^^^Nolan residence^^^

Two weeks later

~Brie~

¬Friday.

“Okay, Roman! Have fun!” I called after him as he ran off.

“I'm so glad he could make it. Selena and Trevor will be so happy."

I smiled at Athena.

“Of course,” I said and hugged her goodbye. “I'll see you on Sunday.”

¬Sunday.

Roman had been invited to a friend's sleepover birthday party and he wouldn't stop bugging me to let him go.

He even baked invisible brownies for me and tried to bribe me with Monopoly money.

I laughed at the memory as I walked out of the supermarket. My phone rang bringing me back to reality.

“Hello?”

“Oh good, Brie! We need you at the office right now” Cynthia ranted.

“But why? It's my day off.”

“Seriously, get your butt here right now. Your boss' boss needs you.”

I hung up.

~Flashback ~ (One week ago)

My phone rang and I picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Is this Ms. Nolan speaking?” a woman asked.

“Yes. This is she.”

“I'm calling from Jewel Interactive... directly from the office of Mr. Corleone. If you're available today, could you please come down to our building? It's about the job interview you were here for.”

I scratched the corner of my nose.

“Erm... Yeah sure” I faltered.

“Great! We look forward to seeing you.”

The line went dead and I stared at my phone's screen. My initial thought was that the CEO I insulted had sued me. I wasn't ready to go, but I was curious.

I moved upstairs and changed into a pair of mom jeans and a yellow shirt. I threw on my black leather jacket and grabbed a pair of flats. Then my phone, purse, and car keys.

I walked out the door and to my car and in less than forty minutes, I was in the elevator on my way to the eighth floor. The elevator door opened and I stepped out, throwing my ID card around my neck.

The front desk receptionist from before had been replaced by a new one. A much nicer one who led me right to the blonde secretary from last time.

“Oh Ms. Nolan, welcome. Go right in. They're expecting you” she smiled.

I knocked on the door and waited for a 'come in' before walking in. The office was still the same.

“It's lovely to see you again Ms. Nolan” a familiar voice spoke.

“Mr. Martin,” I said with a smile.

My expression changed the moment I saw the person behind the desk.

“Hello again Ms. Nolan,” he said loudly, eyeing me up and down.

“Hello.”

“Well have a seat” he gestured to a chair.

I carefully sat. I couldn't wait to leave. He made me nervous and I liked it.

“So you must be wondering why we called you here,” Mr. Martin said.

I simply nodded.

“Well, it's because we would like to have an incredibly talented photographer such as yourself to be working for us.”

I arched a brow and looked at Mr. Jerk who'd been quietly looking at me.

“Oh, so now I'm suddenly qualified?” I quipped sarcastically, folding my arms.

He looked at me and I glared back. Mr. Martin cleared his throat and he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

“Look, you'd be doing everyone here a huge favor if you agree to work for us,” the other man said.

“Oh really now?” I cackled almost inaudibly.

Mr. Martin nudged the man and he sighed.

“Look, I'm so sorry about last time. I agree it was unwise of me to treat you the way I did.”

“Yes, it was incredibly stupid” I murmured under my breath.

Mr. Martin covered his laugh with a cough.

“I even got you an apology card,” the man said sliding an envelope across the table to me.

I looked at him.

“That desperate huh?”

“So you will? Good. You start Monday” he instructed.

He had some nerve.

I smiled.

“No.”

I stood up and grabbed my purse.

“I'm sorry, what?!” Mr. Martin hollered.

“I'm sorry, gentlemen. But I'll have to decline. Oh but don't worry, I'll take this apology letter with me. And yes, I'll frame it and hang it in my really expensive living room so you feel better.”

The man didn't look upset... but rather amused.

“If you'll excuse me now, gentlemen” I concluded and headed for the door.

“Ms. Nolan wait!” Mr. Martin stopped me. “One day.”

“What?” I turned back.

“Just work here for a day and then you can make a decision.”

I looked at the other man who was calmly seated in his chair.

“Please consider it. One day.”

I could feel someone else's eyes burn into my soul as I considered Mr. Martin's proposal. I looked at the man in the chair and he was observing me... very closely. I suddenly felt a little intimidated. But I wasn't afraid of him. He was just some over-pampered rich kid and I wasn't going to let him boss me around. I nodded.

“Fine. One day.”

~End of Flashback ~

I rolled my eyes and speed-dialed Zach.

“Hey Breezy Bee” he joked.

“Hey, could you please come pick me up?”

“Why, where's your car?”

“Thank you. I'll send you my location.”

“Or you could just tell me where you are.”

“Okay, byeeeee.”

I chuckled as I sent him my location and in less than fifteen minutes, I heard a honk.

“Thanks, Zach” I murmured as I climbed into his Lexus.

“You're welcome?” he laughed. “What's with the frowny face?”

“The office called and it's my day off. I had plans to pick up Roman after school. I feel like I haven't spent much time with him since I started working.”

“Hey it'll be okay” he whispered to me and took a turn around the now familiar street.

The building came into view and he pulled over by the street.

“I'm sorry I pulled you away from work Zach.”

“Hey don't be. I'm my own boss remember? And don't worry, I'll pick up Roman and take the groceries home. I'll even get ice cream for you both.”

