Shay's POV
The next Monday, I finally had the energy to go to work. I woke up early when my alarm started ringing around five-thirty and got ready. Ever since the day Dad and I had talked, I had spent the weekend figuring out what to do. If I kept ignoring what Dad wanted me to do, then sooner or later, he would find out about my job at Cartwright & Evans, and I couldn't risk that.
That's why I had decided to go to work today and resign before things got too complicated. Next, I would start packing my things in secret and go apartment hunting on Wednesday, so I could have my own place ready when I moved out.
The plan was all set, and I was ready to get started. But the only thing holding me back was the thought of Jason. A part of me still wanted to go out with him. Maybe after I moved out and started living independently, we could have an official relationship.
But the other half of me thought it was a risk. Even after moving out, my parents would try everything to bring me back home. I couldn't let that get in the way of my relationship with Jason.
So, I was going to talk to him at work today and end things between us.
I grabbed my phone from the top of the nightstand near my bed, glanced at the time displayed on the screen, then picked up my handbag and left my room. My parents had already left at six to attend yet another press conference, so I slipped out of the house unnoticed. Getting into my car, I drove straight to work.
I kept doing heavy breathing exercises along the way because my heart was racing. I was nervous about seeing Jason again after so many days.
When I arrived, I parked my car, took the elevator up to Jason's floor, and, as soon as the doors slid open, made a beeline straight to Sylvia's office.
She was sitting at her desk typing on her computer. I softly knocked on the door to get her attention. Her face lit up in a smile when she saw me.
"Shay! You're back."
She embraced me in a hug, and I happily hugged her back.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked.
I nodded and held her hand in mine.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What about you? Is Mr. Evans still giving you any trouble?"
She playfully rolled her eyes and glanced away to the side.
"Ugh, not right now. Jason told me he went on a trip to LA, so he won't be back for a while. Thank God."
I chuckled and quickly glanced at the office right beside hers. Their offices were connected, and there was a door in Sylvia's room that led to Jason's office. The only thing separating their spaces was a blurry glass wall.
Sylvia caught me looking at Jason's office, and her face suddenly turned serious.
"He keeps asking me about you," she informed me with a small smile. "Of course, I didn't tell him anything. But, um... what are you planning to tell him?"
I released a sigh and folded my arms. "I'm going to break up with him today."
Her eyes widened in shock. "What? Why?"
I shrugged and slowly shook my head.
"You know there's a lot I'm going through already. Everything just keeps getting more complicated, and I can't let him get dragged into my messy life. It's better if we go our separate ways."
She frowned and sat on the edge of her desk.
"Do you think things wouldn't have turned out this way if Shawn was still here?"
A pang of pain hit my heart at the mention of Shawn.
"I don't know."
"So, is he here yet?"
"He will be, in a couple more minutes."
I nodded and turned toward the door.
"Do me a favor? When he gets here, tell him to meet me on the rooftop so we can talk. I'll be waiting."
Without further ado, I walked out, took the elevator, and pressed the button for the twelfth floor.
There was nothing else to think about. This had to be done today.
I waited on the rooftop, staring down at the streets below. The cool air soothed me, helping me stay calm.
The door opened, and I heard footsteps approaching until they stopped right behind me.
I turned around to face Jason, and my breath caught in my throat at the warm smile he was giving me.
"Shay."
The way my name gently rolled off his tongue made me feel butterflies all over again.
The reason I had asked to talk to him resurfaced in my mind. I pushed my emotions to the back of my mind and looked directly into his eyes.
"I'm sorry for not calling you back. I'm sure you must have heard why I've been... M.I.A these last couple of days."
He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets, the smile never leaving his face.
"I know."
I nodded, feeling tears prick the back of my eyes.
Shit. Why is this so much harder than I thought?
"Are you okay? Do you wanna go somewhere and maybe talk aboutâ"
"I can't see you anymore."
I cut in before he could finish his sentence. The words hung in the air as tension suddenly enveloped us.
The smile slowly slipped from his face, and I saw his jaw clench.
"Why so sudden?"
His tone had changed, and he took a step closer to me.
"Let's just go our separate ways. It's better that way. I'll be resigning soon, and there's no point in being together once it's done."
He stared at me, expressionless.
I chuckled bitterly, wiping away the tears with the back of my hand. Looking up at him again, I forced a smile.
"I'm not who you think I am, Jason."
I turned sideways, gazing at the tall skyscrapers nearby, needing something to focus on as I finally told him the truth.
"My name is not Shay Kellen. It's actually Shay Falcon. I am the youngest daughter of the CEO of the Falcon Group, and I changed my name because I didn't want anyone to know who I really am. All my life, everything I've done has been controlled and monitored. You have no idea how much my job here means to me. My family doesn't even know I work hereâI've been keeping it a secret for months because this job was my only freedom. Meeting you was the best thing that's ever happened to me. You make me feel happy and safe in ways I've never felt before. But now that my brother is gone, everything is getting more complicated. You have no idea what my family is like, Jason. So I can't risk getting you involved in my life or letting them know about us. This is for the best."
I turned back to face him, ignoring the tears streaming down my face, and smiled weakly.
"I can't go out with you anymore, Jason."
He remained silent. The whole time I was speaking, he didn't say a word. He just watched me with a blank expression. I wanted to know what was going through his mind, but it was impossible to tell.
"I'm sorryâ"
Before I could finish, he suddenly walked toward me and kissed me.
My body froze, my brain short-circuited, and all I felt was an electric sensation across my skin and fireworks erupting in my stomach.
Our first kiss. And I never imagined it would happen like this.
His lips were warm, moving perfectly in sync with mine. He suddenly pulled away, staring into my eyes for a few seconds. Then, his gaze flickered to my lips again, and he gently touched the side of my neck, pulling me in for another kiss.
Everything I had planned to say dissolved from my mind.
God, what am I doing right now?
This isn't supposed to be happening.