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Warning

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Chapter 1: Warning (Jules's POV)

"You prick, I am going to kill you," she seethed. 

"Try me, Griffin," he smirked back at her. 

I sighed and leaned against the nearest table, waiting for the show to end. 

"Sinclair, do not push me today," Vanessa bit out. 

"Darling, it's my job to do that. If I didn't, I wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing you like this," Aaron replied, reaching forward and nudging her chin upward with his knuckles, pulling his hand back just as she attempted to swat it away. 

"Aaron, Vanessa," I drawled out, finally having their attention. 

"What?" they snapped in sync. 

"If you're done going at each other's throats for the day, Mr. Davidson is calling you both," I said, not waiting for a response and turning on my heels to leave. 

"Those two are the only source of entertainment at New Beginnings, why must you interrupt?" Zach asked, turning his attention to me where he stood at the entrance. 

"Because duty calls, Zachary," I grinned, "coffee?" 

"Yes, please," he sighed and followed me out of the office and towards the coffee and snack room. 

I turned on the kettle to heat up some water while he grabbed a sachet of instant coffee and I reached for a teabag. 

He took two mugs and slid one over to me. "So, how long are you here for, Jules?" Zach asked. 

"Today's my last day," I informed him. 

He frowned and then chuckled softly, "You came to work here for a week?" 

"I sure did. My boss, Natalie is Mr. Pierce's sister. So, technically, I'm here doing him a favor on her behalf." 

"So, what do you do at The Bookmark?" he asked. 

"I'm Natalie's assistant." 

"Ah, so you're familiar with the monstrosity of CEOs and bosses?" 

I laughed dryly, "Very. Natalie is a nightmare. Mr. Pierce is an angel in comparison to her, I wish I worked here." 

"You could." 

"Oh no, Natalie would have my head on a platter." 

"I didn't even know Mr. Pierce had a sister, hell, forget about knowing that she owns The Bookmark." 

"Well, even if the two publishing firms work closely and help each other out from time to time, it's a bit of a secret. Only the inner circle knows." 

"Are you saying you're part of the inner circle?" 

"No comment," I smiled innocently, making him laugh. 

"Well, all things aside, it was great to have you here. Mr. Davidson's assistant being on leave became the perfect excuse for you." 

"It sure did," I chuckled, both of us reaching for the kettle at the same time. 

"Let me," he said, so I nodded and took a small step back. 

"Jules." 

I looked at the door where Vanessa stood. "Hey," I grinned. 

"Hey," she grinned back at me and strolled in. "I will be taking that cup of tea because Mr. Davidson is calling you," she said, patting my shoulder. "Natalie's here." 

I groaned and then ran a hand through my hair. 

"There, there," Vanessa laughed softly. 

"The tea is all yours. If she's here, she's taking me with her," I grumbled, walking out of the room and towards Mr. Davidson's office. I knocked on the door and walked in, not waiting for permission as per Mr. Davidson's orders. 

"Come in, sweetheart, come on in," Mr. Davidson smiled at me. 

I can say goodbye to the best boss ever. 

"Ms. Natalie," I greeted, standing at the end of the desk. 

"Is she done here? Pierce, I've sacrificed my perfectly capable assistant for the week since you didn't have one, but I need her back at The Bookmark today." 

"Is it something urgent?" he asked. "I like her, I'd like to keep her," he sighed, looking at me. "Quit The Bookmark." 

"Pierce!" 

"I wish," I mouthed, biting back a smile. 

"All right, you're free to take her. My assistant will be back starting tomorrow, I'm sure the firm won't fall apart in one day without an assistant. Unfortunately, Jules, you're free to go." 

"Good. Let's go," Natalie ordered, standing up and spinning on her heels heading for the door without a goodbye. 

"Why would you do that to me?" I whispered. 

"Duty calls," Mr. Davidson shrugged. "I'm sure we'll be seeing more of you here, don't worry," he laughed. 

"Jules!" 

I scurried out, chasing after Natalie. "I- is there a problem at the firm?" I asked, trailing behind her towards the elevator. 

"We have a meeting today with another company. Real estate." 

"Real estate?" I frowned in confusion. 

"We're thinking of relocating the office." 

"Oh. But... why? The office is in the best spot in the city. All employees live close by, we've got good restaurants nearby, good cafés, it's easy to find a cab no matter the hour—" 

"This is New York City, it's always easy to find a cab," she scoffed, waiting for the elevator with impatience written all over her. 

"Okay," I mumbled. "But why the relocation?" 

"We need a bigger space. We're going to meet the CEO today." 

"CEO? Don't agents normally handle deals like this?" I mumbled absentmindedly, forgetting for a moment how much Natalie hated questions. 

"We're a big company, and so is theirs." She glanced at me. "It's better for the CEOs to meet. You're asking too many questions, Pierce has ruined you. He encourages his employees to question his decisions, doesn't he?" She tsked. 

