001
1008 Words
Emilia's POV
The office smelled like Sunshine and new beginnings and I was ready for all of it.
I stepped out of the elevator and into the lobby of Luxe enterprise – my new home, I was trying my best to look elegant and confident while ignoring the knot that was already forming in my stomach.
My heels clicked against the tiled floor like an applause, it felt like a reward for my hard work, I had been trying for some months to work my transfer here, why wouldn't I? This place felt like a fresh start. A new city and a stable job.
I finally located my office, it was neatly arranged with my stuff placed on the table, I sat down and twirled round on the seat.
"Sorry to interrupt you Miss Barrington." She said poking her head through the office door "The CEO wants to see you, he wants to personally welcome you." She added with a smile.
I sat up.
It was strange, why would the CEO want to see me? I don't hold a major position for him to want to welcome personally.
It was quite different from my previous job.
I barely had time to reply her when the glass door slid open.
Air fled my lungs, I stood up from my seat in shock.
Derek Winter.
The last man I expected to see here.
"Hi Emilia."
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice coming out sharper than I had intended.
"I would have asked the same." He slipping his hands into his pocket "but since this is a work setting, I guess the answer is quite obvious."
He almost looked the same. The neatly cut hairstyle, the same perfectly tailored suit. The only difference was his Aura– this time, it screamed danger.
"That doesn't answer my question, what are you doing here?" I asked again.
"Well, I didn't want to bother you, since I have a lot of time to spare, I decided to do the welcoming in your office." He said and I could have sworn I saw a tint of smirk at the corners of his lips.
"What do you mean?" I asked coming out from behind my desk to face him. "Are you the CEO?" I asked, my anger Rising.
"You're still smart." He said tucking a strand of hair behind my ears.
I moved back.
"Well, I was going to give you a breakdown of what I expected from you since you would be working directly with me."
I stared at him.
Was he serious?
"The last time I checked, my role here was a social media manager, I don't see how that got to with working directly with you, Sir." I said, making sure he noticed the emphasis on the last word.
"You're my Assistant."
"I'm pretty sure you know what a social media manager–"
"You were promoted this morning, get your things ready, you'll be moving to the office next to mine" he said, as if he was announcing the weather.
My blood boiled, I held the table in a bid to calm myself.
"I won't, I'm not doing it, it's not in my job description and I didn't ask for a promotion."
"You don't have a choice Emilia, you signed a contract to support the company the best way you can, it's not something you can decline." He said bending down so he was at my eye level, his eyes locked with mine as he spoke.
I held my breathe, this wasn't happening.
"You're insane." I snapped.
"I've been called worse, Emilia." He said and walked out of my office.
I slammed my fist on my office table in anger, it felt like my world was spinning, this has to be one bad joke.
Walking into my past in a place I had assumed was my new beginning, wasn't on my bingo cards.
***
I ran up the little staircase outside the apartment almost tripping over my long coat, my heart racing as I knocked.
"Emilia, what's wrong? You don't look okay." She asked opening the door wide enough for me to pass through.
"It's Derek." I managed to say.
"The Derek?" She asked leading me to her couch.
"Yes Eva, I got to the office and met him there, turns out he's the new boss, I don't know what to do Eva, I'm scared."
"Calm down babe, calm down." She said rubbing my back.
"Okay, but why are you even bothered?" She asked. "It's been how many years now and the last time I checked, you have a beautiful life now, why are you fazed by his presence?" She added sitting close to me.
I paused.
"You're right Eva, I have something beautiful now and that's all that matters, I can't let him bother me." I said and continued inhaling and exhaling deeply to calm myself.
There was no need having a panic attack over an Ex I had forgotten, I have built my life and I won't let his presence jeopardize anything, he meant nothing.
"Thank you so much Eva, I honestly don't know what I would have done without you." I said hugging her.
"It's fine girl, I hate how you came here looking all worked up, he means nothing."
I nodded.
"He means nothing." Was all I chanted in my head as I drove back home, Derek Winter meant nothing.
As I played with Alice later that day, after a call with Adonis, I repeated the words until a knock at the door interrupted me.
I swung the door open, my eyes almost bulging out of it's socket, the man I've been trying to get away from, stood there like a ghost that refused to stay buried.
"Emilia."
"Derek please leave, what are you even doing here?" I asked my anger seething.
"Mummy, I've been waiting for you." Alicia said, coming to stand next to me. "Hi" she said looking up at Derek.
He smiled at her.
"Emilia, she looks just like me."
I froze.
- Writer
