EMBER
Fired?Did she even hear it right?What was going on?Selene smirked a little as she snatched back her purse from Ember's and started walking away. The man's ocean blue eyes lingered on hers with a slight frown before he started walking away as well. She stood there, dumbstruck.He had to be the CEO. No one else would have that authority. He was.. none other than.. Zaire Langston Hughes, the CEO and founder of Sarte group of companies. From what Ember had researched about him, she knew he belonged to a rich and well known family but he has built the company Sarte with his own hardwork and money.His family had no contribution to his success, he was a known one man army, one of the youngest billionaires and business tycoon. But she never saw his face before. There was too little about his appearance on the internet, he seemed like the type to love his privacy.But she snapped back from her thoughts and she bolted towards him. She couldn't let her dream be shattered before it even started."Sir.. I'm new here so I had no idea of how things work here. I'm sorry to say no. I'll gladly do it, please don't fire me," she said, speaking rapidly till she gets his attention. Selene had walked away already but there was nothing that was making Zaire look up at Ember. "Sir.. listen to me please!"The elevator door closed but she didn't dare step inside with him. So she hurried to the stairs, running and gasping for air. She climbed and climbed at her full speed, checking each floor to spot him until she found him on the 10th floor. She ran again."Sir.. Mr Langston, please I'm begging you," she said after she blocked her way, finally making him notice her. "I don't know how things work around here, I really didn't know.""Some things never change, it seems," He was a little taken aback to see her but it lasted 2 seconds. He had a cynical look on his face. "It's so disappointing to see I hired a total pushover.""That's not me, sir. I just know how to apologise for my mistakes," she said, firmly, but that only made him scoff."You consider it as your mistake when I was being unfair. You just held up your naive personality to me in just two sentences. That's all I had to know," He said with a demeaning look moments before he turned and entered one of the rooms.Ember realised it was a conference room. Her back rested against the wall, her mind going blank. There was no way she lost her job that quick. She was just about to peek inside when-"You.. oh! You must be the new hire, right? Why are you outside? Come!" A tall guy with curly hair and an oversized suit, stood in front of Ember with a friendly grin."Wait, I'm not fired?" Ember asked."Don't be silly," He casually slung his arm over her shoulder and dragged her inside the room even if she was confused."Listen up everyone!" He made the announcement as everyone turned to look at them. Except one.Ember stared straight ahead but her eyes slipped to him, he sat at one of the seats of the conference table, focused eyes set on the binder in front of him."Not now," the CEO said, authority filling the air."It'll take two minutes!" The man said, but when Zaire looked up at him, he went quiet."You're interrupting, Jameson," his voice was more stern, his eyes cold. Jameson backed off immediately, scooting back to Ember with a defeated look."We'll do the introduction later," he whispered to her, a little embarrassed. "Sorry about that, he's always in a mood. No one has ever seen him smile, you can probably tell."Zaire looked up and immediately met her eyes. Even for that split second, she felt sparks shooting up her spine. But he looked away again, unamused. He must've bluffed about actually firing her.She sat down as directed with the other employees."Let's discuss the extensive details then," someone at the conference table said. They all were just about to start when-"No," Zaire said even if the meeting just started. Everyone obeyed. "We'll wrap up.""Alright then. Charles, bring those PCR files to me by noon," Jameson said. From what she heard, he was the president of the company.When she looked back up, Zaire was staring right at her with a blank expression. She froze. Then he stood up, and everyone did too after him."Results by 2, in my cabin. If you're late, you're fired," he ordered, looking at no one in particular. Everyone stayed quiet and obeyed. But then his eyes trailed back to Ember, the same unpredictable gaze. "And you, follow me."Ember's heart flipped at his words. Would he finally fire her? What was he thinking?~Ember was following behind, watching him strut down the hallway so elegant yet casually.His head was held high, his shoulders broader and his suit not even able to hide his defined muscles. His jet-black hair was slicked back to perfection. Something in the way he tucked his hands into his pockets made her breath hitch. For some reason, he looked so different yet so familiar.She pushed open the door. He was already seated, still not looking at her. She entered and stood right before his desk, almost pulsating."G-good morning, sir. I am Ember Ca-""I know. I hired you," he said, not looking up. She sealed her mouth shut."Yes," she muttered, taking his ignorance into consideration while she pulled on the chair of his desk and sat down."Remind me, Ms Campbell," Zaire took a deep breath and leaned in a little, cynical eyes focused on her."What sir?""Remind me when exactly did I ask you to sit," he said, and immediately, Ember hurried out of the chair and stood straight."Sorry," she murmured."Louder," he said."Sorry, sir!" She said, like she had run out of breath already."You'll be in your trial period for two weeks. Collect your ID from the HR," he spoke quickly, leaving no space for anything unnecessary. Like he was least interested. Ember was taken aback because she thought he'd say something about what happened before. "Leave.""Huh?" She choked out. He raised an eyebrow at her. "I mean.. that's it?"He nodded, looking back down."You have nothing else to say..?" Ember took another chance. She just wanted to make sure he wasn't mad at her.He looked up at her for a brief moment as he took in her features, then he looked away quickly."No. Leave." He said coldly. He was a hardened shell.The seed of doubt spread in her mind, what if she was misunderstanding? Why did he seem so familiar?