Shay's POV
"Can someone send me the weekly report, please?"
"Yes, right away, ma'am."
I moved away from the intercom on my desk after informing my assistant and started sorting out the other files. It was only my second day, and I hadn't realized working at Falcon Group would be this hectic.
Although I knew it wasn't like this before, when my brother was still the CEO, I guess what Shelby said this morning was right. We really were on pins and needles, trying to get the company back on its feet now that the person who had been running it was gone.
A short knock sounded at my door, and I called out for the person to enter. I looked up and smiled when I saw it was Sylvia. She closed the door and scanned my office, excitement lighting up her face.
"Cool office."
I playfully rolled my eyes and gestured for her to take a seat.
"Thanks. So, how did the meeting with Shelby go?"
She looked to the side, nodding her head.
"It was okay. Mr. Kolinsky is one tough son of a bitch, but he agreed to sell his company stocks to us. He also said Falcon Group should check its ranking by the end of the week. He'll be sure to put in a good word for the company."
"Well, that's Shelbyâalways ahead of everything."
She gave me a weird look. "Why are you working separately with Mr. Evans?"
I leaned back in my chair and met her gaze.
"Because I'm handling a different project, and he's helping me with it."
"But Jason was the one who offered to work with you guys first."
I nodded. "I know, but he offered to work with my sister, not me. They can handle their work, and I'll do mine."
She sighed and leaned back.
"You seem very defensive of him."Â She said after a scoff. "Just because it's not going well between the two of you doesn't mean I have to dislike him too, right?"
"Of course not!"
"Thank God, Because I originally liked Jason as a person."
I frowned, leaning toward the table.
"You're still not fazed by the fact that he tricked me and approached me with a motive?"
"He didn't do the same thing to me, and you shouldn't be saying that. You also hid the truth about who you really were when you worked at our company."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"Are you kidding? How can you even compare me to Jason? I'm the one who got hurt because I really liked him."
"And you think he didn't like you back? He's still a guyâhow could he not?" she quickly retaliated.
My anger started to resurface, but I forced myself to stay calm, taking a deep breath. Her questions made me waver, and I hated it.
"Do you even know how disgusted I feel? When he kissed me for the first time, it wasn't because he wanted to. He did it just to make me think our relationship was heading in the right direction when everything was actually a lie."
She chuckled, tilting her head while twirling a golden lock around her finger.
"Shay, darling, let's be honest here. That is just what you wanted to believe. Let me tell you somethingânot many people have assurance of their feelings during their first kiss. This is why you're still a virgin."
My jaw dropped. "Hey!"
She continued laughing.
"This is why guys prefer not to date virginsâthey're inexperienced in both body and mind when it comes to relationships. It's exhausting to explain all these common things to them."
I chuckled in disbelief.
"So what? You think I'm going overboard with how I'm treating him now?"
She nodded firmly. "Yes, it's a bit much, considering he's still your ex-boyfriend. But I don't think I should treat him the same way just because I'm your best friend and related to you. That wouldn't be fair to meâhe's still my boss."
"I understand."
"So, earlier in the elevator, Chase the jerk called you, huh?"
I nodded. "Yeah."
She made an irritated face.
"I swear that guy is trying to get on my nerves on purpose. If I ever meet him, I'll kick his nuts so hard he'll remember not to order around a lady like she's his maid."
"Are you serious? You still haven't met him yet?"
She slowly nodded, glaring to the side.
"What? Doesn't he come to your workplace often?"
"He does, but never when I'm around. The timing sucks. I'd either be out or at home, and that's when he shows up. I only hear about it later from someone or Jason. It's stupid, I know! I swear I'll run into him eventually and give him a piece of my mind."
I burst out laughing. I couldn't believe she hadn't met Chase yet. But I bet they'd get along. Now that I thought about it, they were kind of the same.
We talked for a few more minutes before she left to finish her lunch break. I went back to work until my intercom beeped. My assistant reminded me about my appointment with Chase and informed me that he had arrived. I told her to send him in.
A minute later, the door opened, and he walked in with a blank expression. He slumped into the chair in front of my desk and closed his eyes, looking frustrated.
"The acquirement of duty-free storesâJason had already done it for your sister. When I put in the orders, it was already done," he said lazily.
Of course. They were always one step ahead. So annoying!
"It's okay. I thought I could handle it, but I guess it's not as easy as I thought."
His eyes softened slightly. "It's like that for everyone in the beginning."
There was a double meaning in his words, but I didn't press him. Instead, I grabbed my bag and a folder from the table.
"Let's go. We have another meeting with a client I want to introduce you to. He's expecting us for lunchâI'll fill you in on the details on the way."
He nodded and followed me out. We took the elevator down and started walking through the lobby when I nearly stopped in my tracksâJason was walking in.
Chase glanced at me from the side, but I kept a straight face and walked forward. Jason stopped in front of us, glancing between us in confusion.
"Hey, man," Chase greeted casually.
Jason nodded with a tight-lipped smile.
"Hey, Chase."
"Weird running into each other here when I see you at the company almost every day, huh?" Chase teased.
Jason glanced at me briefly. "I know, right."
He was about to walk past, but Chase spoke up again.
"Hey, Jason? Aren't you using our company's connections a little too much? I heard about the duty-free stores thing you did for Shelby Falcon."
Jason gave him a hard stare before chuckling.
"They're my connections, Chase, not the company's. So, you have nothing to worry about."
"But you could've at least told me."
Jason shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets.
"I didn't think it was necessary. We agreed to do our parts separately. Did you forget?"
Chase didn't reply. Jason smirked and walked past us. I glared at his back. Arrogant asshole.
"Let's go, Chase."
We left the building and drove to the restaurant where our client was waiting. I pushed every thought about Jason out of my mind. Let him act arrogant for as long as he wantedâhe'd soon get what he deserved.