I smiled.

“You know you're the best friend in the entire world right?”

He chuckled and ruffled my hair.

“You better start leaving before they decide to keep you here the entire night.”

I chuckled and climbed out of the car.

“Bye,” I mouthed as he drove off.

I crossed the street and walked fast so I didn't freeze to death. The moment I got into the building, the warm air greeted me and I sighed with relief.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Oh finally, Brie!” Cynthia cried. “Hurry and get in there! It sounds important.”

“You people know it's my day off right?” I asked dropping my bag at my desk.

“You can tell the boss that yourself” She frowned and disappeared with a bunch of files, her heels clicking loudly.

I gently tapped on the door and straightened my dress.

“Come in.”

I turned the knob and walked in.

“I'm sorry I'm late” I blurted.

Wait what?! He should be the one apologizing for ruining my day off.

He looked at me and smiled.

“I'm so glad you could make it. I need you to get some very important stuff done for me today.”

“Yes okay.”

“I'm sorry but I've got to get going. There's a meeting I'm supposed to be at right now” he rushed out as his phone rang.

“Of course sir. Wait, you forgot your jacket!”

He turned back and took it from me.

“Thank you, Ms. Nolan” he leaned in to kiss my cheek before rushing out again.

I stood rooted to the spot for what seemed a long time because when I snapped out of it, Cynthia was shouting at me.

“Earth to Breanna!”

I blinked.

“Hm?” I asked distracted as my fingers lingered on my cheek.

“Where did you zone off to?” she asked. “The Meyers chauffeur is here to pick you up.”

“Meyers?” I asked.

“Yeah, they're the ones you're doing the shoot for.”

“The very important stuff I had to get done for him was a photo shoot?”

Cynthia scowled at me a little.

“Yes. They're prospective clients. Why do you think Mr. Corleone asked you to do the shoot? And not any of the other photographers we have here? You're really the best, Brie.”

I smiled.

“I'll go get my stuff then.”

“Yes, you do that.”

I walked back out to my desk, a smile on my face as I thought about the kiss.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

-9:45 pm.

I dragged myself out of the elevator and stretched.

Longest day of my life!

I sighed and dropped my bag at my desk. I took in deep breaths when I felt a little kick. Then I realized Mr. Corleone's lights were still on. My mind traveled back to the kiss earlier today and I bit my lower lip.

What is the matter with you?!

I mentally scolded myself and I saw the lights go off.

Oh.

“Breanna? You're still here?”

“Yeah, I was just finishing up,” I said, grabbing the rest of my stuff.

“Okay. Let's go, I'll give you a ride.”

My heart skipped as I turned.

“No, no. I can manage on my own, sir. But thank you for the offer.”

“And how are you going to get home without your car? I noticed you didn't bring it in today.”

“I'll take the evening bus. I don't mind. Really.”

“Don't be silly” he chuckled. “I'll drive you. It's the least I can do after pulling you from your day off.”

“Well... if you insist” I grabbed my bag.

“Yes I do.”

We got in the elevator and the silence was killing me. We finally made it to the underground parking lot. It began to rain as we headed out on the road. I gave him the directions. Before I realized we began to chat and crack jokes and suddenly, we were at my house.

“I guess this is it then?” he said looking into my eyes.

“Yeah,” I whispered, clearly distracted as I gazed into his eyes.

He leaned into me and I held my breath. Before anything else could happen, a bright light was shining on our faces. I squinted.

“Who's there?! This is private property!”

I looked away embarrassed as I recognized the voice.

“Hi Daddy, it's just me!” I called out, sticking my hand out the window to give him a little wave.

Mr. Corleone chuckled.

“I'm so sorry about him sir,” I told him, unbuckling my seat belt.

“No, it's okay. And we're outside of work. So please, call me Aiden” he smiled.

I smiled back nervously and tucked my hair behind my ear.

“Goodnight sir... I mean Aiden” I quickly corrected and chuckled lightly.

I opened the door and stepped out, quickly walking through the gate. His headlights were still on, meaning he was watching me. I hurry inside.

“Why are you now coming home?” Dad asked.

“I was working daddy. And why are you awake at this time?”

“Your mother and I were worried about you. And so was Roman.”

I sighed.

“Well I'm back now in one piece, aren't I Daddy?”

“Mm. I'm glad you're okay. And who was that man who drove you?”

“My boss. He was kind enough to bring me home.”

He had this distrusting look on his face but he let it go and just nodded.

“Go to bed now, hm?” I hugged him. “I love you” I added and kissed him goodnight.

He tapped my nose before disappearing to his room. I kicked off my shoes and carried them upstairs to my room. I peeked out my window just to be sure he was gone.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

~Aiden~

I watched her walk away, her hips swaying from side to side, till she disappeared through the door. I'd never noticed her features till now.

Why do I feel this way when she's around me? I even asked her to call me Aiden.

“What is wrong with you?” I groaned and rested my head on the stirring wheel.

I couldn't possibly like her. It wasn't right.

I couldn't possibly love ever again.

I had to stop thinking about her. It was something that could never be.

Focus on what's important now!

I sighed and turned the car around. I could lie to the whole world but not to myself. I was starting to develop something for her.

Definitely.

Thanks for reading! ✨