Pearl
Dressed in a black kimono sleeve top and a nude asymmetric pencil skirt with a black stiletto heel that morning, a few days after my encounter with Lucas Anderson at the school reunion, I was a woman on a mission.
I had to select that simple outfit so as not to gain too much attention from my father. I wanted it to appear as if I was going on a casual event and not a job interview as I had planned to.
I'd told my father I won't be going to work because I was meeting with a friend and he believed me. Whereas, I was on my way to get a job. Something that'll give me freedom from home. I've always wanted to get a job and stand on my own rather than rely on my father's job.
I've been searching for a job for over two months now and each time I ended up getting one, I won't be able to go for my interview because of dad's work and as a result of that, I ended up still working at his office.
This current interview was from a bigger company and I can't afford to lose it.
Lucky enough, I didn't encounter any of my parents as I left the house probably because they were still in bed, it was only Aurora that I saw and she just waved, telling me to have a nice time.
I hailed down a cab and gave him the address. Soon enough, I got to the office and looked up at the banner that read, Florence and sons. The company is majorly into women's accessories even though sometimes they infuse men's clothing into their line of work and their products are always fantastic.
They rule the fashion world in this part of the world and I can't wait to get started already.
“Florence and sons, how may I help you?”
“Please hold on, I’ll get you to him right away”
“Florence and sons, we're always at your service”
“Yes, Mr. Logan would be on the line soon, please have a nice day”
I was currently sitting in the lobby of the Florence and son's cooperation head office as I was waiting for one of the receptionists to finish their calls so I could approach her.
The lobby contained a long line of receptionists who attended to phone calls and also people who were visiting the skyscraper office building for the first time. I looked around me and realized I wasn't the only eager person, everyone here in this visitor's seat was in a hurry to get something done, fast.
As soon as I realized one of the receptionists was free, I moved closer to her and waited for her to be done with the task she had at hand.
"Hi, Good morning,"
I called out and got no response. I knocked on her desk, trying to get her attention. She raised her head and smiled at me.
It was when I looked down at her that I realized she was painting her nails while making a phone call.
Must all receptionists be this annoying?
"Hello beautiful, good morning to you," She greeted with a wide smile on her face. I looked back to see if it was actually for me and when I looked back at her, I realized she was referring to me.
I guess I judged her too early.
"I'm here for an interview with Mr. Gerald,"
"You must be Pearl Adams, right?" I nodded and wondered how she already knew about me.
"Are other interviewees around already?" I asked, wondering if I was late for the interview.
"No, you're the only one they'll be interviewing today,"
My eyes almost bulged out of its socket. She made a quick phone call and told me, I should go to the fifth floor and that I'll meet someone there waiting for me.
"Best of luck, Miss Pearl,"
"Thank you. That's so nice of you, I'll do my best" I appreciated her kind gesture.
I walked into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifth floor. I rested my back against the elevator wall and sighed. The interior of the building was just as magnificent as the exterior. This family really rules the city of California.
The elevator dings and the door opened, as I walked out, a man in a black suit was waiting for me.
"Miss Adams, Welcome to Florence and sons,"
"Thank you," I shook his stretched hand.
"Please follow me. Your interview will happen right in this office,"
He gestured for me to follow and I did. We got to a door and he knocked before we entered.
As we walked into the office, I saw a man with his back turned to me. He was wearing a grey suit with his hand in his pocket and when he finally turned, I realized he was almost the same age as my father.
“Please sit” The man gestured towards the chairs placed in the middle of his office in a U-shaped manner. I gently sat while he tidied up whatever he was doing on his table.
I looked around the office and realized it was bigger than my father’s and mine combined but still, it gave me an eerie feeling that makes me want to stand and just run out of here but then, I’ll be going back to my previous life without a taste of freedom.
"Miss Pearl, it's nice to finally meet you,"
"Same here sir," I furrowed my eyebrow at the thought of how familiar he looked. I've seen this face some time ago.
He waved his hand.
"Don't call me sir, please refer to me as Gerald. I'd invited you over for the interview as per someone's recommendation," He explained, resting against his desk.
"Okay, Gerald,"
"Good. How old are you, Pearl?"
"I'm 24,"
"You've graduated from college, right? What course did you study?"
