Harley smiled as she hung up her degree in her new office. In a matter of only six months, her life had changed for the better. She graduated at the top of her class, was promoted to COO, and even began working on her relationship with her father.
After leaving Forde Manor, she deleted Hassan's number and tried her best to erase him out of her mind. But becoming best friends with Monica didn't help.
Hassan made sure to remind Harley that he never stopped thinking about her. He gave Monica love notes so that she could pass them to Harley every time they hung out and he constantly sent flowers to her home. He truly missed her and she missed him. But until his parents could get it through their heads that Harley was the one for him, she kept her distance.
There was a knock on the door before Keith poked his head in. "Wassup COO? How you feel?"
"Nervous." She smiled while sitting in her office chair. "Scared. I don't even know what a COO is."
"Well you better start doing your research because your first meeting as a COO starts in fifteen minutes." He smiled before shutting the door behind him. She nearly facepalmed herself for forgetting about her first meeting. It meant that she would have to pitch ideas and ideas would have to be given to her for feedback. So far, she loved the idea of being COO. The two hour lunch breaks, days where you could work from home, and using the company card.
*******************
Monica scrunched up her face as she opened the green curtains. "Ew, it smells in here!"
Hassan let out a loud groan, blocking his eyes from the bright sun. "Go away."
"You look like shit." She laughed at his five o' clock shadow and miniature Afro he was sporting. It had been weeks since he begged Monica to work with his artists while he stayed at home. He hated going to work and seeing his parents. He treated them as if they were invisible. He wanted to cut of all ties with them but it was hard when you were COO at a company your father owned.
"Monica, get out." He stood up and walked sluggishly towards his bathroom. He wanted to lay in bed all day and let the world forget about him.
"No. I came to see if you were okay. Are you ready to come back-"
"Hell no. I'm back at the Forde Foundation. I'm expanding."
"Expanding?! You know daddy won't let you keep that name."
"That's my last name and I got it trademarked! He can't do that! I can't believe you're still talking to him after he lied to you."
"I have no choice. I work there-"
"You can come work with me. I told you I'm expanding. And I need a COO."
"Speaking of COO, today is Harley's first day. I'm gonna take her to lunch on her break." Hearing her name made his heart flutter.
"I know. I texted her and told her congratulations but I think she blocked me. Even on social media." He sighed, wiping his face with a wet washcloth. He knew she was upset with his family but he didn't expect for her to completely ignore him.
