Her flashback was cut short by a tear falling from her flushed cheeks.
She had been keeping her emotions but it finally broke loose after suppressing them for weeks.Tonight was the first time she allowed herself to cry. As she did so, she promised herself it would also be the last.As she wiped her tears with her palms, she remembered that night how Chloe woke up in daze only to realize she was there in the room.However, instead of offering an explanation and begging for her forgiveness, Chloe had proudly lifted her chin.“It's better you know the truth so Thunder would not be obliged to marry you. Your fiancé is my lover and we've been having an affair for two years.” Her cousin had declared. Ember felt as though the wind had slapped her in the face that time.Thunder awoke to the sound of their voices, and he wasn't even startled to see Ember. He gave her a single icy stare before breaking the news that they were no longer engaged.“Check yourself out in the reflection, Ember.” Her cousin had spoken and eyed her from head to toe. “Would Thunder really settle for a lady like you? You're an embarrassment to him. Gosh! you don't even know how to dress and I'm ashamed every time people think we are cousins. Remember this, you were just a pawn to make Thunder look good in the public's eyes so wake up! There's nothing special about you.”The last thing Ember could recall before leaving the room was Chloe's insults and Thunder's laughter.Curling her fists into tight balls on her sides, she pressed her eyes tightly shut until stars burst in her eyelids. But even with her eyes now closed. Thunder and Chloe's face and insults still haunt her thoughts.Her teeth clenched on her bottom lip, bruising the delicate skin, spilling a drop of blood in her tongue where she tasted an awful metallic taste.She was so angry at the two that she couldn't find the right words to describe her emotions. She wanted them out of her life for good and that led her to make a permanent decision. She decided to move on another city. That's exactly why she's leaving tonight.Ember collected herself and once she calmed down, she got on her feet and started to pack her clothes inside her large suitcase.As she was packing, her resignation letter dropped from the one of her things. Without thought she ripped it into pieces.She hasn't had the chance to formally end her job because Chloe who was one of her superiors had fired her before she could pass her resignation letter.She let go of a frustrated sigh and threw the pieces on the trash bin then continued packing her things.An hour had passed after she finished arranging her personal belongings and she closed her large suitcase.Realizing she was still in her white dress. Ember undressed, then changed into a beige jumpsuit which she paired with a leather flat sandals.She checked herself in the full-length mirror and discovered her ebony curls was all over the place. Picking a brush from the vanity she tamed them into submission and tied them in a ponytail at the her nape.A satisfied smile crossed on her lips after she saw her reflection on the mirror.Ember gingerly closed the room. Her heeled shoes advancing on the length of the red carpeted aisle while her large suitcase trailed behind her like a shadow. On her way, she passed by the room Chloe had occupied. It was the same exact room where she found Thunder asleep, clinging to her cousin after a passionate love making.Unable to help herself, she scoffed disdainfully at the memory, quickened her pace and made a beeline straight to the elevator.The elevator dinged.As she was skittering across the spacious lobby, she immediately spotted Icen Clayton's towering frame. He wasn't the type one would miss even in a crowd. He still hadn't removed his masquerade mask but she was one-thousand percent sure it was him.He was on the phone but his piercing eyes surveyed the guests in the lobby. He appeared to be searching for someone in particular.She quickly blended across the guests roaming the lobby before he could notice her. If he's looking for her, chances are he's would be looking for a woman in a white dress. Lucky for her that she changed into a beige jumpsuit.Ember ran to the ladies room while muttering unintelligible curses under her breath and she hid there until she was sure Icen was gone.As she fidgeted inside the tiny cubicle, she wondered if he'd been talking to the cops who were on their way to arrest her.Terrified at the thought, Ember could only bite her nails.A few minutes later, after she was certain that he was out of the lobby, she finally sneaked out of the ladies room. She skittered to the hotel upscale door after leaving her key card on the front desk.Only did she release the breath she was holding when she was inside the safety of a cab.“To the airport, please.” She told the driver.Eyes closed, she leaned on her seat.Tired and mentally exhausted, she had fallen fast asleep. She was jolted to awareness when the car skidded into a stop at her destination.Ember handed the payment and got off the cab with her suitcase in her hand.As she made her way inside the airport, she felt a rush of thrill at the knowledge of living in another city to begin again. She knew life will never ever be the same for her.For the first time in three years she felt like a bird set free from a cage.She let go of a contented sigh.“I hope we will never meet again, Icen Clayton Blackstone,” Ember said to herself one last time and went on her way.Three weeks later.Phoenix Empire Building.Ice Clayton Blackstone sat on his swivel chair, resembling Hades, the God of the Underworld, with a grim expression on his devilishly handsome face.Under the influence of that mood, no one dared walk into his office for fear they would unleash the demon inside him. Only his secretary was present in his office, trembling in fear with her head bowed on the floor. Beads of sweat formed on her temples as she stood in her place like a statue. She dreaded the worst after Icen caught her taking pictures inside the office. If using a phone and taking confidential pictures wasn't bad enough, a stack of paperwork stood on her office table, and the deadline was today, but she was slacking like the paperwork was none of her concern.“I-I p-promise n-n-not t-to do it again, S-sir.” Her desperate eyes pleaded as they shifted on him.Sadly, patience isn't one of Icen's strong suit. He gestured to the door with an icy stare cold enough to freeze the dep
