Shay's POV
Every morning feels like the same routine repeating itself.
I get ready for work, leave home in my casual clothes, and then later change in my car into a suitable work outfit. My mother always leaves home every morning to meet up with her friends and have breakfast at a fancy restaurant. Sometimes I wonder whether her friends have lives or other things to do, rather than meeting up with my mom every day to talk about their boring lifestyles.
My father and Shawn are the only two people who take the time to have breakfast at home before leaving for work together. They usually spend that time talking about what they'll be doing for the day, who they'll be meeting, business matters, and so on.
I know Shelby always has breakfast at her favorite restaurant before going straight to work. I even saw her once drinking coffee with some guyâhe could be her secret boyfriend or just someone she's seeing, but honestly, I highly doubt that she's seeing anyone.
I may not spend time with my sisters, but I know how to observe them, and Shelby is the type of person who focuses on being a girl boss rather than wasting her time on men. Shanelle, on the other hand, is never at home.
She has her own place, and she's the only person who can convince dad to get whatever she wants. She also travels a lot because she's a supermodel working for an agency run by Sylvia's mom.
So, I don't really know or care what she could be up to these days, but she does come home on weekends or whenever she needs something from dad.
Last night, I skipped dinner because the last thing I needed at the end of the day was another long, boring, judgmental lecture from mom and more pointed, meaningless glares from dad. I also forgot to set my alarm last night, which is why I woke up late today, running around my room trying to get ready before heading to work.
I was rushing down the stairs while putting my watch on when I heard someone call my name from behind. As an automatic response to being caught leaving early in the morning, I instantly froze.
I slowly turned around and released a sigh of relief when I saw that it was just Shawn.
"Morning," he said with an easy smile.
"Morning. How are you still here? I thought you already left."
He shrugged, and we both walked down the stairs together toward the front door.
"Nope, haven't had my coffee yet." I chuckled and quickly checked my watch for the time.
"You're late, aren't you?" he asked in a low whisper. I sighed and looked up, meeting his eyes again.
"Forgot to set my alarm again." He nodded and quickly glanced around the room.
"Well, you better get going now before mom gets back. I'll see you later." I smiled at him and hugged him while he placed a kiss on my head.
This is how our relationship works in this house. We always look out for each other and care for one another. Even though our relationship with our parents and sisters isn't great, at least we have each other to rely on.
We pulled away from the embrace, and I waved him goodbye while walking toward the door.
"Shay?" I turned back and found him looking concerned, his brows knitted together.
"What happened at that date mom set up for you?"
Just recalling the memory leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
He slowly walked toward me, his eyes scanning my face for the answer.
"Nothing happened. He just realized I wasn't his type, so he decided to cancel our second date. Which is a good thing, thoughâI'm not looking forward to seeing him again."
He kept staring at me for about a minute too long, and I was starting to feel the urge to leave, considering the fact that I'm already late for work.
"I should go nowâ"
"Is that the only thing that happened?" he asked again, his tone more rigid.
"Yes." He pursed his lips and put his hands in his pockets.
"Well, according to a friend of mine who was coincidentally there that day at the restaurant, he said he saw Chase Evans tip a glass of water all over you on purpose. Is that true? Did he do that to you?"
My mind raced to choose an excuse, but then I realized it's Shawn I'm talking to. There's no reason to lie to him because we tell each other everything anyway.
"Yes, but don't worry about itâit's no big deal." He quickly frowned.
"No big deal? The guy will pay for what he did. He embarrassed you in a public restaurant in front of so many people."
"Look, Shawn, I have to go. We'll talk about this later, okay?"
I started walking away in a hurry and went straight to my car parked in the garage. I sat inside for a minute, thinking about what Shawn just said. Knowing him, he probably won't let go of this issue until it's resolved.
I just hope he doesn't do anything yet that might turn into a problem.
Jason's POV
"Anything else?"
Sylvia Falcon quickly nods her head upon hearing my question, places a file in front of me on my table, and flips it open.
"Yes, sir. I just need your signature on this for the marina project construction plan."
I picked up my pen, signed the papers inside, closed the file, and handed it back to her.
I stood up, buttoned my suit jacket, and glanced at my watch.
"Are the clients from Italy here yet?"
She checked her watch, hugged the file closer to her chest, and looked up at me.
"They will be arriving shortly. The board members, along with Mr. Matthew Evans, are already seated in the conference room. Refreshments are arranged, along with bottles of Fiji water, just like you've requested. Projectors and presentations are all ready to go."
I grabbed my phone, smiled appreciatively at her, and walked out of my office, heading toward the conference room on the fourth floor.
"Thank you, Miss Falcon. I appreciate the effort." She grinned happily before we stepped into the elevator.
"Just doing my job."
I suddenly thought of all the possible reasons why she would be working for me.
For someone with the last name "Falcon," it would only mean she's one of themâor could be related. I was surprised to learn that she happened to be the latter. Despite my feelings toward the Falcons, I still hired her to be my personal assistant.
Her last name may be Falcon, but the original Falcon family is the one I have hard feelings for.
"Miss Falcon, there's another thing I would like you to do. There's a group of people waiting in the lobby downstairs, all here for interviews, and I'd like you to interview them and see if you can find a reliable person we can hire as Mr. Evans' new personal assistant."
She remained silent for a few seconds, and I quickly glanced at her right before the elevator doors opened.
"Of course, sir. I'll get on it right away."
I nodded and stepped out of the elevator while she stayed inside and pressed the button for the first floor to take her downstairs. I walked down the hall, nodding in greeting to the people who greeted me along the way.
I took my phone out of my pocket and started texting Chase, wondering if he would be here as well. He texted me back a few seconds later, saying he's already on his way. I slipped my phone back into my pocket, and when I looked up, my legs stopped moving.
She was standing there, smartly dressed, looking as professional as I'd imagined her to be, with a beautiful smile on her face. When Sylvia introduced her to me yesterday, I thought I was imagining things when I saw her again.
Like, what were the odds that I would meet her again and later find out she's working at a place I happen to own? I was never one to believe in fate, but seeing her twice in a row now could mean something, right?
I finally noticed the people she was happily talking to and recognized one of them as Mr. Russo, one of the Italian clients I was expecting to meet today. She immediately escorted them inside, and I followed them in a minute later.
I didn't get a chance to say a proper 'good morning' or 'hello' to her since she went out the other door in the room right before I entered. Right at the moment when I was comfortably seated and greeting the clients, I finally remembered something.
The bracelet.
I didn't get a chance to return it. But something tells me I should hold on to it a while longerâit might come in handy one day.