The elevator doors sighed open, revealing a gleaming expanse of glass and chrome that mirrored the steely resolve in Jennifer's eyes. Grumbling under her breath about having to wear formal clothes, she smoothed down the neat blue blouse that felt more like a costume than professional attire. Today was her first day as the sales executive in her father's tech company, a position she'd begrudgingly accepted.
The elevator soon reached her floor and she didn’t even wait for it to open fully before she squeezed her tiny self out, but as she stepped out, files clutched under her arm, she bumped right into someone in the hallway and the files went flying off her arms.
It was Marshall, the infuriating son of her father's best friend, who he had appointed as product manager – the third highest position in the company. A position, she felt, rightfully belonged to her, not just for her qualifications, but for her birthright. But her father, old-fashioned and subtly biased towards women holding top positions, had chosen the "safe" option – his friend's son.
Surprise turned to annoyance as their shoulders collided, sending her precious files fluttering to the polished floor. Jennifer felt like she was about to explode curses, but she swallowed them down, professionalism warring with simmering resentment.
Before she could unleash her rage on him, Marshall was already on his knees, gathering the scattered papers with practiced ease. His eyes, the color of warm hazelnuts, met hers, flecked with genuine apology.
"I am terribly sorry, Jennifer. Didn't see you there," he said, his voice a smooth blend of charm and sincerity. He held out a file to her politely as he picked it up.
Jennifer snatched it, a scoff escaping her lips. "Maybe you should watch where you're going, Marshall," she replied, her tone laced with the bitterness she couldn't quite mask. She hated this guy for being her father’s favorite, a position that rightfully belonged to her. Why would he choose a stranger over his own daughter?
Marshall straightened, brushing dust off his knees. "My fault entirely. Though, I must say," he added, a hint of amusement in his gaze, "I got distracted staring at you, formal wear does suit you. The blue in particular complements your eyes."
The unexpected compliment caught her off guard. The anger momentarily ebbed, replaced by a flicker of surprise, warmth creeping up her neck. Jennifer quickly schooled her expression, not wanting to betray her earlier resentment of him over a little flatter.
"Save it, Marshall, Don’t try to be friends with me," she said, her voice clipped. "Focus on your products, I'll focus on sales." With a final glare, she marched off, leaving a trail of unspoken tension between them.
Marshall watched her go, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. The anger in her eyes was evident, but there was something else too – a spark of defiance, a fire hidden beneath the professional facade. And he found himself oddly intrigued by this woman who seemed to embody both ice and flame.
They have known each other before now and he knew that she never liked him since the day her father introduced her to him, but he felt different.
Jennifer stormed into her office, the echo of her heels clicking against the marble floor mirroring the beat of her racing heart. She blushed a bit when she was alone but then she frowned. She wouldn't allow herself to be swayed, he was still her enemy. This was a battlefield, and she was determined to prove her worth, not just to her father, but to herself. Whatever a man could do in this company, she could do better.
Jennifer's phone buzzed, snapping her out of her pensive mood. It was Anna, she answered immediately. "Hey girl, how was the flight back to Sin City?" Anna chirped, referring to Jen’s hometown Las Vegas.
"Eventful," Jennifer replied dryly. "Spilled coffee, bumped into some arrogant guy..." She trailed off, not wanting to get into it.
"Awn! Sounds exciting! Are you settled in your office already? Tell me what it is like working in your father’s company!" Anna asked, oblivious to the undercurrent.
"Settling in. Just wishing I was back in your shoes, jetting off with some Billionaire and making out with some hot dude," Jennifer said with a playful jab.
"Oh stop," Anna giggled. "You think that is living the dream? Don’t be silly, that phase of your life is over, and speaking of myself, it has its challenges too."
"Challenges like living in a mansion, having your every whim catered to?" Jennifer teased.
"Come on! Stop it! No one says I have moved in here, I am just squatting," Anna countered. "Moreover my life with Mr. Blackwood right now is not all champagne wishes and caviar dreams, you know, things are still much complicated."
"Tell me about it," Jennifer sighed, thinking of her own battleground at the office. "So, What is the plan? When's the big announcement coming?"
Anna groaned. “Don’t be silly, Jen. Anyways, after considering our time spent together…”
“Awn,” Jennifer cooed.
“Stop interrupting me!” Anna yelled and she giggled. “Anyways, I have decided to tell him, but only when the time's right. I can't hide it forever, so I am going to tell him about the baby.” She announced over the phone.
