I'm listening to the soft, sweet voice that escapes through Joane's mouth, filling the room with a gentle melody. As she speaks, I can't help but notice the familiarity in her tone—a voice that seems to echo a distant memory. Her words flow with ease, yet beneath her confident facade, I sense a hint of nervousness.
There's something Joane is hiding; I'm sure of it. Her words are measured, and her sentences are deliberate, as if she's guarding a secret she doesn't want me to uncover. Maybe I'm being paranoid, but the pitch of her voice is one I've heard before, and it's nagging at me, teasing my thoughts.
I haven't been acquainted with any red heads, as far as I can think, and no one I knew lived in Maple Hills. So why was she familiar to me?
I close my eyes for a mere second, trying to place where I've heard this voice before. Is it someone from my past—a voice I've encountered in the past—but where? Or perhaps it's a moment long forgotten, buried deep within my memories. The uncertainty gnaws at me, and I struggle to focus on the conversation.
As I watch Joane, her body language reveals more than her words. Her fingers fidget slightly, and her eyes dart around the room, betraying her discomfort. I wonder if I should confront her and ask her what she's hiding, but I hesitate, not wanting to break the delicate balance of the moment.
Instead, I let her speak, hoping that with time, the truth would reveal itself. My senses are heightened, and I remain vigilant, searching for any clue that might lead me to the answers I seek.
She puts down the paper and says,'' Well, I believe what's wrong is that in these paragraphs, the condition of the establishment is a bit too detailed; it can be said in 8 lines or so that the new building for Fynder Enterprises would be located in London, but the base building would be in New York.
'' All right, it looks like you do know a bit about fixing files. Anyway, get back to work now, though the files need to be done within two hours'' I replied coldly.
'' Sure, sir, I'll get that done'' with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Soon, she nodded and left.
I grabbed my phone and drew a number as I got up and walked over to the side near a window. "He, '' I need some urgent information on a woman named Joane Andrews. She is from Maple Hills and recently came to New York. I've already sent in all the details.''
'' Sure, boss, you will get that information in about three hours or so, '' the voice replied.
'' Good'' I replied and cut the call.
I walked out of the conference room and returned to my office. I sat back down on the chair and closed my eyes and thought.
My mind drifts back to Ruth, the memory of her on that motorcycle surfacing once again. The brief eye contact we shared haunts me, as I wonder if she recognized me. Would she acknowledge me if we crossed paths again? I can't shake the feeling of unease as I think about Miles and Ruth's apparent closeness. Is there something going on between them? The thought tenses the veins in my arms, and I find myself clenching my arm tightly.
Why do I feel this way? It's her life, not mine. I'm not supposed to care about her. In high school, she was nothing but trouble. I remember her first day—she acted like she owned the place. Maybe it was her energy that broke when I stood up to her. I can still see the tears in her wide, innocent eyes. My chest tightens at the thought.
Part of me wishes I could find her, talk to her, and apologize for the way things were back then. But maybe it's eight years too late. I should have made peace with this sooner. She's vanished from my life, slipping through the cracks of the city until Miles mentioned her name.
Another part of me believes it's best to focus on my work and forget about her. It's too late now, and there's no point in trying to apologize. She's nothing to me now; at least that's what I tell myself. Maybe it's better to let sleeping dogs lie and not stir up old emotions. I should focus on moving forward and not dwell on the past. She's a chapter of my life that has closed, and it's time to turn the page and start a new chapter. (I wish that was the case.)
Yet, these conflicting thoughts linger. The memories of Ruth tug at the corners of my mind, leaving me wondering whether our paths will ever cross again and what I'd do if they did.
God, the things that a woman can do to a man are indescribable. especially a woman whom you have hated. You despise that woman, but her body attracts the hell out of you—more magnetic than the strongest magnet present. It's a strange and powerful mix of emotions—feeling both repelled and drawn in by someone simultaneously. The internal conflict can be overwhelming, but also strangely intoxicating. My thoughts were rudely disturbed by three knocks on the door. ''Come in,'' I said, straightening my shoulders.
My eyes fell on Joane. '' Mr. Fynder, the files are done.'' she chirped with a soft smile.
'' Hm, are you sure these are fixed? Did you double-check them?" I asked as she handed me the files. I was a bit shocked, as they were done earlier. These were long files. impressed, but just a tad bit, but it still does not make up for the fact that she turned up late and dressed that low. The blazer does look good on her; it hugs around her waist nicely.
''Yes, sir, I did it twice'' she said, feeling proud of herself.
again, that similar tone in that voice.
