I was sitting in my usual corner booth, at the end of the coffee shop next to a large window. Scanning the people walking on the street, each one of them has different faces, unique characters. Do I have one?

"Zoe."

I glanced over at the glass door, only to spot my friend coming into the coffee shop. I stood up pulling her into a tight hug.

"Hey girl!" Violet said while drawing out of my arms.

"I love your style, today." She proclaimed while hanging her bag on the side of the chair.

I looked down at my black skirt as I tuck my black hair behind my ears. It wasn't something that I did usually wear I internally rolled my eyes but gave her a forced smile.

"Well, thank you. You have an amazing style too." She really did have an envy-worthy style. Her blonde hair was tied up in a bun, making her green eyes pop. She was wearing a classy outfit, a pink blouse with black pants, and high heels of course. This outfit was 'Typical Violet'.

She grinned, dismissing me with a wave of her hand.  "I need to tell you something," she whispered leaning over the table, her eyes glistening with excitement.

"What?" I whispered back.

"We have a new boss."

"Oh?" Suddenly I felt my entire body shiver. All the emotions I've been trying to ignore for the past 6 months came down on me like a splash of cold water.

"Scratch that, we have a new hot boss." She giggled searching around her purse for her wallet before strolling over to the coffee bar.

I held my cup of black coffee tightly with my fingertips, making sure it's still hot. I tried so hard not to let it slip from my trembling hands.

'Stay Strong Sophia, you got this.' I told myself while taking a sip from my cup, it came down my throat like a hard brick. I gulped down coughing, reaching for the napkin on the side table. I placed it to my lips trying to regain my breaths.

"Oh, poor girl." My eyes switched to a grey-haired lady, her eyes full of pity as she stared at the big screen ahead of us. Causing me to curiously follow her gaze to the television.

At the same instant, the guy next to the coffee machine turned the volume up. The Cafe went silent, everybody's attention went to the flashing screen once the speakers were on high volume. 

"It's been six months since 27-year-old Sophia Grace Phillips has been reported missing. The search for her ended last night, as she was involved in a tragic car accident."

He said in a monotone voice, a picture of the girl was shown on the screen next to him. Her lips were pulled to a thin line and her hazel eyes sparkled with life, strands of her red hair were cast into her light heart-shaped face. 

"Unfortunately, she did not make it and was pronounced dead at the scene."

The picture switched from the man to enlarge the scene of the accident. The car was in great damage, crashed into a tall electric light. Shattered glasses surrounded the motionless body. They picked the redheaded woman from the trashy ground and placed her on the white ambulance stretcher.

'I hope Greyson is okay.' I thought, closing my eyes as a scary image flew in front of me. I felt my blood run cold, my face turning pale. ' What if my dad put Greyson in some kind of danger to start this stupid mission of his.' I clicked my tongue shaking my head. My eyes lift up again looking at the television, then I shook my head slowly.

My sight shifted down to my phone, biting down on my bottom lip. Clicking my tongue, I lifted the phone up and tapped on his name.

Private number: Hey, are you okay?

Greyson: yup.

My heart sunk reading his cold reply. I turned off my phone sipping slowly from my coffee while looking back at the television. A young man's clearly pained face from his loss is shown. He looked disturbed, he was pacing in circles, his hazel eyes stunned as he looked down at the stretcher.

'Sam', I said, as I hold back a tear from rolling down my cheek. The waiter grabbed the remote from the counter and turned off the screen. My eyes stared at a blank wall, my lips in a tight grim. 

Violet sat in front of me and sighed, not making eye contact.

"I hope her parents are okay, she's pretty young."

I silently nodded, not answering.

She shifted in her seat, "But her face is so familiar." Violet suddenly looks up at me.

"Hey, are you okay? You look pale." She said her eyes full of concern waving a hand in front of my face.

"Yeah, I'm okay, I just get emotional with these kinds of things." I sniffed back a tear.

She nodded with sad eyes, believing every lying word I just said. I coughed nervously, trying to find a way to change the subject. "So, the new boss? Huh?"

Her eyes lit up all of a sudden. "Yes, you'll see him today. It's like he's out of a fantasy book."

I laughed at how she changed from 'the dramatic Violet' to 'the ready to jump on our boss Violet.'

I looked at my watch. "Oh! And we're late."

I stood up quickly looking for the compact mirror that I carry in my purse.

"You look good girl lets go."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I was sitting on my office chair in front of my grey desk while sighing every two seconds, looking at my computer. My head was aching, my eyes were weirdly looking at the computer ahead of me.

I cringed so hard thinking about the scene I just watched this morning, my body shivered once the idea crossed my mind.

"Miss Johnson." I jumped all of a sudden, putting my hand on my chest. I look up at the talking figure, trying to calm myself down. I cleared my throat, shifting my gaze back to the desk.

"Yes, Mr Watson?"

"The boss wants to see you." He said, lifting off his glasses from the edge of his nose.

