You Were Always Mine

Game On

Morning sunlight poured through the sheer curtains, casting long strips of gold across Vivian's bedroom floor.

She stood in front of her wardrobe with both doors wide open, one hand resting thoughtfully against her chin.

Today wasn't about work. It was Pearl Corporation's annual staff sports festival.

Only this year, things were different.

With the merger finally sealed, Onyx Tech had agreed to participate alongside Pearl, turning what had once been a simple company event into a full-scale competition.

Vivian reached for the neatly folded Pearl Corp jersey resting on the shelf.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

It had been years since she'd played anything remotely competitive outside of business.

She changed quickly.

The fitted black athletic shorts hugged her legs comfortably, stopping a few inches above her knees. The white and royal-blue Pearl jersey fit just close enough to define her waist without restricting movement. White trainers completed the outfit, while her long dark hair was pulled into a high ponytail that bounced every time she moved.

She studied herself in the mirror.

No jewellery except the thin bracelet she never took off, studying earrings and nothing else.

She grabbed her water bottle before heading downstairs.

The smell of fresh coffee drifted through the dining area.

Charles stood near the entrance with a tablet in hand.

"...the media team already confirmed coverage," he was saying. "Both companies will have photographers present, and Marketing suggested…"

Oscar wasn't listening. He'd had his attention fixed on his morning coffee until footsteps echoed from the staircase.

He looked up.

And his thoughts simply stopped.

Vivian descended slowly, adjusting the sleeve of her jersey as she walked.

The morning sun caught the loose strands framing her face, making them almost glow.

She looked...different.

Goodness, it took her back to college when she used to play volleyball. He'd thought she could never look terrible in anything.

Even now, dressed in simple clothes, he almost forgot how to breathe.

Charles continued speaking.

"...and HR would appreciate it if both CEOs participated in at least three…"

Oscar hadn't heard a single word. His eyes remained fixed on Vivian until she reached the last step.

Only then did his brain finally restart.

"...Comfortable enough?" he asked, his gaze fixed on her.

He had received the news about the staff event a few days back and this might just be the first time he's had a good look at her rather than her side profile slipping into her car and heading straight to work.

Vivian looked at herself.

"You've suddenly become interested in fashion?"

"No." Oscar picked up his coffee. "I was wondering if Pearl Corp couldn't afford trousers."

Charles coughed into his fist.

Vivian smiled sweetly, a dark look in her eyes. "Funny."

She walked past him toward the table where she reached for a bottle of water.

Oscar finally forced himself to look away.

Bloody hell. It was just sportswear.

Why exactly had he stared like he'd never seen a woman before?

He mentally cursed himself.

Vivian took a gulp of the water before turning around, leaning on the table.

Her gaze caught something in her peripheral, making her eyes narrow slightly.

Oscar had rolled his sleeves to his elbows. She had seen the tattoos covering parts of his arms before.

But never...had she taken a closer look at it.

Thin black lettering stretched along the inside of his forearm with words that should have rung a bell but didn't for some reason.

M-o-n-i-q…

The rest of the letters disappeared under his sleeve.

Odd.

That looks awfully familiar…she thought as her eyes narrowed even more to get a better look.

Oscar noticed her staring, his eyes followed hers and froze on realising what she was reading.

He tugged both sleeves back down in one swift motion, making her eyes shift to meet those greens.

He ticked his head, eyes unreadable. “Do you have something to say?”

She cleared her throat, putting the lid on the bottle.

“Why would I?”

The last thing she wanted was for him to think she'd noticed anything about him.

Charles mercifully interrupted before either of them spoke again.

"We should leave."

Oscar stepped out of his seat and was right out the door in mere seconds before the memory of how he'd tattooed her middle name on his arm replayed itself again.

Across Town...

Bibi Faye stepped out of her car wearing oversized sunglasses that absolutely nobody had asked for.

The event was taking place in a beautiful open park owned by Onyx and from a distance, she could see refreshments, a score board and a dozen other things that made the whole event look like an interhouse sport.

She removed them dramatically.

Then immediately checked her reflection in the tinted window.

Perfect. Absolutely flawless.

Unlike everyone else arriving in ordinary sportswear...

Bibi had somehow managed to transform the Pearl jersey into something worthy of a fashion magazine.

The shirt had been tucked in just enough to flatter her waist.

Her trainers looked suspiciously expensive. Even her ponytail had volume.

How? Nobody knew. Least of all Bibi herself.

She simply believed excellence followed her naturally.

"My goodness..." she sighed dramatically. "This weather is criminal."

Several employees looked over as they walked by.

One whispered. "That's Bibi."

"The CEO's cousin?"

"I heard she's practically family."

Bibi heard every word. She smiled to herself. She knew it was only a matter of time before one of her coworkers told someone about her claims.

Isn't that fabulous?! Now they will all know they are all beneath her.