Jennifer smirked. “Great! That is the kind of thing I wanted to hear from you, but what exactly are you waiting for? Are you waiting for the perfect sunset and rose petals scattered across the floor?" Jennifer asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "Anna, don't overthink it. Just be honest, tell him the truth, and he'll..."
"He'll what?" Anna interrupted, a tremor in her voice.
Jennifer paused, unsure how to answer. She understood her friend’s worries but she also knew Mr. Blackwood well enough. "He'll be okay, Ann," she said finally. "Just believe that."
Silence hung heavy between them for a moment, then Anna sighed. "Thanks, Jen. I… I needed to hear that."
“Sure, what are friends for? Now if you don’t mind, I have to get back to work. Bye, I love you!!”
“I love you too baby!”
** **
The cool water of the swimming pool engulfed Anna, washing away the tension from her just concluded conversation with Jennifer. She smiled softly as she glided over the water, then she slowly swam to the pool wall, with half of her body submerged in water while she picked up her phone on the pavement.
It had been more than a week since she arrived at Mr. Blackwood's house, where she had experienced luxury, laughter, pleasure of all sorts and an unexpected reconnection. They'd explored the entire estate, from the polls to the shades from the tall trees, making love anywhere it found them, whether between the bookshelves in the library or in the pretty gardens. Each day, a layer of her uneasiness slipped away, leaving behind a blossoming trust that startled her.
Jennifer's words lingered in her mind: "He'll be fine. Just believe it."
Maybe her friend was right and it was time to put her paranoia behind her. What's the worst that could happen if she told him the truth? If he does reject her, yes it would hurt a lot but then she can finally move on and have a plan for her life.
Anna thought she had waited enough, it was best to tell him before he finds out on his own, so with that, she came to the conclusion that she will tell him tonight at dinner.
A shudder ran down her spine, but it was not from the water. The weight of the decision she was about to take rested heavy on her chest. Maxwell has treated her with love and respect, which was in stark contrast to her previous relationship, so maybe she should give him the benefit of the doubt. If he still chooses to be with her after learning of this pregnancy, then she will willingly accept his love for her with no fear of what the future holds.
Anna’s thoughts were interrupted when MB walked out towards the backyard pool, holding an envelope. She immediately admired how handsome he looked in those Hawaiian clothes, he had automatically given himself a work holiday since the day she arrived here in order to spend time with her.
Speaking of Holiday, Anna could only imagine what Megan was going through having to handle all the work in the absence of the CEO and his assistant. Maybe she will speak to MB to increase the Secretary’s wages if things work out well for them tonight.
“Hey Princess, you have a letter.” MB said as he walked down to her.
Anna furrowed her eyebrows. “Sorry, I do?” she queried in confusion. “I mean, how does that person know to find me here? Because the only person who knows that I am here is Jennifer and I just ended a call with her.”
Mr. Blackwood smiled. “Maybe because your messenger is Jimmy!” he whispered playfully and turned the envelope to see Jimmy’s signature behind it.
Anna’s face turned sour the moment she heard that name. “How is the bastard sending letters from jail?” she grumbled.
“Even prisoners have some privileges, honey. Should I drop it for you?” Mr. Blackwood laughed.
“No, please read it out loud, I want to know what the son of a bitvh has to say.” She requested.
“Are you certain that you want me reading your ex-boyfriend’s message? What if he is confessing his love for you again?” Mr. Blackwood teased.
“Don’t make fun of me, MB. My hands are wet, just read the damn letter.” Anna whined.
Mr. Blackwood chuckled. “Fine, here we go…” he drawled as he unsealed the letter. “Eww, he has terrible handwriting, did you know that?” He taunted.
“Ugh!!! I swear to God Max, I will rip your hair off your head if you don’t start reading.” Anna cursed in a rage.
“Hahaha! Okay fine, let me read. Hey Princess, missed me?”
Anna frowned immediately and shot him a mean glare.
“What? It is written here!” Maxwell said defensively, and then he continued…
“I am sorry for what I did to you and I am ready to make things right, I don’t know what got over me. Please help me out, all you have to do is convince your Billionaire boyfriend to get me out of here, and we can fix this. Unless you want your child to grow knowing that you are the reason his father is behind bars…..”
Maxwell suddenly paused, the smile on his face disappearing and Anna’s heart flipped. MB had to check again if he had read wrong and then he turned to Anna.
“Child?” he muttered with confusion written all over his face. “What child?”
Anna froze, literally in the water, this has to be a dream, it can’t be happening! Not like this!
TBC!!