CODE: ceo

𝟎𝟎𝟏

After a laborious 9 hour trip all the way to the famous New York City with my little daughter, Arabella, we finally made it to our destination.

It was a fairly sized apartment in the large bustling streets of NYC. I had been lucky enough to be interviewed for a job at Avvata, a famous car-making company. I would be working in the offices as a secretary.

The salary interested me most, if I'm honest.

I held Arabella's hand as I scanned the code into the security pocket, then held the card in my fist as we walked in. I gasped and looked around at the spacious view. It was the most beautiful space of architecture I had ever seen.

Modern pale pillars stretched up to the ceiling where plaster created small flowers into the mould. A black surface outlined the work top in the kitchen, and in Arabella's bedroom there was a much more colourful design.

It had been left sage green, her favourite colour, with gold embroidered around the room in little pickets. My jaw hung open lamely as I let go of Arabella, and she ran around the room in excitement.

However, I took a moment to process it. The whole room was already set up—and I mean, everything. Even toys sat on the floor and on her bed, her favourite ones.

Precisely her favourite ones.

I shook out of my dazzled thoughts and watched Arabella, letting my muscles stretch into a weak smile. I walked out and to the kitchen to set myself a drink. The delivery men were coming tomorrow with everything we had moved as they were still on the ferry, but it seemed we would be perfectly fine now that everything had been set up.

But by who?

A shiver ran down my spine as I lifted my arm to get a mug. I was sure that wasn't a nerve, but rather a sense of wariness. I boiled some water and stirred a tea for myself. I hadn't had much to drink recently and I was beginning to feel overly dehydrated.

I decided to stick to the thought that the owner had just decided to buy some sweet toys as a welcome gift and they distributed them in ther particular room.

Yeah. That's what happened.

I boiled some water for my tea as Arabella came running in, hugging a toy close to her chest.

As long as she was happy, I thought as I kneeled down and hugged her.

—

I dressed plainly in a black skirt, white blouse, black blazer and an additional tie. It was a casual outfit I kept stored away for formal occasions. Today was my interview with the CEO, Hunter Jackson. If I was honest I hadn't really heard of him. All I knew is that he was apparently shockingly handsome and that he owned Avvata, an incredibly well known car dealership.

I sighed and shook myself out of those thoughts. I helped Arabella into the car seat and drove to the offices.

She was coming with me to sit in the daycare section with the toys whilst I had my interview. It shouldn't take that long and I didn't fancy the risk of leaving her home alone.

When we arrived, I parked my car in the indoor area and led Arabella through to reception where I signed in and was given a lanyard.

We walked up flights of stairs just to see an elevator. When we arrived at the top floor, after a while, I set Arabella down into the daycare with some other kids. I smiled and pecked her head, then stood up and knocked at Jackson's door.

A gruff voice replied, a slight rasp hidden within the lace of his soothing tone. "Come in," it sounded, breaking me out my small reverie.

I walked in, then shut the door behind me. If his eyes had been scanning my body, they were now at my eyes, so I couldn't really tell if he had or not. I did notice a small flicker across his grey eyes, which were shockingly beautiful.

I couldn't stop a gasp as soon as I saw him. He was leant back, legs man spread, and dressed head to toe in black. A matching coloured hat dipped over his face, which he lifted to reveal his features.

I watched him dip the cigarette into an ash tray as I walked closer.

His jaw was tight, his lips full and rosy, an attractive scar going through the right lip bottom and top.

He had a matching one over his right eye, which I noticed, had a small bit of blue. Sectoral heterchromia?

"Sit down." He glared slightly, trying to control himself. I presumed. I sat down as asked in the chair in front of him. I crossed my legs and smoothed my hands over my skirt, then I flicked locks of twisted flames behind my neck as they hit against my waist.

"Miss Martini," he started, looking down at the forms, then back at me with an intense gaze. "Am I right in saying you are 22, yes?"

"I am, sir." I looked up at him, my large brown eyes a contrast against his cold hunter shaped irises.

"You have a daughter?" His lips quirked into a small smile at the corners but he tried to hide it. Sensing my confusion, he cleared his throat. "We have files of the people coming to work here and working here. Thats, um, how I know."

"Oh.. Yeah, I do. Her names Ara—"

"Arabella." He grinned, and my eyes widened slightly but I didn't really show much shock. He probably just knew the name from the Arctic Monkeys.

"Oh, you're a fan?" I smiled, tucking a few free locks behind my ear. "I am too."

"Yes." He cleared his throat again. "How many days would you be able to work each week, miss?"

"Oh, I can come in whenever. I don't mind which contract, if it's no hour that's fine with me. I mean, I'd prefer the 5-day just to have time at the weekends, but really. It doesn't matter."

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled again. Fucking attractive. I'd been trying to stop myself of thinking about it, but he was insanely handsome. His high, defined cheekbones. Those large hands—

Sometimes I really wondered if I was a single mother at the age of 22, or a 14 year old hormonal girl.

"Well, miss. Since you've answered most our questions on the online form, I think you're fine to go." He smiled again and stood up, which I did too, and noticed the height difference. "We will give you a call if you got the job, which should be this week. As soon as possible."

I nodded and bit the inside of my cheek as he followed me to the door and held it for me. I was just about to walk out when Arabella ran to me, crashing into my hip and hugging my waist.

"O-Oh.." I chuckled nervously, shyly looking up at Hunter and then down at my mischevious 3 year old daughter.

"Is this Arabella?" He smiled, looking down at the blonde locks and brown eyes of my daughter. I stood up and held her on my hip. I gave a brief nod and looked at him.

I set Arabella down and looked up at him again. "I'm sorry for wasting your time." I looked back to the woman who was obviously getting irritated with me. She was watching us both, hand on her hip.

She had long black hair down to her hip, dark green eyes and tanned skin, with ridiculously perfect curves. An exotic Spanish beauty, I inwardly sighed.

I looked back up to Hunter. I was being ridiculous, I'd never get him over her. Although, when I turned to Hunter I saw his eyes harden at the woman.

"I think I should get going and leave you be. Thank you, sir. I'll look forward to the results." I inhaled sharply and walked out, holding Arabella close and I didn't wait to hear a word that he said.

I shut my eyes for a moment until I felt two chubby, miniature hands hug around my knee. "Mama? What's wrong?" She looked up at me, her cheeks rosy with worry.

"Nothings wrong, baby. Come on. Let's go." I smiled and lifted her up until we reached the car.

On the drive home, my mind kept flickering to him. The only thing able to drown out my unstoppable thoughts was some music, which even soothed Arabella to sleep.

Somewhere, I thought as I racked my brain to think of something else, I swore that I had seen him. Whether it was in my dreams or not, I'd seen him.

And I'd see him again.