CHAPTER 5

AUDREY'S POV

My heart was clenched tight inside my chest as I tried so desperately to breathe just like Claire told me to but it was almost impossible. My vision was getting blurry and even Claire's voice was fading away. There was a banging on the door but I couldn't reach for the lock to push it open.

“AUDREY! Are you gonna leave Aiden here alone because of a dumb man!?” Claire's voice suddenly cut through my brain and I realized she was right. Was I just gonna let myself wallow away because of Lucas?

“Breathe, darling. You can do this!” She said reassuringly and I clutched the phone tightly as I forced myself to breathe, thinking of nothing but Aiden.

My son needs me. I can't give up now.

“I'm okay… I'm okay Claire.” I said after multiple attempts of breathing in and out and I heard her let out a sigh of relief.

“What are you going to do now? You know what, I'm coming over there. I'll give him a damn piece of my mind!” She said in anger and I let out a soft chuckle as I sat up.

“You can't do that. You'll get thrown out. I can handle myself.”

“No you cannot, Rey. Tell me the truth, what's on your mind?” She asked in concern and I rolled my eyes at how easy it was for her to read me.

“I don't know yet, Claire. I guess I have no choice but to face him and given how I ran out earlier, I might get fired.” I said as I stood up and opened the door, seeing no one outside the door or in the restroom.

“Whatever happens, I'll be here with you okay? And if he tries anything stupid, just give me a call. I'll break his legs for you.” She threatened and I laughed as I nodded even though she couldn't see me.

“Understood, ma'am,” I said as I looked at myself in the mirror and wiped my tears, fixing my clothes and my hair.

“Good. Keep your chin up and don't let anyone treat you anyhow, I got your back darling.” She reassured me and I hummed in response as I hung up and took a deep breath before stepping out of the restroom and making my way back to the office.

However, when I saw them all filing out of his office, I chickened out and hid behind the wall as I waited for them to go away first.

My heart skipped a bit when I heard his footsteps come my way and I placed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from screaming. Just when I thought he would reach my side, I heard a lady's voice call out to him.

“Babe? Where are you going?” I heard the lady say and a frown creased my brows as I peeked out to see him walk up to her and she laced her arms with his.

Babe?

“I thought I saw something there. I wanted to check it out. Let's go.” He replied as they walked away but before he turned the corner, he turned to glance at me, causing me to hide behind the wall again.

He… he has a new girlfriend? He left me broken and returned after five years with a girlfriend? I couldn't cry so I started to laugh at how funny the situation was. An employee passing by saw me and looked at me like I was crazy.

“Why are you here? The new CEO has called for a meeting with everybody. Let's go.” She said as she walked away and I followed behind her, my mind reeling with different thoughts.

She opened the meeting room and walked in while I took a deep breath to steady myself before pushing the door open and walking in. My eyes met his in an instant and he raised a brow at me in amusement.

I immediately looked away and went to take a seat beside Kendall who snickered when she saw me and turned to whisper to the person sitting beside her. Sure, I'll be the talk of the office in no time.

Lucas cleared his throat as he stood up and started to address everyone, his voice still as mature and deep as it was five years ago. He hadn't changed. He was still the same handsome Lucas I had fallen in love with except…

He didn't look at me the same way he used to. It was like… he never knew me at all.

“Miss Audrey?” He called out, drawing me out of my thoughts and I stood up hastily as I responded to him.

“Can you summarize everything I had just said in thirty seconds? Your time starts now.” He ordered and I started to panic. I wasn't listening all this while. Damn it, I might really get fired.

“You weren't listening, were you?” He asked and I just stayed silent, my eyes trained on my shoes while everyone else snickered.

“Remain standing. That should help you concentrate.”

My hands balled into fists as he continued to speak but this time, I paid close attention to everything he said. This wasn't the Lucas I knew.

“Now that we've gotten all of that into our heads, let's have a bit of an introduction, shall we? I'm Lucas Kent, your new CEO.” He said as everyone started to clap and he bowed slightly, taking a seat while the employee beside him stood up and introduced himself.

Everyone introduced themselves but when it got to my turn, he suddenly said ‘skip’ making me turn to look at him in confusion.

“Audrey Jackson, good at running from her job. I know you already.” He said bluntly as he motioned for Kendall to go next and I suddenly wished for the ground to open up and swallow me up.

Kendall introduced herself sweetly and I almost rolled my eyes at how stupid she sounded. Everyone gave their introductions and then he stood up, gesturing for the lady beside him to stand up too as he held her hand. It was the lady who called him ‘babe’ earlier.

“One last introduction. Everyone, this is Isabella Grey, my fiancee. She has an equal say in this office just like I do so please respect her just like you'd respect me. Let's give her a round of applause.” He explained and everyone burst into clapping while I just stood there frozen, my eyes fixed on the rings on their fingers.

Fiancee? They're… engaged?