A Tale of Two Players

Chapter 3

When I hear my alarm chirping away on the bedside table next to me, I awake from my sleep. With my eyes still closed, I reach over and search around for my phone, which I eventually locate and use to snooze the alarm. Ah, quiet. I recall it's my first day at my new work just as I'm about to fall asleep once more, and I jump out of bed with excitement. I had to arrive there at nine o'clock at seven forty-five. I drag myself to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready after deciding I had enough time.

I'm brushing my teeth and looking in the mirror at my reflection. I had the appearance of something from the night of the living dead, with eyes that were bloodshot from lack of sleep and a weekend of binge drinking. I genuinely thought my head was going to explode. I felt a little better after taking two mugs of strong coffee and a boiling hot shower. I was trying to tell myself that the butterflies in my tummy weren't caused by anxiety. Why would I feel uneasy? I can finish this task while asleep. My tummy starts to flutter once more at the thought of it.

My bedroom door suddenly bursts open as I was putting on my mascara, and Jo enters with Aimee in tow. I jump at the interruption and destroy the eyeshadow that I spent a good ten minutes blending by getting mascara all over my eyelid. Where have you been in the seven kingdoms of HELL? Jo screams, her eyes wild and wide, and her hair tangled from sleep.

"Vivian, we have been so anxious! We were afraid the worst had happened to you!"Aimee corrects me.

You scared the bloody snot out of me, Jesus Christ. As well as ruining my mascara! I pick up a cue tip to get rid of the black spot on my eyelid as I mutter angrily.

"Stu the eyeliner! Where have you been this entire weekend? Aimee comes over to sit on my bed and says, "We thought you took that hot guy you left with back to the flat, but you weren't there. When you didn't come up and your phone was off, we reasoned that perhaps you had gone back to his and would return on Saturday.

Jo continues, putting her hands on her hips to show how irritated she is, "Do you have any idea how scared we were, that you were face down in a ditch somewhere."

Before you let me travel with a stranger, you should have given that some thought. Why in the world did you allow me to go out with this random?”

Aimee shrugs and smirks, "You seemed really into each other, and he was hot, so we thought you'd gone to get a little nookie." In that vein, how was the nookie? If he didn't let you leave all weekend, it must have been good.

God, oh God! I take up a brush and hurl it at her; she deflects it expertly and grins pretty proud of herself. "You are aware of my absence on Saturday. Let me explain why.

– since I was in Las Vegas.

“Vegas? I nod as they all say, "In unison. "Like in Vegas,"

“Yes! Vegas, as in Las Vegas, Nevada! Jo turns to face Aimee, who is staring at me with her mouth open. "I have no idea what I forgot. I was so inebriated that I ended up

traveling to the f*****g states in a private jet.

And that guy? Jo asks, a look of bewilderment on her face.

"Yes, with that guy," I respond as I put on my lacey black top. "Oh no, it gets better; that's not even the worst part. Take this. Elvis performed our wedding. like getting legally married."

They stare at me and ask, "You...you got married?"Jo shakes her head and sputters. I chuckle as I put on my lipstick.

So, hold on as I check to see if I understood. You got married in Las Vegas after meeting a handsome guy at a bar who flew you there in his private aircraft. I nod, and she giggles and scratches her nose in return. "Tell me you were at least drunk?”

“Aimee! I yell, rolling my eyes, and fling a primer bottle at her; she tumbles on the floor and laughs loudly.

“Vivian. This guy is who? Jo asks, and I merely smirk. I take his business card from the table and give it to her.

"I have no idea who he is. I only know his name. Calum Navas, I believe.

Jo fixes her gaze on the card and her eyes enlarge. God, oh God. Calum Navas Hoult!," Jo exclaims as she stares at the card in her fingers and turns to face me. That's the person you're wed to?”

"No way, f**k! Aimee yells, leaping to her feet, and grabs the card from Jo, saying, "Let me see." "I immediately recognized him! God, oh God. Shay, do you know who this person is?”

I sigh and shake my head as I amusedly look at each of them. "I'm not meant to, am I?”

"Um, yes! They both simultaneously shout, which surprises me.

"You should know, Vivian, of all people! He's a well-known architect and a multi-billionaire! He is the CEO in the nation who is in high demand. Look, is this not him? I nod as she shows me a picture on her phone.

I scowl as I peer in between them. My headache was beginning to return. He appeared familiar to me because of this. I have seen him in publications. Oh my god. Indeed, that is him.

You lucky b***h, my god! Aimee climbs onto my bed. "You're married to a billionaire, Vivian, and not only did you have a s****l relationship with him! Rolling my eyes, I take up my jacket.

I find it hard to believe.

Oh, Jesus. I'm unable to handle you two. Don't let this become a big deal. It was a careless error. I must now leave for work. On my first day, I don't want to be running late.

