Scars & Secrets.

"I wonder about you sometimes; Miss. Michaels." [03]

EBONY'S POV:

When I got home that night; Shaun wasn’t there. I frowned in confusion. Where could he be? I walked towards our bedroom; and found a note on our bed; with my name written on the front in his terrible hand-writing. I grinned lop-sided; and tore it open.

Eb,

I’m going away with the guys; sorry for the short notice. Won’t be back until a week today; look after yourself honey; don’t blow up the house, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.

Love you.

S x

Relief warmed my body knowing I wouldn’t suffer at his hand for a week, but I was also saddened he wouldn’t be here for a week; I’d miss his warm cuddles when we watched films; and casually laid in bed together. I sighed, and slumped on the sofa; before feeling my phone vibrating in my bag. I pulled it out and noticed I had an email.

I smiled when I saw it was from Joan, and I scanned it quickly.

Told to tell you that Mr. Jefferson is having a ‘welcome’ party in four days; it’s mandatory and formal; so dress nicely! Wouldn’t want to get in his bad books now; would we? ;)

See you tomorrow!

J x

PS. Family are invited to come along too!

I sighed, and pushed my phone back into my bag. Leave it to Mr. Jefferson to absorb the attention with a party thrown in his honour. Seriously; the guy was so egocentric it made me want to burst into flames and die.

Well, maybe not that dramatic.

Then reality slapped me in the face. Marissa’s birthday is in four days! Even though she didn’t like me, my mum would shoot me for missing the little family get-together she was throwing for her. I groaned; the party was mandatory... If I didn’t go; I’d be fired.

I dialled my mum’s home number; and she picked it up instantly. “Hello?”

“Hi mum, it’s Ebony.”

“Hello Ebony! What’s up dear?”

“Um, don’t be mad... But my boss is having a mandatory party in four days- I can’t be there for Marissa’s party.” I scratched the back of my neck anxiously when she fell silent.

“Are family invited?” I frowned, that was not what I expected as a response.

“Um, yes?”

“Excellent! We’ll be at yours for around 6 in four days! See you!” And before I had a chance to object because it would ruin Marissa’s day; she hung up. I stared at my phone in shock, before dropping it onto the sofa and groaning in protest.

Marissa was sure to hate me now.

And not to my surprise; a few minutes later I received a one-word text from her saying:

DIE.

Charming girl.

Friday lunch came around, and I went out with my dad. It was ritual to go out with my dad for a Friday lunch, just to catch up and have some quality daddy-daughter time. Because all girl’s secretly loved their daddy’s; even if they didn’t want to admit it.

The problem with my dad though?

He loathed Shaun.

With a passion might I add.

He’s hated him since the moment he saw him.

I sometimes thought he knew what Shaun was doing to me behind the scenes; but he couldn’t do; I’d been so careful to keep it a secret- and he’d never seen Shaun lay a finger on me. So I assumed he was just taking the protective father role now.

“So, how’s Marissa been doing since she realised she won’t actually be spending her birthday decently?” I asked, with an amused smirk on my face. He chuckled heartedly. “Let’s just say she’s completely thrilled.” I rolled my eyes at my dad’s sarcasm.

“Is Shaun going to be there?” My dad spoke bitterly, stabbing his chicken. “No dad, he’s away remember?” I said; and I thought I heard him mutter ‘thank God for that’, under his breath. I rolled my eyes once more, truly not understanding my dad’s hatred towards my boyfriend. I shrugged it off though, not wanting to start an argument.

I headed back to work when we went our separate ways. I stepped into my office coffee in hand, only to come face to face with Mr. Jefferson once more. Joan was God knows where...

“I’m beginning to think you like me.” I stared blankly; before smiling cheekily. He rolled his eyes like I did with an evidential smirk. “Believe me; if I liked you, you’d know.” He told me with a flirtatious wink; sending my mind reeling.

Was my boss flirting with me?!

I mentally carried on debating this is my mind. He cleared his throat and scratched the side of his neck nervously; and I frowned. Why was he nervous? Does he have a fever or something? “What’s wrong?” I voiced my thought, and he shook his head.

“Just telling you that at my welcome party; I expect at least one dance with you.” He told me sternly, and I frowned with an amused grin.

“I know that you know that you like me!” I spoke with accomplishment; and he stared at me like I was a complete nut-case. The sentence probably made no sense to him; but in my mind it made complete sense... I think.

“Sometimes I wonder about you; Miss. Michaels.” He shook his head and headed towards the door.

“You wouldn’t be the first.” I spoke seductively, and my eyes widened. My boyfriend hasn’t even been away for a day and I was already flirting with my gorgeous boss? I mean; no; just boss... God, I deserved to be beaten; I was a foul girlfriend. Turning back to face me; I saw amusement twinkled in Mr. Jefferson’s eyes as a deep smirk formed on his lips.

“I could imagine.” His eyes quickly raked over my body; and I felt exposed under his gaze. A light blush formed on my cheeks, and I feigned annoyance. “Don’t you have work to do or something?” I asked, looking everywhere except his eyes.

“Don’t you?” He replied.

“You’re in MY office.”

“You’re in MY building.” He replied; and I was at a loss for words. He smiled devilishly in accomplishment; and without another word strode out of my office in confidence; leaving me standing there completely astonished. What the hell just happened?

Joan walked in with two coffees in her hands; but once seeing the look on my face, settled them down and stood before me. “Eb, what’s wrong?” She asked me; worry shrouding her eyes. “Mr. Jefferson is just weird.” She looked at me strangely; before laughing.

“I wonder about you sometimes Ebony.” That one sentence sent my mind swirling out of control once more; when I thought back on Mr. Jefferson; who had spoken that sentence only a few minutes back; standing in exactly the same place.

I shouldn’t be over-thinking this.

You have a boyfriend Ebony! Grow-up and commit to man you love and want to spend the rest of your life with- you’re not a kid anymore!

I sighed, knowing my conscious was right.

Mr. Jefferson just HAD to take over the company and enter my life; didn’t he?