''All right.'' I opened the left drawer of my desk and took out the tablet that held my schedule for the week. I handed it to her. '' Here is the schedule for this week, but you need to pick things up faster around here and know the details and dates for upcoming meetings for next week.'' She nodded, taking the tablet from me and quickly scanning through the information. "I'll make sure to be more efficient and proactive in my responsibilities moving forward," she assured me.
I just hummed, and she stood there looking around.'' You can take a seat and look through the schedule.
She readily took the seat as if my words scared her, but I didn't bother looking up at her; I kept reading the files.
'' Oh sir, it says here that you would be having lunch around 3; it's 3:45. Shall I order something, sir, or make a reservation?'' she asked, looking slightly shocked.
order seriously? Who does she think I am, a freshman in college? Come on, Joane, did you order food for other CEOs through Uber Eats for whatever they call it?
I waved that thought off and replied while getting up,'' No, I will grab something on my way back. You can go join others for lunch; it's your break time, am I right?' I asked.
'' Yes, it is, okay, so I'll leave now, and according to this, you have to join Mr. Bradford around 6 at the Metropolitan Club'' she replied while looking into the tablet.
'' Yeah, I am aware, and you will join me for that,'' I said, promptly looking at her as confusion spread on her face.
'' Sure, sir, but why am I needed? There aren't meetings like this; this is a one-to-one thing'' she replied, looking back at me.
'' Yes, but I am not aware if you know that the metropolis, even though it is a private club, requires a date, so you will join me; a car will pick you up at 6 then'' I said coldly.
I don't want her to think it's a date, because it's not. This is serious work, and I know how hard it is for girls that age to fall for love. This is corporate life; there is no room for love.
Not for Joane, at least. She is a beauty with nice curves, nice hair, and nice lips, but thats lust, and when I am talking about love, it means I will conquer the world for her. I would drench every tree and every building in petroleum and give her the match to light this world on fire. Love for me means that I will live for her. Dying for someone isn't a huge deal; the real question is, would I stay in the hospital for her? I would, without a question. For Ruth, I will
I already had people looking for her on social media, but I hadn't received anything yet because she had not been active in years. I asked Miles, but he didn't have her number or know where she lived. I would tell people to look for security cameras and check for her as soon as I get any pictures. I was lost in my thoughts once more, and I didn't realize that Joane had left. A thought struck my head. I saw Ruth at the track, and the track has CCTV cameras around.
I called up Miles, '' i need the footage of your Ruth's race.''
'' Good afternoon to you too, and I'm doing well. Thank you for asking,'' he said, laughing later.
Asshole.
'' Im not in the mood for small talk miles; I need that footage and zoomed in photos of her face immediately'' I snapped. I don't know why I was getting angry.
'' Why didn't I think of that? And sure, I'll send it, but you have to say please,'' he replied.
Why do I even ask this guy for anything?
'' Miles, can you please send me her pictures so I can hunt Ruth down and talk to her?" I told him and empathized on the request.
"Of course, dude, I can , but if you have a minute to talk, whats wrong, why all of a sudden, all okay??" He said he was a bit serious this time.
''I don't know what has gotten over me; I feel like I need to see her. I want to talk to her once, and '' miles cut me off.
'' Apologise, but don't you think it's too late, and how did that thought occur now " he said, sounding more deep.
'' Ever since I saw her , I just feel attracted to her. I need to see her. For all you should know now , just send me the pictures as soon as possible.'' I replied back, feeling tense.
'' Sure, dude, I'll send them over. '' He cut the call, and I gulped down a glass of water. As I waited anxiously for the pictures to come through, I couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation and nervousness. The thought of finally seeing her again after all this time made my heart race with excitement.
She wasn't the feeling I had with my ex-girlfriends. They weren't even my girlfriend, they were like I'm tired, come over and I'd just blow off some steam. There weren't any strings attached, mainly surrounded by just getting in bed. I wasn't even affected by my amber cheating on me. I was pissed by her character and I hated betrayal and she knew it well. I did take a sweet revenge by destroying her small business of selling makeup in a shop in the mall which belonged to me.
It's a different feeling with Ruth. I am not saying i love her at first sight i just wanna talk to her and then we can see what happens. But she is driving me crazy because I am getting those flashbacks of her body and then just her confidence, her smile, she looked just as she was. Or maybe she was just putting up a face.
i received a text on my phone,'' sir the information on Joane Andrews has gotten a bit delayed as the sources were not available they not will come till next saturday.'