Chapter Two
1076 Words
The Hidden Tension
Despite how cool the reception was with the air conditioning that surrounded the place, as Emma Parker walked out of the CEO's office, she was feeling hot from the encounter she had just had with him. Her heart was pounding so fast, as if she had just escaped from the lion's den or someone who had just completed the longest meter race.
She had just survived the first race, but she knew that Alexander wouldn't rest until he found out the truth of where they had met before, especially if she eventually got the job.
She wanted to forget about it and focus on what she was there for, but those questions kept coming fresh as if they were asked again. She felt confused and distracted.
Her thoughts were interrupted after a few minutes when she had been sitting at the reception.
“Emma Parker, you can now go and see the HR manager.” She pointed towards the HR office.
Emma nodded and went through the hallway as pointed out by the receptionist. She saw a small office with a small white piece engraved perfectly on the door, The HR office”.
She entered, and she was surprised that the HR manager welcomed her with a smile.
“Please sit down, Emma Parker." The HR manager said, pointing at a seat close to her.
Emma adjusted the seat and seat, but not comfortable.
“Congratulations, Emma! You have been offered the position of junior designer in our company,” the HR manager said as she extended her hand to Emma for a handshake.
“You can start tomorrow,” she added.
Emma's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. “ This means a lot to me. She said as she received the handshake. "Thank you so much! I promise I won't let you down.”
The HR manager smiled. “Your work has already been done, and we are expecting more from you.”
Emma was very happy as she left the office. She was relieved, and suddenly, she felt nervous that she would be working under Alexander Knight. She felt weak, and she was thinking about what would happen next.
The following morning, Emma arrived at the office very early. She was looking at the office in disbelief that she had eventually got a job at Knight Enterprise, but her worries were the fact that she would be working under Alexander, a man whom she thought was her past.
She passed through the receptionist and signed in. After that, she walked towards the elevator. Immediately the door opened, she saw Alexander standing with a cup of coffee in his hand. Their eyes met, and she almost collapsed.
“Good morning,” he greeted her at first in a calm and polite tone, but the look was suspicious, just that Emma couldn't tell what it meant.
Emma quickly responded in a steady tone, “Good morning.”
He nodded, took a sip of the coffee, then walked past Emma while Emma followed him silently. She was thinking about whether she should tell him about Liam, but she shook her head, not to break the news so soon.
She was introduced to other designers in the office. She organized her desk and started working because Knight Enterprise is a place where workers get busy based on the company's goodwill.
She was busy on the first design given to her, but she was thinking Alexander was looking at her, and that made her a bit uncomfortable. She managed to focus on her work and ignore whatever she might be thinking.
It was lunch period, so Emma was relieved of her work. She saw Alexander, who was standing near the window, looking outside. Emma was looking at him and thinking if Alexander remembered what had happened between them six years ago. That night changed their lives.
She smiled, but suddenly, she felt someone was trying to open her bag. She turned, and it was Liam, her five-year-old son.
“Mommy, can we play together now?” Liam said softly.
Emma replied with a smile. “Sweetheart, not now, please!” Mama needs to work, but we will play together after work.”
Liam was not satisfied with the response, but he obeyed. He went to the corner of the room and sat quietly.
Emma looked at him, smiled and got back to her work. She suddenly noticed that Alexander was standing near the door, watching her and Liam.
She felt uneasy. Neither Alexander nor Liam knew each other, but the way Alexander was looking at Liam, he was looking at him as though they had met before.
Emma moved slowly closer to Liam and tried to shield him with her body. Alexander walked in and asked softly. “Who is this boy?” He was looking at Liam with keen interest.
Emma's heart skipped. She was thinking whether she should tell him who Liam is or some other day. She said in a shaky but steady voice. “He is my little brother's friend.”
Alexander looked at her briefly and then at Liam. Emma was not comfortable with the way he was looking at Liam. She felt he might discover the truth by himself.
Alexander left her to do her job, but Emma wasn't comfortable anymore. He made little corrections to her work and occasionally glanced at Emma, then Liam. He felt there was something about them that connected with him. How? That is what he didn't know. Emma, on the other hand, is not ready to tell him the true identity of Liam.
They are closed for the day. Emma quietly packed her things and walked towards Liam. Where he was sitting, playing with paper and a pen. “It is time to go home, sweetheart’’
Liam was very happy, and they walked towards the elevator. Alexander got into the elevator with them, and Emma's heart skipped. He said in a calm, low voice. “Emma, why do you look so familiar, and why are you acting as if we have met before?
Emma could not hold it. Her breath increases. She wanted to tell him the truth, but she felt that was not the best place, especially when Liam was with her.
Alexander didn't take his eyes off her. He looked so sure he knew they had met before.
She realized what she had hidden was about to open to the world.
- Writer
