Chapter 3

Ava hurried to her office, only to see Mason already waiting.

"What are you doing in my office?" Ava frowned.

" Boss lady, I only came here to show you the new ex..." Ava interrupted.

" But why..." Ava stopped as someone familiar stepped in.

"You?" Ava screamed in shock.

"You?" Bruce looked more surprised than Ava. 

"What the hell?!" Ava suddenly looked furious.

The pair faced each other, their faces red with anger as everyone around them watched them recall the details of when they first met. 

"You mannerless creature." Bruce cursed use nose. He was so annoyed to see Ava again. 

The company is big and yet, he was called into the office by the crazy lady he met earlier at the elevator.

"What is he doing here?" Ava too is so shocked. 

Someone she never wished to meet again.

"Um.. somebody explain what's going on?" Roxie broke the silence, as she looked from Ava to Bruce to Mason. 

"I don't know and I don't care." Mason answered and began to walk out of Ava's office. 

"No! You, come back here right now! You are going nowhere." Ava called him back. 

In as much as he didn't want to answer her, she was his boss regardless. He turned around and walked back to the trio, staring Ava dead in the eye. 

"What is this?" Ava asked him, pointing at Bruce. 

"This? What do you mean ‘this’?" Bruce glared at her. 

"Well, ‘this’–" Mason gestured to Bruce, "is your new executive assistant. Did you not hear the explanation Roxie gave you or have you suddenly gone deaf?" He made a mockery of her.

"Mason, you may be my cousin but I will not hesitate to fire you if you ever think you can speak to me in such a manner, especially in front of this–" she turns to give Bruce a vile look, "–this thing!" She was obviously upsetting Bruce.

"You may be the CEO of this company, but kindly refrain from calling me names, because I will not hesitate to call you out online and make sure this company doesn't exist anymore." Bruce threatened. He wanted Ava to know he's got what it takes too.

"It might actually be in your best interest to not say anything right now. And do not interfere in their family drama." Roxie advised Bruce. 

"You said, you wanted a new executive assistant after Durant got fired for attempted embezzlement and I got you a new executive assistant, what the hell is your complaint this time?" Mason frowned. He was already getting fed up with Ava.

This was his reason why women should not be given power. Because Ava is currently taking the whole thing too far.

"You cannot hire an assistant for me in my absence or without informing me about it first." Ava countered. 

"Well, if you did your job properly as CEO and came to work early today, I wouldn't have had to hire somebody in your absence, now would I, huh?" Mason asked and rolled his eyes. He hated the unnecessary argument.

"Don't you have a phone? Or did technology pass you by? What stopped you from calling me, Mason?" Ava asked.

"And what makes you think I care enough to do that? Maybe you should take your job more seriously, and if you can't do it properly, quit and let someone else do it for you." He was actually referring to himself. Only if Ava would agree to step down for him.

"There's a reason why I was voted in as the CEO of this company and not you, Mason. If I were you, I'd watch my mouth, because it would really suck for you to go from Vice President to Account Officer, now wouldn't it?" Ava retorted. With the silence, Ava knew she won Mason.

Mason walked out in anger. 

He hated Ava. 

He had a burning, passionate hatred for her. And he hated his father even more, because he was the only reason the stupid Ava could even talk to him like that. 

"Hi Mason." A voice from behind him. 

He ignored the sultry call of the office slut and got into the elevator. He didn't care where he was headed to, but he knew he had to get out of there. He was too angry to be in the workspace. 

He got in his car and drove to the gun store. Just five blocks away. 

Mason usually goes to the gun store whenever he is angry, to take out his anger at the shooting range. He would imagine the target was whoever made him angry and with every shot he took, he would slowly get relieved of his anger. 

Mason would never shoot anyone in real life though. He didn't have that mind or zeal to do that real.

It was just his way of relaxing and it worked very well for him. He would rather do that than take his anger out on anybody. 

He got in, greeted the receptionist and paid for the regular. He was handed the loaded gun as he got to the shooting range and the target was brought up. 

He fired the first shot angrily, landing it right in the center of the target's head. Headshot kill point. 

"Why did you have to be such a terrible person?" He asked as fired the second shot. 

