize her at first glance. I cancel the call and put down my phone. I gawk at her, eyes out on stalks. She's wearing a pretty swing dress, hugging her body as a second skin before belling out from the bottom.Her earlier fine hair are now assembled into soft locks, cascading down her lower back. When did she grow her hair? She wasn't a long-haired type woman. She preferred shoulder-leng