Chapter 1
Aubrey’s P.O.V
Dark, ominous clouds condensed across the sky like steam hitting a cooler surface. It was going to rain soon, it was unavoidable and I had no umbrella. It wasn’t my finest moment, of course, but when I’d left my apartment this morning, the sun and its rays were too prominent. I guess that’s just how life is, nothing short of unpredictable.
I put my woolen coat closer to my frame, just as my phone buzzed in my pocket. Reaching down, I pulled it up and saw I’d just received a text from my boyfriend, Wendell. As my eyes browsed across the screen, my eyebrows shot heavenward.
I’m breaking up with you. I’ll have your stuff sent over to your place. It’s not working out. Don’t call me or text. Goodbye,
~W.
I pondered deeply about what had warranted what would probably be the most callous break up text in history. We’d been together for a little over six months and for the most part, things were going great…or so I thought. For some reason, I didn’t feel my chest constrict painfully neither did I want to cry. As if on cue, huge droplets splattered on my screen and soon a downpour ensued.
I had never been particularly fond of rain. Of all the weather conditions, I considered it to be the worst. And of all days for it to rain, it just had to be this one. The day when I miss out on another job opportunity and got unceremoniously get dumped too. Can this day get any worse?
My feet carried me further down the block until I reached a café. I wasn’t really familiar with this part of town but when I saw it, I gave it no further thought and pushed the door open. I was greeted by the warmth of the heating and the alluring aroma of coffee. Lately, my life had been such a downward spiral. I was jobless, had a couple of odd dollars to live on. At the age of twenty-nine, my life was a steaming hot mess and a screaming bore.
My last good job was back in my hometown of Minnesota, but the money I was making just didn’t tally with my qualifications so I’d moved back to New York. Trust me, it wasn’t an easy decision coming back to the place that held so many bitter-sweet memories but I was desperate. I needed the money, but my lack of experience had me working odd jobs and sometimes I was deemed overqualified. How is it even possible to be overqualified for an accounting job. Is this what graduating top of my class at NYU would culminate in? All I knew was, it wasn’t entirely my fault.
Don’t blame him for it. You’re the one who decided to marry that control freak at the age of 22!
Choosing not to dwell on that poisonous thought, I joined the back of the line which was surprisingly not long. The sound of gushing water against the sober, background music provided an oddly tranquil setting for the little joint. Once I approached the cashier, I placed my order for plain black coffee. My budget was tight so I had no room for lavish orders. All I could think about is curling up beneath a blanket and watching re-runs of my favorite shows.
“Here’s your coffee.” mumbled the guy behind the counter. He didn’t seem too happy, well that makes two of us. Having being brought out of my reverie, I quickly paid for the coffee and grabbed it. When I turned to leave, I ran straight into someone, spilling my coffee on them by mistake.
I gasped in horror. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.” I said, rubbing my hands on the obvious stain on the stranger’s shirt. And shit, it looked more expensive than my apartment’s rent.
“No, don’t worry about it at all. Accidents happen.”
I froze immediately. I knew that deep, husky voice. In fact, I’d known it for so many years and I really never thought I’d be hearing it again so soon.
Please don’t let it be him. Please don’t let it be him!
I looked up and my eyes met very familiar gray ones. Oh no, it was him!
It was like time just stilled and the world around us faded into oblivion. At first, it seemed like his mind hadn’t registered who I was but when he’d figured it out, his eyes widened ever so slightly and lips quirked up at the corners too.
“Aubrey? Is that you?” He voiced; his tone went up an octave and his face full blown with surprise.
I gulped. The room suddenly felt a little too hot and uncomfortable. “H-hi, Bryce.” I stuttered pathetically. Well, that was smooth. That’s what you could come up with?
His beautiful steel eyes gave me a once over. “I can’t believe it’s you. I thought you left the city. How long has it been, four years?”
“Five and a half, to be exact.” I corrected, my voice a little too sharp. Apparently, it couldn’t have been longer. The fact that I had just spilt my coffee on him dawned on me once again. “Shit, I’m sorry I spilled my coffee on you. I was just-”
“Don’t worry about it.” He said, shrugging. “It was an accident, plus you have always been a clumsy little thing.” He chuckled lowly, earning a scowl from me. Of course, he just had to insult me.
“I was just kidding,” He held up his hands in defense. An insult disguised as a joke; classic Bryce.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You, kidding? Those are opposite ends of the spectrum. Last time I checked, you were always so brutally honest,” I retorted, nostrils flared.
