QUEST

CHAPTER 3: A BIT FAMILIAR

ZYLPHIA'S POV

Hours later, I stepped out of the elevator, exhausted and dehydrated. I had forgotten to take my bottle of water, as I usually did, due to my beloved assistant who kept nagging me about the blind date I had suspended till today.

“I need to use the restroom. I’ll meet you outside”.

“Okay. I’ll wait outside then”. She said and I left for the restroom.

I took a long good look at my face through the mirror in front of me. My day was just about to start. I washed my hands, then made for the door.

Just as I was about to leave the restroom, I seemed to hear two ladies chattering about their boss.

I was not the type to intrude, I just had to stop and listen, this time. Just this time, I told myself.

“I heard from Mr Shaw that the president is meeting with the mysterious Austin.” The first lady said.

“Really?” the other said, sounding amazed.

“Yeah, I even heard that Austin’s company is into heart bracelets too, just like ours.”

“So we can say that Austin came back this time to join our company?” the other chirped in.

“Um, probably” she said, and seemed to be washing her hands.

I smiled and left, unhurriedly. I had staffs like that also.

I left the restroom with my head bowed in a smile as I walked briskly, attempting to find Rue. Then, someone blew past me, bumping into me in the process.

“What the actual-”

“Sorry,” he left an abrupt apology and bowed.

“Ohh- so” he didn’t even give me a chance to reply him. He seemed to be in a hurry though.

But that voice. It felt familiar. I tried finding traces of it in my memory, but again as usual, my memory seemed to have deserted me.

“Ohh well” I turned to find Rue at my back.

“Let’s go. I’ve combed the whole place for you.” I said.

“I was searching for you too.”

And, I saw Mr Shaw, he seemed to be in a hurry, and was dusting his clothes when I passed.

“Declan? The one that wants to meet Austin?”

“Yup. He probably didn’t see me.”

“Okay, that’s good. Let’s go!”

**

DECLAN'S POV

(Meeting with Austin)

I ended the meeting with the board members rather early this morning as I still had a meeting after this. I was supposed to attend the presentation later in the morning, which I definitely couldn’t attend but I had my nosy assistant represent me. I trusted him to be my face, everywhere, though only if there was no pretty female. He’s always had his eyes on every pretty female, but never dares to approach them. What an asshole.

Beep. Beep. My phone was ringing.

Talk of the devil.

“What?” I asked him, immediately I picked the call.

Master!” he yelled.

I was silent, and he knew what was coming.

“Hey, I heard that she’s back in the country.” He said, adjusting his tone, trying to sound serious.

“Ohh.”

“That’s all?”

“What else? Have you found her?”

“No master”

“Right, so why tell me if she’s back in the country? You’ve been really incompetent lately, I should keep all those ladies from you”

“Uhh? Master, you can’t be this evil. Dear master, even if you don’t have needs, I do, and I’m a man after all! I’m straight and need pretty women!”

“Not everyone is as loose as you!”

Beep.

What an asshole.

I strolled out leisurely, and took my keys from the valet.

I drove straight to Sky High hotel.

On entering the hotel, I was greeted by two black guards who seemed to know I was their boss.

Oh well.

I went straight to my private lounge, which I had prepared for the meeting.

Austin should be here anytime from now and I strolled to the sofa. He or she should be here any minute from now, I thought.

“Hi, this should be Mr Shaw.” A petite lady said, trying to get my attention. She looked good, in her own way, and was dressed somehow corporately.

And before I could think far, it clicked. She was Austin’s assistant. Austin’s right hand.

“Oh, Miss Jacobs?” I answered, before she could give me a proper introduction.

“You seem to know me, Mr Shaw.”

“Of course.” I’ve done a proper check enough to find your name, in attempt to have information about your boss. I said inwardly.

“Oh wow, nice.” She replied and smiled.

I gestured for her to sit, and she did, elegantly.

If there was something Austin knew how to do too well, it was to select the right employees.

This lady gave off a vibe that spoke volumes. Superiority. Not in a bad way, but in a respectable way. She was calm. No wonder she could represent Austin.

If I hadn’t done my research, I would have thought she was Austin, with all the vibe she was giving.

Oh well.

“