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Remember

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Chapter 3: Remember (Jules's POV)

Natalie's phone rang for the third time in the first ten minutes of the meeting and a sarcastic and dry chuckle softly poured of Christian who grew impatient. 

I couldn't believe it was him when my eyes first landed on him. I should have known, I should have known better. This was Natalie we were talking about and if she was looking for real estate, of course, she'd take the best in the city and that man is none other than Christian Lukov. 

"Why don't you just take it?" I asked, clearing my throat while quietly tapping my pen against the notepad before me. "They'll keep calling otherwise." 

She sighed and glanced at her screen before nodding just once and taking her phone as she pushed herself to her feet. "Excuse me for a moment, Mr. Lukov, I'm very sorry." 

I watched her with irritation until she left, the door closing behind her. 

That's so not what I meant. 

Dropping my pen on the table, I leaned back and folded my arms across my chest, staring at the hanging on the wall. 

"I thought it was you," he said. 

My jaw clenched instinctively as I refused to acknowledge, let alone answer him. 

"How've you been?" he asked. 

"Don't play nice. It doesn't suit you," I mumbled in response, tapping my fingernail against my sleeve, counting down each second, just anticipating the moment Natalie walked back in and saved me from this awful conversation. 

"You're right, it never has," he said. "Is this where you've been working since you quit?" 

I went silent again, deciding that it would be best for me to pretend like he didn't exist because that's exactly what I wanted. 

"Ah," he snickered, "I see how it is." 

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath, willing myself to remain patient. 

He's not worth it and you know it, Jules. 

"Miss me, Red?" 

My eyes snapped open and I turned to look at him, glowering. "After what you did, do you really think I would miss you?" 

He held my gaze, his eyes taking a quick scan of my face, not missing a single spot, a single inch. He was sitting right here in front of me and it felt like I'd got back two years. Everything felt right for a heartbeat, like everything was still the same. But it most certainly wasn't. "You look different," he commented. 

"Stop talking to me. Let me make it very clear that you're here for a meeting with Natalie. She's the only person you need to speak to. So, if she's not here, then don't talk to me either." 

"Shall we wait in this miserable silence?" 

"It doesn't sound so miserable in comparison to your voice," I snapped back. 

"Is that so?" he mused. "You used to like it." 

"Well, you showed me exactly why I shouldn't," I ground out, relishing in the way his gaze hardened and that smirk on his lips formed into a scowl as his jaw clenched. 

"Oh, I'm sorry about that, let's continue," Natalie sighed, the door opening all of a sudden as she marched back in and settled in her chair. "Where were we?" she asked me. 

I glanced down at my notes. "We were talking about where most of our employees live in the city," I answered. 

"Ah, yes. That is a bit of a concern. Most of my employees live near this building." 

"Then I'd suggest you take a building nearby for the sake of their convenience, Ms. Davidson." 

"Well now, their convenience isn't exactly my problem. Arranging for their transportation is up to them. I care about my office, Mr. Lukov. How soon can you get me one?" 

I could tell just from the taunting tone that Natalie spoke in and the way Christian bit out his answers that the two were simply not getting along. 

"With your list of extensive demands, it will take me some time to find buildings similar to what you're searching for or even buildings that can be altered and reconstructed to... accommodate you." 

"Reconstruction isn't an option, it would take too long," Natalie replied, shaking her head. 

"Even without reconstruction, some renovations and furnishings have to be done, Ms. Natalie. You understand that, don't you?" 

"Yes, I do. But—" 

"Good." He shot up to his feet, the chair screeching softly as it scraped against the white marble tiles. "We'll wrap up here for today then. I have another meeting to get to soon. Feel free to email me if you have any further questions. I will let you know when we should meet." 

Natalie blinked a few times, staring at Christian. I wasn't sure if she was starstruck or just dumbfounded but she was stumbling over her words and acting strange an awful lot throughout this meeting. "That sounds like a plan, Mr. Lukov." 