"Business administration sir and if you want, I can give you the details of my job experience and education…."
He interrupted me by raising his hand. "I just want to get to know you. This isn't a job interview. I've seen your CV and I was impressed even before you got recommended,"
"I don't understand you, sir,"
I was getting confused with everything he was saying. This was supposed to be a job interview, right?
"Are you Augustus' daughter? The man who owns the textile company" He asked.
Shit! Shit! Maybe I should've changed my surname before coming down here.
"Yes," I replied, biting my lip in the process. As soon as I opened my mouth and said yes, I instantly remembered him. It's not possible, it cant be possible. I thought this company belonged to a Florence family and not.....
"Okay." That was all he said.
"Sir,"
He stared at me.
"Were you expecting me to ask you formal questions when you already have the job?"
A smile crept up on my face.
"I have the job,"
"Yes, Miss Augustus but in addition to that job, you have a job for me,"
He said and the look on his face made me realize he was serious.
"An additional job," I asked and he nodded.
The door of his office was suddenly flung open in a loud thud and I watched as the demon's first child called Luke Anderson barged into the office looking at Gerald murderously.
"Shouldn't I be the one interviewing my employee, Father?"
Wait! What did I just hear?
"Well then, Miss Pearl, say hello to your new boss,"
His father answered sarcastically.
"What are you doing here?" I asked him, still in shock.
"News flash, I own this company," He replied.
"What?" I asked in disbelief.
"No more questions, Sil" he spat.
"What games are you trying to play, father? You're not supposed to be here anymore,"
"What will you do since I'm here?"
Luke walked over to his father, pushing me out of the way in the process. My butt landed on another sofa and I quickly sat up to stand far away from the two.
"You wouldn't dare try to annoy me, Gerald, or else, I swear to God that I'll skin you alive," Luke growled, making the hair at the back of my neck stand.
"I'll love to watch and see you try, Son,"
"Forget the relationship we have, Gerald. I told you a long time ago that you're not my father anymore and if you try and breathe next to me or anyone near me again, I swear that you'll regret ever having me,"
The two of them were glaring at each other, breathing heavily as Luke's fists were clenched in front of him.
"Pearl, get your ass to the sixth floor," Luke commanded.
I stood rooted on the spot, not knowing if I should move or leave.
"Don't fucking make me repeat myself," He screamed. I yelped as fear ran its course through my body.
PEARL"What? That's absolutely insane, impossible, and ridiculous. $200 for just to clean a jean jacket," I shrieked, almost dying from the price the laundry man gave me."That's the regular price young lady, I'm afraid,"My mouth was wide open as I stared at him in surprise, confusion, and curiosity about how Lucas Anderson was going to successfully bury me alive. I didn't wait for the last bell to ring before I left school to sort out the laundry. I could practically feel his eyes at my back every second throughout the school period and I swear, that every time I looked back, he either wasn't looking at me or he wasn't even in the vicinity at all.I swear to God that I'll kill Jerry before he turns 18 for putting me in such a dilemma."Can't you do it for me at $50? It's just one jacket, not a truckload full of jackets," I insisted, almost crying in the process.The man sighed. "No, that's because the cloth has to be han
PEARL“I quit,” I announced as soon as Luke walked into the receptionist’s office on the second floor.“Are you playing with words?” He asked, changing his direction and stopping right in front of me. He was close, too close that I could smell his after-shaving cream.“No, Lucas. I quit,”Lucas placed his hand below my chin.“It’s Mr. Anderson for you, you work under me now. Have some respect,”I gritted my teeth. “Are you deaf? Because if you’re not, you would’ve heard what I just said. I quit, I don’t want to work here or anywhere that have you attached to it,”Lucas nodded, staring into my eyes. “Very well, Miss Pearl Augustus. You can leave as you want,”I picked up my bag from the chair behind me and began walking away. I wouldn’t make the mistake of getting involved
PearlIf my father ever finds out that I’m outside of school waiting for the school’s bad boy, I might get killed or sent to an asylum. Maybe if I tell him he was Anderson’s only son, I would be punished and grounded till my grandchildren graduate college, right?“Right?” I asked Lyla who was beside me. I knew I was thinking out loud with the dreadful look on her face.“You need to calm down Pearl. I can’t calm down if you don’t calm down and the way you’ve been imagining all sort of horrible things is scaring me, alright?” Lyla asked, her voice shaking already.I nodded, swallowing hard.&ldquo
