4

Isabella watched as Ethan’s fiancee wanders into the cafeteria like she owns the place. “Uhh..” Isabella stutters shoving her fur coat out of her sight. “I'm Madelyn Jason, Jason industries, I'm sure you've heard of that. And as the new cleaner, you'll probably be seeing me here a lot and--”

“I’m not a cleaner. I am Isabella Jonathan, the new supervisor.” Isabella corrected her, assuming Madelyn doesn't know her. But did she really looked like a cleaner? “Oh. Well, in any case...” She gave Isabella a meaningful look, clearly expecting her to step out of her way. “It’s weird that no one invited you to Mr. Grayson’s birthday dinner, not even him.” 

“I’m sure he would've invited me over if he knew I was back in town, isn't that right sugar bear?” She went in to hug him but he stopped her, clearly annoyed that she decided to show up unannounced. “Madelyn, what are you doing here?” She rolled her eyes and still hugged him. “Happy birthday, sugar bear!” She planted a kiss on his cheek, then offers him a blue box. 

“Suashish Necktie? Thank you, it’s wonderful.” He closed the box and handed it to Tyler. 

‘He already has like a thousand of that.’ Isabella mused to herself. Does Madelyn even know anything that he likes? Isabella couldn’t help but roll her eyes in annoyance. “Aw, Linda I see you're still here. Good to see you still holding on to your job.” Lily felt the urge to roll her eyes. “My name is lily, not Linda. And yes, I just got a promotion recently,” lily proudly spoke. Madelyn shoots her a glare, then shrugs it off and moves to sit in the open chair, Isabella’s chair when she notices her still standing there. “Well aren't you going to clear up the tables? Where are the rest of the cleaner?” Madelyn dared to ask her. Isabella cleared her throat, audibly annoyed. “Like I told you before, I am not the cleaner. And even if I was, that’s not how you speak to other people.” Isabella clamored, annoyed that her boss allowed his fiancee to say those kind of words to her. 

“Funny! If you're not going to clean up, then you're dismissed, all of you.” She then turns her attention to Ethan, “sugar bear, I'd like to speak to you in private.”

“Madelyn, you can’t just--”

“Oh, Ethan, you'll never guess who I encountered with on the first class!”

“.. Talk to...”

“Elizabeth Mathew! Can you believe that? Now there’s a style icon. she....” Ethan tries to cut in again, but Madelyn talks right over him, yet again. He shoots Isabella an apologetic look. Everyone starts to pack their things to leave. 

He can't just sit there and let Madelyn talk to her that way. Madelyn still blabbering as Isabella launches towards the door. She returns to her office and plop onto her office chair, still not sure of what just happened.  She fetches her phone to text the one person she knows that'll understand. 

‘You can’t believe who just crashed the party. Madelyn!’-Isabella 

‘What?!!’-Hannah. 

‘She dropped in unannounced, uninvited to Ethan’s birthday dinner. She's so terrible, you should've seen the way she was treating everyone. Like she's the boss. She literally called me a cleaner!’-Isabella.

‘No she didn't! Gross! What did Ethan say?’- Hannah. 

‘Nothing! Absolutely nothing!’-Isabella. 

‘Huh? Excuse me!’-Hannah. 

‘He tried to... but not hard enough.’-Isabella. 

‘Seriously. What the hell?!’-Hannah. 

A knock on the door pries her away from the phone screen. “If that’s Madelyn with another dry cleaning or something, I swear I might end up smacking her on the face!” Isabella murmured, marching towards the door. She opens the door to find him standing there, looking helpless, and yet somehow, still incredibly sexy. “Isabella.” 

“Mr. Grayson, is everything okay?” She inquires trying to get her mind off jumping on top of him. “Can we talk? Madelyn is gone, everyone left. I knew you'd still be around.” He spoke tiredly. Isabella felt sorry for him, but it wasn't enough to forgive him. “I was about leaving, actually.”

He heaved a sigh rubbing his temple. “It won't take long, I need to apologize for what just happened.” Ethan massages his neck tenderly and releases another heavy sigh. Her hands itch to help him relieve some of that tension, to stroke him, to touch him... “please. I don't like how we left things back there.” His gaze meets hers, pleading with her. 

After a lingering look, she step back and gave him space to enter her office. She closed the door behind him and turned, gasping softly when she finds him dangerously close. “I’m so sorry, Isabella. I never should've let Madelyn talk to you that way. I should've been more insistent that she stop immediately, instead of trying to wait for an opening.” Ethan reaches out and places his hands over her shoulders. She tensed, wanting him to touch her, yet leave her alone all at once. 

