Jannah
Los Angeles, California...
One month later.
I hear the shrill noise blare from my phone speaker but somehow– no not somehow since I'm still partially asleep, I can't bring myself to reach for my phone. Instead, I wait for the call to end. There's about a minute of silence before it begins to ring again.
" Goddamnit." My eyes are still closed when I pat the empty side of my bed hurriedly; I feel my phone and bring it to my face. And without batting an eyelid open, I answer it immediately– something I've mastered after years of declining and receiving calls on an iPhone.
" Hello," I say in a groggy voice, my eyes slowly opening before I let out a stifled yawn.
" Don't tell me you're still asleep at this time," a male voice I recognize immediately answers in a weary tone. I rub my heavy eyes and sit straighter.
Okay, now I'm awake.
" Dad," I say blankly considering that I have nothing else to say.
" It's ten in the morning, I'm sure I raised you better than that, " I roll my eyes, pulling the comforter away from me. Tell me about it.
" It's like six-thirty in the morning here . And I'm sure I never had a nine-to-five job in high school," I counter. I'm really not surprised about him complaining about me sleeping till now, it's actually a perk of having a stern father. Sometimes I think he forgets I'm a grown ass woman living on my own.
" Hahaha! You're such a smart-ass now." I wrinkle my nose at the term ' hahaha', it's so Gen X . But that doesn't stop me from grinning while I bend to touch my toes, a small satisfactory cracking noise follows, my back lowering slightly further.
" How was Mexico? You haven't called me since you got back," he accuses. His question wipes off my grin immediately as I pause midway stretching my hand . How was Mexico? Do I really want to answer that question–
No, I don't. I twist my left hand around body, then repeat it when I don't hear that satisfactory sound.
" Mexico was okay. How's your health? Have you been taking your meds dad?" I deflect, managing to sound cherrier than I actually am and hope that he doesn't probe further. There's a low grunt from the other end and I know he's guilty.
" Do I sniff a no?" I ask teasingly and I imagine him snort.
"Do I sniff a mind your business?" He fires back taking me by surprise. Well someone definitely woke up cranky. A small smirk tilts my lips , my feet hitting the floor.
Yeah , about the exercise or stretch, it's something I do every morning to loosen my joints since I barely have time to work out.
" Dad you know you have to take them everyday. Morning and night." I sigh heavily, slumping onto my plush center rug.
Ever since my mom's death, I can't say my dad has been particular about his health . Early morning jogs are now like faroff memories and I have to check up on him ever so often . Luna, my younger sister should be doing this but she's been so distant from everyone that hearing her voice is like some sort of golden privilege.
As for my older brother Dylan...well, let's just say he and dad don't get along so well.
There's a pause and he clears his throat. " Since I no longer lecture youngsters, my own daughter gets to lecture me," oh did I forget to say I got my dramatic personality from my dad? Apparently being a retired professor of American History hasn't been a setback to his theatrics.
" I wish I felt bad about my question. " We go on for a while , each time a question pops about Mexico I wish the call would end and when it eventually comes to an end , I feel homesick. I should have gone home for the summer and not to Mexico.
The shrill sound that rings from my alarm jolts me into reality and yeah...work. How could I forget this is my first day at work after my very '"wonderful " vacation.
" Cheers to nothing," I snort and slip into my flipflops.
*****
Click, click...
The sound of my four inch pumps against the marble floors as I trot to my office is supposed to be a facade of confidence. Just when I step into my fake it till you make it energy , I spot Kaitlyn in the distance.
Oops, look like I'm in big trouble.
If my steps are are calculated, hers are hurried . A deep frown makes her heart shaped lips pucker, with eyebrows arched way above the normal line and the almighty crossed shoulders she reminds me of Cruela.
It doesn't help that she's putting on wide legged pants and has more grace in those outrageous heels of hers. I, on the other hand can't walk too fast except I want the slit of my pencil dress to tear further.
Shit.
" You sure have alot of explaining to do ,Cole "Kaitlyn pokes my chest, the hard edge of her french tips scratching me and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
I'm guilty as hell so I shut up.
" Aren't you going to defend yourself?" She fumes.
" Hello," I smile sweetly with the hopes that she'll calm down.
" It's too late for that. Why the fuck haven't you picked my call, you've not picked my calls or responded to my texts Jan, I came over and you didn't let me in" Kaitlyn's pitch is way above normal and some people even pause to stare at us .
" Lower your voice, Kait" I pull her away towards my office where she can rant as loud as she wants. Like a spoilt toddler, she still rambles on our way though her voice is low compared to before.
" Look I'm sorry about everything. I don't have any excuse. I'll do anything you want please just don't be mad ." I flutter my lashes as her and pout, my hands clasped under my chin.
I know Kait's a softie and won't stay mad for long.
" Whatever, don't try that shit again. And yeah, you owe me a treat at the spa. My knuckles still hurt from banging on your door" Kait smirks devilishly.
I had a feeling it would go this way. I'm about to negotiate when the announcement from the intercom interrupts me.
" All staff members to meet at the lobby for an important meeting now! Note as urgent."
" I wonder what it is this time," I let out a tired sigh. " I was kind of hoping for a stress free day"
" I think it has to do with those emails they sent last week, we have a new CEO. I heard his hot too" Kaitlyn winks and I snort in return.
" What email? " I blurt. Wrong sentence. The moment I do so, Kaitlyn remembers my ghosting era.
" I'm glad to know I wasn't the only one you ignored. " By now we're out of my office and are headed to the lobby. " What on earth would you do without me ? We have a new CEO, Aaron Steele. Google him. He just clocked thirty and is very hot, trust me. Wonder if he likes office sex though " she wiggles her eyebrows.
" Shut up Kait" I hiss , nudging her in the rib. I mean I knew she was a freak but fantasizing about your boss you've never met was a whole new level.
There must have been over a hundred people clustered around the lobby. There was a low chatter in the air as everyone waited expectantly. From Kaitlyn's description, I was more than eager to see if he was just hyped or was simply worth it.
Halfway into HRs speech , I loose interest and begin to count the number of blondes in the room.
I pull my gaze away from the thirteenth blonde and face the front row when I hear the loud applause . A deep male voice follows. There's something eerily familiar about it, a strange sense of déjà vu settling into my bones. Then I look up.
" There he is," Kaitlyn whispers aloud.
It takes me only a few seconds to register my sight fully .My breath hitches in my throat, my eyes slowly widening as I gape. Everything fades into the oblivion, the object of my attention similar to a cruel prank .Hardly believing my own eyes, I blink once . Twice. What the fuck? It's actually Ethan Hunt....or is it Aaron Steele now?
Damn.