PEARL “You didn’t pick up your phone when I called you last night, Pearl,” Lyla complained as she sat opposite me in the cafeteria. It was lunchtime and I arrived earlier than any of us. I wanted to avoid meeting Lucas in the hallways. “I was too tired to do anything, I practically slept like a log of wood after I got home last night,” I yawned, placed my head on the desk, and groaned, “I still feel sleepy,” I told her. “Why? What happened with Lucas?” At the mention of Lucas’s name by Lyla, I lifted up my head, brought out my phone, and show her the text I received from the unknown number yesterday. “Do you know this number? Can you check on your phone if it’s for Lucas?” I requested. I had that on my mind throughout this morning and I made the conclusion that it was Lucas because of the initial he used. Lyla wiggled her eyebrow. “Why are you acting surprised? You know I know you both know someone mutual called Henry and from the way you both acted yesterday, it is crystal clear
Author's Note: I'll be giving little reminders at every switch in time and period so you readers won't get confused. Please, ask questions if this book gets confusing at any point. Reminder: This chapter picks up from the last scene where Pearl had her first day at work. Pearl's POV My day was not only dramatic but also hectic. I had to do all Charlotte wanted because the boss wanted it as well, which were all according to her. I feel she has something deep against me and the best part was, I didn’t see Lucas again for the rest of the day. I was a few feet away from my father’s mansion, staring at it as I sat on the road’s placement, my bag in between my legs. The lights were still on, meaning the workers were still up and so were my parents. When I was able to finally pick up my phone and check the time was when I discovered how dead I might actually be. My phone suddenly began ringing once more, I removed it from my bag and panicked as I realized it was my father. Quickly, I pi
Pearl's POV “Good morning, Mother,” I greeted as I walked past her into the kitchen, the walk was at a quick pace as I was getting late for work. I needed to get to work by seven-thirty instead of eight which was the normal resumption time because bitchy charlotte said so. I picked up an apple from the bowl of fruits sitting on the kitchen table, I took a bite as I saw my mother glaring at me. I swear, I almost choked. “Good morning, Miss” She quoted and I rolled my eyes. I dropped the apple back into the bowl and that earned me a smack on the back of my head. “What the heck, mother? Why did you do that?” I yelled. Instead of responding she ignored me, removed the apple from the bowl, and tossed it into the dustbin. She turned to look at me while a hand was against her waist. “Why are you up so early? Is your work related to slavery?” I shook my head, not as a response to her answer but as a way of saying I was tired of listening to her constant sarcastic way of speaking. “Not
Pearl's POV “Do you want me to repeat myself, Pearl?” He demanded. I was still standing fixated at a spot. I tried finding words to say but I couldn’t. All I could think of was how he laid claim on me just as he did years back. “Yes,” I swallowed hard. He stood close to his desk, leaning a little bit against it for support as he stared at me. We both kept on looking at each other for what appeared to be a few seconds. “We have a meeting to attend, get ready,” He finally repeated and I heaved a deep sign of relief. I stood my ground and I won this time. “Yes sir,” I answered. “Meet me outside in five minutes,”“Okay, sir,” He suddenly glared at me and instead of wondering about what I’d done wrong, I walked out of the office, closing the door firmly. As I walked into my office, bitchy Charlotte was sitting on my desk, hands folded against her chest. “How was your little charade of disgrace?” She grinned widely. I cocked an eyebrow, trying to understand what she mean, and then
Reminder: This chapter picks up from where Lucas attacked Jeremy because he found out what exactly happened.PEARL'S POV“Jeremy is mad at you, you know,” Aurora whispered to my ear during physics class. I turned to look at her strangely.“Why? I have done anything,” I whispered back.She lifted up her textbook before she brought out her phone to text me. I watched as the words she was secretly typing formed into something. “He’s been mad at you since yesterday. You saw how he ignored you this morning, I asked him and he told me it’s because you told Lucas Anderson about what he did,” My eyes went wide as everything made sense to me. Still, I was confused.I took her phone from her and typed. “I didn’t tell Lucas anything, I swear,”“Then, how did he know it was Jeremy who pushed you?” I was