~After she went home that day, she cracked open a beer to celebrate in her empty apartment. The day she chose to be rebellious and go her own way, her parents made sure they had nothing to do with her. So she left, she chose her own way.But when her eyes closed hazily, all she could think about was that night, 6 years ago. And the way that stranger stripped her off of all she was ever afraid of. She didn't know why she suddenly felt upset.On the other hand, her eyes were always alerted for her CEO. She didn't know why, she found herself looking for him.Ember rarely saw Zaire around the office. And whenever he was around, he wouldn't even spare her a moment of attention. He would be aloof and stern, in his zone.But that man was a nightmare. People shivered to the core when he was around but the woman in the office would die for just that one look.Ember knew all that stories of him being straight up cruel to people who made mistakes. He could make people cry with just the coldness in his eyes."He's devilish but his actions speak louder. His talent and work ethics are the reason we've climbed up this far," Charles, the managing director, had said with a smile. It sounded like he had really given his all.Ember stepped into the lift, her head caught up with thoughts. It was only her fourth day and her workload was less but from the looks of it, it wasn't going to stay that way. The lift door was just about to close when she spotted someone just outside, so she pressed the button. The door opened again, making regret wash over Ember's face. Zaire Langston Hughes.He entered the lift, totally unfazed by her presence, unlike Ember. She had already started breathing hard, hitched. Poised like he was, he stood at the opposite side, his eyes straight ahead."G-good morning," she said, rather reluctant but she was expected to do that. He just ignored, making her feel guilty for even opening her mouth. He was too guarded, too uptight that even normal human emotions felt alien if he showed it. Ember could bet on a thousand bucks, no one in the building has even seen him smile.Both of them were headed to a meeting on the 12th floor. Ember was hoping the painful silence would end but the lift door never opened. Her eyes snapped up and fell on the blank screen of the lift. It wasn't even showing numbers. She pressed the open button, but nothing happened. She looked to her side with plain horror on her face.There was no way that the lift broke down and now, she was stuck with him. The man who still didn't bat an eye even after Ember successfully freaked out silently while pressing the buttons rapidly."Do.. do something! It's not moving! We're stuck!" Ember almost yelled, rattling the door and calling out for security. It wasn't because she thought they'd never get out, it was because she could feel the air tightening around her throat.She was claustrophobic. She started pacing around, her breath growing shallow every second. She felt all alone, whispering and muttering to herself. She was just about to stumble on her feet when she felt a firm grip on her wrist. With that, she was pulled into him. Zaire stood in front of her, his eyes looking down at her.He placed a hand behind her head and slowly made it rest on his chest, slightly pressing her to himself. His arm wrapped around her back, his hold strong against her increasing heart rate.No explanations. No words. He started gently stroking her head, her face buried against his chest. She was shivering, her body reacting differently than just the claustrophobia. Like her mind had already started to forget what situation she was in."Calm down," he whispered against her ears, with the same voice she had heard that night years ago. Her heart sped up, but the reason was completely different this time.It was because of the man whose arms she was tangled in.EMBER"Calm down," he said. But did he have any idea what he was doing to her? "Take a deep breath."His tight grip around her body, his fingers brushing through her hair, and his warm breath against her skin. Her breath was caught, the tingles taking over her body. She felt her knees going weak so she clutched her hands tightly on his shirt and hung closer, her face turning to bury on his chest. She knew she was calming down. She couldn't even bear to look at him with her face burning red. Suddenly, the elevator thudded and a shrill noise played. It had cleared up, it wasn't stuck anymore. But before Ember could realize it, Zaire's grip loosened and he stepped back immediately, leaving her wanting his warmth back. He stood facing straight as he fixed his collar and grey suit. With just one run of his fingers through his hair, it was back to perfection, a single strand falling on his forehead majestically. She shook her head and positioned herself back to normal. Her mouth opened a
EMBERThe footsteps entered the room, making her heart threaten to leap out. She crawled into the little space under the desk and through the small gap, she peeked out. Zaire had entered the cabin, his pace neutral. She heard a ruffling noise of the papers as he lingered around the desk for some time. Ember's blood ran dry in fear of what would happen if he noticed that the file was missing. She held her breath, making sure to not make a single noise.He stopped for a minute, she couldn't see what he was doing. But then, he started walking towards the door, making Ember sigh with relief. But that was short-lived. Instead, she watched him close the door shut and lock it.Her heart sank as she watched him move towards the window, she heard him shut the drapes. He waited a moment before stepping close to the desk again. Ember held on for dear life."Come out, Ms. Campbell," he said with a calm tone that was scarier. Shivers ran through her body, it was one thing being caught, it was anot
