Jace's POVAny shift that involved me meeting with the older Miller was definitely exhausting. Handling one was tiring enough, but two?That was suicide!I arrived at Mr Miller's door and heaved a heavy sigh before I knocked.“Come in,” came his gruff voice from within.I opened the door and peeked in. Louis Hale was standing stiffly in front of Mr Miller's desk looking very uncomfortable. It was funny how he hadn't gotten used to the man all these years working with him.“So, he's been out on two occasions?”“Yes, according to the report I got.”“What for?”“I'm afraid I have no idea.”“What do I pay you for if you can't account for those around me?” He then switches almost immediately, “James that sonafabitch! If he's up to something, I'll kill him!”“My apologies sir. I'll inform our PI about him.”I stand around feeling awkward until Mr Miller finally looks in my direction. “Ah! Hudson… have a seat.”With that, Hale excused himself and walked away.I sat down and he smiled. I mas
JACE'S POVOnce Dairine was done and their torturous session was over, I radioed Jordan that she should escort the designer to the gate.It was almost time for Chantelle to leave for the office to meet with the staff of Miller's industries, as her father wanted her to take up the job of COO so she could be more “useful with her time”.“What happened to you?” Chantelle said, looking at me through her lashes as she smoothed out imaginary dust from her painting.“I don't know what you're talking about.” I said firmly. Even though I knew she was referring to how I had a minor panic attack. It was my job to protect her, not the other way round.She shook her head.“You looked like you saw a ghost! You were as white as a sheet! I need to know what happened.”“Well, it's none of your business!” I didn't mean to sound harsh but I didn't feel I needed to explain myself. But her reaction made me regret my tone.I sighed, “I believe it’s PTSD from my time at war.”“Oh… I'm sorry. Don't they like
ISABELLA'S POVI knew she was bound to make a mistake soon. When I had seen Chantelle standing so close to Jace Hudson, just after her appointment with the interior designer, Dairine, I knew she already got him hooked. But the blank look on his face as he stared at her, seemed to say otherwise.I resolved to talk to him later on but I had to tread carefully to not upset him as he was in charge of Chantelle's security personnel, including myself.I nodded at him as we walked to the car, but something didn't seem right. I had this nerve-wracking feeling and the hairs on my neck stood. I knew never to ignore my gut feeling so I opted to sit in the passenger seat in front so Jace Hudson stayed at the back. He gave me a weird look when I didn't give him an option as I just got in the front seat.“Aww!” I heard Chantelle's excited exclamation. “Thanks boo.” She blew a kiss at me. I watched Hudson from the corner of my eye and he didn't seem pleased. He was looking at me like he was ready
Chantelle's POVI sat yoga-style inside the pool as I sorted out my thoughts. I was trying so hard to remember what I did last night as I partied. I could easily ask but I was afraid of what would be said, or the judgment that would follow. Hell, I didn't even remember getting home!This was the only place I felt truly free, inside water.I had just returned from “my exile to Europe” as I like to call it. Father never wanted me around, so he always sent me far away for my schooling in the guise that their education was better than back home. I had gotten used to this— the fact that he was meant to be a businessman, not a father. Mamɑ̃ had been the most gentle, and the most loving woman I had ever known. She spoke little English but she was the best mother to me. I was much closer to her than I was to Father, which made her death so painful to bear to date. I don't know how she managed to fall in love with Father, a simple girl from a small village in France. Life was so much more
Chantelle's POV At the dining hall, we sat at both ends of the table. The table was big enough to take about twenty people, I kid you not!When I was younger, I wondered why he preferred this to a smaller table, then I concluded that he didn't want to be near me. Maybe because I was a brunette like Mamɑ̃ and my piercing blue eyes reminded him of hers. He couldn't make it more obvious that he loved Mamɑ̃ more than me.The sounds of cutlery clinking on plates echoed in the room for what seemed like hours. He seemed to be eating well, munching and sipping his wine without any care in the world. I stirred food on my plate and I could barely swallow as the cold atmosphere in the room made me uncomfortable. I distracted myself by looking around the room. If he was not going to start a conversation, I wasn't either. By now Isabella was done with her shift, but for some reason, Sandra Becker who was to take over was nowhere to be seen and I felt suddenly alone. I took in the room. Nothing
Jace's POVShe wouldn't stop staring at me, and her intense gaze was getting under my skin.That look… Now I understood what George Miller had meant when he said I was her type. He had warned me to be on guard and not be swayed.I cringed when he said that, thinking the situation was ludicrous. I had been assigned as her team leader for that very reason. Well, not that, but one of the reasons. The main reason still nudged me deep in my gut but since I had made a resolve to do it, I couldn't back out now. What could she possibly do to me? Why did Miller have such thoughts about his daughter?But as soon as I saw her in person, I almost wished I hadn't thought that way. She was the definition of beauty with an extra touch of elegance. She was not like any rich heiress he had ever seen. The bold way with which she stared into my eyes, her eyes saying many things without her having to say them.I averted my eyes when I realized my thoughts were drifting to the gutter.“Is that supposed
Chantelle's POVI tugged at the heavy neckpiece I wore, feeling its heavy weight suffocating me.I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. I was at Father's event. He had set it up for me to get acquitted with the big people in the business of food processing; but I knew it was an excuse to know what his competitors were up to and for the women married to some of these billionaires, to show pictures of their new yacht or new luxury home. These men and women could boast of billions to their name. I was so not ready for this, but I had to go because of Father's continuous threats.He held me by his side, introducing me to his business associates. To say I was bored would be an understatement. I had always known since I was a child to keep a smile on my face at these events, no matter how differently I felt.“This is Megan Miller. She's my beloved daughter and she'll be taking over Miller Industries one day as my heir.” He kept introducing me.Those words were a heavyweight and a bu
Jace's POV “Join me.” “No, thank you. I have to be alert at all times and I can't do that underwater.”Chantelle groaned and slapped the water.“You're so uptight!" She pouted and she looked really adorable.She widened her eyes and formed her mouth in the shape of an 'o'. I squinted my eyes at her. She pointed at me with a huge grin on her face, pointing at me, “Oh my! Did you just smile?”I cleared my throat and kept my face expressionless as usual. “You should do that more often. You have a lovely smile.” She said and moved fluidly and fast like she was one with the water, leaving me speechless.Apart from the many things I was getting to know that the heiress could do, I realized how vast and learned in many skills she was.She played the piano expertly, spoke French and Spanish fluently, and sang beautifully.Her swimsuit was lingerie and I found myself forcing my eyes away, so I don't stare at her like a pervert.I must have been so deep in thought because I didn't notice when