Chapter Five

Jairo quickly snatched his phone on the table when he got a call from an unknown number, swiping the screen with zero hesitation.

“Emilia?” His voice cracked with hope.

Right then, Donald walked in, pausing a few steps from the door when he noticed how he was hunched forward in his chair. But he said nothing.

Jairo didn’t even glance at him only focused on the sound of the voice he was so desperate to hear.

The silence stretched for too long.

“It… it’s Kara Bennett, Mr. Jairo Vitale.”

Warmth surged through his chest, curling under his ribs immediately he heard her voice.

“How are you, Kara?” the calmness in his voice was a contrast to how pounding his heart was.

“I’m fine… sir. How are you too?”

She was worried about him.

“Hearing from you makes everything perfect. And there’s no sir. It’s Jairo.”

A second passed.

“Well… I can’t call a man as big as you by your first name.”

He smirked. “This was the same man who sabotaged your interview.”

There was a long pause before Kara spoke up again. “What interview?”

“Your resume… it was among your things that fell. I assumed you were heading to an interview,” he lied smoothly. He had already practiced how he was going to get through her.

Kara sighed, relaxing slightly. “Oh… actually, I was coming from a failed job application.”

“And I’ve been killing myself thinking I ruined something big for you,” he murmured as if he had been feeling truly guilty.

“No, you did not. I was the one who acted rash. I’m sorry for…”

“I touched you first. That was out of line,” he cut her off gently. “I should be the one apologizing. So… sorry, Kara.”

“Apology accepted. I’m sorry too.”

He leaned back, his hand still gripping the phone, unwilling to let go.

Then without warning, he asked, “Are you free on Monday?”

“Uhm… not really. I need to…”

“I have a friend who’s in need of a PA. The interview is on Monday. If you do well, the job is yours. And don’t think I’m helping you out. It’s all on your performance.”

Another silence.

The way she kept on pausing was starting to concern him. What was she thinking? How does her expression looks like right now? And above all, what's her impression on him?

He heard her clearing her throat. “I-I don't know what to say. But thank you so much for the heads-up. It really means a lot.”

“Don’t thank me. I’ll text you the company’s email address. Apply through that and prepare.”

“I’ll be expecting it.”

“Mm-Mm,” he hummed.

Both ends were silent for a few seconds, and Jairo didn't find it awkward in any way.

“I’ve things to do.”

He wasn't willing to end their conversation, but he had to.

“Enjoy the rest of your day, Kara.”

“And you too… Jairo.”

The line went dead immediately and he cackled. She was still naïve as fvck.

“Who’s the friend that needs a PA?” Donald's question made him turned his head. He sat upright, adjusting his cufflinks.

“Get the documents ready. PA will be required to live with their employer for emergency purposes. No fixed off days, but they’ll be available when necessary.”

“You should have opened up to her that you're the one in need of PA.”

“I can do that later.” He countered, clearly showing that he was less bothered by it.

Then a thought crossed his mind, “I need a new house. One without a basement.”

He doesn't want to scare her off yet by discovering who he truly was, well eventually she will, but she must have regained her memories before then.

“You’re playing dangerous games,” Donald asserted.

“I want her beside me. That’s the only way she’ll remember.”

“And if she doesn't?”

“I'll give her thousands more reasons to stay with me. To be mine.”