EMBER It felt like Ember had stepped into her apartment after years. The day had been so hectic and.. confusing that she had no idea what to think anymore.She freshened up and ordered some pizza, setting up the couch with blankets and two wine glasses on the table. Ruby Reinhard, her best friend of 5 years, lived right next to her apartment. They usually had movie nights like that.But today, Ember doubted there would be any movie, she needed to let out a lot of her mind.Ruby arrived half an hour later with some food and wine, wrapping her in a hug first thing. That was the first time Ember had felt at ease the whole day."Loosen up, idiot. Mommy's here to solve all your problems like a fucking genie," Ruby chuckled. She helped herself inside, plopping on the couch with her head on the armrest. "What would I ever do without you?" Ember poured themselves some wine and the night started. She talked a lot, rambling and whining, while Ruby listened. But then, for the first time that da
EMBER"..It's late at night, your work is incomplete and you're past your deadline and yet, the only thing you can think about is kissing me. Even if you're fuming with anger at just the sight of me," his deep voice accompanied the depth in his gaze as he stared her up and down.Her breath caught, unable to make out words for a good minute before realization dawned on her. Him, being that close, wasn't helping at all. "Leave me alone," she whispered back, making him push back. He stood back straight, his eyes still on her. She had started despising his eyes on her because they seemed to uncover the truth behind all her thoughts.Like he knew her that well to see through her, to leave no room for mystery."So I'm right?" He smirked, knowing it would get to her and he was right. Ember stood up to face him."No.. please stop. I don't understand what you are trying to do but it's confusing me. Why are you tormenting me like that?" She confronted him, taking a step towards him, and anger s
EMBER "Ms. Campbell has secured a position here. She will be working as my personal assistant from tomorrow onwards," Zaire announced. The announcement created chaos in the conference room. They looked at each other with surprise as Ember sat tight, staring holes into Zaire but he refused to meet her gaze. He nodded to himself, knowing he had started a ruckus. But everyone looked more concerned about Mary who stood in the corner of the room, dumbfounded."She had been his personal assistant for the last three years, she was replaced just like that?" Someone murmured. The others joined in the gossip as Ember scanned Mary's shocked and betrayed face. Mary was always a kind and friendly person around the company and she worked closely with the CEO. It was a tough job but she handled it flawlessly. To think that Zaire could just switch her place like that seemed very out of place.". Mary Maloney will be promoted to the position of Chief Coordinator, the head of that department. Dismiss
EMBERIf Ember didn't find him unpredictable, she would've definitely categorised him as being mad. He looked mad, his body language screamed that out loud.He stood in front of her apartment, blowing the horn and staring right at her window till she notices. Ember gasped at that sight, mouth opening and closing with confusion. She had to stop him before people start complaining."That's him," she muttered, wide-eyed. "I have to go.""Wait.. who?" Ruby asked but Ember was long gone.She rushed down the stairs, in her pajamas and hair tied up in a bun with a distressed look on her face. What would bring Zaire to her house without any prior notice? When will she even be able to predict his next moves when he was always that strange? She prayed that it wasn't because she didn't let him drop her. Ember didn't know what to think as she rushed out of the building and only stopped when she reached him. Zaire's eyes shifted to Ember standing awkwardly at a distance and it trailed down her app
EMBERShe had made people look back at her, she was turning heads too. They walked inside the hall, through the crowd and into the event. Ember could feel her anxiety creep up but it didn't feel that hard to suppress. She looked around herself, beautiful women with gleaming dresses and painted smiles. She had never seen an atmosphere like that up close.The hall was huge and the chandelier reflected a bright pattern on the floor below that was also the dance floor for couples. The decore was golden and glass, it looked like anything but a business event. But she wasn't complaining. The only thing she couldn't wrap her head around was the man who stood beside her, talking to every other people and building bonds. She had almost heard him talk in at least 5 languages and won over whoever he talked to. He was so bold and confident, every demeanour left her staring. And not just her, every other girl in the room. They would kill to be in Ember's shoes at that moment, she could tell just
EMBER"Zaire Langston Hughes, the CEO of Sarte group, confirms dating rumours with the supermodel Selene Hudson."It felt like a joke. Like her eyes were tricking her into seeing things, that's how shocking it was for her. And it threw her down the spiral of denial immediately. "Hey.. you okay?" Ruby placed a hand on her shoulder, concerned. But Ember did not stop skimming through the internet for more and more news to show up. None of them defied what she had read in the title. The internet had blown up with the news, people acting like wishes had finally been heard.Ember placed the phone away, disappearing to her room. She stared into the mirror and focused on herself. It was still unsettling to think she was led on like that, for no reason, only to bring her to stand there contemplating everything. Zaire Langston Hughes was always someone with hidden behind his words and she always found it strange. But why her? Why would he pretend to be interested into a commoner like her only