Chapter 7

Lauren

The whole ride was quiet. He was looking at his phone and I ignored him. When we finally reached the building, he got down the car. And I followed him quietly to the elevator.

When we entered the elevator, I cleared my throat to get his attention but he just ignored me. I tried once more and he ignored me again. When the elevator dinged, I scoffed at him but followed him.

He opened the door and we stepped in; my eyes widened at the house. It looked beautiful. The grandpa's mansion is rich and luxurious, but the penthouse is something else. It looked homely. I got star-struck when I saw the view through the big glass door.

If I had enough money, I would have thrown him out and bought this house.

It is that beautiful.

I stood near the glass door enjoying the view until I heard his voice.

"Do you want me to throw you out of that door?" I turned towards him and gave him a tightlipped smile.

"Haha very funny." I walked in more.

"I wasn't joking." He gave me a smirk.

Wow, at least he is back from that grumpy cold man to his annoying self.

"This is your room." He spoke pointing towards a room.

"And this one is mine." He spoke pointing to another room in front of mine. "To which you don't have any permission to enter." He finished and I scoffed internally.

Yeah. Like I'm dying to enter his room.

I rolled my eyes when he finally left after showing the rooms.

I walked into my room and couldn't help myself but admire the beauty.

When I saw the soft bed inviting me for a nap, I gave in and quickly closed my eyes to sleep.

After quite some time, I woke up from my nap.

Why am I always sleeping or eating some food?

I must be a panda.

I facepalmed myself and got down from the soft bed.

I opened the door and walked out. I made my way towards the kitchen and saw a woman.

I quickly hid behind a wall and contemplated my thoughts.

Is she a thief?

I don't think so, she is too confident to be a thief.

She must be some cook or something.

I cleared my throat and she turned toward me.

"Mrs. Kingston. You are awake. I'm Kate." I looked back to check if she is talking to me or someone else.

Mrs. Kingston. who is she?

You. Dumb head. That is you. You're married. Remember?

I smiled at her and nodded.

"Hi, Kate. Just call me Lauren." She smiled at me and nodded.

She looked like she is in her early forties or something.

"What do you want to eat dear?"

So, she is indeed a cook.

"Anything, you can make." She gave me a warm smile and started taking out ingredients.

I sat in front of her and looked at her.

"How long have you been working here, Kate?" I tried starting a conversation.

"Almost fifteen to twenty years, dear." I widened my eyes at the answer.

She must have been working for Ethan since he was a child.

"It must have been hard for you, working with Ethan for that long." Shaking her head, she frowned.

"No. he never made it hard for me Lauren. He might seem cold and rough outside but he is a good kid."

Wow.

Ethan and good in a single sentence.

Who must have thought?

She started making me some pasta.

We chatted for a bit more and she laughed at my jokes.

She actually laughed at my jokes. because nobody laughs.

I can't blame them; my jokes are that bad.

When she placed the pasta in front of me, I started digging in.

Hmm...

I closed my eyes savoring the taste.

We chatted for a bit more. About her family, about Ethan.

She stopped talking and stared at me for a moment.

"If you don't mind, Can I say something?" I nodded at her to continue.

"You are just like a child Lauren. You are the perfect match for Ethan. He is so used to being an adult all the time, that he lost the child in himself. Only You can bring that child outside and loosen him up a bit. He might be cold and rude to you, but don't misunderstand him, dear."

I smiled at her unsure of how to respond.

***

It was almost night and I was watching some show on TV when Ethan came in. Kate has already left.

When he came into the living room, he looked at me and turned to the TV.

He looked at me as if I were a teenage child who is watching TV when I am supposed to do my homework.

He glared at me for a solid minute before leaving.

I concluded that his glaring is his regular expression.

After quite some time, he finally came back freshly showered.

"I have something to talk to you about." He said standing in between me and the TV.

I switched it off and followed him to the dining table.

I sat in front of him and waited for him to speak.

"I want you to work as my Personal Assistant."

What?

Wait.

What?

Did he just say that he wanted me to work for him?

"What?" I asked unsure of what I heard.

"You heard it right."

Okay.

But why?

I'm sure this is some perfect plan of his to get even with me.

"No," I answered and he blinked twice trying to mask his surprise.

"I didn't ask you." He spoke, a nerve ticking on his jaw.

But I'm saying to you." I stood my ground.

He breathes deeply calming himself down.

"Then what does the lazy princess want to do? Eat, sleep and watch TV. You know what, I can't tolerate anymore the luxuries you get. If you want something you have to work." He said in a sharp tone and his words made me angry.

"I have already applied for a few jobs. I'm just waiting for their responses." I retorted.

"But I want you to work for me." He said getting up from his chair and standing in front of me.

"I think I'll pass that chance." I gave him a tightlipped smile.

He thought for a few seconds staring at me before opening his mouth again.

"What if no other company accepts you?" he asked folding his arms intimidatingly.

"I don't think all companies will reject me. I'm not that bad." I glared at him.

What if?" he stressed giving me a smirk.

"Then I'll accept your job," I said without thinking twice.

His lips turned into an evil smirk.

"I'll give you 24 hours, if you get any response from any company, then I'll give you up and you can work anywhere. If not, you have to join my company."

"By the way, you can't work in your father's company." He added quickly.

I never wanted to.

I think that was fair.

I have a day; I can get a job or any response from companies saying that I have qualified or not.

I nodded at him.

"Sure." His lips made an evil smirk staring at me.

He left giving me a final stare.

***

It was the following day and the time is eleven in the morning. I checked all my emails to see if I got any response. I surfed for any other jobs that I can get.

I tried contacting Alice to search for a job for me. But I gave up that thought.

I didn't want any help from anyone to get a job.

The time quickly passed and I started worrying when I didn't get any response from any company.

It was almost night when I saw an email pop on my laptop. I quickly opened it to read the contents.

Ms. Lauren Campbell,

Thank you for applying as assistant manager at primity. I am writing to let you know that you have not been qualified for the job.

Sincerely,

Kimberly.

I hung my head low disappointed and closed my eyes.

It's ok Lauren.

It's just one company.

I can't be disappointed.

After some time, another email popped in. and I quickly read the contents only to get disappointed again.

I tried staying positive, but all the positivity was thrown out of the window when I started getting rejection letters from all the companies I've applied to.

It's like someone has pre-planned it.

All companies are rejecting me at the same time.

I shut off the laptop angrily when all the companies I've applied to rejected me.

I tried taking deep breaths trying to contain my anger.

I turned towards the door when I heard the knock.

I looked at Ethan who is still in his office attire.

He must have returned just now.

"What?" I asked trying to not show my anger and disappointment.

"So, I guess. You didn't get any job." I didn't answer anything to him and I'm sure that bastard is smirking at me right now.

"isn't this fishy? All companies reject you at the same time. it's like someone had it all planned. Don't you think so?" I turned towards him and his smirk grew wide.

I gave a thought to his words.

No.

Don't tell me it's him.

Ethan bloody Kingston.

I knew it.

I should have known it.

He is powerful enough to do that.

I fumed and fisted my hands so as not to kill him right then and there.

"Come to my office at 8. Sharp." He gave me a final smirk and closed the door.

I threw the pillow at the closed door and screamed internally.

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