2

Her eyes widened, and she momentarily forgot about packing when Hannah dropped the juicy gossip about her new boss. “Ethan’s engaged?!” She gaped at the phone screen again. She doesn't normally read trashy tabloids, but she couldn't help scanning through the article, starting with the full-page photograph of Ethan’s fiancee. 

She looked tall, beautiful and classy, Isabella admitted. She briskly read the star gossip out loud. “Here’s the scoop, hot off the presses! Insider sources tell us Ethan Grayson and the famous Madelyn Jason, pictured above are officially engaged and tying the knot this summer! Family and friends close to the couple say they've been enjoying their time together as the ‘it’ couple of the business world, attending many galas, parties together. And now it’s high time they tie the knot and settle down to start their own family. We reach out to the happy couple, but they declined our request for an interview. Maybe they're still preparing their official announcement, but until then... you can read all about it here at The Star!”

Hannah gazed at her, feeling sorry for her. “Isabella, are you okay?” She asked her softly. Isabella shook her head out of the reverie. “What? I told you we weren't a thing. Just another reason to focus on the job and not on the gorgeous, yet arrogant boss.” 

Hannah raised a brow at her as she grinned like a Cheshire Cat. Isabella shrugged it off, pretending like it didn't bother her. “You have to confront him, Isabella.” 

Isabella turned her gaze to her older sister, “over what? This all but confirms nothing happened. Let’s just focus on packing.” Hannah heaved a sigh as she gripped on Isabella’s shoulder, “look, sweetie I know you’re hurting inside. Just take a deep breath, relax and we will deal with him, okay?” Isabella chuckled softly as she shrugged off Hannah’s hands off her shoulders. She starts aggressively wrapping fragile items in bubble paper, telling herself it’s fine and she doesn't need to care, despite the fact that her heart says otherwise. 

A week has passed, Isabella has finally settled down in her new apartment. After having her breakfast, she stepped of the apartment to head to work. On her way to hail a cab, she encountered with Hannah walking in a hurry together with her son. “Hannah? What are you doing here?” She looked at Hannah to her two year old nephew, mason. “I need a tiny little favour from you. Sophia is running late and I can’t go to work with mason because you know how my work is, I'm afraid he’d get out of my sight and get himself hurt. Can you please take him to work with you, I promise Sophia will come get him in an hour.” 

“What? What makes you think I can go with him? My boss would kill me if he sees mason. One of his rules; no family members allowed to visit, especially kids. I can't... I can't.” Isabella ambled down the streets as Hannah followed her. “Please baby sis, you’ve gotta help me. Where else do you want me to take him, huh?” 

“A day care,” she responded and walked away. “But, I'll be late. I'm already late. Please just help me.” She grabbed Isabella by her arm, making her to halt. Isabelle stared at her for a short while before taking a deep breath. “One hour, just one hour.” Hannah beamed as she handed mason’s baby bag to her. 

They hailed a cab and headed straight to Grayson Enterprises. They stepped into the company as she lowered her gaze, avoiding her coworkers gazes. She checked in before she hurriedly stepped into her office together with mason. She sighed, sitting down on her office chair and starting with her work. The receptionist came in afterwards and presented Isabella’s work for the day as she glanced at mason munching off a chocolate bar. 

“He’s cute right?” Isabella spoke, getting the receptionist’s attention from mason. She briskly turned her gaze to Isabella before she beamed and nodded her head to Isabella. “You have a beautiful kid.” Isabella nodded as she smiled. 

After the receptionist left, Isabella started her work for the day. From time to time, she take a glimpse at mason to see what he was up to. She glanced at her wrist watch to check the time. It was already past the time Hannah told her. She heaved a sigh, trying to dial Hannah’s number when her text came in. 

‘Before you say anything. I'm so sorry. Sophia got stuck in traffic but she's almost there.’ -Hannah 

‘Urgh she better hurry up before my boss shows up.’ -Isabella.

‘Yes sure. So I know you said to drop it, but here are the deets on Ethan’s fiancee. Madelyn Jason, 32, daughter of ANOTHER billionaire entrepreneur.’ -Hannah. 

‘Hannah, I can't deal with this right now.’ -Isabella. 

‘Sure you don't wanna know there’s no confirmation about the engagement? From her or Ethan?’ -Hannah.

‘Okay, what does that mean?’ -Isabella. 

‘You tell me, you actually know the man. OMG or ask your coworkers! I bet they know all about the juicy gossip.’ -Hannah. 

“Goodbye Hannah. And call Sophia again.” -Isabella.

Even though her phone continues to buzz repeatedly from Hannah’s torrent of texts, she puts it away and turned her attention to mason. He rubbed  his eyes tiredly as he started drowsing off. “Hey mason, you're sleepy?” He stared at her with his sleepy eyes. She thinks fast, feeling a tantrum coming on... she looked around her office and looked at herself as the thought came up. She removed her blazer. 

