Unexpected Visit
1116 Words
Chapter 2
Bluebell POV
I looked at my reflection in the mirror one last time.
I loved to always look my best. Even on mornings like this, when I was practically running late enough to get myself fired, I still couldn't bring myself to walk out of the house looking anything less than presentable.
I wore a cream, fitted knit top, which I tucked neatly into a pair of dark chocolate-brown trousers.
Dark-brown leather loafers matched the trousers perfectly, while a long camel wool-blend coat completed the outfit.
My hair went into a neat, low ponytail.
Minimal makeup.
Small earrings.
Watch.
Coat.
Done.
I looked good.
The least I could do was look my best while hoping I wouldn't get sacked.
This was the sixth time I'd been late.
Sixth.
My ride was already here.
I glanced at the time once again.
8:14 a.m.
“Bravo, Bell.”
I stared at myself in the mirror.
“You just got yourself a sack letter.”
I grabbed my handbag and hurried out.
I got into the cab and didn't exchange much in the way of pleasantries with the driver.
London was already awake.
Cars moved through the streets in endless streams. People hurried along the pavements with coffees in their hands, headphones in their ears, and expressions that suggested nobody had enough time for anything.
The ride was supposed to take twenty to twenty-five minutes.
But just so it could crown today as my worst day yet, it took forty.
Traffic was completely jammed.
By the time I finally arrived outside the building, I was practically vibrating with anxiety.
I paid the driver and ran into the office.
The main reason I wore loafers.
I arrived in front of the skyscraper and checked the time.
9:00 a.m.
“Take a deep breath.”
I inhaled slowly.
“You will overcome this.”
I walked in, greeting the people I passed.
“Hi.”
“Hello.”
“You look beautiful.”
That was one thing I had become accustomed to.
Compliments.
I met the receptionist and headed toward the attendance book. I needed to sign in.
“Hi, Maya.”
“Hope your night was blissful.”
“Hi, Bluebell.”
She looked at me.
“I guess yours was.”
She mocked me.
Maya was my childhood friend.
We had both grown up together, but life didn't throw the same parts at us.
Unfortunately, the smarter one became the receptionist.
She was also the one who told me there was an opening at Veyronis, which happened to be the best thing ever.
Apart from Wren, of course.
Aaahhhggg!!!
Wren isn't a thing.
I gave her a tired smile.
“Please don't say it.”
She smiled.
“I wasn't going to.”
I turned, heading toward the lift.
“Actually…”
I heard her say it behind me.
I stopped and turned around.
She was staring toward the corridor that led to the executive lifts.
Something about her expression immediately made me uneasy.
“Maya.”
She looked back at me.
“You good?”
She hesitated.
“CEO is here.”
I blinked.
Like… the Callan Creed?
“The CEO?”
I looked toward the CEO's private lift—the one meant only for him.
I noticed that the seal that normally closed it had been removed.
That was strange.
This company wasn't small. It had hundreds of employees, offices across London, and enough money moving through its departments to make my head hurt when I first started working here.
Yet the man who owned it seemed almost invisible.
I pretended not to care.
“So how do you know he's here?” I asked.
She gave me a look.
“Because half the executive floor suddenly looks like they're preparing for an inspection.”
I almost smiled.
“Is he really that scary?”
Maya hesitated.
“I don't know.”
“You've just said everyone is nervous.”
“I'm nervous because everyone else is nervous.”
That made me laugh.
She pointed at me.
“See? You're laughing now.”
“Should I be crying?”
“You've been here twenty-six days. You don't know what you're getting yourself into.”
I frowned.
“What does that mean?”
She leaned closer.
“Mr. Creed doesn't announce himself.”
I blinked.
“What?”
“He just appears.”
I looked at the elevators again.
“That's dramatic.”
“I'm serious.”
I adjusted my handbag on my shoulder.
“Well, I'm already late. I doubt the mysterious CEO is waiting downstairs to personally fire me.”
She laughed.
“You'd be surprised.”
I turned toward the lift, but noticed the CEO's private lift again.
Then I stopped.
“Wait.”
She looked at me.
“How do you actually know he's here?”
Her expression changed.
“Security called reception a few minutes ago.”
“And?”
She hesitated.
“They also asked us to prepare something.”
“What?”
“The attendance records.”
I frowned.
“Attendance records?”
“For everyone.”
I stared at her.
“Everyone?”
She nodded.
“Everyone working in this branch. Names, departments, dates, attendance history. Apparently, he wants the complete records.”
My curiosity immediately sharpened.
“That makes no sense.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“You've been here twenty-six days and you're already questioning the CEO?”
“I'm not questioning him.”
I paused.
“I'm questioning the request.”
She laughed.
“Of course you are.”
I ignored her.
Why would the CEO personally request the attendance records of an entire branch?
If it were a routine audit, someone from HR would have handled it.
If it were disciplinary, there would probably be specific names.
But everyone?
That was different.
“What exactly did security say?” I asked.
“That he wanted them ready before he left.”
“Did they say why?”
“No.”
“Did anyone ask?”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
I narrowed my eyes.
That immediately bothered me.
Not because I was worried about being late.
Because there was no obvious reason for a CEO to personally request attendance records unless something had caught his attention.
And I hated unanswered questions.
I looked toward the elevators again.
“When was the last time he came here?”
She hesitated.
Then she said quietly,
“Nearly a year ago.”
It kept playing in my head.
Nearly a year ago.
And he chose to come today.
Was something by chance going on in this office, or was it just me overthinking it?
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