Ember sat on the tiny balcony of her rented apartment as beads of perspiration dripped down her temples from the sweltering afternoon sun. Three weeks later, she still wasn't acclimated to the weather. She sighed and wiped the sweat from her temples with her hands.She squinted her eyes as she scanned the newspaper for employment listings, frowning. While doing so, Ember fought the desire to read the gossip column, knowing full well that doing so would leave her with a sour taste in her mouth.It seemed like she and Thunder's breakup made headlines every day. For her own sanity, she quit reading newspapers and avoided going online.Once Ember saw the words "Phoenix Empire" and "Urgent Recruiting," she froze. She thought about applying for a job at the company mentioned above, but she quickly got rid of the idea.Despite Ember's best intentions, she knew that her qualifications wouldn't pass muster. She didn't graduate from a prestigious university, and she came from a fairly average f
After a long catch-up session, Ember and her best friend Xia had to separate ways because Xia had to attend a business meeting. A client had called and wanted to set up a meeting to plan an event. Her best friend is a busy woman, as she is in high demand as a wedding and event planner. She felt fortunate to have a moment to chat despite her best friend’s hectic schedule.“Please be careful.” Ember waved at her friend with a smile."You too," Xia smiled back, waving back. Afterward, she climbed into her pink car. The car raced into the distance and Ember retraced her steps back to her rented apartment which was only a stone-throw away. As she walked across the pavement, a tall slender woman emerged from a grocery store.“What a beauty,” Ember thought to herself, unable to tear her gaze off her angelic features. She had the gentlest face she had ever seen. Her skin was as flawless as a pearl and her cherry lips would make a rose ashamed to bloom in her presence. Her intense, sapphire
His piercing blue eyes looked as though they could penetrate her soul and read her deepest and darkest secret. But despite his intimidating appearance Ember could not deny that he was good-looking.She was too stunned to move and simply watched as he threaded in her direction.Ember bit her lower lip as she realized she had been mentally murdering him only seconds ago, but now she was admiring him for his good looks. Speaking of looks, the man appeared to be quite familiar.Crap, the man reminds her of Icen Clayton Blackstone. At the thought of his name, Ember thanked her lucky stars she hadn't crossed paths with him again.Her heart began hammering in her ribcage for no apparent reason. She waited for him with her chin up, preparing for a confrontation she knew was coming.He almost took forever to reach her. When he did, The man towered over her. Even with her four-inch heels, she couldn't quite reach his shoulders.He opened his wallet, grabbed a bunch of hundred-dollar bills, and
Ember was so annoyed, her valued manners blew to smithereens. “Asshole,” she mouthed grimly.Engine roaring to life, the sleek Lamborghini sped away, leaving her fuming in rage. She remembered her job interview and immediately freaked outGrabbing the remaining pair of shoe on her left foot, she ran back to her apartment barefoot.She prayed she wouldn't miss her job interview as she changed. After a last glance at the full-length mirror, she hurriedly left her apartment.The Phoenix Empire stood magnificently under an exquisite blue sky. The colossal tower that she should have been admiring sent dread crawling down her spine.After paying the cab driver, she skittered to the upscale door in her black puff-sleeved dress. It was what she grabbed first in her closet and wore right away without a second thought. The automatic door opened, and she made a beeline straight to the front desk and asked for directions.The woman on the desk raised her head and politely gave her instructions.
Ember had several questions racing through her head, but what stood out the most was, “Did he recognize her when they met on the road?” If so, why did he pretend not to recognize her?Icen Clayton Blackstone likely laughed at her naivety the entire time. To even consider it made her feel like she would explode with shame.“Close your mouth, Miss Heart. I'm afraid a fly would fly inside.”The comment snapped her out of her daydream. She abruptly closed her mouth and looked up to him with her lips drawn into a thin, tight line.“Nice meeting you again, Mr. Blackstone.” She spoke to cover her embarrassment. Even though she did her best to keep her voice calm, it came across as shaky.“Pleasure's mine,” Icen replied, amusement twinkling in his blue lagoon eyes.Ember considered leaving but resisted the impulse. She needs a job, and this may be her last opportunity to obtain one.“Please have a seat.” He motioned to the cushioned chair across from his office table.She obediently followed w
Icen relaxed back in his swivel chair with arms crossed in his chest.With that regal bearing combined with icy blue eyes one has ever seen he could bring chills down anyone's spine.Ember, however, hid her fear of him well behind a veneer of decorum. She had prepared herself for the worst but he completely surprised her when he said.“I just get the impression that you’re not the gold-digging type, Ms. Heart,” Icen murmured to himself in deep thought. She swallowed hard as she felt his hard gaze bore on her countenance. Something in his eyes told her he spoke without filters.“If I may ask, how could you be so sure? You have no idea who I am.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke.“I’ve met my own share of gold-diggers. I assure you Ms. Heart, they are nothing like you.” Icen never left her face and so Ember fought his stare with unblinking eyes.“What if I turn out to be the expert one?” Ember nonchalantly raised her shoulders and added. “What if I’m very skilled at m
Ember's attempt to quit from her previous job at Steel Corporation was largely prompted by the toxic environment she was subjected to after she was hired as Thunder Steel's secretary.She allegedly opened her legs to get the job, and the rumor quickly spread. Her reputation was in tatters because of it, and it seemed like everyone in the office hated her. Nobody wanted to be her friend even though she tried her best to reach out and mingle with everyone.Ember can't afford to experience the same cruel treatment again. Her generous salary wouldn't be worth all the pain if she's unhappy with her job.“Do not be afraid, Ms. Heart; I personally hired you as my secretary, I will not allow anyone to judge you for it.” Icen had his eyes on her but Ember couldn't summon the strength to look at him.There was nothing to say so she kept her mouth shut.He took the chance to continue.“Bullying has no place in my organization, Ember.” When he addressed her by name, she felt obligated to raise he