chapter 6

Jace's POV

"You guys go ahead I am right behind you." I said to Brandon and Jay as we got to our destination.

"Are you good?" Brandon asked noticing my new profound foul mood,

"Yea," I shrugged him off, I sat in the car for a few minutes talking deep breaths while trying to clear my head before walking into the company,

"Time to get this over with." I muttered as I got to the receptionist, she quickly directed to where the elevator was saying someone will be there to take me to the conference room, but I didn't miss the once over she gave me, well, most females look at me like walking sex god so nothing new there,

"I'm Vanessa Sir, nice to meet you." an overly excited woman said as soon as the elevator door opened, I fought the urge to roll my eyes at her and just nodded saying she should lead the way,

"Mr. Grayson will be with you shortly" I heard someone say from where I guess is the conference room, but that voice, it sounds.... familiar, the door opened before I could ask the lady in front of me,

I could only stare in disbelief, it can't be, it just can't be......it's been 6 years,6 fucking years....., what am I supposed to say to her, how am I supposed to explain why I treated her the way I did that faithful day, what happened to her pregnancy, she couldn't have aborted it...could she?.....

"Pa..." I wanted to call out, but she ran off before I could even grab her or something, damn it she can't leave my sight again,

"Are you okay, sir?" Vanessa asked battling her lashes at me, I simply nodded, walking into the conference room where Brandon and Jay already got comfortable,

I could barely grab anything Mr. Grayson was saying concerning the contract making me genuinely grateful for Brandon and Jay because they seemed to have noticed I was off my game, and they quickly took over things while I just nodded when necessary,

"Will any of you fine gentlemen care for coffee?" Mr Grayson asked, staring at me directly like the question was meant for me in particular, seems like he noticed my lack of concentration too.

"That sounds good." Brandon quickly said, taking the attention away from me, which I was more than grateful for,

"Vanessa?" Mr Grayson said, giving his employee a look, but her next words threw me off balance,

"Why me, what happened to Paige, that's the one thing she does right anyway. "She said not minding we all heard her, I expected Mr. Grayson to lash out or something, but he simply sighed and got his phone out of his pocket dialing a number,

"Paige, get us some coffee in here." Mr Grayson said almost immediately, I heard her say something I couldn't make out, but from the look on Grayson's face he didn't like it.

"Paige just do as I have instructed "He said with a scowl on his face, but something stirred in me, I have a feeling Paige doesn't get the best treatment here,

"Just make them all black and put the milk and sugar by the side"he finally said before putting the phone down,

"Your coffee will be brought soon in the meantime, where were we?"he said going back to talking about the contract but this time around I was completely lost, I couldn't get my mind to stop thinking about that phone call, why do I have a bad gut feeling about Paige's work here.

Five minutes later, Paige walked in with a tray in her hand and everyone's attention turned to her, but she solely kept her eyes on Grayson avoiding every other eyes, but I knew she was avoiding mine the most

"Uhmm, the Coffee Sir"she said as she got to where Grayson was,

"That's right "he said nudging her to give everyone theirs, Brandon and Jay told her how they liked their coffee which she prepared quickly, when she got to me she said nothing, but I wouldn't blame her, I was about to relieve her the stress of asking me when she handed me a cup of black coffee perfectly prepared, still saying nothing to me or even making eye contact she walked out leaving everyone in disbelief most, especially me...she remembered.....

                                 

"Excuse me" I said just as Paige walked out, my head is a fucking mess and I couldn't continue sitting here, I need to talk to her somehow, without waiting for anyone to say or ask anything I walked out, I saw Paige walk into a small office I guess is hers,

Taking small breaths I walked towards the door knocking lightly, I could hear her heavy breathing from the other side and I panicked a little,

"What do you want, Vanessa?"I heard Paige say, the way she sounded struck my heart hard,

When I didn't reply the door opened minutes later followed by a loud gasp by Paige,

"Can we talk?"I finally said when I realized she wasn't going to say anything, but she just kept staring at me with emotions stirring in her eyes that couldn't be missed.... anger....hate...hurt...

