Natalie
I'm angrily doing my dishes but in silence. Emma is taking a nap in the other room. I don't want to wake her, but at the same time, I'm beyond pissed off.
Linnea came over for lunch, and I'm seething. I'm cleaning my kitchen table while she is munching on her sandwich. She bought one for me too, but I haven't touched it yet.
"I hate Noah." I'm close to breaking a plate in my hands. Even my eye is twitching. "I can't understand how I was EVER in love with that swine!"
Linna snickers from the table. "In Noah's defense, you're a total stranger in his eyes—there is no wonder he didn't believe you. He is also a hot billionaire. I bet a lot of women have been trying to make use of that since his accident."
"I know..." I sigh deeply, meeting her eyes. "But it still hurts. He remembers nothing while I'm stuck with the memories. I'm in love with a man who no longer exists..."
Linnea gives me a sad smile. "Maybe Noah just needs time? His memories might return..."
"I don't expect they ever will," I say, feeling my heart cracking open as I speak. I'm aching on the inside, lost without my soulmate. "And it kills me because Emma will be without her dad."
"I'm so sorry, Natalie," Linnea says. "My heart really cries for you."
"Thank you for being so supportive."
I sit down by the table and open the plastic around my sandwich while Linnea is wearing a thoughtful expression.
"Is Noah that different, though?" Linnea wipes her mouth on the back of her hand and adds. "Noah's personality might still be the same, just that he isn't as fluffy with you now since he doesn't remember shit... Or what do you think?"
"I'm not sure. But it kills me that Noah doesn't remember me because I don't want to start from scratch with him. I don't think I could handle that without wanting to cry every minute of the day."
"I see..."
"Noah flirted with me when I met him at the park. I had so much joy in my heart, but then his mother came to my place to threaten me later..."
"Cynthia is a bitch," Linnea says. "I don't even care that Noah is your step-brother. Your story is more romantic and genuine than the one Cynthia shares with your dad."
"Thank you," I smile. "I don't even care about my dad anymore. He pretends that I'm dead while Frank and Carmen watch over Emma when I work part-time at the mini-market. I consider them Emma's true grandparents."
"They are a friendly couple," Linna agrees. "It's too bad you didn't get that assistant job, though. You could have saved money to take up studying again. You're a smart girl—you could become anything."
I blink away tears. "Yeah, but education doesn't come for free in this country..."
"Ain't that the truth..." Linnea sighs. "But it's not too late for you. I believe you could find another job and save for your education."
"Yes, one where Noah won't be my freaking boss."
Linnea gives me a smug smile. "Don't pretend as if that thought doesn't turn you on, though."
I snort. "It doesn't turn me on. Having Noah as my boss sends an icy shiver through my bones. He is evil."
As we sit there, laughing at my words, my cellphone rings on the table. I reach out to answer it but notice the caller ID isn't showing.
"Fuck," I curse underneath my tongue. "This better not be Cynthia calling to threaten me or something!"
Linnea grabs my hand from her side of the table. "Answer it. I will be your moral support if Cynthia is mean to you."
I sigh in frustration. "Only because you're here..." I hesitantly press the green button. "Natalie Gracen."
"Hello, this is Noah Parker speaking, the man who had you thrown out from your interview."
I clench my teeth, barely resisting the urge to throw the phone across the room. My anger is rising, and I hiss. "Why are you calling me?"
"I think we got off on the wrong foot—"
"You had your guards throw me out on the street! That isn't the wrong foot—you abused your power and laughed at me!"
"I apologize for that."
"An apology isn't enough! You're a swine and a neanderthal, and I—"
"Why don't you come and work for me, Miss Gracen?"
I blink in shock. "Come again?"
"I'm curious about you. I still don't buy the story you told me, but I'm naturally inquisitive—I wonder what drove you into making such huge claims. My gut tells me you need money; that's your excuse, so here I am, offering you the position as my assistant while Bianca is on vacation."
Linnea widens her eyes and mouths, "Take it," with a slow-spreading smile taking over her lips.
I glare at her, mouthing back, "Are you crazy?"
She rolls her eyes, mouthing, "This is how you make Noah remember you! Take the job!"
"Miss Gracen?"
I swallow thickly, not sure what to do. My anger is bubbling within me, but my heart wants this job. And in the end, I ignore logic and listen to the brief whisper saying this might be the start of something beautiful.
"I will take the job, but that doesn't mean we are friends. I still won't forgive you for what you did to me; I hold grudges."
Noah chuckles, and I hate how my body betrays me.
My insides swoop around like candy floss in one of those machines at the funfair. I'm feeling tingly and glittery, and I consider it treason.
I shouldn't get butterflies from Noah!
"Noted," Noah says. "Well, you know where to find me. You start at seven on Monday morning—don't be late."
"Got it."
"Oh, and you can bring your daughter with you if you don't have anyone able to watch over her. I realize my request is on short notice. Your first day will also be relatively short. I will show you your desk and talk through your daily tasks and what I expect of you. Nothing else."
"I have a babysitter next door," I tell him, still feeling my heart thumping inside my chest. "Also, I always buy coffee from this shop downtown every morning. Is your favorite still vanilla latte with two sugars, or should I bring you another flavor?"
Noah is silent for a while. "How do you—... Never mind, bring me the vanilla latte with two sugars? It would be so nice of you, thank you. Oh, and pretzels!"
Linnea bites back a laugh. She listens to the conversation, and I'm smiling too, knowing my mind games with Noah will be fun. We spent many weeks together alone at his mansion; I know a lot about him.
"No problem... Boss..."
Noah inhales sharply. I can imagine him shuddering on the other side. But even though I'm taking great pleasure in knowing how to push Noah's buttons, I resist the urge to laugh at him.
"Please call me Mr. Parker," Noah says. "I don't like the word boss."
"Of course," I smile wickedly. "See you on Monday, Mr. Parker."