FORGOTTEN LOVE

CHAPTER 3 - I HAVE SOURCES

JADE POV

I sat up quickly, to find myself on the floor. I always do, just that the bed and I don't get along. It was already 6:30 and I had still had one hour or so to get ready. 

''Ms. Wilson, you have your things down here.'' Martha called out to me.

I straightened my hair and skipped down the stairs cheerfully. Martha, Cathy and Michael sat around the table with all the bags and suitcases on the floor. Cathy opened her mouth to chat away something as usual but closed almost immediately. I followed her eyes that lead to me, wearing Ethan's sky blue shirt reaching my thighs and I could already see the wrong image forming in their heads.

''Hey hey! Not what you think. Hello Martha!'' I sat down beside them.

''Hello, Ms. Wilson''

''Please call me Jade and where is Ethan?'' I looked around, to make sure he was around here anywhere.

''He left.'' I snapped my eyes back to her.

''What?''

''He left earlier than everyday. Almost at 5:30..''

''5:30? I thought this jerk would make it easier, but no!'' I rushed towards a random suitcase on the floor and pulled out an outfit.

''Michael, tell our team to keep their eyes on Ethan all the time. You can set the cameras in and out after I leave and the should be able to cover all the angles. No blinds spots accepted. Get it ready before 6. Call me if you notice anything!'' I advised, running up the stairs to get changed.

I didn't mind if I was late to work or not. In fact, at this speed I would be first to reach there. I knew what Ethan is planning and if he still thinks he could get rid of me, he ought to do better.

I slowed down and calmed my heavy breathing. ''Good morning, Mr. Brian!'' 

He smirked as soon as he set his eyes on me. I was mad at him but I certainly can't ignore the fact he sent my heart racing back again.

''Good morning, Ms. Wilson. I see you failed to do your job'' I let out a laugh.

''I never do that. I had my eyes on you all morning. No kidding.''

His smirk didn't fall quickly but I answered his question he didn't ask.

''I have sources. So, no matter where you go or what you do, I will be watching. I know you hate that but if you don't cooperate, that would be what I'd use.'' I took my seat and looked at the table, files stacked on top of each other. I wasn't Ethan's personal assistant but I'd take that post during meetings. That way, it would be better to do my job.

''Jade!'' I was startled at the sudden call of my name, half an hour later. It was that girl who dropped the I pad yesterday. She pulled me into a hug and she was pretty strong for her size.

''I'm Valentina. I know you're new here, so, I got you coffee.'' I chuckled at her excitement and the other workers walked to their seats, noise filling the room as they entered.

''Thanks a lot, Valentina. You didn't have to do that.'' She smiled and her eyes went behind me and she faked a crooked salute at Ethan, bringing a smile to his handsome face. He was watching us. It seemed like Valentina was his favourite. She was the youngest and quick on her feet.

''Can I call you Val?''

''Of course, Jade.''

A throat cleared behind her. It was a woman in her 30's. Heavy make-up caked face, nails long enough to scratch her back without any effort. She held her hand out for me to shake.

''I'm Emily.'' With a fake smile at me, her expression changed as she spotted Val. ''Get me a cup of tea, Valentina...Harry, you want one too?'' Someone replied with a yeah. ''Two, then''

So, this is what's going on. Valentina still had that pretty smile on her face and nodded but I pulled her back by her arm. ''Val, how about you show me around? I'd like to take a look.'' 

''Hey, what about my tea?''  

''You have nice hands to make them yourself. Perhaps you could stir the tea with your fingernails.'' I gave her a thumbs up and pulled Val with me.

''You shouldn't have done that. She'd definitely try to get back at you.''

''I'd love to see her try and you...should speak up.'' I halted and held her shoulders.

''It's not a problem for me. I..''

''So, are you trying to say that you have no issue spending your time serving everyone and that you like to be bossed around?'' She averted her gaze from me.

''I'm sorry, Jade.'' 

''Hey, I'm not yelling at you.''

''I know, I'm sorry.''

A day in this office and I came to know all about everyone. Thanks to Val and Ace. They are one of a few who could lighten up the mood. Most of them were bossy and rude like Emily, but Val is still nervous around them without me. 

''Mr. Brian, aren't we leaving?'' He looked up at me and then out of the window, as if just noticing it was dark.

''I'm working overnight. You can leave if you want.''

Haha, what a joke. 

''Do you want to have something, Mr. Brian?''

''No thankyou.'' As if I'd listen to that.

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ETHAN POV

A bag appeared on my table. 

''Dinner is here'' I chuckled at the behaviour of hers. She still does the exact opposite of what I say.

''What's wrong?'' She took a seat facing me.

''What was the point of asking me then?''

''Might not have bought you if you answered yes.'' She gave me a million dollar smile.

''So, what do think about the company?''

''Pretty good except some of the employees. Not friendly''

''Does that affect you?'' 

''No, but it does for a few'' I nodded. We spent 4 years together in the university. Not all of them were friendly but she always felt different about it, like, it affected her in some way. It no longer did. 

I wanted to ask her so many questions. How had she been? Where she was for the past five years, If she like her job...

I wanted to embrace her like making it up for all the years, kiss her like I needed something to live. But all I could do was sit in front of her and watch her smile like nothing happened, failing to notice my throbbing heart.

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