She spread it on the long waiting chair and laid him there. Soon, he dozed off. She heaved a sigh adjusting her skirt. Maybe it would give her some time to go grab a coffee. Smiling, she headed towards the door and stepped out, gently closing the door. 

On her way, she encounter with Tyler, on his way to the cafeteria. “Oh God is this a sign? Because we always encounter with each other almost all the time. Maybe we’re meant to be.” Isabella chuckled softly. “Isn't it obvious? We work at the same place and your office is few steps away from mine, sooo...”

Tyler continued to speak. “Mr. Grayson asked about you a while ago. Something about a meeting,” he spoke but then shrugged it off. Her stomach did a back flip. “He did? Did he say anything after that? Do have any idea why he was looking for me?” Tyler gave her a puzzled look. “Relax, I think you have a meeting to represent him.” They walked into the cafeteria. Isabella ordered a coffee while Tyler ordered tea. They settled down, facing each other. “But he’s in a meeting now so I guess you can't see him at the moment until he's done.” He cautiously took a sip of his hot tea. 

Speaking of Mr. Grayson. “Hey, I have a question for you...” She lowered her gaze when Tyler looked up. He nodded his head, “go on please.” She cleared her throat and try to think of the best way to word it. “Do you know Madelyn Jason? Mr. Grayson’s girlfriend. Rich, super fancy, and beautiful.” Isabella swallowed the jealousy as she tried not to change her facial expression. 

“Honestly speaking, I've seen her actual face, so she may or may not be beautiful. Ha! Underneath all that make up, she could be a total blobfish.” Tyler laughed at his own joke. Isabella tried to keep a straight face, but the mental picture was too much. “Okay, that’s not funny, Tyler. I'm sure Madelyn must be nice if he likes her, no matter how much make up she wears.”

“Haha! I doubt that.”

She coughs and changed the subject. “When did you first meet her?” 

“She has always been around. At his business trips, meetings, galas, this, that... always good for a laugh even if she doesn't really know it. But he didn't really call Madelyn his girlfriend until, I don't know, few months ago? Yeah, something like that. It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Wow. I guess things developed quickly.” Tyler looked at Isabella, seeming confused. “Do you think he’s in love? Because I saw it on The Star that they’re tying the knot.”

“What? I doubt if he likes her by the way he treats her. She has always been the one chasing him. I mean, I've never seen them kissing. So... why are you asking anyway?” Tyler asked her afterwards as he nonchalantly took another sip of his tea. 

“Oh I just... uh.. you know The Star... I saw it on the internet so I was just curious. But it’s obviously just gossip.” Tyler shrugged his shoulder. 

‘Does that mean Ethan and Madelyn aren't getting married? Or just that they haven't told anyone yet?’ Isabella asked herself. She shook the thought away and finally got to her feet. “I have to go back to work, I'll catch up with you later.” He nodded his head to her before she flashed him a smile and walked into the corridors. 

She met Sophia standing by her office door together with the receptionist. “Ma’am you have a visitor.” Isabella dismissed her and gestured Sophia to follow her in. “What took you so long, Soph....” the words trailed off when she didn't get a glimpse of mason in her office. She turned to look at Sophia. “Please tell me you were the one that took him.”

“But, I just came now.” Isabella shoved her aside and rushed out of the office. She dashed into the lobby. “Mason? Mason sweetie where are you please?” She looked around the busy lobby of Grayson Enterprises but couldn't get a glimpse of him. 

Pacing around, she almost bumped into her boss. She briskly shifted backwards and looked up to him. “Whose kid is this?” He furiously asked the receptionist. Panicking, she looked at Isabella that has already put to her mind she was getting fired for breaking the rule. “He...I... Ms. Jonathan.” 

Ethan’s eyes snap over to her, his expression darkening as he realizes she broke one of his rules. “Is that so?” 

“Wow, would you look at the time? Sophia, you have his baby bag right? Here take him and leave.” Isabella led them down the hall before Ethan has a chance to respond. 

Half an hour later, Ethan summons for Isabella to come meet him in his office. He waits in his office, drumming his fingers against his wide, large desk. She walked in knowing she has to face the music sooner or later. He looked at her and stood up. “What makes you think you can break my rules, Isabella?” He snapped, walking towards her. He called her by her name. She was taken aback. 

“I don't think that. It was an accident.” She tried to defend herself. “It’s not any better if you carelessly leave the child roaming around on his own.”

In spite of her effort, her heart pumps harder, and her voice raises. “He’s just my nephew, his nanny was running late so I had no other choice but to bring him here. And your rule is stupid! Millions of workers that come to work with their children, did it make their work any harder? Why are you so....” She allowed the words to hang and let out a sigh, staring deeply at him. 

