The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 17

I'll be very honest with you. I have a workmate and I patterned Jace Black's personality from him. I usually observe him so much, interact with him when I get the chance and I get the bad feeling our other work friends would start getting ideas. Sad.

Games

Powerplays.

And now Sierra's words were stuck in my head, taking root in my brain. I couldn't shake it off so easily.

"I've noticed something about you, Isla."

Setting down my fork, I lifted my eyes to Jace. And was surprised to see how close his face was. There were flecks of gold in those gray eyes as sunlight streamed into those orbs. The perfume he used was also wafting at this proximity. Crushed mint and ice...

I leaned back and frowned, "What?"

Jace smirked, "You're an overthinker. Your thoughts are all over your face."

That statement made me cross my arms. A defensive stance as I stiffened my back against his posh swivel chair. And I glared at him, "What are you talking about?"

Jace scoffed, narrowing his eyes. He grabbed the arm of the chair and tugged me to him. "You think I don't know what a quack Sierra is? What did she tell you?"

After that conversation with Sierra, close contact with Jace didn't make me very comfortable. I pushed his hand off the chair and kicked the floor to get some distance from him. He did not like that obviously

Suspicion colored his next words, "I'll ask Sierra."

I blinked up at him silently. Sierra promised not to mention it to Jace.

I lifted one shoulder, dropping hands to my lap. "Go ahead, I guess."

Distrust was written all over his expression as he watched me. Then he leaned back, tapping his fingers on the desk, "You know what? Never mind Sierra. You tell me instead."

I groaned, slumping against the seat, "But we didn't talk about anything."

Jace scoffed. "You suck at lying. Tell me or else."

I pursed my lips, waiting to see if he would let it go. He merely raised an eyebrow at me. "I swear, we—"

"Or else, Isla."

"Or else what?" I challenged.

And without missing a beat, "I'll fire Sierra."

That made me pause. Mutely, I stared at him, wide-eyed.

"You wouldn't," I whispered back. Fire his own secretary?

The smirk became pure evil, "Okay, your call."

Jace reached for the telephone innocently resting at the side of his desk. And I observed, frozen on my seat, still not daring to believe he would. His fingers fleeted over the buttons and the phone rang in the dead silence of the room. Someone picked up from the receiving end.

"Human Resource Department. This is Julia speaking."

I scrambled out of my chair, jumping at him. Jace stood too, avoiding my grasping hands with ease.

With a glare, he turned away from me. "Yes, this is Jace Black. My secretary is resigning from her post. Get me a new—"

"Jace!" I hissed.

That arrogant swine cocked his head in my direction. He then twisted around to face, "Well, Isla? Is there something you need to tell me?"

He drawled out the words and I stared at him furiously, "Can you be any more childish?"