Shay's POV
I walked up the steps toward the front door, and that's when I noticed the lights in Shawn's private study room were still on.
His study room is located on the other side of the house, separated from all the chaos and noise that happens inside our home. The room was actually bigger than a normal garage, and it's very well-furnished and styled.
It's pretty cozy too, with a big leather couch, a fireplace, wall bookshelves, a table, and a drink cabinet occupying the space. It's the only place where you'll find him because he normally spends a lot of time in there.
I retraced my steps and strolled across the lawn toward his study room and went inside. He was sitting in his big leather chair, relaxing with a drink in his hand, his eyes focused on the wall. I instantly smiled when I saw him and softly knocked on the open door.
"Hey."
He quickly turned around in his seat and grinned back at me before placing his glass on the table.
"Oh hey, did you just get home?"
"Yep. I went to that company dinner, remember?" I answered while sitting down in front of him.
"Oh right. How did that go?" I smiled as the moments with Jason replayed in my head.
"Good, I really enjoyed it. Now that I think about it, I'm actually glad that I agreed to go."
He smirked at me and eyed me weirdly.
"Was it really that enjoyable that you can't stop smiling about it?"
I chuckled and played with my hair, miserably failing to stop the smile on my face.
"Um...yeah. I mean, I had fun, that's all."
He raised his brows at me and leaned toward the table.
"Cool, so how'd you get home though? I thought you said your car was facing some problems?"
I quickly nodded and remembered that I should get my car back tomorrow. It should be fixed by now.
"Yeah, it's still at the repair shop, so I'll get it in the morning. And, um, someone from work offered to give me a ride home."
His expression turned serious, and he intertwined his hands together on the table.
"Someone?"
"Yes, from work."
"Work, huh? Was it a female or male coworker?" I slowly glanced down at my hands below me.
"Male..." I answered quietly.
"What was that?" His tone picked up a notch, and I looked up at him again.
"Fine, you caught me! It was a male friend from work, not a friend actually, he's one of my bosses. Like the actual CEO. His name is Jason. At first, I thought he was a cold bastard when we first met, but then tonight, something changed. He became friendlier and nicer around me, and it was so sweet and generous of him to offer me a ride home tonight."
He gave me a long stare, then slowly picked up his drink and took a long sip without breaking eye contact with me.
"Your...boss gave you a ride home tonight?"
I slowly nodded my head. "Yes."
He sighed and finally looked away.
"Okay, how old is this guy? Because I'm trying not to picture an old fat man with a weird beard in my head right now who likes to prey on young females."
I laughed and leaned back in my chair.
"Relax Shawn, he's like my age. Or maybe a little older than I am."
He released another sigh and also leaned back in his seat.
"Sure he's not a pervert?"
My eyes widened in shock.
"No! He's a nice guy, Shawn."
He rolled his eyes at me and sipped his drink again.
"Of course he is. Look Shay, just because he brought you home doesn't meanâ"
"I think I like him!" I quickly cut in before he could finish his sentence, which I already knew what he was going to say.
He stared at me for a good long minute, then repeatedly blinked his eyes.
"I'm sorry, did I just hear you say that you like this dude? How long have you actually known him?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Long enough. If he maybe feels the same way, then I think I should be the first one to tell him how I really feel."
He rubbed his forehead with the hand holding his drink and chuckled.
"Of course, you're always one to make the first move. I'm happy for you Shay, but that doesn't mean I approve of him. Not till I meet him first and get to know the guy, okay? I just want you to know that I always wanted you to be happy, and if you think that this will really make you feel that way, then I'll be okay with that."
Well, there goes the overprotective older brother talk I was expecting, but it still makes me feel happy and glad with the way he does it so easily that no matter what he says, it will not end up in a big argument or disagreement.
"Thanks. I should probably head inside now. What about you?"
He nodded his head once and picked up one of the papers lying on the table.
"Go ahead, I still have a lot to do for now. Goodnight Shay."
"Night Shawn." I stood up from the chair and made my way inside the house, looking forward to a shower and a nice long sleep, with a little hope that I might dream of something good tonight.
Or rather, of someone.
Jason's POV
I ended the call and drove straight back to my place.
I was looking forward to what he would be able to find for me, and when he said that he'd be able to collect all the information in an hour and personally deliver it to me tonight, my curiosity peaked to a new level.
I couldn't wait to find out everything about Shay Kellen.
If that is even her real name.
Tonight was all I needed to get a glimpse of the truth she hides so well. I had placed my curiosity about her aside and genuinely hoped to get to know her myself, but when I saw her house tonight, all those unanswered questions came rushing back to me like a tidal wave. I was more than surprised when she told me her address, likeâ
PRISTINE HILLS?
I nearly bought a house there once, but when I found out that the Falcon family was also living there, I brushed the idea away immediately. It's one thing to dislike them, but to become neighbors would be a total disaster.
I parked my car in the parking lot and walked inside the building where my condo is. I immediately spotted the man, looking so out of place in the lobby, wearing a huge black coat with a hat on and a brown manila folder in his hand.
I walked up to him, and he turned around when he saw me, greeting me with a nod.
"Well, that was fast. How'd you get all the information so quickly?"
He smirked and handed me the folder.
"I've done some research on the girl before. It wasn't that hard since I kept all copies of my work for backup."
I quickly glanced inside the folder, then reached inside my jacket, grabbed the white envelope tucked inside, and gave it to him.
"Someone already asked for a background check before me?"
He nodded his head while looking inside the envelope.
"Yep."
"Who?"
He immediately looked back at me and then put the envelope inside his coat pocket.
"Sorry, Mr. Cartwright, I don't reveal my clients personal details to other people."
I narrowed my eyes at him, and his smug expression faltered when he saw the look on my face.
"It was just some journalist, that's all," he immediately revealed.
I nodded my head and then walked toward the elevator with the truth safely tucked in my hand.
I took a quick shower and brewed my coffee. Because my curiosity and impatience were killing me, I grabbed the file, took out its contents, and spread them all over my study table right after my shower with my towel still wrapped around my waist.
I held up the papers that were clipped together, and the first thing that my eyes saw was the picture of her stapled on top with a cute smile on her face, plus another picture when she was just a child, wearing a white dress with a golden hair clip on the side of her head.
There were a few more inside the file that looked like they were taken recently. After looking at the pictures, I started reading everything.
My fists clenched tightly by my side as every piece of information slowly processed in my head.
Shay. Falcon.
The name itself did something to me, like a new fuel of anger suddenly surged all over my body. She's one of them. The daughter of the man who had humiliated me in front of so many important people and refused a business partnership with us.
The memory of that day started replaying in my head, and it only made me feel angrier. Everything started piecing together in my head. The way Sylvia reacted when I asked her about Shay, the reason why Chase wouldn't tell me how he knew about her because she was the one he met on that date.
But the real question is:
Why is she working at C&E Holdings with a different name?
That, I will have to find out when I get close to her without letting her know that I already know the truth about her. We'll see if Shay Falcon has a secret motive or if she's hiding more than just the truth.