"Please Paige."I said again,

"What the fuck do you want, Russo?"she asked, saying my last name like it burnt her,

"Last name basis...wow" I said trying to lighten up the mood but the look she gave me just told me she wasn't having any of it,

"Goodbye, Russo." She said, closing the door,

"Did you abort our child?"I finally asked I wanted to ask since I saw her, something flashed through her eyes, but it disappeared like it was never there before I could figure out.

"Yes"she said completely emotionless shutting the door without another word, I don't know if it's the fact she really got rid of our child or the fact she didn't even want to talk that hurt the most, but I am sure they both hurt badly.

"Jace?"I heard Brandon call out making me turn around that's when I realized that the meeting was over,

"How long have you been standing there?"I asked in a low tune.

"Long enough to know that something is really up with you"he said folding his hands,

"I am fine.... Grayson can I talk to you privately?"I said walking back towards the conference room as Grayson followed suite.

"Get out"I said to Vanessa who was busy typing away on one of the chairs, she stared at me in shock before scurrying off when she realized I was in a very foul mood.

"Mr Russo, is everything okay ?"Grayson asked as Vanessa walked out making sure to shut the door behind her, at least she knows what privacy is,

"How long has Paige been working for you?"I asked going straight to the point,

"So this is about Paige?"he said.

"Don't answer my question with another question Grayson, I have very little patience right now"I said a bit rudely but right now, I couldn't care less,I was both angry and hurt,

"Close to 5 years now, why?"he said,

"What do you know about her?"I asked totally ignoring his question,

"Actually nothing, she is very closed off I don't even know her address only the area she lives in, but I know she has a poor educational background"he said which caught me off guard,

"Poor educational background like...?"I asked, not getting him quite well,

"She didn't graduate college, she only has her high school degree, but she is quite intelligent that's why I gave her the job as Vanessa's assistant" he said, and I noticed something in his voice as he talked about Paige, but I didn't read meaning into it,

"Wait she works under that .....slut"I said in disgust, I was expecting a reaction from Grayson even if it was a look to warn me not to mention his employee like that, but I got nothing,

"You may not believe me, but I don't like it either but that's what her degree could get her, she had good results throughout high school which got me wondering why she never went to college, when I asked her, she simply said her parents couldn't afford it, but I didn't buy it, her results could have gotten her scholarship to any school of her choice, but I never pushed it"he said his gaze softening a bit,

"Look Jace,I am not supposed to tell you all this but from the moment Paige walked in with the coffee I saw the look you gave her and I immediately knew it was something more than what meets the eyes,I have always been the worst boss to Paige but I really care about her,she is like a sister I never had,no matter what I did to her she always looked out for me when the time came, and I will forever owe her for that, she is really something. "

"I want you to fire her"I finally said, shocking Grayson,

"Wait what, "he said in disbelief,

"I want all the files you have about her duplicated and sent to my office by this evening."I added.

"I am afraid I can't do that, Jace"Grayson said with a firm look on his face that I am guessing was supposed to get me to back down, but I wasn't having it,

"I never said you had a choice." I said.

"You are not some god, Jace and no one worships you, you can't just ask me to let go of one of my best employees for nothing, she needs the job and I need her services"he said, pissing me off,

"Just fire her Grayson, I will pay you if that's what you want." I said, raising my voice,

"Pay me?.....you will pay me to fire someone?"he asked bilwildered,

"Yes, name your price "I said, who thought all I needed to do was mention money.

"$100 million "he said, smirking like he just won the jackpot,does he really think I don't have that,

"Done"I said instantly shocking him,

"Wait....you are joking, right?"he asked.

"You will get the money as soon as I get to my office and I see the documents, I want Paige gone today"I said, walking out,

"Let's go."I said to Brandon and Jay who were still waiting for me.

"What was that about?"Jay asked,

"Nothing much." I said in a tone that told him to drop it, which he quickly understood, I glanced at Paige's office door before getting into the elevator..... I am not letting you go for the second time Paige, we have a lot to settle, and we can't do that if you won't talk to me, so I just have to make you talk to me, I promise I mean no harm.........