His smile instantly fell. “Wow, I see you haven’t forgotten about the past. Aubrey, for goodness’ sake, it’s been five years!”
I sighed and looked way. “Well, five years isn’t enough to forget everything. No amount of time will ever make me forget, Bryce.”
“Do you need me to go down on my knees and beg for forgiveness?” He looked down at me, a smirk quirking at the edge of his perfect lips. I shot him a scathing look. “Okay, okay. I get, we have a rough past but can’t we just move past it? Aubrey, I apologized and I agreed to your terms. Will you ever forgive me?” I cannot believe he has the audacity to ask me that…after I literally modelled my life to be there for him, to put myself second.
Could I really forgive him for how he neglected me and blatantly disregarded my feelings? Maybe, maybe not.
Seeing Bryce again just brought back too many painful memories that I had neatly tucked away in the furthest corner of my brain. I just couldn’t easily forget them, no matter how much I tried to.
I glanced back up at him again, my eyes a bit misty. “I did forgive you, but I won’t forget.”
He seemed to be hurt by my words. “Look, why don’t I buy you some coffee and maybe we can sit and have a talk.” He said, a sense of pleading in his tone.
I bit my lip nervously. I really didn’t want to do that. “...Umm, I-”
“It’s the least you could do for messing up my $400 shirt.”
I froze. Had I heard correctly? ”What? Did you just say $400 shirt?”
A ghost of a smirk played at his lips. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Who the hell would wear such a pricy piece of fabric?
Ignoring my question, he went up to the cashier, completely disregarding the now longish line formed in the cafe. The customers seemed unfazed by it. Had I teleported to another city suddenly? It wasn’t like New Yorkers to let something like this slide.
“Hey, buddy. Can I get two black coffees, one with sugar and the other with none,” Bryce said smoothly to the cashier, who in turn wordlessly nodded and wasted no time in preparing the order.
He casually strolled back over to me and led me to an unoccupied table. He sat down and I followed suit, keeping my eyes trained on anything else but his eyes. I could feel him staring at me, and it made my face feel warm. Bryce hadn’t changed much, he looked exceptionally more handsome and well groomed. More mature, and definitely more alluring. And here I was, in the middle of a life crisis, looking like a hoodlum in partially soaked clothing.
“You cut your hair.” He started, breaking the awkward silence.
I looked out the window, watching as the harsh rain drops splashed against it. “Y-yeah, I wanted a new look,” I replied lowly, subconsciously going to rake my fingers through my unruly black locks.
“I always liked your hair long.”
That’s exactly why I cut it, I wanted to counter but just bit my tongue. The cashier came towards us with the order. He placed them on the table and then turned to Bryce with a smile that was all to bright and counterfeit.
“Here you go, Mr. Roberts. Always a pleasure to have you here,” the cashier beamed pleasantly.
Bryce looked down at his wrist were an expensive looking watch lay. “That was fast. I appreciate it. Thank you,” he said and the cashier nodded before scurrying off back to his post. What the hell was that about?
I took a sip of my coffee, letting the hot liquid trickle down my throat. “Still a control freak, I see.”
He chuckled lightly. “Still so judgmental, I see.” He countered. “So, how have you been?”
His question caught me off guard. How had I been? Well, I have been better, to say the least. A lot better.
“Good.” I mumbled, taking another sip of the beverage. “And you? I guessing you are doing very well, sporting fancy clothing and watches,” I added, somewhat sullenly.
He smiled. “If you must know, I have managed to build an empire from the ground up. I’m just enjoying to fruits of my hard work.”
Great, so now he was bragging about how amazing his life was. Fan-freaking-tastic!
“Good for you,” I smiled sardonically. “So, I guess all that time you spent working instead of being with your wife paid off.” I added, with a vinegary laugh.
He grunted. “Aubrey, why can’t we just have a normal conversation like civilized people? I get that our past is a sensitive topic and all, but I’m not the one bringing it up. It’s you. I don’t believe in coincidences and I believe there’s a reason we met once again. Maybe we could try being friends?” he suggested, extending his hand towards mine that was on the table but I quickly averted his hold.
Then I finally snapped. “Well, friend, if you must know, I’m not doing great at all. I don’t have a job. I live in a crappy apartment and my boyfriend dumped me not even an hour ago. I went jobbing hunting today because I heading towards being penniless but guess what, I found nothing. I have no job experience whatsoever pertaining to my qualifications because of someone who didn’t want me to work, so I don’t have a stable income. How does that sound, friend?” I hawked tartly, my chest heaving.