I looked back at Mr Watson, who was waiting for me to respond tapping his feet on the floor impatiently. 

"Doesn't he have a name, the boss?" I sarcastically remarked, lifting myself on my feet. He slightly shook his head, walking to the left with his head held high, and his bum swaying from side to side.

I sighed staking the papers above a big file. I sighed again, as I looked at the corridor leading to the Boss's office. I am not ready. I frowned taking a hesitant step before Violet popped her head above my desk wall.

"Don't forget he's hot. Try not to wet your panties while you're there." She winks stating it like it was a fact.

I laughed, 'I'm sure he's nowhere near it'. I thought to myself, walking down the hallway. I passed many rooms, filled with people whispering and darting their heads behind there doors, it made me aware of where I was heading to. I took a large breath, as I stood in front of a black wooden door. A big cursive Name showed up on it. "Mr Blake". The last time I walked into that door, was when Mr Jett wanted me to walk one of his dogs.  

The feeling of numbness rushed through my arms, I shook my hands, straightening my posture. My hand went to the door, knocking on it twice.

'Maybe I should end this right now. Get it over with my weapon pen. I wouldn't feel any pity towards him', my mind was mildly in its place. I sighed waiting for a response behind the timber door.

"Come on in," a man's voice said, startling me out of my thoughts.

I opened the door cautiously, peeking my head behind it. My gaze caught the tall silhouette that was looking at the vast window, it's back facing me.

"Close the door." He ordered and I instantly did as he told after I stepped in.

"Take a seat." I stride closer to the leather seat on the right of his big black desk and plopped down on it. Unexpectedly, a laugh came out from his direction, echoing in the room.

"What's so funny?" I said out loud,  immediately placing my hand over my mouth.

"You are." He turned around with a glorious majestic face. 

Years passed since I've seen this face. I could see and hear the changes, as his features now were manly, and his voice way heavier.

I didn't believe Violet before, but he was now quite on the hot side. He smiled charmingly, showing his perfect white teeth.

I gaped at the gorgeous man in front of me, his jaw could cut anyone's throat. I held the arms of the chair tightly with both hands, as he took large steps towards his desk.

'Stop it, stop it.' I clicked my tongue furiously making my gaze gets caught by his. I cleared my throat.

"Well, well, well who do we have here? Zoe Johnson, right?" He stated, with a deep smile.

My heart flutters as he said my - well 'fake' name. My eyes suddenly open wide.

He pursed his lips, "Well, I was looking at your CV."

His stare was so intense, it made my eyes melt into his.

"Hmm, yes," I said while nodding, examining his features.

 He had the kind of face that stopped you in your tracks.

I guess he must have gotten used to that.

The sudden pause in a person's natural expression when they looked his way, followed by overplaying nonchalant gaze and a weak smile. Of course, my pink cheeks that accompanied it were a dead giveaway. He was handsome beyond beliefs.

He had tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and radiant. He had dark eyebrows, they were shaped perfectly above his upper eyelids. His eyes were a fascinating deep ocean blue with splashes of silvery light, performing slow dancing through them. His face was strong and defined, with features moulded from stone.

He arched his eyebrows, followed by a playful smirk.

'How did he change from the sloppy kid to this handsome man?'

He was examining me as well, with his smiley expression.

"And I think you are more qualified than just a helping accountant."

He holds out the fake CV in front of me. Which I clearly haven't read at all. I nodded, not knowing what else to do or say.

He grinned at me "I know, my uncle is kind of a picky man with choosing private secretaries, and he clearly likes- Hmm, What's his name again?"

"Mr Watson?"

"Oh yes, Mr Watson." He points at me knowingly leaning back in his big broad black chair.

"But I clearly don't like him." He smiled at me. He sat straight again, staring at me. "I like a feminine aura around my office." He said with his icy eyes watching my every breath.

"So what do you say?"

I looked down at my sweaty palms, all the guilt came rushing through.

'Was I ready for this? For the next move?'

I just nodded hazily. He cleared his throat, waiting for an answer.

"Uh yes," I said folding my thumbs together.

"Can't wait." He said while sitting on the edge of the chair way too close to me.

"I need to go." I blurted, standing up tugging down my skirt.

On my way to the door, I felt his flaming eyes, forming fiery round circles on my back scale.

I lurched hastily to it, opening it and shutting it behind me. I took a long and slow breath, trying to quiet myself down.

'Where are you strong Sophia?' I mumbled to myself. My phone suddenly rang. I bolted up in surprise picking it up to my ear shivering.

"H-hello?"

"The clock is ticking darling. The clock is ticking."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm so happy that you're reading the book! Hope you like it.

No need for me to explain that I have every right in this book.
Vote, comment, share and don't forget to add it in your library if you liked it.

Big thanks to Alexdarkunicorn and AdrianaAlicia95 for helping out with editing.

Love you all ❤️

Xo

Royalty_B