EMBER
Ember felt herself waking up, her senses rushing back. As her eyes parted, she stared up at the ceiling of the unfamiliar room. She could also feel a sharp pain throbbing on her back, making her shiver. With all the strength she could gather, she sat up, the blanket falling off her body.She clutched it back up but only then did she realize, she wasn't naked. Her clothes were back on her perfectly. She rolled slightly to her side but she wasn't surprised to see it empty. She was all alone in that room. The room she spent last night doing things she would've never imagined doing.But he was gone.And then dawned the consequence of what she had done.When she looked to her side, the memories from last night reeling in front of her eyes back to back, she spotted something on the small bedside table. She pulled herself to the corner of the bed and picked up the envelope placed on the table. Carefully, she opened it and looked inside, her eyes widened.A bundle of dollar bills.She spotted a note on its side."I only take what I deserve. You'd never give me more than that. But if you ever change your mind, I'll be there," the note said. And below the words, Jack had left his number. He hoped he would call her. He had even returned the money Ember had scattered on him, just deducting his payment.Regret washed over her. She clutched the note in her hand, still relieved that the money is still safe. Her life savings were almost lost because of her impulsiveness. But even after all this, Ember had no idea what Jack wanted from her. Why wasn't he just like every other gigolo? Why wouldn't he run away with the money, and never look back?She stood up, grabbing her things with an upsurge of thoughts. How much more was there to regret? The night was gone, and so should the memories. She decided to not look back anymore.She knew she had learned new things about herself. What her body was capable of, and how her body reacted. Not what she can provide but what she needed. So there wasn't much to debate about anymore. She saw herself differently at that moment, she had gone out of character.But even if it wasn't a pleasant feeling, she wouldn't let it be a mistake.Ember stood up, crumpling the note in her fist, and started to leave. But just before she passed the exit, she dumped the crinkled note in the trashcan. She decided she didn't need to look back again.~3 YEARS LATERThe monotonous ring of the cell phone went off loudly, shaking up the otherwise quiet room.Ember had tossed and turned enough to avoid waking up but that was her last straw. After weeks and weeks of running around, eating takeout, and giving interviews, she had finally thought of getting a long sleep. But she couldn't stretch it any further. She sat up, scouring for her phone."H-hello?" She said, suppressing a yawn."Good morning, is this Ms. Ember Campbell?""Yes, who is this?" She frowned a little."This is Mary, from the Sarte group of companies. You gave an interview here a week ago and we think you fit right into our standards. But right now we're a bit under emergency, it'd be great if you can join from today itself. So, should we see you at 9?" The woman spoke, her words drowning in the back of Ember's head. She was blank."What-?" She was still processing it all, sinking back into the real world. Her eyes widened. "You mean I got the job?""Yes! We'd like you to join right away if that's not a problem," the woman said, her spirit enthusiastic and supportive. Ember felt her eyes burning."No.. yes.. I'll be there on time. Thank you. Thank you so much," Ember said. She hung up and buried her head into her palms. Sarte's group of companies was her first choice, the one she wanted to work in the most. It felt unreal.Ever since that night, even she couldn't even remember the man's face clearly, things have changed drastically. But step by step.Ember had started loving herself, putting her needs first. She found her interests and ever since she started working towards her motives, the last 3 years, Sarte group of companies was everything she wished for. She pinched herself in disbelief.There's no way she could lose this opportunity.~It only took 30 minutes for her to get ready because even through all the changes, her punctuality stayed intact. She had long wavy hair now that she pulled up in a ponytail and put on her best-fitted formal clothes with a slight touch-up of makeup.She looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. She was determined to make a good impression, by hook or by crook.Sarte wasn't too far from her place so she took a cab. She was 10 minutes early as she stepped inside the huge luxurious building that looked nothing less than a mall. It looked professional and chic, just like she had imagined. People spilled in and out, busy. She somehow made her way to the reception and was asked to wait. It really was like a dream.She checked with the receptionist and was asked to wait for some time. But the time stretched to an hour and then two. She was informed that the CEO was running late, he was caught up with something. But Ember was too optimistic to lose patience.But suddenly, he heard a commotion right outside the building. Ember moved up a little to see better and all she saw was a sea of reporters jostling and camera flashes right outside the Sarte building. They