Chapter 5 Years later
Vanessa’s pov
Four years Later
“Vanessa you’d miss your flight if you don’t leave now.” Asher said on the other end of the line.
I grunt, grabbing the only suitcase remaining in my apartment and the stroller Emily was in.
“I’m leaving now!” I said, trying to lock the door behind me while juggling the stroller Emily was in.
All my other bags had already been shipped to Houston last week. I only kept one suitcase behind with Emily’s things and some clothes I needed for my last few days in Canada. I had to stay back to sort things at my company.
“I still can’t believe you’re coming back.” Asher said softly. I paused for a second, looking back at the apartment that saw me through the worst part of my life. “I can’t either.” I said remembering how I vowed to never go back.
There was a long pause at the other end and and Asher spoke again.“ Vanessa I’m glad you’re finally returning to Huston but are you sure about this?” Asher asked gently.
“I mean, you’ve been in Canada for so long and you’ve built something solid for yourself. Are you sure you want to go back there… where it all happened?”
My lips curled in anger as I walked toward the black car waiting for me at the curb.
“Asher,” I said, voice low, sharp. “I’m over him, but I can’t forgive any of them for what they did.”
The driver stepped out and took the suitcase from my hand and placed it in the trunk. I buckled Emily in her seat at the back. She giggled, kicking her tiny legs.
“Mama, where we going?” she asked, her big brown eyes staring at me.
“We’re going on an adventure, baby,” I said with a smile, brushing her soft curls out of her face.
I had wanted to let everything go; I truly did. I wanted to forget the pain, the shame and betrayal but then Asher had found out that bastard wanted me dead.
Four years ago, I thought it was Bernice who had hired people to kidnap me at the airport but it wasn’t. My ex-husband hired men to kill me for getting pregnant and make it look like an accident. He loathed me so much he was willing to kill me and his unborn child to get rid of me forever.
I looked down at Emily my chest tightening. If I had died that day I wouldn’t get to meet my little angel. She’s the only good thing that came out of that horrible marriage.
My biological father had saved me, helped me vanish and gave me a new identity and a new life. “Vanessa…” Asher started.
I know he was only trying to look out for me and Emily. He had been doing that the past four years and even encouraged me to seek therapy and start afresh. “I know you’re worried about us Asher but I promise I’m not Vanessa Hayes from back then. I really gotta go now or I’ll miss my flight.” I trail off ending the call before he had a chance to respond.
The four-hour flight had been tiring. My back ached a little, and my eyes felt heavy, but it was worth it when we finally arrived at our new home; a four bedroom apartment on the10th floor of Grey Penthouse.
Emily had fallen asleep so I placed her on the couch and toured the apartment. It looked even better than the pictures I had seen.
The walls were painted soft grey, and the furniture was modern and clean. There was a soft white couch in the middle of the living room with fluffy pillows, a glass center table, and a large rug that looked like clouds. The kitchen was sleek with shiny silver appliances and black marble counters. Everything smelled new.
Asher had helped furnish it before I came and made sure everything was ready.
Emily’s room was painted a soft pink with little stars on the walls. A small white bed sat in the middle with stuffed animals on top. A toy shelf, a little table, and even a drawing board.
“She’s going to love it,” I whispered, smiling to myself.
I walked to the sitting room and collapsed on the couch. My stomach twisted a little and I tried to shake off the nerves. What if I wasn’t ready and everything apart again?
I jolted out of the seat when the doorbell rang and walked quickly to the door and opened it.
It was Asher; He stood there, smiling. He was wearing a neat grey shirt tucked into black pants, his brown hair styled nicely, and his green eyes lit up when he saw me.
“You’re back,” he said, his voice warm.
“I’m here,” I replied, smiling.
He pulled me into a tight hug and I hugged him back. “Thank you, Asher,” I said. “The apartment… it’s perfect.”
He looked around proudly. “Told you I’d take care of it.”
He walked in and placed a brown envelope on the center table.
I raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
He smiled and sat down on the couch. “Your way in.”
I sat across from him, curious. “What do you mean?”
“You said you wanted to get into The Hayes Company, right? You want to bring Elliot down from inside.”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “I want to ruin him and crush everything he holds dear.”
“Good,” Asher said, his eyes serious pushing the envelope towards me.
I picked it up and opened it. It was a job listing for the position of personal secretary to the CEO of Hayes Holdings.
I blinked slowly my heart racing. “Elliot’s secretary?” I asked.
“Yes,” he nodded. “Elliot hasn’t been able to keep a secretary for more than three months.” Asher said. “This is your chance.”
I pulled out the rest of the papers from the envelope and looked through them. They were all Elliot’s past secretaries.
From the little I saw, they were excellent and experienced but just like Asher said none of them lasted more than three months before he sacked them.
Typical Elliot, Hus standards were ridiculous I knew because he worked me to the bones when I was his secretary. I shook my head and smirked. He had no idea what was coming.
Two days later, I stood in the wide, glassy lobby of Hayes Holdings, clutching my small black purse and pretending to look around like I was lost.
“Hi, I’m here for an interview,” I said politely to the young receptionist behind the marble desk.
She looked up with a bright smile. “Name?”
“Nessa Adams.”
She typed quickly on her computer and then nodded. “You’re interview is scheduled with the CEO himself; Go to the top floor; take the elevator on the right.”
I smiled softly. “Thank you.” I turned and walked toward the elevator. My heels clicked lightly against the polished floor.
The building hadn’t changed much. I pressed the button and stepped in once the doors slid open but just as the doors began to close… a hand reached in and stopped them and they slid open again.
And standing opposite me was the devil… Elliot with the same arrogant confidence in his face.
My heart skipped and everything inside me froze. My breath hitched and my fingers twitched slightly at my side.