“Mr. Grayson...”

“Ethan, call me Ethan... when we're alone.” He stared at her with pleading eyes. She heaved a sigh. “Ethan, why didn't you stop her right away?”

“I didn’t want to cause a commotion in front of the employees. But that’s no excuse. Especially since Madelyn ended up doing that anyway.”

“She made me feel like I wasn't even there.” Ethan gave her a soft look, feeling remorseful. “I told her that was completely unacceptable as soon as everyone left.” Despite everything, a smile tugs at the corner of her mouth at his soft words. She meets Ethan’s gaze, and feel herself start to thaw a bit. His hands slip away from her shoulders, causing her to shiver as they go. “Okay, I forgive you. Because you make it hard to stay mad at you.”

He smiled brightly, almost too much. “Good.” Isabella scoffed. “Its not the same as an apology from her, though. Also, why isn't she here, talking to me herself? Is she too good to apologize to ‘the cleaner’?” 

“I told her to leave. I just wanted to enjoy... what was left of my birthday. Everything had been so perfect, until she showed up.” Ethan closes his eyes and rubs his neck with a pained expression. “I just got this knots out and they’re already back.” Almost not realising, she steps forwards and offer. “Maybe I can do something about that for you.”

She moves behind him and slip her palms over his shoulders, digging her thumbs into the tense muscles. He groans softly. “Ohmygod! That feels.... So good.... But you've already done more than enough, Ms. Jonathan.”

“Please, call me Isabella.... When we’re alone.” She whispers from behind making him to shiver. Her lips finds his ear, speaking just above a whisper. “Tell me where it hurts.”

“A little higher.... Almost... ah, yesss!” Her thumbs dig into his back, and she feels himself melt into her touch. “Your shirt is interrupting.” Ethan swallows and turns, giving her a long look before obeying. She can't help but wonder what he's thinking.... But then Ethan flicks open the buttons on his shirt and shrugs it off his shoulders. All her thoughts disappeared as he tosses the shirt to the side. 

She braces her palms against his shoulders and work on the stiff muscles, relishing her chance to touch him. “You sure know how to make a man feel... ohh...” She flashes him a smile. “I’m a woman of many talents.” He raises a brow, beaming at her. “I've noticed that since day one. I suppose that is another reason why I couldn't stand Madelyn treating you that way.” Isabella sighed, stroking his bare chest with her fingers. “We do not have to talk about it. I mean, you're right, it was messed up, but birthday law mandates we pause that conversation and focus on the birthday boy.”

“You're too good to me, Isabella. Despite the fact that I was being a jerk to you. I don't know why I trust you... so much.” She puts a finger on his lips and shook her head. Her hands travel up his neck and into his soft hair, tenderly drawing her fingers along his scalp as he groans. “Is this okay?” She whispered in his ear and kissed it. “Isabella...” He shifts under her kiss. “Yes, I just feel restless...”

“I understand what you mean.” Ethan twists to face her, and suddenly, she's gazing directly into his eyes. She skims her fingers along his jaw, drawing him closer. “So.. when do I get my own massage?” He reached for her, his eyes darkening with desire. “Isabella, I--” 

“Ms. Jonathan... oh Isabella, are you in there? Do you still need a ride home? I see it’s getting late.” Startled back into reality by Olivia’s voice from the door, they jump to put some space between them. “Sounds like I have to go.” She whispers, feeling nervous all of a sudden. Ethan nodded, eyes still locked on hers. Finally, he pulls his shirt back on. “I'll be right there, Olivia.” Isabella speaks back. She heaved a sigh when Olivia walks away. 

The next morning, Isabella was doing some paper work in Mr. Grayson’s office when Madelyn walks in. She clears her throat, staring at absent minded Isabella. She snaps her head up to look at Madelyn. “Madelyn, I didn't hear you come in. If you're looking for Mr. Grayson, he’s in a meeting. But he’ll be--”

“I know, I'm not here for him.” Madelyn flashes her a nonchalant smile and settled down on his office chair. “And don't think I forgot about you, Isabella. You get to spend the day helping Liam plan the engagement party.” Isabella snaps her head up at Madelyn to make sure she was talking to her. Isabella pointed at herself. “Me? What...”

“That’s exactly right, my dear. Sugar bear and I are going to make our official debut to the world as an engaged couple. And we need you to make sure everything is just right for the party.”

