After checking with him, his secretary led me to his office and soon, I was inside. This should be the hardest thing I've ever had to do. To maintain composure after seeing Shawn’s face for the first time in six years.
I knew if I had a gun at the moment, I wouldn't have hesitated to use it.“Good day, Mr. Donnelly.” I reprimanded myself and forced a professional smile on my face as our gazes interlocked.Shawn’s face was bland. His expression was numb as though he had just seen a ghost. I noticed how mature his face was now. His facial features were sharper. His jawline was more defined and his cheekbones were more central. I could remember his eyes were once bright blue but now, they were close to steely grey. His blonde hair remained the same though.Even if I hated to admit it, Shawn was more handsome now.“C — Calista?” He stuttered and my legs wobbled in response.I had to maintain my stamina and composure. I knew there was a chance he’d recognize me but since that unfortunate night we shared was the closest he’d been to me, I thought he might have forgotten what I looked like.Not to mention the surgery I've got done for my face and the new hairstyle and color.Pretentiously, I strained my neck to the back. “We are both the only ones here, Mr. Donnelly.” I pointed out as though I was trying to find the Calista he just mentioned.Shawn was obviously too stunned to be rational. “I mean — I — erhm… you look so much like someone I used to know.” He managed to say.“Oh, I get that a lot.” I shrugged, suppressing the urge to break his head with the flower vase sitting on his office shelf.Shawn began to nod. The fact that he still remembered Calista even when I was looking way different and better now spoke volumes.“Oh, I see. I guess I have to apologize then. Please, do have your seat.” He cheesily chuckled and gestured for me to sit.I did but my heart was racing fast. I would have to tolerate him for months and this was just the first meeting. My irritation for him grew when he smiled at me.“I’m guessing you are —” He trailed off, trying to find my name in one of the documents in front of him but only ended up throwing the whole thing on the floor.I stood immediately to help him pick them up as he relentlessly muttered, “I’m so sorry. I promise I'm not always this clumsy. Your face just happens to remind me of an awful phase of my past.”Accidentally, he had also bent to pick up the files, and our hands brushed against each other. I felt my heart jump in my mouth. How that slight contact could cause me to freeze was proof that I was not close to getting over the past.Maybe when I have my revenge, I will finally be free from it.I sharply stood up to break the short trance we both just had. “Here you go, sir.” I chuckled and politely kept the files on his table.Clearing his throat, “I’m sorry once again. Trust me when I say I'm not always this clumsy.”“Oh, it's fine, sir.” I shrugged it off. I had to regard him with respect since he was the CEO after all. “Mr. Smith wanted me to give this to you. It contains the highlights of the proposal we've previously submitted.” I got down to business.My heart was thumping too hard, leaving me to want to escape this as fast as I could.Shawn picked it up. “Oh, thank you, Mrs…?”“No, sir, it's just Miss. I am Serenity Fairchild.” I corrected.There was a pause. I could tell he was trying to chastise himself to see me as Serenity Fairchild and not Calista Whitaker.He nodded. “Alright, Ms. Fairchild. Also, it's just Shawn, not Sir.”What the?!This was just his first meeting with Serenity and he already wanted me to call him by his first name. Was he still this much of a flirt?This would make my revenge easier. To know that he was still an asshole was a fuel.“Oh, please, Mr. Donnelly. You are a client. My boss wouldn't appreciate it when he heard I was being unpolite enough to call the client by his first name.”“Then, it’ll be our little secret.”I thought during my research, it was said that the CEO doesn't accommodate women well. Why was Shawn acting the opposite? Was the news a lie?As if he could read my mind, “I don't think much of women, you need to know. However, you look so much like an old friend of mine. She just earns you a place in my heart.” He beamed.“Is it the Calista you just mentioned?” I tilted my head and asked.He nodded. “Yes. It's her. I’d rather not speak about her right now, so let's just get down to business.”“Right. The file I submitted to you just now contains the final draft of our proposal. The moment you are done scrutinizing it and are cool with it, we can commence with the construction immediately.” I explained.To my utmost surprise, “Oh, you are the architect Mr. Smith spoke to me about. The one who will be in charge of the project?” He asked with a bright face.“Yes, sir — sorry, Mr. Donnelly, I am.”“Then, I'm cool with rundown. Everything.” He declared without even taking a look at the file.Even after six years, Shawn was still a Cassanova. It would only make penetrating him easier. Oh, I have plans for him. Plans that would ruin him beyond repair.I smiled at him but heaven knows it was a cynical one. “Alright then, Mr. Donnelly. I guess we’ll be meeting at the site tomorrow. Will you be arriving after all of our materials are moved or before?” I asked.“You look like someone who knows exactly what she's doing, so I'll trust you, Ms. Fairchild. I will arrive after the materials are moved to see for myself if everything is intact. I like to be precise.” Shawn stated with a professional lilt in his tone. Look at him acting like he's not so rotten on the inside; I grimaced to myself but played along anyway. “I’m honored to have your trust, Mr. Donnelly. You won't regret it. Guess I'll see you tomorrow then.” I extended my right hand in the initiation of a handshake.He stared at my hand for a split second before taking it. I could tell that he was battling something inside. Probably the guilt of his past misdeeds. Although I do not look like the old me, I was glad he was able to pick on Calista’s face on mine.It meant every time
