So how'd you like the first chapter?

chapter two

The interview went well, great actually. I had gotten everything I needed for the article. Hopefully this will help push me up the ladder. Given that Mr Mendes' intense gaze had rendered me anxious in my seat, I took note of how he seemed to have had a lot on his mind in that moment. Like he was fighting some sort of internal battle. "I grew up in Canada, spent most of my teen years there until I decided it was time to leave" Mr Mendes had said, the strain on 'leave' had a double meaning to it, somehow it felt like he wanted to escape from something at home or maybe I was just reading into it too much, I guess the small psychology course during Jonas' accident was just messing with my brain. Brushing it aside, I went on with the rest of my questions and eventually the interview came to an end.

I woke up the next morning with a spring in my step, a smile on my face which was so unnatural, and made my way to my brother's room. "Morning Jo" I chirped, he opened his eyes and smiled at me "Someone's happy this morning, what's the occasion?" He teased and I sat on the bed next to him "No occasion, does there have to be a specific occasion for me to be happy?" He gave me a knowing look and I chuckled "Okay maybe there has to be one but not today. Today I just feel happy, I guess it's because I know you're going to be okay and that's all that matters," I placed my hand on his "Aww, you sap" He teased and I giggled.

It was now 9 in the morning and I was sat at my desk, the scarf around my neck did no justice to the chilling air surrounding me. I switched off the AC and got back to work, I had three manuscripts to proofread and give my approval or throw them in the trash. It was a half hour after 11 when someone barged into my office, I had roughly a quarter left to go in the first manuscript when I looked up to find Ember bustling in through the door. "Gemma, you wouldn't believe who just walked through the front door" Her high pitched voice bounced off of my ears, immediately giving me a headache. "If it's not Jane Austen then I don't want to know who it is" I said in a bored yet dismissive tone.

"Even better," She started again not taking the hint that I didn't want her in my office. Ember is the office gossip queen and I didn't like meddling with her. "Who could be better than Jane?" I gave her an incredulous look and she squealed "Shawn Mendes, that's who" My eyes slightly widened at the mention of his name and I remembered the way he looked at me throughout our interview, the intensity of it had me squirming in my seat. His piercing stare drenched in golden honey made me shift in my seat so many times, I had to make sure I wasn't going to rip my dress apart from the amount of times I tugged at the hem.

"What's he doing here?" She shrugged her shoulders at my question "All I heard was that he came to make a business deal with Mr Gomez" Business deal? What could be possibly want with a publishing company? He should be heading for the industrial companies as stated in his interview. I brushed off any more questions and continued with my work. "Gemma, I'd like you to meet Mr Mendes even though you've already met" I stumbled to my feet, an hour later, as my boss walked in my office. I smiled, hoping to cover up the embarrassed look on my face when I nearly tripped over my feet.

"Miss Aubrey. Nice to meet you, again." The honey eyed man nodded, acknowledging my presence as he held his hand out. Meekly, I placed my hand in his warm and masculine one, shaking it "Mr Mendes" I softly said with a courteous smile "It's a pleasure" I mentally slapped myself for saying that, he held a small smile to his face with a glint in his eyes. "Gemma here, is one of our finest" Mr Gomez praised and I blushed, not being someone that takes compliments well. "She is a great asset to our company. The day I met her, I knew she had something special in her to give back to the publishing industry" I averted my gaze from the two men in front of me as Mr Mendes kept his, fixated on me.

I shuffled from foot to foot, my body suddenly feeling hotter than a desert and I lifted my gaze to find Mr Mendes still staring at me as an oblivious Mr Gomez spoke to him, animatedly. They eventually left and I slumped in my seat, breathing a sigh of relief. I got back to work, delving into the bursting pits of mystery. Hours went by and I had finished with two of the three manuscripts, both got my approval as I then realised it was time for lunch. I tidied my office before grabbing my bag and made my way out the building, across the street to the local restaurant slash café.

Ordering my usual, chocolate chip muffin and coffee, I took a seat at a table in the far corner. I was lost in thought when the sound of my phone ringing brought my attention back to reality, I smiled at the waiter who placed my order in front of me then retrieved my phone from my pocket. "Hello?" I answered the call "Gem. Hey" The voice sounded oddly familiar but I couldn't place it "Who is this?" I cautiously questioned, my mind running a mile on trying to figure out who this person was. "It's Adrian!" The voice exclaimed and I frowned "Adrian, who?" I heard a low chuckle "Beck."

I gasped to myself, "What do you want?" I smacked my head for not realising sooner "Can I not call to see how you're doing?" Adrian was actually my first boyfriend, we met during high school and had a relationship for more than 2 years until I caught him with another girl. Typical, right? "Well you're 5 years too late." I stated in a dry tone "Aw come on, Gem. Don't be like that. I just want to start over with you, please" His pleading voice made me reconsider my perspective of him. He seemed genuine but should I trust it? I still haven't forgiven him for what he did.

"I just want to see you, it's been a long time. I'm sorry for what I did, can we not make a fresh start? I miss you" I Iet out a sigh, "No, Adrian. I don't think I'm ready for that. Yeah, it's been a long time, but if you knew me well then you know that I'm not the type of person that gets over heartbreak that easily" I finally got a grip on my life, I want to make a name for myself, I need to. My aim in life is to achieve my goals, I've worked very hard to reach where I am. Yes, finding him with another girl broke me, it made me feel like someone had ripped my heart out of my chest. He was my first boyfriend and like any girl, I put so much of effort into our relationship only to receive heartache in the end.

Obviously Adrian wasn't the only guy I've been with, I'm not some type of Virgin Mary, I've dated guys after him but those didn't last more than 3 months because I felt myself getting too attached and once I did, I couldn't let myself go that extra mile. Yeah, I'm that type of person. That's why I vowed to not become too invested into any relationship because if I did, its aftereffects are detrimental.

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I love you all xx
- Shristhi