Chapter 3

• BRAELYN
• " Sis , don't you think it's pretty boring to stare off at the wall for fifteen complete minutes?" I turned my head to look at Bri who kept her gaze fixed on the wall with the same serious expression that of mine. I stared at her face before chuckling. She joined me as well. She could always make me smile , whatever the situation maybe.
• " But seriously Brae , what happened? Why are you so upset? " She looked at me with concern-filled eyes. I walked past her into the kitchen.
• " Nothing happened. What did you do all day? Weren't you supposed to go out with Ashley?" I tried diverting the topic as I looked for I don't know what in the fridge. When she didn't reply for some minutes, I looked up to see her looking at me with a serious face with her arms across her chest.
• " Okay fine." I sighed knowing that she wouldn't let it pass until I tell her. She pulled me out to sit down at the table before staring at my face expectantly.
• " He is coming back." I let out. Bri scrunched up her nose in confusion before her eyes widened like she was dreading her guess.
• " He ? You mean Evan ?" She asked in shock to which I nodded.
• " Yes , I mean Evan Lewis." I massaged the temple of my forehead.She kept looking at me for a whole minute before speaking.
• " Wow !" She still looked in shock, blinking.
• " Wow ? Seriously? I am so confused about the situation. I am even considering resigning and you are saying 'wow'?" My voice came out harsher than necessary. Realising she didn't even deserve it , I opened my mouth to apologise but she cut me off.
• " You don't have to. I understand that you are stressed with the situation but , I don't think you should resign. Can you not have a talk with him ?" I looked at her like she had two heads.
• " Have you gone nuts? You think he would listen to me after everything? I can't imagine facing him, let alone talk." I breathed out trying to calm myself down.
• " Okay , okay relax. Don't overstress yourself. We will talk about this later.Let's sleep now. " Running a hand through my hair, I nodded at her . Let's see what awaits me.
• A week till I see him again.
• ………………
• And that was it. It was the day when Evan would be joining. The day I had been dreading for a week. The name of the company had been changed from White Enterprises to Lewis Industries, showing how real the situation was. Honestly, me and Bri never talked about this again as promised. It was like we happily ignored the topic in our head.
• As the days kept pasing, people were talking more about the new boss , sharing whatever information they could gather about him. William Lewis had taken his retirement and his sons Evan and Ryan Lewis had taken over his businesses.The tabloids said that Lewis Industries had reached new heights under the young Lewis. They have also been in the news for being the two most eligible bachelors with their success and good looks.
• Ryan… I was really close to him. He was the annoying best friend who could make you smile in the toughest of situations and understand your concerns. Together we used to pull the stupidest of the pranks on Evan and laugh at his expense. After that day, with everything else , I lost a friend as well. Though he had tried contacting him, I cut him off my life. I couldn't bear having any connection with any of the people related to him but here he was , taking over as my new boss. So much for trying to avoid him!
• Pushing away all the negative thoughts for the moment, I rubbed my sweaty hands on my skirt before lifting myself off my table to get outside. Everyone was to assemble to greet the new boss.
• I had dressed up in the dullest pair of clothes to avoid attracting attention and kept my hair down. I knew this was stupid and I couldn't hide for long but the last desperate measure as they say.
• …………
• They were murrming all around as we waited for the boss whose car had just arrived. Everyone quietened as some distinct footsteps were heard.
• Soon the new boss made his entrance. I didn't have the courage to look up at his face. This was like a nightmare which I was going to leave.
• "Welcome Sir." Sasha, the head of the HR department gave him a bouquet flowers. I assumed he just nodded as I didn't hear him reply.
• "Everyone meet our new boss, Mr. Evan Lewis." Sasha announced.
• "Good morning everyone." I shivered at his deep masculine voice. I could always recognise this voice , one that I had grown accustomed to so much at a time. Hearing him after so many years felt surreal.
• I don't know why I couldn't control it but I looked up. It was as if before my brain could warn me, I snapped my head up and my eyes immediately met with his steel grey ones. He was already looking at my face. As our gazes locked I felt a jolt of electricity pass through me.
• His face was void of any emotions but the intensity of his gaze was such that it could have anyone cowering to him. He looked more intimidating and colder than ever. It was like he was trying to pierce through me with his stare. I broke the contact and looked away. My heart was thumping so loudly against my chest.
• "I anticipate working with you all and look forward to taking this organization to greater heights with our collective efforts. Thank you everyone. You may resume working." He spoke , his voice full of authority and a commanding aura.
• I didn't dare look up again when he walked past me into his cabin.
• "He is so damn hot! I can't believe I am going to see him everyday from now on!" Cora clasped her hands in excitement.
• "I can't believe it as well." I mumbled softly, not meant for anyone to hear.
• "Did you say something?" I looked at Austin's confused face before shaking my head.
• " No , let's get back to work." I walked back to my seat with my mind somewhere else , on someone.