were all waiting for something.. someone.And that's when, in a minute, a black BMW drove in the midst of the reporters, making them go almost wild. The door swung open. Ember stood up to get a clear look and she saw a man step out. He was tall, a navy blue suit that couldn't hide his big built and broad shoulders. He wore a white shirt underneath with the first two buttoned loosened that peeked into his porcelain skin. And it.. reminded Ember of...But as her eyes finally trailed up to his face, her breath stopped. Her stomach dipped into a bottomless pit. She felt her blood run dry just by looking at his face. She couldn't tell if it was because how gorgeous he looked or how oddly familiar he was. BUt Ember could bet she hadn't met him. There was no way... right?He had sharp features and a chiselled jaw. He had ocean blue eyes and jet black hair with a single strand of hair falling on his forehead. His expression looked uninterested as he ignored the clamouring media hovering around him, he started walking straight towards the entrance. Ember's heart kept pounding in her chest. She was still holding her breath, standing near the entrance.But there was someone else who had also stepped out of the same car behind the man. Her red stilettos exited first and then exited a beautiful brunette with features of a model and a red dress that highlighted her curves But as her face registered in Ember's mind, she realised...The woman was none other than Selene Hudson, the supermodel.As she stepped out, Selene rushed to catch up with the man who didn't seem to care. They climbed up the stairs to the entrance as someone standing right opposite to her, greeted them. Ember too choked out a little "good morning" to them.Suddenly, Selene stopped for a second and shoved her purse in Ember's hand. She looked up at her with confusion, the man had also stopped to exchange a few words at the reception."Take my purse to my cabin, quick. Also, get me a black coffee and my salad," she said in an obnoxious bossy tone that gave Ember the ick. She spoke before Selene could walk away."I can't-""What?" Selene raised an eyebrow with disbelief. "Did you just say no to me?""I really can't. I have a meeting with the CEO," she said, trying to convince. But that's when Selene started laughing hysterically. She looked back at the man as he joined her and Ember's conversation.For the first time, he looked right at Ember. His cold and intimidating eyes fell on her, making sparks shoot up her spine. He looked just as unbothered but for a split second, amusement passed through his eyes. But then, his lips parted and he said something that shattered everything within Ember at once."You're fired."EMBERFired? Did she even hear it right? What was going on?Selene smirked a little as she snatched back her purse from Ember's and started walking away. The man's ocean blue eyes lingered on hers with a slight frown before he started walking away as well. She stood there, dumbstruck.He had to be the CEO. No one else would have that authority. He was.. none other than.. Zaire Langston Hughes, the CEO and founder of Sarte group of companies. From what Ember had researched about him, she knew he belonged to a rich and well known family but he has built the company Sarte with his own hardwork and money.His family had no contribution to his success, he was a known one man army, one of the youngest billionaires and business tycoon. But she never saw his face before. There was too little about his appearance on the internet, he seemed like the type to love his privacy.But she snapped back from her thoughts and she bolted towards him. She couldn't let her dream be shattered before it eve
EMBER"Calm down," he said. But did he have any idea what he was doing to her? "Take a deep breath."His tight grip around her body, his fingers brushing through her hair, and his warm breath against her skin. Her breath was caught, the tingles taking over her body. She felt her knees going weak so she clutched her hands tightly on his shirt and hung closer, her face turning to bury on his chest. She knew she was calming down. She couldn't even bear to look at him with her face burning red. Suddenly, the elevator thudded and a shrill noise played. It had cleared up, it wasn't stuck anymore. But before Ember could realize it, Zaire's grip loosened and he stepped back immediately, leaving her wanting his warmth back. He stood facing straight as he fixed his collar and grey suit. With just one run of his fingers through his hair, it was back to perfection, a single strand falling on his forehead majestically. She shook her head and positioned herself back to normal. Her mouth opened a
EMBERThe footsteps entered the room, making her heart threaten to leap out. She crawled into the little space under the desk and through the small gap, she peeked out. Zaire had entered the cabin, his pace neutral. She heard a ruffling noise of the papers as he lingered around the desk for some time. Ember's blood ran dry in fear of what would happen if he noticed that the file was missing. She held her breath, making sure to not make a single noise.He stopped for a minute, she couldn't see what he was doing. But then, he started walking towards the door, making Ember sigh with relief. But that was short-lived. Instead, she watched him close the door shut and lock it.Her heart sank as she watched him move towards the window, she heard him shut the drapes. He waited a moment before stepping close to the desk again. Ember held on for dear life."Come out, Ms. Campbell," he said with a calm tone that was scarier. Shivers ran through her body, it was one thing being caught, it was anot