Don't leave. Aimee sings, jumping on my bed and dancing, "You're rich now.

Get the hell off of my bed, Aimee! I grasp her leg and tug, causing her to fall over and roll into the bed.

"Ouch," whimpers Aimee. She moans and cautiously rubs her behind, "I think you fractured my arse.

"I must leave. I'm already behind schedule. Fix my damn bed, I yell, hurling my pillow at her as I leave the room.

As I flip Aimee the bird and proceed to the front door, she yells out, "Yes, Mrs. Hoult," and laughs. I'm currently too exhausted to consider the entire Calum Navas scandal. My brain is a disorganized mess, and I believe I may still be a little inebriated. If I ever want to succeed as an architect, I must put my career first. I'm having trouble right now remembering how to spell my name. I'm never going to drink again.

With five minutes to spare, I MAKE IT to work. Please refrain from asking me how fast I was going to arrive on time because I anticipate receiving quite a few speeding penalties.

I start when I hear my name and recognize the woman who welcomed me the previous time I entered, "Vivian." Her name was Heather, I believe.

Heather here. Let me show you around first if you're ready, and then we can discuss Mr. Hoult's daily schedule.

"Of course, yes. Sounds excellent," she says as I follow her through the glass doors. We move through an open workspace with several posh cubicles and two-monitor high-tech laptops where you can create your designs.

She goes on and on about his routine, and I nod, smiling, taking in the office as she says, "So, this is your desk, and you already know where his o ce is." He has an odd sense of humor and particular preferences. For instance, at 7:45 he has his coffee black on his desk with a side of skim milk. He routinely eats a sesame bagel with fat-free cream cheese and smoked salmon at eight every morning.

"Got it."

“Excellent. Some useful guidance. He puts in a lot of work—like, nonstop. He is therefore frequently highly irritable due to fatigue. If you observe him rubbing his temples and loosening his tie, he is irritated; stay away unless he calls for you. Do not speak if he does. It seems to help to nod. Wait for him to move you in before entering his office. Understand?”

I inhale as I look across to the barren office. Oh my, what a nutcase this dude sounds like. Working for him is going to be a blast. I go back to the open o ce with Heather. "Well, I believe you understand the basic nature of the assignment. You two will get along fine, I have no doubt. Heather tells us as we move over to the kitchen area where the coffee machines and fridges are stacked with drinks and shelves filled with snacks. "He should be out of his meeting shortly, and we can head over and introduce you to him," Heather says. At least they take care of their staff.

As I sipped my caramel latte and observed the folks around me, Heather came bouncing by. He left his meeting, I see. I nod and walk with her to the CEO's office so that we can go meet. Every time she used the words "introduce you," as if I hadn't already met him at the interview, I was genuinely shocked. Maybe she overlooked it.

We enter the office where the silver fox conducted my interview. I spotted the painting on the wall and was looking at it when I almost missed hearing Heather call my name. I swing around and say, "Mr. Hoult, this is your new executive assistant, Vivian." First, our eyes touch. I let my eyes travel the full length of him while my tummy slowly deflates.

“You.”

“You? I shake my head and turn to face Heather before turning to face the six-foot-plus man in front of me.

“No. You're not old; my supervisor was an older gentleman.

Navas nods gently while blinking. "You must have met Tony Hoult, my father. While I was traveling for work, he interviewed me.

"So, you're my boss? " I ask as I glare at Navas and hate the fate that continues messing with me. I'll be working for you, right?”

Navas nods and plays with his cu inks while maintaining a tight frown. It certainly appears that way, Miss Calum.

You two have already met, right?”

With his eyes fixed on mine, he orders, "Heather, leave us," and Heather flees the scene, leaving the two of us alone.

What in the world is happening?

"I assume this is a joke. I mutter, walking back and forth, "Because this can't be happening. It is impossible.

As I feverishly pace while babbling to myself like a lunatic, Navas rubs the back of his neck.

Why don't we sit, Vivian? I shake my head as he does. “No. I respond, frustratedly running my fingers through my hair, "I can't sit. I stop pacing and stare at him, "I feel as though I'm trapped in a nightmare I can't seem to wake up from." What in the world is this? Are you sort of... stalking me?”

Navas laughs loudly, and by loud I don't just mean a chuckle. "Tracing you? I stand watching him unimpressed while he speaks in between breaths. "Sweetheart, I should be asking you that question. The one who consistently appears everywhere is you. There is no way it is a coincidence.

I glare at him and lightly smack the folder I'm holding on his desk. "Pardon me? Do you mean to imply that I am some sort of crazy fangirl?" I inquire as I approach him, and he keeps a careful eye on me. I poke his chest and add, "I think you will find that it was you who approached me at the club," to which he smirks and raises an eyebrow. I poke him once more and say, "And it was also your idea to leave the club together," and he grins. Please clarify how I became the stalker in this situation as you were the one who also kissed me. I add, putting my hands on my hips and looking up at him with anticipation.

