Chapter 4: A New Beginning

Five years later, Tara stepped into her new apartment, tenderly holding her daughter's hand, while Emma's nanny, Maya, followed closely behind.

  

"Maya, please take the bags to my room. I'll handle sorting the clothes," Tara instructed quietly as she strode to the balcony, looking down at the bustling city of New York. 

"Mommy, look at all these big buildings!" Emma's sweet voice rang out as she looked out.

Tara smiled, ruffling Emma's hair. "Yes, sweetie. This is our home now.”

She can still remember the doctor's words just a few weeks after she left New York and when she started constantly feeling nauseous. It was like yesterday.

"Congratulations, Miss Hayes. The tests show that you're pregnant."

She had built a life for herself and Emma in Garden City, but now they were back. The job transfer was a fresh start, an opportunity she couldn't pass up.

----

"You are being transferred to the main branch of the company in New York," Marvin said, his expression grim, when he called her into his office that morning.

"I understand you left New York to escape the past and those friends who betrayed you, Tara, but my hands are tied.” 

"Why do I have to move? I prefer it here. There has to be something you can do," Tara exclaimed, her frustration evident.

"The CEO, Landon Malcolm wants you transferred as his personal assistant. I tried to persuade him otherwise, but he's adamant about it," he explained, shaking his head thoughtfully. "In fact, he specifically mentioned he doesn't want anyone else but you."

Tara's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her new boss. She had heard of Landon Malcolm, the biggest and youngest business mogul, but she never expected to work for him.

"But you don't need to worry. An apartment will be provided for you, and your salary will be doubled. It's a generous offer, and I think you should seize it," he urged, his words causing her mouth to drop open. The offer seemed too good to be true.

"Even if not for anything else, do it for Emma," he continued, speaking earnestly. "With the new salary, you can finally send her to an elite private school, as you've always wanted, and you wouldn't need to worry about rent. Just think about it.” 

So on Monday morning, after a hectic weekend of settling in and organising, Tara dropped Emma at her new school. Then she was standing and staring at the towering skyscraper that was the company that she'll be working for. The building of serenity holdings was tall, and its sleek glass walls gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the hustle and bustle of the city below.

She walked through the grand entrance, greeted by the sight of the spacious lobby, designed with marble floors, and on the walls hung modern art pieces. Employees moved purposefully through the space, everyone rushing off to their various departments.

She scanned the room briefly before approaching the receptionist with a warm smile. "Good morning," she greeted the woman behind the counter, whose name tag read 'Laila'.

"Good morning," the lady named Laila greeted politely. "Hi! Welcome to Serenity Holdings. I'm Laila, how may we assist you today?”

"I'm the new personal assistant to Mr. Malcolm. Could you please direct me to where I can meet him?”

"Mr. Malcolm is running a bit behind schedule today, but he'll be arriving shortly. Please take that elevator to the top floor” she pointed, “his office is located there, and there's a waiting lobby where you can sit until he arrives," she explained patiently.

"Oh! Thanks a lot, Laila, I truly appreciate the help" Tara grinned appreciatively.

She was stunned by the breathtaking view of the New York city skyline that stretched out before her as she stood in the lift to reach the top floor. It served as a reminder of everything she had missed while overseas, despite the fact that the city had developed since she left.

Upon reaching the top floor, silence greeted her. Only six offices, and a lobby occupied the third floor, with a smaller room off to the side that she assumed will be hers. She walked through the corridor slowly, before she approached the glass door labelled "Lobby." Just as she was about to enter and wait for Landon Malcolm, the ding of the elevator caught her attention. Turning, she watched as the doors opened, revealing a tall and imposing figure.

She gasped. "It can't be," she thought to herself "it just can't be.”

The door opened to reveal a tall, imposing figure standing. Landon looked up, his grey eyes meeting Tara's blue ones. For a moment, neither spoke. Tara felt a strange sense of familiarity, but she dismissed it as nerves.

The man was beautiful. His sharp chin, his pointed nose, and the air of authority that seems to come out of him like a cloak, everything about him is just beautiful.

“You're Landon Malcolm," she gasped, her voice trembled with disbelief and her eyes widened as if it wanted to bulge out from their sockets.

Landon remained stoic, his expression icy and unreadable as he stared back at her.

‘OMG! Mr. Malcolm is Landon Malcolm. I'm really working as the personal assistant of Landon Malcolm? Landon Malcolm the most popular business mogul,’ Tara thought her eyes wide.

She has seen pictures of Landon in magazines, but he was one of those people she always thought their differences in society would never allow them to meet.

"I believe we're not on a first-name basis, Miss Hayes," he stated, his gaze stern and his jaw tense. "As your superior, I expect you to accord me that respect.”

"I apologise, Mr. Malcolm. I got a bit carried away," she admitted sheepishly.

“Settle down and arrange your desk, Miss Hayes. Walter will brief you on your duties. After that, ensure that you come to my office to collect the files you will be working on. Delays are not acceptable," he began, locking eyes with her. 

"I'm confident you're not stupid, Miss Hayes. I do not work with stupid people. "Welcome to the team," Landon said, his voice smooth yet commanding.

"Thank you, Mr. Malcolm," Tara replied, hoping her voice didn't betray her anxiety.

He walked away and Tara felt a sinking feeling  settle in the pit of her stomach. The air suddenly became cold, and she shivered involuntarily as she stood looking at his hard, retreating back.

She walked to the small office that's supposed to be hers. It was an open space without any door and the room was barely even large but it was enough to accommodate a desk and a chair. The walls were painted in a masculine shade of sky blue, a small window allowed warm rays of natural light to filter in through the curtains. A potted plant was placed on the windowsill, adding a tiny touch of greenery to the space.

She carefully approached the desk and eased herself into the chair, gauging its comfort with a slight shift in position.

With a sigh, she carefully started arranging her belongings, when a tall man with brown hair and broad shoulders approached her.

“Well, Hello there!”