MY FORBIDEN OBSESSION

CHAPTER 3- THEDECISION

Claire stepped out of Sterling enterprises and released a breath she didn't know she had been holding.

The cool breeze hit her face and this was the first time since she entered the building, she felt relaxed.

She didn't know how well she had performed during the interview.

Ethan had asked her almost every questions she had prepared for, and she was sure that she had answered all of them without embarrassing herself.

But there was something that kept bugging her.

What was her childhood like?

Why had he asked that

It wasn't a question she wasn't familiar but there was something about the tone he asked the question and the way he looked at her afterward.

It made her uncomfortable.

Claire frowned as she walked towards the bus stop. She had never really given any thought to her childhood. She simply didn't remember much of it. Most of what she knew came from what her father had told her over the years.

She remembered living with him. She remembered high school. She remembered her birthdays and few random moments.

But before a certain age?

Almost nothing

Maybe that was normal.

Maybe she was simply overthinking due to stress and nervousness from the interview.

Perhaps it was because she wanted this job badly.

Claire noticed that her broken heel had gotten worse. It was falling apart more than it had when she came.

She tried walking carefully without attracting much attention from people.

She thought of removing the heels and holding it in her hands but she decided against it. It was kind of unethical to her.

Claire stood under the scorching sun for a while, she looked at her reflection in a glass window and couldn't help but laugh at herself because she looked professional from the waist up but was basically fighting for her life with one shoe.

"First the water, then the interview and now this".

She shook her head.

At least the worst part of the day was over.

Or so she thought.

Claire decided to wait under a shade since no bus was in sight, her feet were beginning to hurt especially the one with the damaged heel.

The bus finally arrived, and Claire climbed inside carefully. She found an empty seat by the window and rated her head.

If she got the job her life will take on another phase.

She could settle her bills without frequently worrying about the next payment. She could help her father with some bills and some distant family relations. Maybe, with enough time she could even save money to move into a bigger and better apartment and also get herself a small car.

A small smile appeared on her face. She hadn't even gotten the job yet and she was had things planned out.

Claire leaned her head against the blue bus window, watching the streets pass by. She was still thinking about the interview when she suddenly noticed a man sitting a few seats behind her.

He wasn't doing anything unusual.

Claire glanced back.

Their eyes met briefly.

Claire frowned and turned back towards the window.

Maybe she was simply being paranoid after such a stressful morning.

A few minutes passed, and she slowly looked back again.

The man was still there.

This time he wasn't looking at her.

Claire sighed in relief and turned back.

When the bus finally stopped at her destination, she stood up and adjusted her bag. As she stepped off, she glanced over her shoulder one last time.

The man was no longer in his seat

Claire looked around the bus.

She couldn't see him anywhere.

She shook her head and continued walking, deciding it was probably nothing.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Later that afternoon, Claire had refreshed and ate a decent meal.

She kept on looking at her email.

Nothing.

She knew she was expecting a response too soon and Sterling enterprises was a big company to make mistakes. Even getting an interview was a big opportunity.

She picked up her phone again to check her email, still nothing.

She decided to rest a bit when she got a call from Mia.

"I thought you wouldn't call to ask me how it went"

" Silly girl, you know I'll always care about you".

Claire couldn't help but smile

"So how was the interview"

"It went well, I guess"

"What do you mean by you guess, you have always waited for this opportunity for as long as I could remember"

"I answered all my questions well, at least it was what I had prepared for"

"Imagine how nervous I was, I almost urinated on myself".

"You must be kidding" Mia said laughing uncontrollably.

"So gist me bestie, I heard that men in the sterling family are really good looking"

"Well it's true, I guess. I only met Ethan Sterling"

"And how would you define him"

"He is nice, polite, composed and isn't too intimidating and he is good-looking.

"Hmm"

"Geez cut the crap Mia, I didn't apply to fall in love with Sterling men.

Mia kept on laughing.

"But..."

"But what", Mia asked slightly raising her voice.

"Something strange happened, but maybe it isn't important.

"Spill the beans bestie".

"Okay, Mr. Ethan Sterling asked what my childhood was like"

"And..."

