Eight
Eight
I find Harry making some coffee and a glass of chocolate milk and pancakes on the side. It's been twelve days since we moved to this apartment that Harry bought since he wanted a break from traveling. Two weeks since I went to the hospital and a week since I got the job. I eat my breakfast so fast and rinse the dishes after Harry is done with his too and place them in the dish washer.
Since I told Harry about my pregnancy, he has been a mother hen and so overprotective. He even drops me to work and picks me up. Most coworkers think that he's my boyfriend and we made no attempt to correct it. Maybe we just don't care to do it.
We arrive the C and S Company building fifteen minutes later and as always Harry takes me to the building ensuring that I'll call him when I'm done. I really need to buy a car.
Harry kisses my forehead before turning as I enter the building.
"I have to get myself a boyfriend. You guys are too cute for life." Jena, a coworker that has been friendlier than others comes to my side as I get into elevator. She always has the perfect taste of clothes. She looks so classy and so business type. She has black slacks, a white button blouse and a black blazer. She has black stilettos that increase three inches to her five foot six height.
"He's okay." I smile at that and think about Harry. He forced me to move in with him and pays attention to me. He's so perfect but I know we can never be anything more than friends. We tried kissing once when we were seniors in highschool but it was so repulsive. Everyone assumed we were dating and we thought of it if it were a possibility. I brought up the kissing idea and Harry was into it. We kissed for about five seconds but I felt nothing. It was so blunt and after we were done we even wiped the kiss off reflexively. Since then we were both sure nothing could happen between us. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"He's handsome. He's hot. I mean look at him..." Jena's eyes widened when she realised what she's saying.
"We all have eyes you know. I mean it's obvious." She tried again and this time I let out a small laugh. "Relax. He's just my best friend. His body is... okay. Though I would never tell him that." I turn to look at Jena who's mouth is so wide and her eyes almost bulging out. She looks so funny.
"You're not dating? Oh my gosh! He... you guys really look like you're together you know."
I hear a ding and I know Jena has reached her destination since I go to the highest floor. I wink at her as she gets out and the door shuts leaving me once again alone.
Seconds later I get out of the elevator and get into my office to prepare everything before Mr Keels arrives.
Mr Keels is soon to be fifty years old and the CEO of C and S company that I've come to love working for. Mr Keels has been so good to me even though I heard he's a pain in the arse to his previous PAs. I quickly take his coffee when I'm notified by Lilith of his arrival. Lilith is the lobby secretary and always on the look out and notifies me every morning when he arrives so I can make his coffee and hand it to him when he arrives.
I make the coffee and take the iphone tablet that contains his schedules of the day and head to the office. I raise my hand to knock but I hear his voice and two other men's. He has no appointment now since I had already mastered it in my head and I wonder who came to see him when he's not been in for even two minutes. I knock twice and all voices cease before I hear a come in.
"Morning Mr Keels. I have your coffee here." I place the cup on his desk as he matters a thank you.
"Meet my business associates. Mr James and Mr Kings." My extended arm posses midway but I manage to continue extending it to a so good looking man that has blonde hair and beautiful green eyes. "Nice to meet you Mr James." I smile at him. I withdraw my hand before he even says anything. Yeah I know I might seem rude but I hate body contact.
I turn to a smirking Sydney. "How are you Ms Styles?" I scowl at him. Now Mr Keels will want to know how we know each other. "Never been better Mr Kings." His hand stays longer and I roughly pull mine.
"I see you've already met Ms Styles, Sydney." Mr Keels says amusement laced in his tone. My eyes stray to Mr James for a second and I see his eyes on me. I quickly avert mine and move close to Mr Keels.
"Yes. Ms Styles here came for an HR interview in my company but never got it." His stupid smirk is on his face. "I wonder why." I whisper to myself which Sydney's smirk widens.
"Really?" Mr keels oblivious to Sydney's antics seems really surprised. "Your loss then. Isabella is the most efficient employee I've had in a while. I quite like her." I turn red with all the attention that I get and excuse myself and leave after taking the tablet.
I sit inside my office and stare at my boss' door. What the hell just happened? This is not how I expected to have my day. Sydney looks so much better since I last saw him in the hospital. No one could even guess he was shot. His hair looks ruffled in a stylish way and his tailored suit I'd bet it was made specifically for him. The scene of him and Bianca at the hospital replays in my head and every thought of him vanishes. I let out a stream of colorful curses at him before I concentrate on my work.
'Inhale peace, exhale stress.' I repeat this to myself as I take in deep breaths with my eyes closed.
"Did I really make your heart race that fast sweetheart?" I pause my stress relieving exercise and look up to find a grinning Sydney.
"I would have liked you a little bit" I say holding my thumb close to my second finger "If you were a even less full of yourself. Jeez! How did you even fit in that elevator?" I hear laughter next to him and I look up to see Mr James laughing making heat crawl up my cheeks.
I look down feeling so embarrassed. "I wonder what happened between you two. I already like you." Mr James says in a playful tone.
"Can I do anything for you Mr James?" I try to change the subject into a more professional one.
"Call me Liam, doll." I return his smile but soon it's cut short by Sydney freaking Kings. "Enough with the flirting. We have more important things to do." He says in a cold voice and turns on his heels.
"Say hi to your fiancé Mr Kings." Shit. Why did I say that? Stupid Bella. Stupid stupid stupid.
"I will Ms Styles." He says in a tight smile and leaves immediately. Jeez! What stuck up his ass this time?
"This tension is so thick.You got some scissors here?" I roll my eyes and Liam chuckles before he leaves.
***********
"Isabella." I raise my eyes and find Jason next to my door. What business does he have here?
"Jason. What are doing here?" Am I supposed to call him uncle now? No. I'll think about all this later.
"We have a meeting now with Luke. I came with Mr Andrews."
I raise an eyebrow. "What do you have to do with the lawyer and Mr Keels, Jason?"
He shrugs. "You'll see. You'll also join us since you are part of the meeting."
I stop on my tracks and look at Jason. Why am I needed? Maybe it's the normal minutes writing that I usually take. Everything is so abnormal today. Why would Jason say I'm part of it? I follow Jason into the office where he doesn't knock.
"Ah, Isabella. Nice of you to join us." Mr Keels says. This is so totally strange. Jason pulls a chair for me and I seat on it without thanking him and look at all the men waiting for an answer.
Let me give you a small introduction of the company Isabella." Mr Keels starts. I furrow my eyebrows and look at him strangely. Why would I need the company's history? Mr Keels stands and starts.
"C and S company was started forty years ago by Colin Styles and headed it for seven years before it was handed down to his eldest child, Caroline Styles." Everything stills for a second when I hear the name that has been on my mind lately. Well, one of the names. Oh! God! Caroline Styles. My mum. I feel like the room gets smaller and hotter. What's happening to me? I try fanning myself using my hand but no use. Water. I need a glass of water. I look at Jason who gets up immediately and gets me a glass of water. I take it and take in deep breaths.
Inhale peace, exhale stress. I try that for about three times and soon I'm better.
I look up to see Mr Keel's worried face next to Jason's. Mr Andrews stands behind them looking uncertain of what to do.
I place a smile on my face. "Please continue Mr Keels."