12 | Bathroom Encounter

Nothing in this world can make me not regret ever going with my high school friend, Ryan, to his interview. The worse part? The person who will initiate the interview will be none other than Jace. Sure, I doubted that Jace and I will see each other and chances of meeting him again in the same building were pretty slim, but there's a tiny part in me that told me to watch out and keep my guard up. Jace Langlois is as cunning and sly as a fox. A hella wealthy fox at that.

"You know, I think that our roles here are reversed. Why are you the one who's nervous instead of me?" Ryan suddenly said to my ear.

I didn't face him and just looked down at the floor. Ooh, shiny.

Ryan and I were currently sitting on one of the waiting benches in the building's main lobby. To tell the truth, this is my very first time seeing and being inside the workplace of Jace Langlois. His building is so fucking tall, and just the main lobby could make people doubt their lives. From what I've noticed from outside a while ago, this building probably had 30-40 floors or so. Give or take a few floors, I think.

Ryan nudged me softly. "Hey, don't worry. You don't have to be here with me. You can go home if you want. I'll be fine by myself."

I frowned stubbornly. "No, I made a promise and I'm gonna keep it. For your sake."

Despite the utter concern in his eyes, Ryan managed to grin at me in gratitude. I forced a smile then looked around the main lobby. There were three receptionists behind the reception counter, just a few feet from where Ryan and I sat. They're both busy talking endlessly on telephones and typing rapidly on the computer keyboards. They looked busy.

"Mr. Roberts?" A female voice called our attention.

Ryan and I looked up at the same time to face a very professional-looking woman who was probably in her mid-forties. She looked beautiful, elegant even.

"You are Mr. Ryan Roberts, am I correct?" She asked.

Ryan stood up and wiped his sweaty palms behind his jeans pockets. "Yeah- I mean, yes. Yes, I am."

I mentally laughed at his stuttering voice. He's totally nervous about the interview.

The beautiful lady stretched out her hand for Ryan to shake hands with. "I am Diana Morris, Mr. Langlois' secretary. I'm here to escort you to his office for the interview."

Ryan nodded. "I'm Ryan Roberts. Pleasure to meet you."

Diana was about to lead Ryan away when she noticed me. I gulped. Oh no, does she know who I am?

"And you are?" Diana asked curiously.

I was about to answer when the loud sound of a phone ringing blared out, causing Diana to take out a phone from her purse and me to sigh in relief. Whew, that was close.

Diana pressed the phone to her ear. "Yes, Sir... Yes, he's with me right now... We're on our way."

Hearing the word 'Sir' caused me to have goosebumps. She must be talking to Jace on the phone.

After the phone call ended, Diana smiled and gestured for Ryan to follow her. But before he did that, he faced me and smiled apologetically.

"Hey, do you mind if I leave you here for a bit?"

I nodded. "I don't mind at all. Goodluck on your interview."

Then, he was off with Diana leading the way. I looked around again then decided to go wait outside. However, my bladder suddenly felt like it's about to explode so I went to the nearest bathroom first, which luckily for me, was located only across the elevator where Ryan and Diana had gotten inside.

Chances were that I wouldn't even encounter Jace unless I'll willingly step into his office, so then, why am I feeling like I'm making my way into my impending doom?

I opened the bathroom door, then let out a sigh of relief when there were no other people inside. After I relieved myself, I went to the sink and washed my hands for a bit. They're getting all clammy and rubbing them on my jeans was pointless.

"Oh yeah, I have to do grocery-shopping today... God knows those triplets won't buy decent food in forever." I muttered to myself, facing the mirror.

"Won't you need a ride for that, then?" A very familiar voice sounded from behind me.

My eyes widened when I looked straight into the eyes of Jace himself through the mirror. My heart almost ripped itself out of my ribcage. I felt terrified, yet giddy at the same time. To what reason, I do not know. All I know was that I'm not ready to face him. Hell, I'm not ready to be near his presence alone.

I saw him move from behind to stand beside me, casually turning the faucet on and washed his hands. I gulped.

What will he do to me?

Was he mad? Furious, even?

I discretely observed him through the mirror. He looked unsurprisingly sharp as ever in that expensive suit of his. Any type of suit would look better on him than those models I saw on fashion magazines.

He didn't look worried. He actually acted like there's nothing wrong about what I did, running away from him, for example. Besides, he didn't look for me, did he? No, it's actually been about three or four days since I ran away from him, and I didn't hear or see someone he hired to search for me. He hadn't even tried to leave me a message or a single phone call. Then, I grimaced at my thoughts.

Why the hell would I even care if he searched for me or not? I mean, him not doing anything to find me was actually I wanted... right? I hate my brain sometimes. It always has to betray me at some point.

"You seem troubled. What's on your mind?" Jace suddenly asked, snapping me back to the current situation I was in.

I glared at the mirror. "None of your business."

Jace clicked his tongue. "Not even a comment allez-vous?"

I faced him angrily, but quickly regretted it when I saw him smirk in amusement. Oh, now he finds me amusing? What an asshole.

"Whatever you said, shut up."

Jace suddenly frowned and kept quiet. I ignored him and was about to walk towards the bathroom door when he grabbed my arm and forced me to face him.

"What the hell?!" I yelled at him.

"Why are you here?"

I glared. "It's none of your fucking business. Let me go!"

However, instead of listening to me, he gripped my arm tighter. I swear that's gonna leave a red mark.

"Why. Are. You. Here." Jace said lowly. And dangerously so that I almost want to scamper away and never look back.

I gulped, mentally scolding myself for being slightly afraid of what Jace was gonna do if I ever said the wrong word.

"I-I came here with Ryan... for his interview." I stammered lamely.

His eyes got even darker for a second, before getting back to normal and slowly let my arm go. I stumbled backwards and rubbed my now hurting arm.

Jace was about to say something when his phone rang. He didn't hesitate to take it out from his pocket and pressed the Answer button.

"Yes... I'll be there." Then he hung up.

Despite my discomfort of being around Jace, my curiosity got the better on me. "Who was that?"

Jace sighed. "My secretary. It's time for the interview. And don't even try to follow me."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, trust me. I wouldn't follow you even if it's the last thing I will do."

Instead of snapping at me, he only sighed tiredly then opened the door. I reluctantly followed him. Once we were outside the bathroom, I realized something.

"Hey, why are you even here in the first floor bathroom just to wash your hands? You probably have lots of bathrooms in this huge building."

He glanced at me lazily. "None of your business, mon beau."

I gritted my teeth and tried to restrain myself from killing him in public. Not to mention, in his workplace, where people could accuse me of murder. So I just took a deep breath before letting it all out in one huff.

"Oh, before I forget..." Jace trailed off, walking back towards me with an evil glint in his eyes.

I cautiously took a few steps back but I was too late. He literally grabbed my waist and did something that almost made me want to punch him in the face.

He kissed me. On the lips.