Accidentally His

Chapter 7 - Rose Thorn

Joshua's POV

"Stop arguing," my mother demanded firmly, traveling her gaze from my sister to me. "Isn't there anything between you and that girl? We got happy seeing you two," my mother told me sadly.

"No, Mom. She is just a friend."

"Then why don't we know her?" my sister asked suspiciously, totally unconvinced, resting her hands on her hips.

"You don't have to know all my friends," I stated firmly.

"If she hugs you like that, I think I have to know her better," Hazel commented in mischief and winked at me.

"Enough! I am leaving. I am not here to hear your bullshit about Rosa and me all night," I snapped angrily.

"So her name is Rosa," Hazel teased me, grinning. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and breathed loudly.

When I wanted to leave, my mother grabbed my arm, stopping me.

"Hazel!" my mother warned my sister.

I gave Hazel a victorious look. She gave a dirty look and pouted.

"Your father will be here in a few minutes. Would you like something drink?" Mom asked me warmly.

"A cup of coffee, please."

"I thought you would like some rosehip tea," my sister commented cockily and gave me a mischievous smirk.

"If you keep talking nonsense, I will kick your Clark Kent's ass," I threatened Hazel, giving her warning look.

"Hey, stay away from Jayden," Hazel warned me, protecting her boyfriend.

"Then stop teasing me," I demanded, annoyed.

"Fine," she pouted. Then a mischievous smirk appeared on her face. "Mom, let me show you what Jay sent me this morning," she told my mother, pulling her phone out of her back pocket. "A bouquet of roses," she added, emphasizing the word 'roses'.

"Hazel!" I snapped furiously, clenching my fist.

"What is going on here?" my father asked as he walked into the living room.

"Dad, your son was prickled by a rose thorn," Hazel replied mischievously.

"You wanted it," I stated firmly and rushed towards her. She screamed and started running. "Come here," I demanded, running.

"Dad! Mom! Help me. Your son got crazy," Hazel said and pulled her tongue out at me.

"Hazel!" I warned her, irritated.

"Stop it right now! Joshua! Hazel!" my father stated in an authoritative tone.

I gritted my teeth, stooping running after my sister while she ran towards my father and wrapped her arms around his face.

"Your son is a caveman, Dad," Hazel commented, giving me a dirty look. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"You still act like children," my father said in amusement and placed a soft kiss on Hazel's temple, hugging her.

"Dad, it is her fault," I pouted, annoyed.

"What did I do?  I just said you and Rosa look so cute together," Hazel said, giving me an innocent look.

"Who is Rosa?"

"Joshua's new girlfriend... oh sorry, his friend. They are just friends," she replied, full of mischief in her eyes.

I rolled my eyes and scowled. "I am going to my room."

"You aren't going anywhere," my mother stated firmly.

"Mom, but..."

She raised her hand to stop me from talking and turned her gaze from me to my annoying sister. "Hazel, stop teasing your brother. If he says they are just friends, it is all we need to know. He wouldn't lie to us if they were together. He always introduced his girlfriends to us."

"Thank you, Mom." I gave my mother a grateful look while feeling slightly guilty about hiding my marriage from my family, but it was a mistake; so I didn't want them to know about my idiotism. Especially when the company could be in danger because of it. I created this mess. So it had to be me who would clear it.

"Come on, let's have breakfast," my mother suggested, resting her hand on my arm.

Celeste's POV

As soon as I walked into the café, I looked for my friend. Once I saw Hazel, I waved at her, giving her a bright smile, and approached her.

After greeting her with a hug, I ordered a cup of cappuccino.

"Are you ready for your job interview?" Hazel asked, smiling.

When I mentioned to her that I was looking for a job, she informed me her there was a vacancy in their family company.

She called me the following day and told me that she talked to her father about the vacancy and I was going to have a job interview on this Monday.

I was so excited about it. Their company was one of the most successful companies in the USA. So working for them was a big chance. The only problem was her brother... Joshua. I hated that guy so much. He always annoyed me when we were children.

When Hazel was going to send me her photos from birthday, I told her that she didn't send the photos with her brother because I didn't want to see his face. Especially now when he reminded me of the man who took my virginity. The jerk who was my husband. 

However, if I started to work in their company, I was going to see him eventually. Probably, every day.

Even hearing his name made me remember that stranger from Vegas. I hated both of them, but I wasn't planning to miss this opportunity because of Joshua.

"Hey, Earth to Celeste!" Hazel exclaimed, interrupting my thoughts.

"Oh, I am sorry. Yes, I am, but I feel so nervous," I admitted honestly.

"Don't worry. Dad is cool." Hazel gave me a warm smile. "You are lucky that you have a job interview with Dad, not Joshua. He would sweat you," she added mischievously.

"Don't remind me about him." I rolled my eyes.

"You know when I see your ring, despite the fact you told me it is an accessory, it makes me think that you are married," Hazel commented in amusement, gesturing to my diamond ring.

Only you know.

She asked about my ring when I came to New York and met her.  I lied telling her that it was an accessory and I wore it to keep some Italian jerk away from me whose father was an influential count in Italy. I informed her that because of him, I chose to live in New York, not in Rome. My father liked that idiot, Filiberto without seeing his true colors.

Actually, it was a half-truth. The Filiberto part was truth. He really existed and turned my life into nightmare when I went to visit my family in Rome. So going back to Rome permanently was out of question. Despite the fact I told him several times that I didn't like him, he kept bothering me, still dreaming of marrying me.

"I am happy it works," I mumbled, looking at my beautiful engagement ring which kept reminding me about that night in Vegas and about... him... my husband. I had to find him and divorce, but I had no idea where he was. I didn't know his surname; so finding him would be just miracle, nothing more.

***

I took a deep breath and looked at a high building as I parked my car in front of "Wilson&Sullivan" Group. I took my bag and got out of the car.

Once I approached Tristan Sullivan's assistant, I greeted her politely and introduced myself. She called her boss and informed him that he had a visitor.

After telling Tristan my name and surname, she hung up the phone and told me politely, gesturing to the door in the right. "Mr. Sullivan is waiting for you."

"Hi Celeste. Nice to see you again," Tristan Sullivan greeted me happily, extending his hand towards me as we approached each other.

"Good morning, Mr. Sullivan. Nice to see you again, too." I shook his hand, giving him a bright smile.

"Call me Tristan. We are alone here. If you insist, you can call me Mr. Sullivan when we are in meetings," he said warmly and suggested me to sit down. "How are you doing?" he asked, giving me a friendly smile, as we sat down.

"I am doing fine, thank you for asking. And you?" I replied politely.

"I am fine, thanks. Hazel told me you are a lawyer," Tristan said, entwining his hands on the desk.

"I graduated from Yale University," I informed him and breathed deeply, feeling nervous despite the fact Tristan treated me very well.

"Are you nervous?" he asked, giving me a warm smile.

"Slightly," I admitted honestly, ruffling my hair.

"There is nothing to be nervous. It is just a formality. You are hired. And don't think it is because of your friendship with Hazel or because I have know you since your childhood. I read your CV as well as your references and I should admit it is quite impressive."

"Thank you. I am so excited to work for this company." I smiled happily.

"I will tell my assistant to introduce you to Robert, our company lawyer. He will inform you about our projects and gave you the necessary information. You will start working tomorrow," Tristan informed me firmly.

"Thank you, sir... Tristan." I gave him a bright smile.