“Hell no. I literally can't think of anything I’d rather do less. Plus, I have tons of work to do.” Isabella fixed her eyes back on the file she was reading. “That’s cute! But, unfortunately, Ethan loved my idea, and since he's your boss...”

Isabella groans, trying to keep her calm. “You have got to be freaking kidding me!”

After lots of argument with Madelyn, Isabella heads out to meet Liam at the lobby. “Isabella, it’s delightful to see you again.” He flashes her a smile. “Hey, Liam it’s good to see you too. If we’re gonna have to plan a fancy party, at least we can have a little fun doing it!” 

Liam chuckles softly, “you took the words right out of my mouth.” 

“Usually, I have to do all the party planning by myself, which leaves me drowning in caterers and decorations... but now we can drown together.” He gave her a charming smile. “You're not really trying to sell this, huh?”

“Come on, Isabel, I thought we could be honest with each other. Lets go get our hands dirty.” He leads her into his office and the two of them got to work immediately. “Here are Madelyn’s lists for us...” Isabella took the list and examined it. “Hmm, that’s not so bad.” Then he hands her more papers. “Wait, seriously?” Then a whole box of them. “Okay, you have got to be kidding me! Please tell me this is some sort of sick joke.” Isabella lamented, looking at the pile of lists. 

Liam raises his shoulders. “Even I am not this funny.  I don't know why she bothers asking for help if she's going to micromanage like this.”

“Deserts... decorations, do’s and don'ts’. Party games that highlight not only Jasons and Graysons as companies, but also as a couple. Wow, okay! Damn... there is something seriously wrong with her. When did she even have time to do all this?” Liam chuckles, writing down some things on a paper. “well... I am pretty sure zombies don't sleep. Let’s start with the appetisers.” He passes her yet another list. 

A few hours later, Liam hangs up the phone after bargaining with an antiques dealer over the chandelier Madelyn apparently has to have at the party. “I think that’s everything. Care for a drink?” Isabella grins as Liam moves to the cart in the corner of his office, casually pouring two glasses. 

“I have to admit, I'm pretty impressed by the way you tackled everything. When we first met, I figured you were...” He cuts in, smiling. “Just a party boy?” She giggles. “Can you blame me?”

“I know Ethan introduced me as his assistant, but my actual title is chief operating officer, it’s a little more complicated than taking messages and scheduling meetings. There are days Ethan and I don't even see each other. Or our father, for that matter.”

“‘Our father?’ I thought you were just unofficial siblings.”

“Yes well, you see, when his parents got divorced. My father married his mother. We went to middle school and high school together.” Liam takes another sip of his drink, trying to avoid her judgmental look. “I know he always looks grumpy and arrogant. But he always had everything handed to him growing up. No questions asked... the important job, the sexy ladies, fancy cars, fancy fiancee... well it’s his father’s assets anyways... I've had to work for everything, and its still not enough. I'm right behind him though. Why? Cause my father is a nobody. Ethan’s parents has all the money.”

“Do I sense a little sibling rivalry here?” Isabella teased him. “Of course not. I wouldn't be here at all if it weren’t for him. His father’s assets remember? It’s a great honour for me to be part of Grayson Enterprises.” He then sighs... “It’s just too bad Ethan and Madelyn... never mind.” He looks away and swiftly gulps down his drink. She so badly wanted him to finish what he had in mind but she doesn't want to seem so nosy in their affairs. 

At the last minute, she loses he nerves and ask about the first thing to pop into her mind. “Uh, you’re sure this RSVP list is accurate?” 

“You want to ask me about the invitations right now? That’s cute, Isabel. And yes, it’s accurate. I'm literally betting my life on it, cause Madelyn will end me if it’s not.” Isabella nods, smiling. “Good to know.” Liam gives her a funny look, but thankfully, he seems to let it go. “Did I tell you the time I accidentally spilled drink on Madelyn? She almost chopped of my head. You should've seen the look on her face, shit face.” He made a funny face. Isabella giggled, accidentally dribbling some of her drink onto her top. “Oh crap!”

“Uh, here, let me help with that.” Liam scrambles up to grab some napkins. “I know how this sounds, but that stain is less likely to set if you take your top off...”

Isabella shakes her head in disbelief. “Nice try, Liam but you're not getting me out of my clothes that easily.” He smiles, leaning close and carefully dabbing at the stain. “Hey, you can't blame a guy for trying.” 

“A-hem!” She gasps as Ethan steps into the office, staring down his brother whose hand was still on her breast. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” The look on his pissed face was enough to tell her she was in trouble. Isabella sprints up. “Mr. Grayson!”