c4 - Her Luck—or curse.

Jade had recovered from her shock earlier and went about her daily tasks as she should.

On a chair between her and Mireia sat Zia, minding her own business with her coloring books. Zia had always been well-behaved, and Jade was a proud mama.

“Hey, when you’re hungry, Aunt Reia has a lot of snacks here,” Mireia said, trying to bribe Zia in exchange for tiny pecks on her cheek.

“Thank you, Aunt Reia!” Zia chirped happily.

Jade smiled warmly.

“Jade,” their manager suddenly called her. “Bring this document to the CEO’s office and have it signed by Mr. Frost.”

To say she was shocked was an understatement. She had been working at FII for a year now, and as far as she knew, staff of her rank were not allowed to have direct encounters with the CEO.

“What are you still standing there for? We’re in a rush, and everyone else is occupied!”

She absentmindedly looked around her workstation. There were five of them in that room, and no one seemed particularly busy like Ms. Stewart claimed.

“Jade, I’m warning you. I don’t have time to coax you to do a simple task!”

“Y-Yes, Ms. Stewart,” she mumbled, throwing Mireia a glance, silently pleading for her to look after Zia while she was away.

Mireia nodded reassuringly.

“I’ll go right away, Ms. Stewart,” Jade said, accepting the folder with almost trembling hands.

She had just recovered from her earlier encounter with Zane—and now, she was tasked to get his signature? What on earth was happening today?

A day before his engagement, here she was, most likely about to reveal herself.

No, it’s been so long. He won’t recognize me. Heck, he didn’t even know me. What am I so scared of? Jade thought as she waited for the elevator.

Zane’s office was on the top floor. She had heard that it doubled as his private space, as sometimes work demanded so much of his time that he was unable to go home.

That was how workaholic Zane Frost was. In fact, since his return, he had increased FII’s net worth multiple times.

When she reached his floor, she passed by the Executive Assistants' office, where all eyes curiously followed her. She cleared her throat, about to ask for directions, since it was her first time there.

“Ms. Collins,” a familiar voice called.

She recognized Ryan Smith, Zane’s secretary.

“Mr. Smith,” she greeted with a polite smile, relieved that she might not need to face the CEO directly after all.

“Mr. Smith, I was asked to deliver this to the CEO for his signature.” She offered him the folder she was carrying.

“Yes, Ms. Stewart informed me,” Ryan said, but he didn’t accept the folder. “Unfortunately, Mr. Frost will be having a lunch meeting now and cannot entertain you.”

Just as he said that, Zane emerged from his office, looking every bit like he had stepped off a magazine cover—tailored suit, strikingly handsome face, and a commanding presence that made Jade’s heart hammer painfully against her chest.

Their eyes met, and Jade felt her knees weaken.

She panicked. Was she supposed to say something? Was she even allowed to address him directly? Her brain cells seemed to scatter in every direction, and she stood there frozen, staring at him like a lost puppy.

“Mr. Frost, Ms. Collins has—”

“Come with me to the meeting,” Zane said curtly, walking past her toward the elevator.

“H-huh?” Jade blinked, confused.

“You heard him,” Ryan said, following after Zane. “Ms. Collins, let’s go,” he called out to her, holding the elevator doors open.

“Y-yes.” She followed suit like a robot, positioning herself at the farthest side of the elevator, too afraid to even breathe the same air as Zane.

She couldn’t believe her luck today—or curse rather.

However, if she went with Zane to his meeting, she would leave Zia alone for only heaven knew how many hours.

Her daughter might get worried.

She had to risk it and ask Zane if he could sign the document now instead. She had peeked into the folder earlier. It was only a one-page document that needed his signature. It shouldn’t take much of his time.

After a silent battle with herself, Jade finally cleared her throat and lifted her gaze, summoning every ounce of courage she had. She intended to look at Zane directly, but instead, her reflection caught her attention.

The elevator doors were mirrored, and she realized, with growing horror, that both men could probably see her fidgeting anxiously behind them. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she silently wished the floor would just swallow her whole.

Still, she forced herself to speak.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Frost, but... could you please sign this document now?” she asked softly, her voice barely steady. “It only requires one signature. I mean... I can’t leave for long because I brought my daughter with me today.”

She bowed her head as she nervously offered him the document along with a pen, her hands trembling slightly.

No one answered her, though.

The elevator doors dinged open, and Zane walked out first without sparing her a glance.

“Let’s go, Ms. Collins,” Ryan said, as though he hadn't heard her request either.

Did she speak or not?

She doubted herself, questioning if she had really done what she thought she did earlier.

With a sigh, she followed the two men, her heart heavy and her steps reluctant.

Outside the building, Zane’s luxurious car was already waiting for him.

Ryan took over the driver’s seat, while Jade was left standing awkwardly, unsure where she was supposed to sit after Zane had already settled into the backseat.

“Coming or not?”

Jade snapped back to reality at the sound of Zane’s cold voice. The window was rolled down, and he was looking at her, his expression unreadable.

She moved in haste, reaching for the passenger seat’s door. However, it was locked. Jade frowned in confusion. Was she not supposed to come?

“At the back,” Ryan called out as he rolled the window down on that side.

She nodded nervously, cheeks burning with embarrassment. 

Maybe Zane would sign the document while they were on the way.

Clutching the folder tightly against her chest, Jade hurried around the car and carefully slipped into the backseat, making sure to keep as much distance as she could from Zane. 

Her heart thudded loudly in her ears, and she found herself staring down at her lap, hoping the ride wouldn’t be long.