3

CHLOE

For a moment, everything was silent. I was at a loss of words, staring at him. 

What were the chances of seeing him again? In this sane street no less? It felt like life was playing a joke on me. 

Thinking of the bags and belongings in my arms, heat rushed to my cheeks followed by humiliation. I must have looked a mess with my sleeping gown and red eyes and he was seeing me in this state after yesterday.

He stepped out of the door and I couldn't move as he looked closer. His icy blue eyes held no emotion as he looked over me as though analyzing and I fought the urge to cringe back or cry. He didn't say a word, or ask any questions, but I should have expected it. 

With my belongings outside his brother's house, it shouldn't have been too hard to tell what happened.

“Let me take you to my home.” He simply said and I blinked in shock, 

Surprise filled me as I looked at him. Of all the things I thought he was going to mention, that was the last thing.

He was offering to take me to his home?

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. A part of me wanted to resist and say no. I didn't know him, and the memories- or lack of - that I had were bad. 

But what other choice did I have? 

Swallowing thickly, I nodded.

To even further surprise, he helped me into the car, taking my belongings. I remained choked up, unable to say anything.

It wasn't until after the drive that I could finally speak.

As we arrived at his home, I gasped,

 The place was stunning. Although it was a penthouse and far from the lavish mansion I was used to, it looked sleek in a good way. 

I gaped at the inside when he suddenly called in servants to take my things.

“What are you doing?” I asked, 

“Taking your things to your room,” he said.

It was like a punch to the gut. My room?

“You were living in my brother's mansion before, right?” He asked and I fought back a flinch. The hurt from moments ago came rushing back.

"You can stay with me,” he said and I held back a gasp of shock,

“My place is big enough. You can have your own room, and you're welcome to stay as long as you need.”

I couldn't believe it.I stared at him, shocked.

Why was he being so kind to me? I'd treated him horribly the last time we met, and yet…

Had I judged him too harshly?

It had been more than a decade since the incident happened. People change. The only other reason I disliked him was because he was Nathan's rival, but where had that gotten me?

Before I could thank him, a loud trill broke the silence. I quickly recognized it as my phone alarm and a chill ran through me.

“I have to go to work,” my voice nearly broke at the last word. 

I worked as Nathan's Secretary at Willis corporation and had been for the past several years. I was once satisfied about it, considering that it pushed me closer to him and helped us keep a cover for our affair, but now I was dreading it. How on earth could I face him and work with him after what he'd said today?

Looking up, I froze. Sebastian had an unreadable expression on his face but it was gone before I knew it, washed under his cold exterior as he nodded.

“You can go to your room and change. I'll be waiting.”

….

As soon as I'd showered and fully dressed up, he drove me to the company without any questions. He didn't look surprised when I'd even stated the company address. He somehow knew that I worked there.

As we arrived at the company, my gut clenched in anxiety.

How was I going to face Nathan now?  Would he even acknowledge me?

We moved up together. There was a meeting already holding which I was late for. Stepping into the meeting room, I found Sebastian sitting there with other board members. It took everything to ignore him and the lump in my throat as I took my place by Nathan's side.

The tension was so thick everyone could feel it around them. Why wouldn't they be when they knew they were fighting for the same position as future CEO.

Ever since they were young, Mr Willis had pitted them against each other. Because of Nathan's outgoing nature he was the best contender for the position of CEO. However Sebastian's had grown the company overseas gaining multiple successes that reached here. I remembered Nathan complaining about it countless times. 

Now, they were both on an equal level and both

The meeting was a blur to me.  I could barely think with Nathan by my side. The memory of this morning replayed in my head like a record, suffocating me.

He had broken my heart and I was still pregnant with his child. How on earth was I going to work for him?

As the meeting drew to a close, I relaxed a fraction until Nathan spoke.

"I have an announcement to make," he said, a smile on his face. I tensed immediately and he turned to me.

 “Miss Burns, you are no longer a part of my team. From today onwards you are fired, effective immediately.”

I flinched back in response. He was.. firing me.

Not only was he firing me, but he was doing this with so many eyes on us. I could feel their penetrating stares, but he didn't seem to care.

Was he always like this? 

A wave of humiliation washed over me. Tears pricked against my eyes. There was nothing I could do but accept.

But before I could react a voice cut me off.

“Is that so?”

I turned to find Sebastian standing up, looking at me and Nathan. He'd already seen me thrown out of Nathan's home, by now he would understand.

“In that case, good. Miss Burns, if you're no longer working for Nathan, then I'd like to offer you a job as my personal assistant."

The entire room was stunned. I noticed at the corner of my eye that Nathan's face had darkened but I didn't care. Not when I was trying to process what was happening.

I gaped at him openly but his gaze never wavered. 

This was the third time he had saved me, first from the car, then today and now, while Nathan was trying to humiliate me.

It was ironic. The man I had devoted myself to was ruining me while the man that nearly ended my life years ago,  the man I should hate was the one saving me at every turn. 

Nathan had discarded me like I was nothing despite everything I'd done. That was my biggest mistake. And I didn't want to make any more by clinging to him.

With that, I made my decision.

“I accept,” I said, my voice firm.

As I moved away  I could have sworn Sebastian's lips lifted a fraction. Nathan's face was red with anger but I didn't care about him anymore.

I was done with Nathan, and I was ready to start anew.