Mason's father had founded The Quinns Co alongside Ava's mother. The two were siblings who decided to start the business and manage it together. His father put in his all in the company, thriving alongside Ava's mother to make it the best. 

But life happens. 

Eventually, Mason's father got introduced to alcohol after his wife's death. He started drinking and abusing drugs. That was enough grounds to exonerate him from the company as a co-founder.

Even though the board of directors agreed to exonerate him, his sister—Ava’s mother, fought for him to be left in the company; with a promise that he would change, this was all a phase for him to deal with his loss. 

But he didn't. 

Instead, he got worse. 

He began using drugs in the office and his office became a storage space for drugs. It got too much and the board decided to get rid of him for good, in fear that he might attract the police department into the company but Ava's mother still insisted on letting him stay. 

She got him professional help, booked therapy for him and did everything she could do to assist him, but nothing worked. 

At one point, it seemed like he was getting better, but the board carried out intensive research on his files in the company, and it was discovered that he had been embezzling the company's money. 

Ava's mother had gone to confront him about it, but unfortunately, he ran away with a lot of cash, leaving her to fix his mess. 

She knew where he was, but he was wanted by the police for embezzlement, and in a bid to protect her brother, she kept the secret and ran the company all by herself. 

When she heard that her brother passed away from drug abuse, she was heartbroken. She wished she could turn back time; she didn't know what she would've done differently, but she wished she could. She wished it didn't end that way for her brother. 

Mason was still a young boy when all of this happened and he didn't understand any of it back then. 

All he knew was that Ava's mother was the villain in his father's story. 

Ava's mother died after many years and handed the company down to her only inheritor, Ava. Because of this, Mason despised Ava, even though she had employed him as the Vice President of the company. 

He was supposed to be the CEO, not Ava. 

And he would stop at nothing to get what he wants. Except killing anyone.

Chapter 4

Though Mason employed a new important staff without her acknowledgement, she wasn't going to just sack him. What were the other staff going to think of her?

The company wasn't her private life where she would behave anyhow.

But why on earth does it have to be the stranger she met in the elevator.

Trying, her day was cursed.

Everything gave her a headache.

Ava looked up at Bruce with disgust. Their first meeting wasn't okay and sacking him might give up the wrong message. And if he tells everyone what she had done, social media won't haste.

"Can I have your papers?" Ava requested but Bruce's frown has become his new mask.

"I hope you know, all documents are being submitted so, they should be on your desk." Bruce said angrily. 

" What is your name?" Ava asked as she flipped through some documents.

Even Roxie wanted to act because she didn't understand why her friend was being harsh to the new staff. She wondered but only kept staring suspiciously.

Ava on the other hand, searched the desk and came across Bruce's name written on a file. It was on top of the new staff list. She immediately grabbed hold of it and then glared at Bruce.

"Your name is Bruce?!" And he nodded.

"I must admit, you are not totally stupid as i have thought. You do have an impressive file " Ava uttered while going through the files.

Finally, she had to agree.

"Should I thank you?" Bruce asked and Ava rolled her eyes.

" The job is yours to keep, but I will watch your every move in this company." Ava threatened but Bruce smiled and left the office without taking permission.

"How dare he walk out on me like that?" Ava was about going crazy. She was boiling with rage.

" I won't blame him for leaving in such a manner. You were quite harsh and rude. Do you not think it is too much for him as a new staff member?" Rolxe asked 

Ava eventually realized her friend was still in the office too.

"I just don't like him." She said but didn't want to talk about the embarrassment she underwent.

"Have you two met before?" Rolxe asked. Ava didn't want to give a response.

"Not really. Just don't feel relaxed around him." Ava lied. She only felt angry because the guy she embarrassed herself in front of, got a good position and would be working alongside. She was scared he might expose her. If she had fired him, questions would be asked.

"What happened last night?" Ava intentionally changed the topic. 

Rolxe raised her brow, noticing what Ava was trying to do.

" You drank so much, got so drunk and even vomited in the taxi. I had to pay up some extra cash." Rolxe chuckled as if mocking Ava.

" I won't be following those kinds of parties anymore. This is the reason I still have a severe headache and keep farting in the elevator." Ava didn't know what she spilled out until she heard her friend.

"What?" Rolxe exclaimed while trying to suppress the laughter.

"He was in the elevator too." Ava spilled out again.

