When the unexpected became the inevitable

Chapter 5

-April

Time was going so slow. I have one more hour before it turns 1 and then I can leave. I don't hate my job but I like being in control. I like it when I know exactly what I need to do. Getting called in randomly doesn't mean I can tick boxes off my list, it means I have to do whatever Colin tells me to do.

Colin is my Boss, the CEO of A&L Gallery House. He bought this company 3 years ago and has been a great Boss. He made me the COO as a thank you for my...sacrifice and because I'm good at my job. A&L Gallery House is a company that helps new artists expand their horizon. I love art, being able to have clients show up with their work and wanting our help is my dream. Every year we have a gala to celebrate all the artist and their work gets exhibited. Then, of course, rich people come and buy everything.

 "Miss James." I look up to see who's calling me. 

 "Please call me April. What can I help you with?" I stare at the man standing between the door frame to my office. He was dressed smartly. He wore black trousers with a light grey, short-sleeve shirt tucked into them. He was tall, about 6 ft and was attractive. His eyes were icy blue, very rare, the only person I knew who had icy blue eyes was Melanie. His put his hand through his dark and lustrous hair that was swishing as he moved. He grabbed onto one side of the door frame and spoke.

 "I'm your new assistant." He stood straight and began walking into my office. 

 "What happened to Nikita? She was fine."               

"I don't know, all I know is I'm your new assistant." I looked at him very confused. Why didn't Colin tell me anything? I gestured for my new assistant to take a seat. I lent back on my chair, playing with the Rolex on my wrist and started talking. 

 "So I think as we are going to be working together we should know each other. My name is April James, you probably already knew that. You are?"

 He laughed after I asked for his name. Why? "Rylan Thomas." "Where are you from Rylan?" "My mother is Korean, my father is from here. London." 

Before I could ask him another question he cut me off. "Why don't you give me a fact file about you? Then I'll do the same Miss James"

 He smirked. I stood up without hesitation and walked towards the windows behind my desk. "I've worked for this company ever since it opened. I'm 24 years old, I'm the COO of this company and that's all you need to know. I don't work on weekends and my shift ends soon so you can start on Monday."

 I turned around to face him, still standing up.

  "Rylan Thomas, 26 years old. I worked in a gallery in Sydney for 3 years and now I'm here back in London." I sat back down, intrigued about Rylan Thomas.                           

 "Sydney, Australia? Why did you come back?"

 "I missed my sister and she told me about this place, that I could possibly work here. So once I got confirmation on the job I moved back." 

 "When did you get confirmation?"                                      

  "2 months ago." Damn, he must good at his job. 

"Well congratulations. I'm going to head home now, you're welcome to leave." I get up and gather my things together, Rylan stood up and looked at me with a raised eyebrow. 

 "You're allowed to tell me I can leave after me being here for not even an hour?"

 "Well yeah, you're my assistant. You work for me more than you work for Colin. I mean Mr Smithson." Rylan gave me a head nod that told me he understood what I said. 

 "Have a nice day Rylan." Before I could leave the office Rylan grabbed my arm to stop me from walking away.

 "Sorry." He took a step back and spoke again. "Is it okay if you could give me a ride?" This time I looked at him quizzically. 

 "Sorry I don't have a car. I'm pretty dependant on public transport." 

 "Okay. Well can you tell me where my sister lives, she isn't texting me back." I took a step back and looked at Rylan. What is he saying? I laughed and spoke. "Rylan I have no idea who your sister is."

 "Sure you do. Honestly I'm pretty hurt she doesn't talk about me enough for you to not know me. Mel just loves to talk about herself doesn't she?" 

He gave me a small smirk and that's when I realised. Mr tall, dark and handsome looks exactly like Melanie. How did I not realise from the eyes or the goddamn surname. 

 "Wait. You're Rylan. Like Rylan Rylan?" He laughs and sits on the top of my desk. 

 "Yep that's me. Well there definitely will be something successful in our partnership. You get to spend time with your best friends brother."

 "You don't look like what I thought you would." 

 "I've changed a lot in 6 years. Last time I was in London was when I was 20. I haven't seen Mel since then so she'll probably find me very different."

"She talks about you a lot. How you guys were when you were younger. How overprotective you were of her in secondary school." He smiled. A sad smile. 

 "Can you get me directions to her place please April?" I smiled at him and ushered for him to come out of my office. I locked the door after he left and spoke. 

 "I was going to go to Melanie's later anyway so why don't you come to mine. I'll change out of this attire then we can go." 

He smiled and nodded. We began walking out of the building. My taxi was already waiting outside for me we went inside and I told the driver, "Straight to Chelsea." 

 "How much was that." Rylan asked.                                    

   "How much was what?" 

 "That fancy arse watch you have on your wrist. What is that Rolex?" 

My cheeks burn and immediately go crimson at the thought of Alex.

 "A friend gave it to me."       

"Generous friend you got April."