Coincidence?

Chapter 3

Coincidence?~

OLIVIA

I chickened out.

Bart, whom I had planned to call Barry if we ever ran into each other again, though I doubted we ever would because I’d already ruined everything—sounded like a child’s name. But that man was all hard edges and dangerous charm, definitely not a child.

Barry and I had a good night; he became a two-night stand, and when I heard the alarm ring at 5 a.m., instead of getting his number, I chickened out and ran out of his penthouse. It was childish of me, and I know it.

Bella chewed my ears out on Saturday morning, telling me she would drag my ass to Valentine again, but I wouldn't be going.

A one-night stand is supposed to be a one-night stand.

"Are you done?" Bella asked, touching my already caked-up face with powder.

I was called for an interview at one of the biggest companies in New York, Hade's Corporation. I never thought I'd be called for an interview when I applied to be the personal assistant of the CEO.

Imagine my surprise when I saw the email yesterday morning.

I was so happy, I called Bella and asked for a pair of her stilettos.

"Of course, you're the best candidate. You take notes of things perfectly. They'll be fools to let you go."

~•~

I was directed by the receptionist downstairs, and when the elevator stopped at exactly the twenty fifth flour, I stepped out.

According to the receptionist, there had been four candidates before me, and I was the last person to be interviewed.

"Hello, good day. I was called for the interview for the—"

"This way, please." She directed me to the room at the end of the corner.

"Are you nervous?" She asked.

"Yes, I am. I'm not sure what to expect. I never thought I'd be called to be interviewed. I answered, and she shrugged.

"Don't be. I went through your files, and I'm confident. The conference room is being used for an executive meeting. The CEO is inside, and he's expecting you."

I opened the door and stepped inside.

The room is spacious, with grey coloured painting and an off-white couch and table. A huge mahogany table is set in the middle of the office, and the man seated behind it is busy typing away on his laptop.

I walked to the front of the desk and waited for his acknowledgement.

His side profile looks quite familiar, but there was no way I knew the man.

People like him can never—

The words got stuck in my throat as I stared at the man in front of me, his eyes now boring into mine without a trace of a smile.

"How...." How is this possible? I was about to ask, but got a hold of myself.

"Good day, Sir." I greeted instead.

How is this possible? What a coincidence that my two-night stand is my boss- oh, not yet my boss, but a prospective Boss of mine.

"Ms Benedict." He called.

"Yes, Sir," I answered, feeling more uncomfortable than I have ever been in my life.

What would Bella say? Would she encourage me to continue aspiring for this job? Was it normal or formal to accept the job despite everything?

"Your records are outstanding, and I must applaud you for your excellence in your academic pursuit."

"Thank you, Sir." I continued professionally.

"I have a meeting in less than ten minutes. Rachael will attend to you, and whatever you need for the job will be determined, and you'll receive a call by tomorrow morning." Rachael stepped in as though she were telepathic.

We both stepped out, and she smiled brightly.

"I recommended you to Mr Hades. I went through each candidate's file, and yours intrigued me. You write so well, and I was awestruck."

"Thank you, Rachel."

Rachel briefed me on everything I needed to know. Apparently, when she vetted and told the CEO she had someone to replace her, he agreed instantly.

I was to begin tomorrow.

••

"I still don't get how your mystery man ended up being the wealthiest man alive. I....how did I not recognise him?" Bella questioned, scrolling through the news.

I'm still shocked.

I never would have thought my two-night stand would be who he turned out to be.

"And he didn't acknowledge that he knew you?"

"He was being professional, Bella."

"How could he not? You two are way past one-night stands."

"Yeah, we're two-night stands."

"No, you're way more than that. You don't leave your house, searching for a woman at a bar."

"He wasn't searching for me, Bella." I sighed.

"Oh please, I saw him come inside and looked around. He was hoping, no, praying to find you there and imagine if you hadn't run off on Saturday. You two would be cosy at his place by this time." I kicked her.

"Can you stop dreaming? This is Bartholomew Hades!"

"So? You didn't know who he was when you jumped into his bed. Come to think of it, he did say he was Bartholomew." This was her third time thinking about this.

I pinched my brows, still contemplating my next move.

"Don't think too much about it, Olivia. I'm sure he wants you as much as you want him."

"And that's the problem, Bella. I want him so much, but we can't. If I'm going to be his assistant, we just can't." I said.

"So you'll give the job up? Or you'll stop seeing him?"

"Of course, I'll stop seeing him. You know how badly I need the job." I said, eyes cast down as my phone dinged.

I picked it up, flipped through my message inbox, and right there was a message.

"Hello, Olivia. This is Bartholomew. Can we talk?"

TBC