EMBER It felt like Ember had stepped into her apartment after years. The day had been so hectic and.. confusing that she had no idea what to think anymore.She freshened up and ordered some pizza, setting up the couch with blankets and two wine glasses on the table. Ruby Reinhard, her best friend of 5 years, lived right next to her apartment. They usually had movie nights like that.But today, Ember doubted there would be any movie, she needed to let out a lot of her mind.Ruby arrived half an hour later with some food and wine, wrapping her in a hug first thing. That was the first time Ember had felt at ease the whole day."Loosen up, idiot. Mommy's here to solve all your problems like a fucking genie," Ruby chuckled. She helped herself inside, plopping on the couch with her head on the armrest. "What would I ever do without you?" Ember poured themselves some wine and the night started. She talked a lot, rambling and whining, while Ruby listened. But then, for the first time that da
EMBER"..It's late at night, your work is incomplete and you're past your deadline and yet, the only thing you can think about is kissing me. Even if you're fuming with anger at just the sight of me," his deep voice accompanied the depth in his gaze as he stared her up and down.Her breath caught, unable to make out words for a good minute before realization dawned on her. Him, being that close, wasn't helping at all. "Leave me alone," she whispered back, making him push back. He stood back straight, his eyes still on her. She had started despising his eyes on her because they seemed to uncover the truth behind all her thoughts.Like he knew her that well to see through her, to leave no room for mystery."So I'm right?" He smirked, knowing it would get to her and he was right. Ember stood up to face him."No.. please stop. I don't understand what you are trying to do but it's confusing me. Why are you tormenting me like that?" She confronted him, taking a step towards him, and anger s
EMBER "Ms. Campbell has secured a position here. She will be working as my personal assistant from tomorrow onwards," Zaire announced. The announcement created chaos in the conference room. They looked at each other with surprise as Ember sat tight, staring holes into Zaire but he refused to meet her gaze. He nodded to himself, knowing he had started a ruckus. But everyone looked more concerned about Mary who stood in the corner of the room, dumbfounded."She had been his personal assistant for the last three years, she was replaced just like that?" Someone murmured. The others joined in the gossip as Ember scanned Mary's shocked and betrayed face. Mary was always a kind and friendly person around the company and she worked closely with the CEO. It was a tough job but she handled it flawlessly. To think that Zaire could just switch her place like that seemed very out of place.". Mary Maloney will be promoted to the position of Chief Coordinator, the head of that department. Dismiss
EMBERIf Ember didn't find him unpredictable, she would've definitely categorised him as being mad. He looked mad, his body language screamed that out loud.He stood in front of her apartment, blowing the horn and staring right at her window till she notices. Ember gasped at that sight, mouth opening and closing with confusion. She had to stop him before people start complaining."That's him," she muttered, wide-eyed. "I have to go.""Wait.. who?" Ruby asked but Ember was long gone.She rushed down the stairs, in her pajamas and hair tied up in a bun with a distressed look on her face. What would bring Zaire to her house without any prior notice? When will she even be able to predict his next moves when he was always that strange? She prayed that it wasn't because she didn't let him drop her. Ember didn't know what to think as she rushed out of the building and only stopped when she reached him. Zaire's eyes shifted to Ember standing awkwardly at a distance and it trailed down her app
EMBERShe had made people look back at her, she was turning heads too. They walked inside the hall, through the crowd and into the event. Ember could feel her anxiety creep up but it didn't feel that hard to suppress. She looked around herself, beautiful women with gleaming dresses and painted smiles. She had never seen an atmosphere like that up close.The hall was huge and the chandelier reflected a bright pattern on the floor below that was also the dance floor for couples. The decore was golden and glass, it looked like anything but a business event. But she wasn't complaining. The only thing she couldn't wrap her head around was the man who stood beside her, talking to every other people and building bonds. She had almost heard him talk in at least 5 languages and won over whoever he talked to. He was so bold and confident, every demeanour left her staring. And not just her, every other girl in the room. They would kill to be in Ember's shoes at that moment, she could tell just