Chapter 3

"Get out!" Jocelyn ordered..

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Iris frowned, what's the problem with her. She barely knew her from anywhere so why was she acting rude towards her?

“Miss, I have been employed and the boss said we'd be sharing an office.. I guess that's my desk over there” Iris said pointing at the desk behind Jocelyn, that sat at the end of the cubicle.

Jocelyn swallowed hard.. what's wrong with her? Why is she acting strange? Maybe she felt this lady might be a threat to her getting the boss's attention. She still stood at Iris's way until the telephone rang.

She shot Iris a 'don't move' glare and walked to her desk.

She heaved as she picked up the telephone..

? I sent a lady over? Has she settled down? Bradley asked sarcastically and Jocelyn shuddered.

“Boss..” she muttered and Iris's eyes widened.

? I know how sassy you can be Jocelyn.. you don't wanna be in my bad book. His voice came cold and beads of sweat formed on Jocelyn's temple. The last thing she wanna lose now is her job.

“Yes sir.. ” her voice came faint and Iris took in a deep breath.

?Help the lady settle in.. he said and the call disconnected. Jocelyn placed her hand on her chest and closed her eyes taking a deep breath. How does he manage to make all workers scared? Or maybe because they've never seen him smile?

But still she found herself attracted to him.. she opened her eyes and shot a glare at Iris which she quickly conceal with a smile.

“Make yourself comfortable” she muttered as she sat on the swivel chair fixing her eyes on her screen.

Iris shrugged and walked past her.. she was sure that there was a camera installed in the office, if not how would the boss get to know?

She never cared to know about the lady.. she was rude and that's one thing she'd pin her with.

She settled on her desk, turned on her laptop and started the day's work.

•••••

Bradley heaved as he rested his back on the chair staring at his phone.. it was another threat note.

He switched off his phone and left it on the desk. He closed his eyes searching for a clue about who would want to take his life but as usual.. it was blank, he had no idea. As much as he had few friends, he was sure he'd had no enemy.. or maybe that's what he'd thought until recently.

He clenched his fists... he opened his eyes and sat upright and his thoughts slowly drifted to her..

Why does he feel like he'd known her from somewhere? He turned on his laptop and made his way to a particular folder. He clicked on it and the footage of their office came on.

She was timid.. so fragile to let Jocelyn intimidate her, he knew better now.

He rested his fingers under his chin as he watched keenly.. his eyes focused on Iris. She was less busy considering the fact that it was all a favor, she was supposed to work harder.

He picked up the telephone and dialled her desk number, he watched as she carefully picked the telephone before placing it on her ear. He rolled his eyes..

“Sort out the files of Maggie's glow, get new designs and fixed an appointment with Maggie..” he said and she nodded before clearing her throat lightly.

“Yes sir.. ”

“I believe you know what to do.. don't mess this up” he said grumpily.

“Yes sir.. I.. I would try my best” she muttered

“Don't try.. do” he said and she nodded again before speaking.

“When is my appointment with Cullen's fashion gram? ” he asked and she peered closely at her system. He could see Jocelyn shooting her a glare.

“By 2 sir” she replied and he disconnected the call. She frowned staring at the telephone before putting it down. She turned to the computer getting to work immediately.

He smirked.. he stood up and reached for his suit hanging on his chair, he brushed his hair backwards with his fingers before checking his wristwatch. It was almost 2.

He headed out of the office heading to the meeting room.

••• Tzu Chi Great •••

“My mummy prepared muffins, and I have a milkshake.. I won't mind sharing with you” Anna said holding up her lunch bag dangling it in front of her friend.

“I would be fine” Trish muttered clutching her stomach as pangs of hunger hit her hard.

“Do you wanna die? C'mon eat” Anna urged as she placed her lunch bag in front of Trish and started emptying the contents.

Trish's mouth watered as she stared at the appetizing lunch in front of her, Anna gave a wide gummy grin and extended one of the muffins to her.

“Don't say no” she whined and Trish looked around before grabbing the muffin from Anna. Anna smiled as she watched her devour it hungrily.

She placed her hand on her chin watching her friend with interest.

“Stop starving yourself.. see, you're getting lean. Don't you eat at home?” she asked and Trish paused, her mouth filled as her eyes met with Anna's.

She slowly pushed the half eaten muffin down her throat.

“What? Don't stop eating, have more” Anna urged pushing the entire plate to Trish, she grabbed the milkshake and shrugged.

“I will just have this, I ain't hungry anyway" she muttered while Trish stared at her quietly.

“What? our teacher would be coming soon.. hurry and eat” Anna said glancing at the door.

Trish dived her little fingers into the plate grabbing a muffin which she shoved into her mouth hungrily.

Trish Diego, a 3 year old.. was less a talker though she was good friends with Anna who did all the talking. She never talked about her family but from the looks of things, one would know the girl wasn't okay.. Anna could sense it but decided to remain mute about it.

She took a sip of her milkshake, her eyes fixed on Trish.. she blinked, maybe she'd tell Auntie Megan to pack a double lunch for her, so she could share with Trish...

••• Highland Park, Texas, USA •••

“Don't tell me you're not over your daughter?” A woman in her early thirties asked with an eye roll and her husband just sighed.

“She's my heir.. I need to look for her” The man said and the woman scoffed.

“But I have my boys.. ” she shrugged and the man shot her a glare.

“They're not my children..” he stated bluntly and the woman rolled her eyes mumbling something incoherent to herself.

“Maybe, if you had not pushed her away.. my daughter would had still been here” The man said getting on his feet, the woman looked away angrily.

“I'm gonna find my daughter at all costs” he muttered before walking away, the woman's eyes followed him till he was outta sight.

She smirked..

“Let's see if you'd be alive to do that.. ” she muttered.

•••7pm, Shiny Glamours •••

It was past close time already, most of the workers had retired home leaving only a handful which disappeared one after the other until there was one left... Iris.

Iris yawned for the umpteenth time that day as she searched the systems cluelessly for new designs. She'd successfully sorted Maggie's glow files and setting an appointment but she couldn't get the new designs. And Jocelyn wasn't ready to help either.

In fact, she'd closed for the day since 5.. she wanted to put a call to the boss and probably tell him she couldn't find any design. But then.. this job was just a favor.

She was happy she got Megan to tend for Anna.. though she felt sorry, she wasn't able to spend quality time with her daughter. It was all about work. But she needed to make a living, she'd been living with Megan for close to 4 years.

Her phone rang jolting her.. she reached for it and placed in at her ears without checking the caller.

“Where the hell are you Iris!?”

She pulled the phone from her ear and stared at the caller before sighing softly.

“I'm still at work Meggie.. I have some things to sort out, I would be home soon” she said tiredly and Megan scoffed.

“Who the hell gives a load of work to an employee on their first day? ” she asked and Iris yawned.

“It's not a big deal.. I would soon be done okay?”

“Wish I could meet that boss of yours, he is a d^ckhead!”..

.