He sat there, mouth ajar. There was also something flashing in his eyes, what was it? Pity? That was the last thing I needed from him.
“I-” he began but I quietened him by raising my hand.
“You’re sorry, I know. But you apologizing isn’t going to fix anything. My life has been a mess since time immemorial, and seeing you today just worsened it. I know I forgave you but seeing you again is just too agonizing.” I managed to say, blinking the tears that threatened to fall.
With that, I stood up and ran for the door, only for Bryce to clutch me by the elbow right outside the cafe.
“I messed up big time, I know. What can I say but I’m sorry. I feel terrible for the way things went between us. I want to fix my mistakes-”
I tried to shrug him off, and he did let go. “Don’t bother. My life is unfixable at this point.” I turned to leave, only for him to have my arm in his hand.
“At least let me take you home. It’s raining and you don’t have an umbrella.” Goddamn lack of an umbella!
If I didn’t take his offer, I would likely be drenched by the time I reach my apartment block. That’s the only reason why I let him lead me to a sleek, black Ferrari parked right outside of the cafe.
I stood still for a few jiffies, just gawping at the black beauty.
“Are you going to get in or not? You’ll get wet if you just stand there all day looking at my car.” He said and peered at me, humor dancing in his eyes.
“What are you, a millionaire?” I exclaimed, gesturing towards the other worldly automobile.
“Well,” he paused, “I’m actually a billionaire. Get in the car, will you!”
Listening to his advice, I slid into the car to avoid getting soaked. The interior was so exquisite. I couldn’t possibly imagine how much the car cost. Probably worth much more than everything I owned.
Once we’d buckled up, Bryce brought the engine to life and swiftly moved into the road.
“Where to?” he requested, his eyes fixed on the road.
For a second, I contemplated whether to tell him my actual address or just drop me close by my building. Honestly, I didn’t want him to see my very humble abode. It was located in one of the shiftiest parts of New York.
Hesitantly, I gave him my address, earning a look of skepticism from him. So, he had heard of the place. Fantastic.
“You actually live there?” He said, not veiling the disquiet in his voice.
I looked out the window in discomfiture. “Yeah. Not all of us can afford to live in grandeur and magnificence.”
I noticed him tense at my words. Bryce had always been kind of blunt and had no clue what a filter was. I should have known that trait of his would still be there. Some things don’t change.
The rest of the ride was hushed and soon, he parked his car on the side of my building. I unbuckled the belt, and placed my hand on the car door handle.
I turned to look at Bryce, who was already looking at me. “Thanks for the ride.” I murmured softly.
“No problem.” He smiled. “Will I see you again?”
“Maybe,” I whispered, before sliding out his car and jogging into the complex. I didn’t even look back to see if he had gone or not.
When I was safely within the confines of my apartment, I leaned against the door and let a sigh I didn’t even know I was holding. I ran a hand through my hair; my frustration with life was at its peak.
Seeing Bryce again stirred something deep in my soul that had been dormant for a long time now. Even after all he had done to me, my pulse and heartbeat fluctuated because of him. He made me nervous, he made my stomach flutter with butterflies and he definitely made me feel hot all over.
But he also made me want to punch him that stupidly beautiful face of his. How dare he just assume he can just shimmy his way back into my life as though nothing had never happened? There were multiple reasons as to why we got divorced.
I pulled at my hair. “Stop!” I yelled at no one in particular. “It’s been more than five years. You need to move on, Aubrey Whitlock. He is just your ex-husband, get that? Your ex!” Just another name of my list of exes.
I paid no more attention to the thoughts racing through my mind, and made my way to the petit bathroom where I took a long, hot shower. After that, I changed into my pajamas and headed to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of popcorn. I think after all of today’s drama, I deserved to relax and watch some tv.
Just as I sat down, my phone began to ring. Perfect timing! I rolled my eyes and then looked at the screen. I had no idea who it was.
“Hello?” I answered, my voice coated in curiosity.
“Hi, is this Aubrey Goldstein?” An unknown, feminine voice asked.
I hesitated to answer for a moment. “Y-yes. Who is this?”
“I’m am calling to inform you that you have been selected as the new personal assistant to the CEO of Constructex Private Limited.”