“I saw the house burn down the next time you entered the kitchen and tried to commit this grave crime of cooking!” I snorted, catching Alice off guard.Though flabbergasted, she chuckled and then gave me a pet Pat. “Why you!” Another chuckle. “It can't be that bad. I need a few more practices and then, I'm good. By the way…” She waved her hand. “How was the meeting?”For a while there, I forgot all about Shawn and my worries but now, they came rushing back. “For starters, I’d say fine.” I shrugged.“But then why did your countenance suddenly turn ugly?” Alice wasn't convinced.My chest had begun to tighten again. “Nothing, Alice. I just need a refreshing bath.” I replied, walking out of the kitchen.“And some finely cooked Lasagnas!” Alice called behind me and I couldn't help but smile again.She was just a sweetheart. Her husband sure was damn lucky. However — men? I bet he’d still cheat on her if he could.I entered my room. It was not so big but manageable room that Alice and Bill,
I had to wake up very early the next morning since it was the first day of the construction. I needed to give the right impression.First impressions matter.It wasn't just to Shawn but also the entire board of directors. This was like a way of buying their favors and being in their good books. A promotion awaits me in our company when I successfully carry out this project.Alice was still sleeping and so, I moved swiftly and silently as I made myself a whole-grain toast with avocado spread. I brewed a cup of coffee too as I slept late last night, working and had few hours of sleep.After consuming my brief breakfast, I dropped a note for Alice to inform her that I left for work already. Girl’s heavily pregnant and needs as much rest as she could get.I drove my car out of the garage and then, out of the house. Danileigh’s ‘The Plan’ was a little above the average volume as I vibed and sang along. Music and singing even if I got the words all wrong helps keep my spirit alive...I arr
SHAWN DONNELLY~~He hated to get up this early. It was no doubt that the Shawn of his childhood was more mature now. He had shed a lot of his recklessness but somehow, old habits don't entirely die.If at all they’d entirely elude him, it takes time and process. And — he had been working a lot on that. Lots of processes have been yielding fruits in all sincerity.He was able to make it to the top with a little sprinkle of his old bad-boy attitude and a lot of his newly found reserve and knowledge. He knew he had to change — not after his family nearly disowned him after that incident six years ago.That incident took a lot of his spirit away. He almost committed suicide out of guilt. He has had sleepless nights and restless days for more than a year.Once, he went for confession at the chapel and the priest told him this...“You have committed the sin, brother but you have suffered for it with guilt. Your Punishment is the memories that linger to haunt you but your salvation lies in
Shawn and his secretary strode outside where they met Landers, his driver who was already ready with the car.“Good morning, Mr. Donnelly!” Landers called the moment he sighted them.The other workers had also bowed their heads in respect at him. Shawn waved at them. As he goes nearer to Landers, “Morning, Landers. We are not going to the office today but to the new site.” He provided as the man rushed to get the car’s passenger door for him. “Good morning, Mr. Landers.” He heard Gia chirping in a greeting at Mr. Landers as she sat beside him in the front seat.“Good morning, Ms. Gina. Looking radiant as always.” Landers returned Gina’s greeting with a compliment as usual.Landers was king of throwing compliments here and there. Although Gina did look radiant but, to Shawn, Gina always did too much to improve her appearance. Like the excessive makeup always plastered on her round face and the heavy earrings amongst others.However, her professionalism has prompted their working togeth
He got seated beside her with Gina standing a few meters away and Landers returning to the car. “I see you aren't wasting time at all.” He commented as he allowed his eyes to scrutinize the view behind his dark-shaded glasses. He probably looked like a first-grade robber right now. He took the damn face mask off. The air couldn't be that bad. The moment the dust-filled breeze blew to him, he suddenly realized Mr. Jacob had complimented him even after not seeing his face.He was right; ‘believable flatters’.Serenity’s reply was prompt as usual. “The earlier the better.” She sighed, using his previous line.That – was humorous. He chuckled. “Good one. That's a good one.” He couldn't help but commend her brain. “You are doing a good job.” He added after his laugh subsidized.He meant it too. “I’m glad you think so highly of me from the first day, Mr. Donnelly. My boss will be happy to hear it.” She replied, maintaining the professional composure. She makes everything about work! Well
Calista’s parents. He hired a private detective to find them the moment Serenity showed her face and left him restless as a result. He just hadn't been able to sleep well because of that sole face.Once Calista’s parents are found, he’ll proceed to locate Calista through them. If it meant peeping into their personal life and monitoring their phone calls, he would do it. It was illegal but sometimes, money is above the law.“Here is the logbook anyway.” Serenity handed him the book, returning the conversation to its previous discourse.He took it from her and opened its cover. “Yes. It's right about time to be serious.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “I only have an hour and a half left before the meeting back in the office.” He muttered that mostly to himself.“The materials and equipment are ready, Mr. Donnelly. Tomorrow, we will begin with the practical work. The workers are only setting everything in place now so that we can commence construction instantly without distractions. We w
CALISTA [SERENITY]~~He winked at me.Holy freaking hell! Shawn was still a scum. Keeping myself in check all through the discussion was more than difficult. How he could be so comfortable flirting with her when it was only our second meeting was both disgusting and appalling to me.At some point, I felt like snatching the shovel from one of the workers and shoveling sense into him. Then, at some point, he mentioned Calista.Then, my heart skipped. The memories came back flashing across my mind. I wanted to tear up. Hell, I’d forever be disturbed by that awful phase of my life.My nudes going viral, gaining likes, and awful comments. How the entire neighborhood stigmatized me, not to mention when I ran insane and had to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital.This man right here showed me hell, and he dared to even flirt with me. To seek redemption in a cat. CoCo?When I eventually visit him, I’ll make sure to poison his CoCo’s milk. I would get closer to him, and from the inside, I wo