BullsEye

Chapter Seventeen

Alexa's P . O . V

"Stay behind me" Jake warned as we arrived at my father's company I hadn't seen in several weeks.

How I've really missed coming here with Brenda.

"Why?!" I asked with a raised brow turning over to face Jake and pulling my thoughts away from my sister.

"I don't want the crowd running into you" he replied carefully sweeping me behind him and shielding me from the members of the Media unit that rushed over to us in Thousands!

Okay...... Much exaggeration.... They came at us In hundreds!

Yeah well, they were only about fifty of them.

I obediently stood behind Jake as several flashes of lights came flashing in our direction from different angles while i remained rooted to my spot hiding my face with the back of my palm from the blinding lights behind my self proclaimed shield of a cousin.

A handful of armed security guards rushed our way and encircled our trio as they led us skillfully into the building.

Jake took a firm hold of my hand as we breezed by the paps throwing several unanswered questions in the air.

We got into the building and strode Into the elevator after several good mornings from the staffs we passed by on our way up.

We got to the top floor where Brenda's office was located and I frowned when I glanced over at Valerie's desk and didn't find her seated there as usual.

"Let's move this way" Jeff announced gesturing towards the conference room with his hands.

I immediately followed after him tearing my eyes away from the door to the office that was previously occupied by my sister.

Jake and I walked side by side behind Jeff as he led the way to the conference room where we were being awaited by the board members who were to serve as witnesses to this official decree contract signing and handing over.

I was the last to walk into the room and about ten ladies and gentlemen rose up to their feet and chorused a welcoming greeting.

I've been to the office once or twice and I've seen most of them but I haven't been officially introduced to them.

"Good Morning ladies and Gentlemen, Sorry for the delay" Jeff apologized as they all returned to their seats.

"This is Miss Alexa Clara Montez, second daughter to the late Mr Xavier and Mrs Rosa Montez." Jeff introduced me with my full name in a business like tone while I stupidly waved at no one in particular till my eyes fell upon Randy who discreetly waved at me smiling brightly causing me to feel less awkward with my still waving hand.

I stopped my hands from moving and clutched them to my sides while he carried on to introduce Jake to the board members.

Each one of them introduced their selves to us as we took our reserved seats by the high table.

"Now that we are all acquainted with one another, let's begin the process behind our gathering here today" Jeff continued setting down his briefcase in a sideways flat position and decoding it open.

He swung open the case and pulled out three sheets of similar papers which he first handed over to me.

I appended my signatures in the designated areas and passed the documents over to Jake who signed after me and they were sealed with the company's official stamp.

A copy was given to me, another was given to Jake and the third he placed back into his briefcase closing it back.

Jake introduced himself once again and gave a brief speech while I grinned widely at his comportment and interesting manner of approach.

The meeting was concluded after the small group gave a loud round of applause to Welcome Jake in as the New C.E.O of Mont Corp.

We exited the conference room after exchanging pleasantries with the members of the board who stopped by to say a word or two, I had quite a long conversation with Ross though as he showed great concern about how I was faring and I also got to meet Randy who now looked better than he was the last time I got a glimpse of his down casted gloomy self at Brie's burial.

I walked over to stand by Jake as Jeff continued in a conversation with Ross.

"You kids want me to drop you off back home?" Jeff offered as he approached us after parting with Ross.

"No thank you, we have other plans, I'll call the driver to come take us" Jake immediately replied just when I was about to nod my head in total agreement with Jeff's offer.

I wringed up my brows at him in confusion as Jeff went on blabbing about our need to be safe out there.

"What do you mean other plans?" I asked voicing out my facial expression as Jeff disappeared off somewhere in the wide building.

"We need to get something to eat remember?" He replied leading me towards the elevator.

I mouthed an 'Oh' as I recalled Auntie's words when we left home this morning.

"I know a great place just few minutes away from here" I informed him following after him into the elevator as I recalled the restaurant I had lunch with Brie and Valerie weeks back.

"Lead the way" He replied grinning widely at me as the elevator descended down the floors.

I nodded my head momentarily tracing the directions to the restaurant in my head swaying it along the route I drew up in it with my eyes closed.

