Accidental Mate

CHAPTER 3 SWEET HELL

Katie's POV

Derra’s words kept ringing in my head. I wouldn't mind if she had said all of that to my face, but dragging my children in, that's premium pettiness.

“Mum, we are sorry,” I looked back to see Morgan and Maria holding each other like Siamese twins.

“Yes, we shouldn't have spoken back to Auntie Derra. I just didn't like how she was trying to get you angry,” Maria chipped in.

These pumpkins are the best thing to happen to me. “Ohhhh Monkeys, I'm not angry at you,”

“Come here,” I signalled with my hands for them to sit beside me right on the couch.

“You see, I'm not angry at you both. It's just that you need to leave adults to sort out their matters without, you know, interfering.”

“We promise not to interfere in adults' conversations henceforth, mum,” Maria spoke while holding my hand and drawing soothing circles.

Morgan leaned in and kissed my arm while wrapping his tiny hands around me. “Okay, pumpkins, it's bed story time! Who is excited?”

The two shrieked as they made their way into their room. Each one said the story they wanted me to read to them, until they decided unanimously on …

***

Tell me, how hard can my first day at work get? It's been from one meeting to another without a break.

At this point, I could break down for having such a productive first day at work.

Lia walked in with loads of files that I had to go through. “Isn't this my first day?” I asked as I rolled my eyes.

Lia chuckled at my reaction, “Babe, you came at the right time. There is a battle going on in the fashion world now, and you, my darling, you are more needed than you think of.”

You wonder who Lia is? Well, she's a lifesaver. I mean, I would have slumped due to the workload I came in to meet if not for her.

“Miss Katie, welcome to Virginia Couture!” Her voice beamed through the office immediately she came in.

Though her voice had sounded familiar, I looked back only to be met with her beautiful forest green eyes.

Her face brought back some of my memories back then in Italy. “I know you from… Italy. I mean the fashion school,” I blurted out.

She grinned as she gave me a welcoming hug, “Yes… I'm Katie. How do you recognise me? I'm sure we didn't have many one-on-one meetings back then in school…”

She was right, but I can't say I don't know her. I have this special ability that can be overwhelming sometimes. I tend to remember any face that I come in contact with.

“Yes… But I do remember you,” she came in for another hug, and yes, right there I knew she's a hugger.

She had helped me settle in well and told me the projects that I needed to work on. I had met with the project manager on some of the projects, and honestly, I love it here.

I never imagined I'd work in the famous and prestigious Virginia Couture, but after the incident that happened five years ago. I dusted myself and picked back my interest in fashion.

“This is what you've always wanted to do, I'm glad you are pursuing what makes you happy. Remember you are my beautiful pumpkin, and greatness is you.”

Those were Mum's last words to me as I left SA five years ago. Virginia Couture had taken an interest in me as a young model and sponsored my fashion education over the years.

“The boss wants to see you,” Lia’s sweet and alluring voice brought me from memory land to reality.

She saw the flicker of worry in my countenance and immediately she took it upon herself to make it dissipate.

“Eiii… Don't do that. Why do you seem worried about meeting the boss?” She chuckled as she dropped her chin in her hands.

“Girl… I'm not worried, just a bit… You know… having sweaty palms. I've heard a lot about him, and it's my first day, I don't want to give a bad impression, and maybe he wants to ask about the progress of this particular project…”

Lia cuts in, “Okay, girl… that's a lot of ranting, and trust me, you don't need that. Just be yourself and you've got it all under control,”

Maybe she's right, I really don't need to panic in front of the same person who has contributed to who I have become today.

I love my job, and when I was told I'd be working in the executive section of this organization, I was really glad.

Running the runway fits me perfectly, but trust me, I'm really good at this as well. I stood from my seat, picked up the notepad, drew my chair back, and made my way out of the room.

Climbing the stairs with a mix of anxiety, fear, and uneasiness, I stood in front of the door, taking a deep breath as I adjusted my dress before placing a knock.

“Come in,” his deep, rich voice was thick and warm. I opened the door and there he was, the mighty billionaire, dreaded Chairman of Virginia Couture.

It was my first time seeing the most influential man in the whole of South America. He was so immersed in whatever he was going through on his laptop.

“Thomas Katie?” he asked in such a tender, urgent manner. He continued, “Please have your seat.” “Yes… sir..” I stuttered and staggered the moment he raised his head.

“W T F!” I blurted out instinctively, while I instantly covered my mouth with my hand. “I’m… I’m so… sorry, sir,” I said with my eyes wide open like I’d run into a ghost.

“If you aren’t fine, you can come back,” he said as he gave his laptop his maximum concentration once more. I stood still, not knowing what to do. How could this happen?

“You either go out or you sit down.” This time around, his voice was no longer tender, but coarse and commanding, more like a lightning thunder command.

I instantly dragged the chair and steadied myself as I sat down. I couldn’t place the raging emotions within me.

This was the man who had made me go through hell for the past five years. Most painful was the fact that he couldn’t recognize me.

I know I had changed a lot, but how convenient for him not to recognize even a bit of my features. My amygdala was on high.

When our eyes met, a flash of heat filled every corner of my being. Sweet hell. Looking at his eyes clearly, he had the most electrifying blue eyes I’d ever seen.

“This shows you are a great asset to this company; we didn’t make a mistake granting you the scholarship,” he remarked as he stopped looking into the document.

He continued, “However, I need your best and not you staring at me like a moron,” I impulsively blinked my eyes at his words.

“I’m sorry… sir,” I muttered. A smug smile temporarily played around the corners of his lips. This man must be having a good time trying to taunt me.

“If you are truly sorry, you should see yourself out,” he replied in his commanding voice.