UNEXPECTED BOND

Chapter3

****Brian's POV*****

I called my closest friends for a get-together at our usual spot. I needed to talk to them about an important matter.

As soon as he sat down across the dining set, one of my best friends, Dante, exclaimed, "Brian, we tried to contact you that night."

"We looked everywhere for you that night. Am I guessing you left with the mystery girl?" Jake chuckled.

"I called you all here because of her. Since that night at the birthday party, I can't stop thinking about her. Especially after the experience we both shared." I replied.

"I need to find her guys," my voice laced with urgency.

"How can we assist? Hold on a moment; have you given this a second thought? When Hannah discovers that you're out in search of another woman, what would she say? You are aware of Hannah's potential reaction." Dante started, while wearing a worried look.

I pondered over what my friends had told me. Which made my stomach churn.

I was indeed stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. I felt a surge of anger wash over me as I pondered my father's proposal. "You either marry Hannah and bear me grandkids or you can forget about your inheritance in my will," his words echoed in my ears as I lay on my bed.

Hannah Raynold is the daughter of Alexander Raynold. One of the billionaires in New York was betrothed to me. This arrangement was accomplished by both our parents, a union meant to unite both families.

Although she was beautiful and resilient, her magnetic presence goes beyond mere physical attraction, with piercing blue eyes, her sexy blond locks frame a face that tells stories of resilience, with a voluptuous figure and complexion. She carries an undertone of grace and kindness, making her not just alluring but genuinely captivating. Despite all these qualities, she just wasn't the one for me. I liked her as a person, but deep down, there was no chemistry.

I found my thoughts drifting towards Mabel. The mystery girl.

As I entered my office, I was greeted by the HR Manager, Mrs. Barbara Destiny, who had been waiting for me.

"Good morning, Mr. Brian. I would like to schedule a meeting with you, sir," Mrs. Destiny said from the doorway.

"Barbara, I hope this is important," I said, glancing at the newspaper advertisement my secretary had dropped next to my steaming cup of tea.

"It's very important, sir, she replied as she entered my office.

"Have a seat. Let's discuss it then." I said, pointing to a chair.

"Sir, I need your assistance. Our top sales and marketing executive has been working part-time for a year now. I've offered her a promotion three times. But she has declined each one." Barbara complained.

I felt a sense of disappointment; this was a matter Barbara could handle herself. Yet she came to me with complaints like I was some officer.

"And how does this concern me?" I asked, my anger simmering below the surface.

Barbara panicked momentarily but quickly regained her composure, knowing the importance of the issue at hand.

"I think it would be beneficial for you to have the meeting with her," Barbara explained.

I furrowed my brow in confusion, my mood turning sour as I responded with a cold, icy voice.

"Barbara, I hired you to handle these tasks. It's not my job to do them myself."

"But you're also my boss; matters like this should be brought to your attention. Her skills are exceptional, especially considering her age. She only comes into the office for five hours, twice a week, and yet she achieves better results than our full-time employees." Barbara said.

"Sir, if we promoted her to a managerial position, she could help train our sales and marketing team. If they improve like she has, it would significantly increase the company's income."

By emphasizing the potential for increased profit, she managed to grab my attention. I was silently considering all she had said.

"What is happening with the current sales and marketing manager?" I asked.

"I plan on demoting him if you speak to this woman, as he has consistently failed to meet his target for the past six months. This woman has been excelling in her part-time role and has been a valuable asset. I can't just terminate her employment, as it would be detrimental to our organization."

Barbara was transparent in her views and opinions. And I evaluated all she had said; it was truly in the company's best interest.

She sat there, awaiting my response.

"Barbara, if I take over your responsibilities, I will reduce your salary by forty percent for one month."

"I don't mind, Mr. Brian," Barbara replied with a grin on her face.

"Send me her files tomorrow morning and schedule the meeting for 10 a.m.

"Thank you, sir; this would be great for the company," Barbara replied with a smile on her face.

This worker deserved full-time employment, and the benefits were enticing, so what could make her refuse the opportunity and insist on being a part-time worker? I found this perplexing.

I found it hard to focus at home, which became difficult for Hannah and the housemaids.

"Do you like your meal?" Hannah asked in a calm tone.

I'd always enjoyed her meals, but everything changed that evening when I crossed paths with Mabel.

"It's delicious," I replied, my gaze fixed on my phone. "Would you please excuse me for a moment? I've got an urgent call to make."

"Have you found anything about her yet?" I asked Dante.

He hired a private investigator to help find details about the mystery girl from the party.

"Nothing much really; aside from her name, we found out her last place of work. That should give us some clues." Dante replied, his voice filled with hope.

“ I hope you're correct this time, as we speak, she has the keys to unlocking the bliss in my heart," I said in a stern voice.