The elevator door dinged open and we both walked out.

We were almost out of the door when a young man rushed over to us and began some conversation with Jake.

How rude.

I rolled my eyes and turned away from them seething till my annoyed face immediately transformed to a wide smile when I glanced over at the person I saw waving at me from the corner of my eye

"Susan!" I beamed as she hurried over to me.

I walked a few steps closer to her away from Jake trying to even the score of how he ditched me for that weird smiley face guy.

Petty of me right?

"It's so nice to see you again" she replied cheerfully as she stretched her hand out for a shake.

Without thinking I brushed her hand aside and pulled her for a hug instead causing the medium sized journal she clutched under her arm to fall to the ground.

"Oh I'm so sorry" I apologized chuckling as I reached down for the fallen journal.

I picked up the journal and admired it's bright colors till I felt a stone drop down my throat to my belly when my eyes rested on the exact same logo the tiny card in my closet carried.

My hands became shaky and the journal fell once more to the ground but this time I didn't reach for it as I could feel my whole body tense up.

"Is anything the matter?" She asked frowning in confusion as she exchanged glances between me and the journal after picking it up.

"Where did you get that journal?" I asked in a husky voice that sounded nothing like mine.

"Where did you get that journal?!" I repeated, this time, taking my words one after the other in a higher voice.

I saw fear creep up her face as I dragged my eyes up and stared directly into her trembling pair with a totally wicked glare.

"I... I.... I took it from my cousin's car last year when he came visiting for Christmas." She stammered swallowing hard.

"It was shared in the company he worked for in celebration of their Fifteenth Anniversary" She added when I didn't say anything nor take my piercing eyes off her.

"And...... Your cousin, where does he work?" I inquired in a calmer tone.

"Haples" she replied immediately.

"Are you alright?" She asked sounding more concerned than scared as my eyes traced the floor silently.

"I'm fine, it was a silly mix up I'm sorry for any inconveniences." I lied and was pleased with myself when she eased up and returned her smile back to her face.

"For a moment there I got scared" she admitted exhaling.

"It was totally my fault"I replied chuckling as the atmosphere became suddenly lighter.

"Are you taking over?" She asked dusting off unseen particles on her light pink chiffon blouse.

"No, my Cousin is" I informed her looking back and pointing over to where Jake now stood alone with both hands on his waist glaring at me.

I chuckled inwardly pleased to see that I have successfully kept him waiting.

She peered over my shoulders and waved excitedly at Jake flashing him a wide smile and he returned the wave and took it as his cue to come over as he began walking towards us.

"Welcome on board sir" She greeted stretching out her hand to him as he reached us.

"Thank you Ms. Brown" He replied glancing down at the giant name tag she hung on her neck as he took her hand in his for a brief shake.

"I'm sorry but we need to get going now, I'll see you some other time" i informed her as I looped my arm in Jake's craving support as I could no longer feel my own two feet.

"Okay. Have a nice day" She replied smiling widely.

"Enjoy the rest of your day" I simply said before I turned to leave leading Jake out with me.

Thankfully enough, the front of the building was totally clear of any traces of the paps. The last thing I needed now was any of their unwanted discomfort.

We continued the journey to the restaurant in silence as the familiar buildings we walked past assured me we were going in the right direction.

"Are you alright?" Jake asked looking down at me with concern.

"I'm fine" I simply said nodding as I fixed my gaze back on the road.

We arrived at the restaurant and Jake ordered a table for two where we sat and ordered our meals.

He ordered for Pancakes, roasted potatoes with some bacon, pork sausages and scrambled eggs.

"What would you have ma'am?" The young waitress asked me

"I'll have whatever he's having" I replied not in the mood to stress out over what to eat.

I sat there gazing into space and completely lost in another world of my own as "Haples" replayed continuously in my mind.

"Here you go Miss" the waitress announced placing my tray of food before me pulling me from my wandering thoughts.

I mouthed a thank you to her as Jake settled the bills.

My mouth watered at the delicious looking arrangement placed in front of me and I picked up my cutlery totally obeying my growling stomach as I dug carelessly into my plate.

.

I would definitely think better when I've had something to eat.