He moved away from the chair and glanced at me as I took a quick glance at his attire, taking in the crisp white button-up he wore with a matching set of a black suit jacket and slack pants. 

Christian looked a bit different too now that I paid attention. Not too much, just the most subtle changes like a bit of a scruff and the ghost of a five o'clock shadow on his face. Like the blank spot where his ties would normally sit every day. Like the thin and almost invisible gold chain around his neck that disappeared behind his shirt and hid something from me. 

As soon as his eyes met mine, I straightened up and faced forward, watching Natalie while Christian adjusted his suit and asked me, "Will I be seeing you again, Ms. Declan?" 

I'd certainly hope not. 

I just looked at him, despising the smug look on his face as he walked past me and through the door, leaving as he pleased. 

"Wow, he's arrogant," Natalie snickered the minute he left. "Can you imagine working for a man like that?" 

"I did," I mumbled under my breath with a sigh, mostly for myself and for nobody else's ears. 

"What?" Natalie asked in confusion. 

"Nothing, nothing. I was agreeing with you," I cleared my throat. "I can't even imagine." 

She scoffed softly and typed on her computer for a while before facing me. "Is there something you want to tell me, Jules?" 

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" 

"If there isn't, then get out of my office and get back to work. Pronto." 

I scurried up to my feet before tucking the chair back in. "Sorry," I huffed before rushing out and heading towards the main office where my desk was. I stopped at the nearest cabinet and placed my notepad and pen on top of it, turning my back to it and leaning on it for support as I took a moment to myself. 

The elevator dinged, stealing my attention and I couldn't help but look over as Christian stepped inside and stared right back at me. He held my gaze but I refused to be the first to look away. I only lost sight of him when the doors slid completely shut and he left. 

It hardly felt like two years had gone by. Until I saw him again today, I thought my wounds had healed over, I thought seeing him wouldn't have this kind of effect on me, I thought I'd be over it by now. But from the looks of what just happened, I hadn't quite reached there yet. 

Grabbing my things with a soft sigh, I headed back to my desk and slumped in my chair before shaking my head clear of thoughts and straightening my spine, and squaring my shoulders. 

Whatever happened between Christian and me happened outside of this office and seeing him here meant nothing. I wasn't going to let it affect me, especially at work. I had things to do and they weren't going to be done on their own, nor was someone else going to do them for me. A single glance around the room told me just how panicked and anxious everyone in this office was. Being Natalie's assistant and the manager here, I had to make sure this move happened smoothly. 

"Everybody listen up!" I stood up as everyone turned to me at the sound of my voice. "Slow down. Let's organize this a bit." 

"We don't have time, Jules. Natalie told us to be packed up by the end of the week," Sophia replied while struggling to balance a pile of folders and papers. 

"Natalie doesn't know a thing about real estate. We have more than a week to pack our things. So everybody take a breath and slow down," I laughed softly, walking over and helping Sophia with those files. "I doubt we'll be able to find an office, renovate it, and move there all within one week. If everything is packed up, we won't be able to work even if there is a delay. Let's start with the older files instead." I looked over at Max. "Sophia, you and Max start putting these back." 

"Jules?" she asked instead. 

"Yes?" 

"Did you know him?" 

I blinked. "Who?" 

"Mr. Lukov. The CEO." 

I released a breath, smoothing my hands over my pants. "Why do you ask?" 

"He seemed... familiar. But I can't remember where I've seen him. Somewhere around you." 

"Around me?" I forced out a chuckle. "Sophia, you can't remember because there's nothing to remember. I don't know him." 

"Are you sure?" 

I nodded once. "Absolutely." 

Do I remember? Of course, I did. How could I ever forget the man who broke my heart? It was him, my ex-fiancé, the man I thought was the love of my life. Only for that, he had to love me and I was too blind to see that he never did. It was Christian, it was all Christian.

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Chapter 3

I know I said I would update again yesterday and then didn't but I was really tired and fell asleep lol

next ch: duties

let's meet Ms. Audrey Lukov shall we?

Also, how's everybody liking the story so far? Please comment!