" Who?" She asked.

"Bruce. He was in the same elevator." Ava finally confessed. It was too embarrassing that she didn't look Rolxe direction but all she could hear was a never ending laughter.

"You have got to be kidding me, girl. Now I get it. The sudden harshness too on the new staff. You really have got to chill. It's not his fault that you farted."  Rolxe said, admitting laughter.

" Not just once but three times." 

"Ooops... No, that's not good. What did he say?" Rolxe kept asking to know like some sort of uncover spy.

"Exchange words." Ava said and focused on the papers on her desk.

Rolxe wouldn't stop laughing.

"Even so, you shouldn't have been that harsh on your cousin. You need to calm that tiger inside you." Rolex finally said as she folded her arms while staring at her friend.

"My head is aching. And I'm famished. Can you hear it grumbling?" Ava asked as she just couldn't focus on what she was reading. 

The drink she had the previous night still had an effect.

The words on the documents had different shapes and sizes. Her head felt like it was exploding.

If only she knew the right thing to take at the moment, to feel better. 

Mason, after his shooting exercise, he drove back to the company and went straight to his office. At least, he was calm and well relaxed. He sat on his seat and sighed heavily like a tired man.

Ava wasn't able to hold her hunger so, she finished the necessary things at her office and rushed down to the cafeteria.

Luckily for her, they do have a cafeteria in the company. She is a foodie and so, always wants it near her. Thinking of the time she'd take to drive down to the street. Even when she suggested it. Everyone agreed with her. Having a cafeteria was her best decision since she became CEO. Maybe, not totally.

As she walked majestically, "Thank God I didn't wear heels. Would have been crawling or walking about without a shoe on." She muttered to herself as she walked pass other staff that came to have one or two things. 

 And just when she was closer, she heard tummy grumble again.

"Please, coffee first." She said to the woman before searching for an empty table.

Her eyes caught one but, on one side there was a cup of juice and tray of half eaten food.

It seems someone didn't finish.

She sat down and waited patiently for the waitress to bring her coffee.

Just then, a figure approached the table she sat on. Catching her red handed stealing chips.

She took two chips again and turned to check around when her eyes saw the owner of the food, staring furiously at her. 

"Why are you a load of trouble?" He asked with furrowed brows and a squeezed face.

Bruce had just left his food to attend to someone at the entrance. He told the waitress not to clear his table since he won't be taking more than three minutes. Just for him to come back, and see someone stealing his chips. Not just someone, it was his annoying bitchy boss. Though he tried to calm himself down but deep down, he was exploding with anger. 

"What's your business with that?" Ava responded not minding she was caught but what she didn't know was that Bruce owns the food.

"Here is your coffee, Madam. What would you love to have?" The waitress asked not minding the awkward staring the duo gave.

Ava is still pretending, "Get me my regular!" She said dryly and just as the waitress turned, Ava stretched her hand and took four more chips even as Bruce stood beside her.

"What the fuck!" Bruce exclaimed. This time his pretty crystal eyes were darker and he gave her a cold stare.

He hates her already. Not up to two days and his boss was making things unbearable. He just couldn't hold it anymore, not when he heard.

"What are you just standing there for? Go back to work. I wonder why Mason let you get the job. I'm sure if I were to be the one, I would have found more capable people for it." Ava said after eating the last she carried.

Bruce looked at his tray and his chips were almost finished.

"Though you are my boss. You definitely don't have the right to eat my breakfast and even show no remorse. Is that how it is done in the company?" Bruce asked with his thick brows almost touching while Ava's eyes almost popped out.

Chapter 5

"Though you are my boss, You definitely don't have the right to eat my breakfast, and you even show no remorse. "Is that how it is done in the company?" Bruce asked with his thick brows almost touching while Ava's eyes almost popped out.

Ava felt so embarrassed because Bruce was already dragging everybody's attention. "I'm so sorry, so sorry," Ava says, apologizing while closing her eyes and chewing on the chips she stole. Bruce was taken aback when, for the first time, he witnessed Ava admitting she did something wrong. For the first time, he noticed how beautiful her blue eyes were, and her brown hair suits her so well. Bruce felt as if a whole different person was in front of him.

