Arabella's POV
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to welcome you to today's meeting. As many of you must have heard, my father is indeed retiring and is leaving me to fill in his position. What started as a small business, is now a world-known company, consisting of a chain of luxurious hotels across the world. However, our aim is not to simply provide expensive services for the customers, it's much more than that. It's to be able to satisfy their needs under a pleasant and friendly environment, where each and every employee is carefully chosen. All of you, were required to have specific abilities and skills in order to achieve the best possible results for our costumers. I've been working for the company for three years now and I'm certain that with the council's and my father's guidance, as well as with your hard work we will achieve great things! Our newest business deal is coming up, where we'll be joining forces with Torres Enterprises, a company owning shopping centers across the world. I'm looking forward to that, as well as to your own ideas and suggestions. For any queries you may have do not hesitate to contact me or come find me in my office. Thank you for your time and have a nice day." I finish off my speech with a small nod, while taking a quick glance at the audience.
Heading back to my office I finally have some alone time. After yesterday's unexpected events I hadn't had enough time to actually think of what happened. Paperwork had me busy until very late at night and today I've been solely focused on work-related matters.
Slumping back on my chair, yesterday's events flash in front of my eyes. "Wait" he had shouted. What were the possibilities of seeing him again? In all of New York's glory, in all of its enormous population how was it possible to see him? Rubbing my eyes in frustration I can't stop myself from thinking about him. His eyes looked tired yet enthralling and had me bewildered once again. His beard had grown since the last time I saw him. His body, muscly and hard, looked even more impressive than the first time I saw his naked torso. Shaking my head, I scold myself for having such thoughts and instead try to focus my attention onto the yellow folder in front me. Torres Enterprises.
My thoughts are brought to an abrupt stop by the sudden opening of the office door.
"Arabella Analyse Cutter. You are in big trouble."
Of course, who else could it be?
"Not only do you become the CEO of the company without taking us out to celebrate, you don't even tell us in the first place!" A pair of blue eyes states fiercely while another pair of dark brown ones nod in agreement.
Shit how could I forget?
I shrug my shoulders in defense and before I even have the chance to provide some sort of explanation, the voice continues.
"I can't believe this! We are your best friends! We found out from a link to an article that my grandma sent me. Yes, you heard that right, my grandmother, who knows how to use the internet better than me!" Shay explains, her voice rising at least an octave higher until the end of her statement, a look of anger mixed with annoyance perceptible in her eyes.
"She's right Ar, we should have been the first to know." Natalia adds, a look of disappointment enveloping her.
"I just-I was gonna tell you, but then..With work and-and everything.." I let out a deep, immeasurable breath, while unsteadily getting up from my chair, going around my desk and standing right in front of them both.
"You're right. I should've told you. These past few days have been so busy and I can't even wrap my head around it. There's no excuse though, I should've let you know from the very first minute. I'm sorry." I finish, letting my eyes linger on the floor, feeling shameful for my actions.
Sensing my honest apology, Shay's expression turns into one of sympathy and understanding. "Hey Ar, it's okay. We just wanted to share this special moment with you. We know how hard you have worked for this." She finishes, to which Natalia adds with a small smile, "Plus, those under-eye circles aren't that pretty, so apology accepted." Her truthful yet funny comment makes me let out a small laugh and before I know it they both wrap me in a tight hug.
Hugging them back, I can't stop the one tear that slides down my cheek, as I feel overwhelmed and dazzled.
"Soooo, how about a girls night? My place tonight for movie night and then you can tell us all the details. What do you think?" Natalia asks as soon as we step back from the embrace, immediately changing the atmosphere into a more joyous one.
I nod eagerly and give them a big smile. "Yeah, I would love that."
"Okay, why don't we leave you to your work now, and we'll catch you later tonight?" Shay says.
"Okay but before you guys go, I need to tell you something." I tell them, all traces of excitement gone from my voice. "Do you remember that guy I met on my birthday? At that club?"
"You mean when you had sex with the guy?" Shay states casually and openly. "Of course! How could we ever forget that? When we couldn't find you we thought you were either kidnapped or killed." She adds, her lips in a tight, thin line.
"Ugh and here I thought we were over that."
"We might forgive, but we NEVER forget." Natalia says as a matter-of-factly. "God knows what we went through that night."
"Well it's over now and besides, that's not my point. I saw him yesterday. And I was wearing his hoodie. Don't even ask. Long story short, he saw me and came after me but I run for the hills. He even followed me to my car and shouted at me to wait for him but I was too embarrassed, so instead I got in my car and speeded off." I finish off with a deep outtake of breath.
"No way." Natalia says shocked, which mirrors Shay's expression perfectly.
"Yes way. I was totally freaked out." I reply.
"You're sure it was him, right?" Asks Shay.
"Yes!"
You can't easily forget that face.
"Huh, well some things are just meant to be Ar. Natalia continues, quickly recovering from her shocked state.
"Oh please. Leave fate out of this. It was a simple coincidence." I say stubbornly.
"Next thing you know you end up having sex again." Shay says, her attempts at containing her giggles failing miserably as she ends up laughing hysterically.
As soon as she calms down I eye her angrily. "This isn't funny you know. It was one hell of an embarrassing moment and if you don't stop laughing I will call security to escort you out."
"Well, you know what they say Ar. Karma is a bitch. This is what you get for making us dead worried that night." Shay continues smugly.
"Okay ladies, if you are done with your teasing, you know where the door is." I say as I sit on my chair.
"Sure, see you later babe." Shay says as she gives me a small wave, another fist of giggles escaping her mouth. Natalia fails to contain her own muffled giggles, their laughter echoing on the entire floor.
Irritated, I shake my head, a smile of my own slowly making it's way onto my mouth.
Our bond is truly unbreakable and even though Shay and Natalia are complete opposites, they both have a special place in my heart.
Shay on one hand, with her blond wild locks, piercing blue eyes and petite figure could have easily come across as a shy and quiet girl, but let me tell you, she couldn't have been more intimidating. Her beautiful looks and fit body, have always been catching attention, but there's much more than a pretty face there. Her personality is bubbly and too funny for her own good, yet stern and serious when necessary. However, it's her pure and precious heart that makes her stand out. Her kindness is blind and she's an affectionate ball of excitement, who I know for sure would never judge me or my choices, no matter how ridiculous they would be. A quality that is necessary for her job. A psychologist- the perfect career for her.
Natalia on the other hand, is the most quiet of the three, but her comments are always spot-on. Her brutally honest mouth is what I seek a lot of times, since people have tried to approach me by giving me fake complements and false truths, which make her reality-checks more than necessary. She's incredibly intelligent and even if she's not very affectionate, she has always been- and by the looks of our friendship, will aways be there for me, just one phone call away, no matter the place or the time. She can always put a smile on my face whenever I'm in a bad mood and let me tell you; Even if the whole world was ending, she would still, somehow, make me smile. Her heart is made out of gold, laced with ethics, morals and honesty. Her dark brown hair and dark brown eyes add a hint of mystery to her overall appearance, and she, herself is remarkably good-looking with a model-like body. Let's not forget how big of a bad-ass lawyer she is.
Sitting back on my chair, I smile to myself, feeling blessed to have these amazing people in my life.