She'd forgotten how icy blue Chase Ceemer's eyes were, Kaia thought as she stared into the eyes in question. Her fingers curled into a fist as she tried to remain calm. His gaze flicked to her freckles before looking away. She wasn't sure if he recognized her or he was just curious. He spoke before she could be sure…
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Step-sister", he said, his voice sounding much deeper than she remembered. His smile was tight, his eyes icy and blank…almost like he was holding something back.
Almost immediately, his blank stare was gone, his smile replaced with a fake, almost saccharine one. He held his hand out for a handshake but Kaia couldn't take it…she couldn't let him touch her…not again.
Her mother and Mr Cameron exchanged confused looks as Kaia cleared her throat and responded,
"I'm not your sister". Sitting down, she was able to hide her trembling hands a bit better.
"You're not. You're my step-sister", he continued smoothly with a snide smirk.
"Chase, I was hoping you'd get to know each other a bit better. Kaia works in marketing but she's currently in-between jobs", her mom interjected.
Her eyes widened slightly in shock.
"How did you kno–"
"Oh quit it Kaia, I've known about it since you landed. Melo told me".
Ughh, she was gonna kill Melo.
"It's not a big deal. I already have a couple of offers lined up." She lied.
"Be that as it may, I've been thinking that it'd be better for all of us, if you were closer to home", her mother replied.
"Home?", she asked, frowning.
"My home is in Boston, Mom", She continued.
"I mean here…in New York…with me", her mother continued.
"Your mother is worried about you and thinks it's best you if stay here and work in the company", Mr Cameron added holding her mothers hand.
"I don't need that, Mom. Boston isn't far away. I can come visit anytime…"she said, her lips pursed in annoyance.
"But you won't ,will you…" stated her mom with a huff.
"This is a chance for you to get to know the family." she continued.
Chase, who'd been quietly listening to the conversation save for a slight flicker in his eyes at the mention of her job—or lack there of, finally spoke.
"The company needs a marketing expert. Our head of marketing is stepping down due to some…issues so, we could use a replacement", he offered. That smirk never leaving his face. Kaia's jaw clenched as a memory from their past encounters assaulted her mind. "I love hearing you whimper, my little Katharos."
"You don't have to worry about me Mom, I'll be fine." Kais said facing her mom, ignoring Chase.
"Besides, the position isn't exactly open, anyway", she added sparing a look at him.
"You're right, but the role for Secretary to the CEO is, right Chase?", Mr Cameron asked. Facing her, Mr Cameron said,
"Kaia, I know this is all very new for you and I understand your reluctance, but your mom would feel much better if you stayed here…and I just want to make her happy, I'm sure you do too?", he asked.
Kaia's eyes narrowed at his words.
"I can't believe you're doing this, Mom", she said with a low whine. But then again, her bank account was dwindling and none of the companies she interviewed with had sent a call back yet. At this rate, she'd have to crawl back to her mom for a loan in less than two months if she didn't get a job as soon as possible. She bit her lip in annoyance.
"Even if I wanted to consider it, I'd have to interview for the Secretary position first and there's no guarantee I'd get it," she quipped.
"Oh there's no need for all of that dear, you're family…I'm sure the CEO finds you much capable for the job", her step-father replied, slicing into his steak.
"What do you mean finds me capable? I haven't even met the ma–"
"YOU?!", she asked accusingly, staring at Chase.
"Yes Kaia, me…you'd be working with me", he said.
Turning to her mother he continued, "Kaia can start next week. Don't worry, Kaitleen…she'll be well taken care of", he added with that sick smirk.
****************************
Despite knowing it was futile, Kaia tried to convince her mom to see reason with her, but in the end, she'd flown back to Boston to take care of things and flown back business class, courtesy of Mr Cameron. She could have stayed back and ignored her mom till she got over it but, she actually really needed this job.
So here she was, one week later, about to start her new position as the Secretary to her high school bully. Her plan was simple; Focus on doing her job well, minding her business as she saved up all she could, work for 3 months and most importantly, MAKE SURE CHASE DOESN'T REMEMBER HER.
Chase
Chase watched Kaia as she walked into her corner office through the CCTV monitor in his office. As the CEO, he had access to all the cameras on each floor but he never bothered himself with watching them…until today.
Kaia had changed…a lot. But he'd known that already. Gone was the skinny, nerdy girl in glasses, who had been so frail and flimsy. He'd enjoyed hearing her whimpers as she struggled to hold her tears back. Now, she'd grown into her curves, with almost all trace of the fragile girl she'd been, gone…except for those freckles…he'd always loved them.
He clenched his teeth as he saw her smile in greeting to Jake the IT guy. No, he thought. He was different now. Changed. Better. He'd taken out his anger and agression on Kaia despite liking her so much back in high school. He was past all that. If anything, he needed to make up for all the pain he'd caused her…and he planned on doing just that.
Kaia
The phone's shrill ring jolted Kaia out of her thoughts. Her lips twisted into a scowl before she picked up the phone, rubbing her hand on the cool plastic as she cradled it.
"Hello Mr Cameron, what do you need?"
"I need you in my office…now", he replied, ending the call with a beep.
Kaia, you can do this…she thought, taking a deep breath.
His office was right across her station so the walk wasn't far. She raised her hand, her fingers curling into a fist poised to knock—
"Come in", came his deep voice from behind the door.
She opened the door and walked in, closing the door with a soft click behind her.
"Ahem…", she cleared her throat.
"Good morning Mr Camero—"
"That's my father", he interrupted, a slight frown marring his face.
"Call me Chase", he continued as he finally looked up from the monitor and stared at her with those cold eyes.
"Chase, what do you need?" She asked matching his cool stare with hers.
"Cancel all my meetings for today. We're going out", he replied cooly.
"Where will that be, if I may ask?" Kaia quizzed with a slight raise of her eyebrow.
Chuckling lightly, he answered "Lunch and shopping."
"I don't think you need me for those things, but I'll make sure your schedule is cleared." She replied.
"Will that be all?" She asked.
"You're my secretary and that means you go wherever I need you to go, Kaia", he replied dismissively.
"Look Mr Camero—" she started…
"Chase… It's Chase", he stopped her.
Standing up, he walked towards her slowly, his hands in his pockets. Kaia instinctively took a step back, but he kept walking towards her until they were so close, she could feel his breath on her nose. The puff of his breath on her nose was minty with a hint of watermelon.
"You're still so stubborn, my little Katharos", he said with a low rumble.
Kaia gasped, her eyes widening in shock.
Chase remembered her.