But he didn't show it; he kept a serious face, and Ava thought he was going to create a scene, and she definitely didn't want that to happen.

"Okay, I owe you a lunch treat," Ava said. "I'm just so hungry that I couldn't wait for my breakfast to be ready." Bruce saw how honest she was, so he laughed. "Okay, we have a date then, and I get to choose where and when we should go." Ava nodded in confirmation of what Bruce said. She was so embarrassed and definitely didn't want to create a scene.

Ava took her breakfast and left for her office. She thought to herself, "I can't believe how rude he can be; I even apologized, and he still kept a serious face like he didn't care; he was just so concerned about his food, and that attitude he gave after I offered him a lunch treat, GOSH!!!" She said out loud, "Could this day get any worse?" She sighs.

Her loud ringing tone blared across the room as she instinctively reached out to check the caller ID. Ava picked up her phone and answered. It was Mason on the phone, and an impromptu meeting has been fixed. She quickly finished her meal and went for it.

After the meeting, Ava bumps into Bruce, and Bruce tells her he's ready for that lunch she promised, and it's not going to be in the cafeteria. “Le Bernardino,” he said. “Le Bernardino?” she repeated after him, sounding a little bit confused because she had never heard of it. "Yes, Le Bernardino" is my favourite place in the whole of this city.

Surprisingly to him, Ava didn’t object to his request; she just told him to wait a moment so she could go get her bag and car key. She went into her office and breathed in. She felt so suffocated around him, but she couldn’t show it as she had promised to treat him to lunch. Then she wonders why he keeps calling it a date.

She got her keys and met Bruce already waiting at the parking lots. She opened the car, and they both entered. When she started driving, she was avoiding saying anything to him, so she connected Google Maps to her steering; then there was no need for her to ask him for directions.

It was awkwardly silent in the car, and the journey seemed as if it were never going to end. “Why is this your favourite place in the city so far?” She said it almost like she was complaining. “Well, there was a shorter way to get there, but since you refused to say anything, I let you have your way.” He laughed mockingly.

Ava cursed her day even more and prayed that it was going to end very soon; at one point, she thought that her day had been jinxed because she could no longer understand why she had had so much bad luck in one day. She finally arrives at the restaurant.

She was so surprised at how fancy the restaurant was. “You really have nice taste, I must admit," she smiled. A waiter directed them to their seats; Bruce had already booked a reservation for them. The table was beautifully decorated with flowers; it was one of the nicest things she has seen in the whole of the week. "Well, my day was jinxed after all." She smiled again.

The waiter walked up to their table with a menu and asked them to select what they wanted. Ava was a bit confused on what to order, and Bruce noticed and asked if she would let him choose for her. She didn’t refuse. He told the waiter to get him their specials. The waiter smiled and complimented them, saying that they looked good together.

While waiting for their meal to be served, Bruce asked, “Are you always like this, or do you just act this way to me?” She sighed and apologized. “Sorry we started on a bad note," she explained how terrible her day has been from the hangover she had and waking up late with a splitting headache, then the issue with the police, and how late she already was to work.

“What about the elevator?” Bruce interrupted, "Well, I had gas issues due to the alcohol I consumed last night; that’s why I didn’t want anyone with me in the elevator, but clearly, you didn’t understand, so those dreams happened." "And I was so embarrassed to admit to it,” Ava said this time, her cheek turning red. She felt as if the earth would open and swallow her.

Bruce just giggled a bit and said, “Do you want to know a secret?” He said, “When I was 13, I peed on my bed and blamed the dog just to avoid being laughed at.” Ava laughed out loud; she felt much more comfortable around him, and he finally got to see her smile. They continued spilling secrets about the most embarrassing moments they have had, and she denied it.

The waiter walks in with their meal; it was pork chop casserole with tomato gravy. Ava, being a foodie, couldn’t wait to get a bite of it; her mouth was already salivating from the food's aroma. She digs into the food; “wow, I must admit the food there is really nice, and you really have a nice taste,” she says, continuing to eat her food.

Bruce smiled and watched her eat. He smiled and wondered how someone would show two sides of her character in the same day. They are and continued talking and giggling as if they were couples. “We should go out more often; I must admit I really enjoyed your company," Ava said. "Yeah, we should, and next time you could come up with where and when we should go out.”