GENEVIEVE POV

I knew that voice, even when I really hoped in my heart he wasn’t the one. What was the possibility of meeting my betrothed yet again?

It would have been a scale of zero to none, if I was in Zealand but right now, it was a 10 over 10 because I’m right in front of him, just staring at him, yet feeling a different ounce of emotions including anger…..

“Clara, why did you keep her waiting?” His voice was firm, as he walked closer.

“I’m sorry, boss.” The secretary voice came out more as a whisper, as she came forward , her head bowed slightly.

So much for a pretender like her. I wished I could be more vile.

Taking one last look at her, my gaze swept back to the least person I expected to see, as our eyes met.

“You were the one all this while. The school scholarship, job opportunities…” My words trailed off as the sudden realization hit me.

“Follow me.” His commanding voice yielded, as I followed him to his office.

I didn’t have much time to process how his office looked like because I was both shocked and angry.

“Miss Genevieve, I learnt you were transferred. No doubt your skills are quite efficient and being the best overall at your school is quite commendable.” His words came as a shock to me.

Was he ignoring my previous statement?

“I’m resigning. I refuse to work here,” I stated firmly, as his body froze slightly.

My hands clenched tightly to my bag, as I sparingly look at him, in his gray suit looking all high and mighty.

“That seems like a terrible decision,” he simply said, not sparing me a glance.

“Sorry to break this to you, but you already signed an agreement. You cannot leave this company for the next three months unless the company no longer need your services within that span of months.”

At that moment, I almost felt like jumping at him.

“What if I leave?” My voice came out determined and cold. I was getting more pissed off.

His tongue made a tsk sound, as his gaze met mine.

“I can promise you that no one will accept to work with you no matter where you go. You will only get your image tainted.”

His words felt eerie to my ears. It was as if cold air passed through me. Was he threatening me? I was dumbfounded, my memory suddenly realizing how stupid I was to signing an agreement while in New Zealand without properly and thoroughly going through it. I was in a haste, thinking it was my already found new beginning.

“You….” Words got stuck in my throat, as his eyes lingered on mine.

“So if you do not have any questions, kindly follow me to your cabin.” The words flowed out of his mouth so smoothly as if he had practiced it. I was more astonished.

My anger slowly melted to shock and surprise.

I had no choice but to follow him grumpily, staring at his back with nothing but contempt brewing in my mind.

My mouth dropped slightly as I stepped into somewhere that looks like a personal office. It was a few steps away from his office. The room neither spacious nor small was colored in the different shades of blue, a chair, and a table containing all necessary things I would be needing for my work.

“Ahem.” His fake cough disrupted my admiration as my face suddenly turned stonewalled again. My gaze met his.

“I have requirements and I do hope you adhere strictly to it.” He let out a breath, meeting my eyes.

“I like my coffee black, with no sugar. It must be placed on my table on or before 8:30 am every morning,” he paused, observing whether I was following.

“That is just one rule you need to know for now. If you do not have any questions, kindly attend to those files on your table. I need a detailed list of my schedule for today in the next one hour.”

With that, he turned, proceeding to leave the office.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked. He stopped on his track, his back facing me.

“Doing what exactly, Miss Genevieve?” His voice sounded rather intimidating, but I was not ready to give up.

“The arranged marriage, jobs offer, transfer. Don’t you think you are going too far?” I asked, almost reaching the edge of anger yet.

“You think too much, Miss Genevieve. I was only doing what I think is right. You have potential. What better way than to use your skills well as my personal assistant, Miss Genevieve?”

He spurned around, a smile on his lips, making me feel tensed slightly.

There was something about the way he spells out my name. His voice, so different and…

I shook my head, spiraling with indecent thoughts.

Oh, Anderson!! I hate you.

I breathe out gently, as he stood still, his eyes taking me in, as I felt rather small despite the small distance between us, a comfortable silence between us.

“Tell me one reason why you help my parents in the first place.” He chuckled at my question, and I wasn’t sure he would really answer me.

“To protect you.” Those three words left his mouth, drawing in me, unclear thoughts. I wasn’t sure I heard right.

“That doesn’t make sense. Why do you have to protect me? From what? I don’t understand,” I stated, my emotions almost getting the best of me.

“That is too many questions for today, Miss Genevieve. I won’t be answering them.” He deadpanned, prompting me to facepalm.

“Seriously? I don’t know why you are doing this, but your plan to get married to me will never happen. I promise you,” I stated, a bit overwhelmed by the confidence eluding within me.

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Miss Genevieve. I will be expecting my schedule as soon as possible. I hate tardiness,” he concluded and left.

I let out a sight before sitting on the chair close to me. My heart raced faster than usual.

At that moment, I wasn’t sure if it was the threat lacing his voice or his quite husky voice.

I let out a sigh, realizing I was going a bit too far. I needed to concentrate on hating him, especially in his efforts in making me come back to the States. I was now back to square one facing my past.

I needed to know most especially how he pulled the whole string perfectly.

He was behind the scene all these while. Touché.

……..

I took a sip of my coffee, not sure whether my taste bud realized if it was sweet or bitter. My brain was in kilometers away the moment I finished narrating my ordeal to Annabelle. She was the only one who understood me perfectly. But staring at her face gave me a hint she might not be on my side this time around.

“I think you should stop overstressing yourself. It is just work, right?” My brows raised at her use of words, as I was not ready to take that in.

“Just work? Seriously? Don’t you think he is up to something? He was the one all this while. And I can’t even resign until after three months.” I sighed for the umpteenth time today.

Anabelle stared at me for as long as possible, and I was sure that was her listening look. She just wanted to listen to me rant, but I needed her to at least be on my side this time around.

“Say something.” I groaned.

“For the period of three months, just continue being professional. I doubt if he would want to date or woo his employee. Some company policies do not allow that,” she paused, taking a sip of her cappuccino.

“But you know the consequences as that would affect your foster parents. What if Anderson takes back everything from them? From you? Try to think it through.” She broke it all.

It was as if air passed through me at her words. It was difficult to put into words what Anderson was really up to.

“Meanwhile, do you think Anderson secretly sent that?” She asked, pointing at my left wrist, which still has the most beautiful bracelet I have ever seen.

“I doubt. He is not a sissy to not include his name in the bracelet box.” I waved it off, staring at the enchanting bracelet done are beginning to admire.

The thought of forgetting to wear it doesn’t sit well with me, as I have grown to love it, most, especially the imprint writing of ‘GEM’ on it.

She simply nodded.

“So, what do you intend to do now?” She asked, as a thought struck my mind.

I was going to make life unbearable for Anderson, that he would regret playing this game with me.

“You will find out in due time.” I smiled, as Anabelle simply shrugged off.

The question on my mind was how to carry out my plans.