“Mr. Grayson... he’s gone now. And I will not make the same mistake again, I promise.” She reached out to touch his arm, but he pulls away from her and began to pace. “That’s not the point, Ms. Jonathan. No one dares break my rules especially this particular one. You've crossed the line. And whoever breaks any of my rules, especially this one, he gets sacked! But you... I... can’t...” He sighed, running his hand through his hair. Obviously frustrated. Like something was triggered. 

“You won't fire me?” 

“Of course I won’t! What, you think I'm a heartless monster? Maybe the rule was too harsh.” She could see it in his eyes. Afraid, hurt, and devastated, yet he refuses to open up. There was something he wasn't saying. “What? No! I don't think you're heartless. If anything, you have too much heart. That’s why you're getting so worked up over nothing.”

“Nothing?” He clamoured at her, moving towards her again. “Yes, you just need to find a different outlet for all that... trust.” Ethan steps closer, his gaze traveling over her face, lingering on her lips. “What are you proposing?” He inquired, dangerously standing too close to her. Their lips inches away. Her breath catches in her throat. Her gaze wanders to his lips just inches away. The heat between her intensifies, even without touching, and she could feel the magnetic pull towards his body....

Isabella stared at his lips, begging her to kiss it...

She slinks her fingers around Ethan’s neck, drawing his lips to hers in a kiss that starts long and deep, as if she has already been kissing for hours. As if she could barely stand to just kiss anymore. His arms wrap around her and pulled her closer, his touch like a wildfire under her clothes. She felt like she has to strip down or she would spontaneously combust... 

Her fingers thread through his hair as their lips part, tongue tangling with his... until he suddenly pulls away and steps back, chest heaving. “Isabella...” He called out, feeling aroused. “Don’t talk... just feel.” She stepped closer, feeling reckless and alive. Planting her hands on Ethan’s shoulders, she walked him swiftly back against the desk until his hips were pressed between it... and her. 

“What are you doing, Isabella?” She tranced her finger on his blazer. “Just learning all the ins and outs of my boss. That’s what you want me to do, right?” She runs her hands down Ethan’s body, relishing the way he breaths and the fire in his eyes. As her hands snake lower, she feels how much he wants her through his clothes. They're welded to each other in the embrace for a minute or two before Ethan suddenly pulls away, disheveled and confused. “We can't do this.”

Taking Ethan’s hand, she delicately kisses a finger, skimming her tongue over the tip. “Isabella...” He couldn't handle the pressure. 

“If that’s not what you want... tell me to go back to my office and continue with my paper work. Tell me not to think of you all day and fall for you. Tell me not to touch myself, thinking of you...” Ethan groans, collapsing against her and ravaging her mouth with his. His tongue dances with hers, pressing himself closer against her body. When he finally pulls away, she's dizzy and drunk on his manly scent. 

“Just say it, Mr. Grayson. I want to hear it. I want to hear you say how much you want me.” Ethan’s lust-fogged eyes roves over her, he bites his lips, shaking his head with chagrin. “I want you.” He dared say it. 

“How badly?” 

“So badly that being this close to you makes me feel like an animal.” She strokes a finger over Ethan’s chest, not stopping until she tug his chin towards her. “An animal? You? I doubt that.” She spoke, smiling like a Cheshire Cat. “You have no idea.” 

Her lips find his ear, her words moaning with desire. “Then show me.” She leaned in for another kiss, but in Ethan’s arms, she felt overheated and overdressed. Swallowing hard with trembling hands, she gripped Ethan’s shirt and tug it loose. Ethan gulps as she pushes his blazer off his shoulders, revealing his well built body. “Careful. If we keep going, I don't know what might happen next.”

“Me either. This thing is...” She ran her hands under his open shirt, closing her eyes to savour the smoothness of his skin. His muscles flex beneath her touch, and a shiver ripples through his body. “I don't care.” She mutters.

“Damnit, Isabella... I really want to touch you too.” He planted soft kisses on her neck as she run her fingers through his hair and moan. The sound of a cell phone ringing breaks through the fog. “Crap,” she murmured. The two of them spring apart and quickly adjusted their clothes and hair.

He walks over to the desk to check the number and grimaced. “I have to take this,” he spoke dismally and sighed. His body language was tense as he reached for the phone. Just before he grabs it, she managed to make out the name flashing on the screen.... Madelyn Jason.

‘Right, his fiancee.’ She mused to herself. Ethan crossed the office towards his private room to take the call. His back turned on her. “Can we talk when you get back?”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” 

“Mr. Grayson, don't say that. You can't just--” 

“Get back to work, Ms. Jonathan!” He spoke in a stern tone. She sighed and stepped out of the office as he entered his private room. ‘I am in deep trouble.’