She sighed as though carrying the burden of beauty itself.

A young accountant hurried over. "Morning, Bibi."

She smiled warmly. "Morning."

"So..." he lowered his voice. "...is it true?"

Bibi blinked innocently. "Is what true?"

"You know..." he leaned closer. "About Ms. Vivian."

Bibi gasped. "Loud voices create unnecessary rumours."

His eyes widened. "So it is true?"

She looked around cautiously before whispering, "I never said that."

"You didn't deny it either."

Bibi placed one finger against her lips.

"Some things..." she whispered dramatically, "...are better left within the family."

The poor man looked ready to explode. "Oh my God. I knew it."

Bibi smiled modestly. "Please." She straightened. "I dislike attention. You have to keep this a secret."

The young man nodded enthusiastically. “Promise.”

Three more employees immediately surrounded her.

"Bibi!"

"Can we take a picture?"

"You look amazing!"

She sighed theatrically. "If you insist."

Now this is the life befitting of a woman of her caliber.

A short while later...

Two black luxury SUVs rolled into the sports complex. Conversation around the grounds lowered as a few employees recognised the cars instantly.

Vivian stepped out first.

Instantly, several staff members waved her with bright smiles on their faces.

"Morning, Ms. Vivian!"

She smiled. "Morning."

Oscar climbed out from the opposite side.

The Onyx employees greeted him just as enthusiastically.

"Boss!"

"Please don't ruin the fun for us, Boss!"

Oscar shut the car door. "I make no promises."

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Bibi turned.

The moment she spotted Vivian, her entire face lit up just as Tina slipped right next to her.

"That's my favourite cousin!" She gushed. “And my brother in law looks so fine!” She cooed.

“Aren't you going to say hi?” Tina asked.

Bibi lowers her voice conspiratorially, “but I told you I am not allowed to tell anyone who I am!”

She forged concern. “Someone asked me earlier if it was true. But you promised not to tell anyone!” She whined.

Tina's face was lined with worry. “I didn't tell anyone, Bibi. I promise.”

The event coordinator climbed onto the small stage, tested the mic and soon addressed everyone.

"Good morning, everyone! Welcome to the Pearl and Onyx Tech's very first Staff event!"

Applause erupted as the two companies walked closer to the stage with Pearl and its staff on the right side of the field and Onyx and his staff on the left.

"Today's competitions will be team-based and everyone will be gripped according to the companies they work for. We have several games to play today and you are to participate in one or another."

The coordinator looked toward Vivian.

"Ms. Pearl. We'll need your team selections."

SEVEN glanced around. "You haven't told us what games we will be playing yet.”

“Why? Nervous?” Oscar asked, earning a ‘ouhhh’ from his staff.

Vivain turned to face him with her arms folded.

“What makes you think I'm nervous? I just wanted to know why I had to choose my team first.”

The coordinator cleared his throat. “The games will be announced as soon as you pick a team, Ms. Vivian.”

Oscar's eyes flickered towards her, intense greens staring her down with a slight hint of playfulness..

“You heard the man. Pick your team.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly on him before she turned away, walking towards her staff.

Her eyes swept across the crowd; some employees looked excited while others looked terrified.

She folded her arms.

"I don't care who's the fastest.” She started. “I don't care who's the strongest either."

Her eyes traveled from one face to another.

"I want people who actually intend to win."

She glanced at Oscar who had those eyes on her. He had a smirk on his face which only left an annoying taste in her mouth.

She returned her attention to her staff.

“I need to crush his ego so bad. Who's with me?”

Several hands immediately shot into the air. Including Bibi's. She not only raised her hand, she more like launched them up to the sky. She practically bounced where she stood.

"Me!"

Vivian looked directly at her. And nodded firmly.

"Come on." She said, “I like competitive people. Exactly what I need.”

The people she had picked now stand right behind her, including Bibi who was glowing in excitement.

Time seemed to stop for Bibi.

Did… Did Vivian Pearl just compliment her?

Personally? Publicly?

Her heart nearly burst.

She somehow managed to walk toward the Pearl team without squealing.

Behind her, her coworkers muttered among themselves.

"I knew they were related!"

"See? Ms. Vivian picked her immediately!"

Bibi tried very hard to remain humble, beaming from ear to ear.

Across the field, Oscar watched Vivian organizing her team. Then glanced toward his own employees as a slow smile crossed his face.

This should be fun.

The coordinator raised the microphone again.

"And now..." he called loudly, "allow me to introduce today's team captains."

He extended one arm toward Pearl Corporation.

"Captain of Team Pearl...Ms. Vivian Pearl!"

Cheers erupted. He turned toward the opposite side.

"And representing Onyx Technologies....Mr. Oscar Onyx!"

The applause grew even louder.

Across the field, their eyes met, neither of them smiled nor looked away.

Someone in the crowd laughed nervously just as another employee whispered,

"This is going to be war.”