"Well there was something about the way he looked at me, as if he knew something I didn't".

"Bestie, you know what"

"What"

"I think you should have a long siesta, what do you mean that Mr. Sterling you have never seen, knows something you don't".

Claire hissed, she knew Mia would make fun of her.

"Yeah, I think you are right"

Just then a call came in from an unknown number.

"Bestie I'll call you back, hold on"

She picked the call

"Ms. Morgan, this Sterling enterprises, we would like to offer you the position"

Claire froze for a second.

She had been expecting an email

"Your salary, working hours and responsibilities will be emailed to you, feel free to contact us if you aren't satisfied with any of them".

"And lastly and most importantly"

"You'd be working directly under Mr. Sterling"

"Okay, thanks a lot" Claire said finally finding her voice.

She tried not to scream out of joy.

She immediately called Mia back

"Guess what"

"I got the job"

"Yayy, I knew you could do this, after all nobody deserved that position more than you do. Mia replied sounding genuinely happy.

"Awwn, thanks a lot", I haven't informed my dad yet.

"You should"

Claire hung up.

She excitedly calls her dad to tell him about the job offer.

"Dad I got the job"

Silence

"Dad"

"I heard you"

Her father didn't celebrate the way she expected.

Instead he said

"At Sterling?"

"Yes dad"

Silence again.

"Do you know the sterling family"

"No"

"Have you heard something about them"

"No"

"Dad why are you acting strange"

"Its nothing".

"Claire" he called out.

There was something about the way he called her that sounded alarming.

"If you notice anything strange there you leave"

"Dad I don't understand"

"And don't trust everyone who smiles at you".

Claire let out a frustrated sigh.

"Have you eaten he said deliberately changing the subject.

She thought of asking more about what he meant but she knew he wouldn't reply. She decided not to push further.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In a penthouse not far away from Sterling enterprises Ethan sat patiently looking at his boss and cousin Adrian Sterling.

Ethan had told Adrian about the interview and he had remained silent not saying anything.

"Did she mention her childhood"

"Yes she did"

"What did she say"

"She says she could not remember much details about her childhood"

Adrian's expression changes.

"You know, I've worked for you for years and I've never seen you this interested in an applicant".

"I'm not"

Ethan shoved him a little

He noticed Adrian looking at Claire's photograph

"Do you know her?"

"No"

Ethan had a look of doubt on his face.

"You specifically told me to ask about her childhood".

"What did she say"

"I already told you all she said"

"Why does it matter to you so much"

"It doesn't"

"Why does it matter to you"

"Firstly you asked me to interview her myself knowing fully well that an Executive assistant are always interviewed by you".

"Secondly, you instructed me to ask her about her childhood".

"And lastly, since I have known you, you haven't had any female assistant and all of a sudden you want one".

Adrian's eye narrowed.

"So?"

"So why Claire?"

Adrian remained silent.

He looked at Ethan for several seconds.

Then he said quickly, "be careful, Ethan"

Though he was Adrian's right hand man and cousin, Adrian had an aura that even his family was scared of.

Adrian wasn't joking anymore.

Ethan raised both hands

"Fine I was just asking "

"Then stop asking"

Ethan stood up from his chair

"I guess I'll leave you to your mysterious investigation.

Adrian didn't answer.

Ethan reached the door, then stopped

"Whatever you're looking for, Adrian, I hope you know what you're doing"

The door closed behind him.

Adrian looked at Claire's application and studied her resume.

He glanced at her photograph, her father's name, her date of birth.

Everything seemed normal.

She looked young, confident and ignorant of the questions surrounding her existence.

Something about her bothered him.

Adrian opened the drawer beside his desk. He took out an old, worn out file that looked as though it hadn't been touched in years.

He placed it on the desk and stared at the name written across the front.

MORGAN

His expression changed.

Slowly, he opened it.

His jaw tightened.

There was something he couldn't explain.

Something that had been buried for a very long time.

His finger tightened around the old file.

He looked at Claire's photograph one last time and whispered,

"Who are you, Claire Morgan?"