I was just teasing, but it's wonderful to see you have a fierce side, honey," Navas licks his lips and shrugs. I sigh and roll my eyes because I admire that in a wife. This boy will be killed by me.

I complain angrily, and he smirks, "I'm not your wife and you'll see feisty when I beat you over the head with my folder." Truth be told, you know what? Neither am I your assistant. I start to go after telling him that I've had enough and Navas grabs my arm to stop me.

“Vivian. I'm just kidding. Come sit down for a moment so that we may discuss this; will you kindly do so? I release his grip on my arm and move over to one of the cream chairs next to his desk where I sit. Navas arrives and approaches me, leaning against his desk. He looks at me intently as he crosses his arms across his chest. "You don't need to give up. We're both grown-ups. We can still collaborate.

“How? After what's happened, how are we ever going to cooperate? Remember when we were married? Navas smirks.

“Yeah. So? Only the two of us here are aware that we are married. You reacted excessively. I sigh and shake my head. "Besides, my father hired you for a reason, so you must be good at what you do, and I trust his judgment."

“Overreacting? I wed my employer after drinking too much. Navas straightens from his slouched position and runs his fingers through his hair. "I went from being an assistant to the CEO's slut. I press my fingers to my forehead, "Oh my god, people are going to think that's why I was hired."

"Vivian, you're not what you seem. Sincerely, you are overthinking this. Navas promises me, and he sounds sincere, "No one will find out what happened between us. However, the nagging feeling in the pit of my stomach is making me feel apprehensive.

I finally give in and sigh, "Fine." As I look at him, I squint. "You must have thought I was a complete moron for failing to recognize you. Why didn't you speak up?”

Navas responds, "I thought no such thing," with a friendly smile. When compared to being treated like a—, it felt fantastic, if anything.

"—notorious millionaire playboy? I conclude, and he chuckles a little before turning his attention to the black leather Louboutin shoes he is wearing. "Yes, but I go a little bit deeper than that. I might have enjoyed how unconcerned you seemed about my wealth.

How could I be? The mere fact that you are wealthy does not elevate you above other people. You still bleed if you get cut.

like the rest of us mortals, crimson.

We lock eyes and give each other a lengthy, intense look. Navas nods and smiles, appearing happy with my remark. He moves past his desk and takes a seat. It's almost time for lunch. Do you want to go somewhere for lunch?”

“Lunch? I say, and he nods, reclining in his seat.

I moan and get up, "Yeah, we can go to the breakfast bar." He sniggers, "We can share some pancakes."

I say, "I hate you," and turn to leave through the door. Navas is laughing behind me, I hear.

Hey, what goes on in Vegas?

I leave his office and when I turn around, he is grinning and shaking his head at me, saying, "Shut up." When the girls learn about this, they're going to throw a fit.

I walk to the restroom and make a call to Aimee. Two rings later, she responds. "Hey, what's going on?”

What's up?" Let me explain the situation. Do you recall the billionaire I unintentionally wed?”

"The hottest billionaire, yes."

I tell her, "Well, that 'hot billionaire' is not only my dear husband, he's also my new boss," and on the other end, I can hear her gurgling and gasping as if she's choked on something. You're dead?”

"I'm OK. I am OK. How can you say that he is your boss? As she asks, she clears her throat.

My boss, he. My interviewer was Tony Hoult, his father. How, Aimes, did I miss this connection? f***s sake. At least I thought I was a smart girl. I had his card in my palm, but nothing connected. He probably believes I am a complete moron. I mutter, closing the lid of the toilet and sitting on it, "Jesus, I'm ashamed.

In just four days, a lot has occurred. She says to comfort me, "My mind can't handle all this; I don't know how you're doing everything so quietly.

“Calmly? I'm in a panic, Aimee. I can't do this job. Working side by side with him all the time is too uncomfortable. I'm not capable of doing it. I'm going to give up.

"No, Vivian. Remember that you require this work. Recall how happy you were to have a job in a field you are passionate about. You will have a lot of opportunities in the future thanks to this employment. I nod and sigh, thinking to myself, "Just concentrate on your work, and I promise you, in the end, when you're a kick-arse architect, it will all be worth it." She was accurate. I must endure the circumstance for as long as I can, despite how awful it is. So what if you had a bed with him? He has had a lot of girlies in his bed. He doesn't seem to care. Just why would you?”

Yes, you're correct. I explain to her, "I mean, he did vow that what happened would be between us.

You're all set. Relax and take it easy on your first day. I sincerely hope she was correct because I just can't take any more. "It's all going to be okay." Knowing my luck, on top of everything else, he'll turn out to be my long-lost brother or something. The sheer concept of that makes me cringe.

Forbidden by God.