I rolled my eyes and took a step back, clearing my throat. "I'll meet you at the office. I have to grab a few of my things. I'll get to the office in a cab," I announced. 

"All right. Be quick with it," she ordered before stepping into the elevator as it opened with impeccable timing. The doors slid shut and I released a breath of relief, walking back to the main office and to my desk, grabbing my purse, tossing my phone inside, and picking up my laptop. 

"You're leaving?" Aaron asked, pausing at my desk. 

"Yup," I exhaled. "My time's up, back to hell I go." 

He hummed, watching me. "Quit," he shrugged nonchalantly. 

"Have you met Natalie? She'd kill me if she found out I quit to work for her brother," I grumbled. 

"Well, drop by sometime. It was fun to have you." 

"Thanks," I smiled as he walked back to his desk. I left the building after that, saying a quick goodbye to the others, and headed to the street, waiting for a cab. My phone began ringing in my purse, so I fetched it out, reading the ID. I answered, "Hey, Dad." 

"Hey, Julie, how have you been?" he asked. 

I could hear the chaos in the background, which told me clearly that he was at work. "Good, how are you?" 

"Great. So listen, we have a... a bit of a surprise for you," he laughed. 

"Oh? I'm scared," I replied, chuckling softly. 

"Don't be," he joked, "your mother and I are coming to visit you." 

"That's great! It's been so long since you both came to New York. When are you coming?" 

"In a week and I'm thinking we'll stay for ten days. We have some news for you," he explained. 

"Is Alex coming?" I asked. 

"No, no, he's with Naomi. Hold on, one second," he paused, probably stopping to talk to somebody at work. 

I was no stranger to real estate and it was mostly because of my Dad and Declan Real Estates, the grand estate development family business. The option to join the company and work with our Dad was offered to both Alex, my older brother, and me, but I knew damn well that real estate was not my cup of tea, and what use would my English Literature degree have been if I didn't take a job within that field? 

"Should I book a hotel for you?" I offered. 

"Don't worry about it, we'll stay in our old condo. I know it's a little far from your apartment but we'll manage the distance. I'll email you our flight details and whatnot." 

I stifled a laugh at the familiarity of the businessman in my father. "Okay, Dad. You do that." 

"Sorry honey, I've got to go. There are some clients to meet and—" 

"Dad!" I heard Alex in the background. 

"I'm coming, Alex, jeez," Dad mumbled under his breath. "Well, I just thought I'd give you a heads up. A little warning, y'know? We both know how much chaos your mother can cause." 

"Yes, thanks for the warning, I appreciate it. Bye, Dad," I laughed, "love you." 

"Love you, Peach." 

I hung up the phone and placed it into my purse just as a cab stopped in front of me. I climbed in and gave the driver the address to our office. The drive was no longer than ten minutes and I made it through the entrance after swiping my ID in no time. 

I glanced at the time on my phone as I stepped into the elevator and pressed the button to the top floor where our office was. 

God, I hope that meeting hasn't already started. Natalie will kill me if I'm late on my first day back. 

The elevator opened with a faint ding at our floor and I rushed out, my heels rapidly tapping against the floor while I headed to the main office, and when I walked through the door, I was surprised to see the whole place was a mess. My co-workers were running around, people were arguing, and files were just lying around. 

"Jules," Sophia groaned, coming to stand by my side as I put my purse on my table. 

"What the hell happened here?" 

"Natalie told us to start packing up. She's determined to move the office as soon as possible." 

"Oh, has that meeting started yet?" 

"No, we're still waiting for that CEO to arrive." 

"I should go to her office and get everything ready," I nodded quickly. 

"Hmm, apparently it's a big deal, this guy. Let me see how you look." 

"Sophia," I groaned quietly as she turned me around to face her and stepped back, taking me in from head to toe. 

Her eyes scanned over the bun my red hair was clipped back into, down to the white pantsuit set that I wore with a cream satin blouse underneath, to the matching white stilettos. I took a little curtsy and she laughed with a nod. "You're good." 

"Thanks." The phone on my desk rang, startling us both. I answered, "Hello?" 

"Get here quick," Natalie barked. 

I hung up. "I've got to go." I sped out of the room and then ran back in to grab my notepad and pen before walking toward her office. I cleared my throat and knocked on the door. 

"Come in!" 

With a breath, I pushed the door open and let myself inside, prepared to meet our guest. But when I walked through the door, I saw the last person I was expecting to.

.

.

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Chapter 1

what do we think? what do we think?

starting off with a little cameo by Vanessa and Aaron cuz I missed them and for all the 'Between the Lies' readers who missed them too lol

next ch: strangers

I have a good feeling abt this book guys so y'all better comment too and keep me motivated lol