Page 12 of Before I Loved You

“Ah, yes. Sarah. I’m so sorry.” He stands from his seat and walks toward me, extending his hand. “I hoped to meet you this morning, but the day has been quite hectic.”

The man looks like Santa Claus in a black suit, which makes me smile. There’s something so warm and welcoming about him. Although his eyes hold a familiar deep blue hue that I can’t quite place.

“No worries, sir. Everyone here has been very welcoming,” I assure him, clasping my hand around his in a handshake. Not too firm. And not weak. But just right. I might have practiced a few times this morning with myself. I internally cringe at how pathetic I sound.

“Good. Good. I’m glad to hear that.” He motions for me to sit on the chair closest to me, putting my back to the door as he takes the seat opposite me.

“I have to say we were quite impressed with your resume—a perfect 4.0 GPA. You’re clearly a very diligent worker, and we’re excited to help you become a financial analyst,” he says.

“It would be a dream, sir,” I lie. Maybe someone else’s dream. Not mine, though. But this probably isn’t the best time to mention my dream, which entails me sitting in a private art studio that overlooks water and wildlife. Painting until I can’t feel my fingers.

We’ll save that conversation for another time.

“Well, we’re delighted to hear that.” He smiles. “Unfortunately, I won’t be here for the next few months to help mentor you, but my son—”

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Ah, perfect timing.” His smile grows as he stands, motioning for the person to enter. I hear the door open behind me, followed by a shuffle of feet. “Son, this is our newest intern and someone I see having real potential with our company.”

I stand and turn with a friendly smile until, suddenly, the air in my lungs all at once leaves me. My eyes widen, and my smile falters as a familiar pair of deep blue eyes narrow in on me, sending an instant wave of nausea throughout my entire body.

No. No. No. No.

“Greyson, this is Sarah.” Mr. Black looks between me and his son. “Sarah, this is my son. He will be here to assist you with your transition.”

Greyson smirks, extending his hand for me to take. “It’s nice to meet you, Sarah. I’m looking forward to working closely with you,” the smug bastard says, knowing damn well who I am.

I do everything I can to show no ounce of fear as my hand briefly touches his in an uncomfortable shake. “Likewise.”

“Someday,” Mr. Black starts, “Greyson will be taking over for me, making his old man proud.” Greyson subtly nods, but my eyes catch on his fist, tightening close to his side. “If I’m correct, you both attend the same school, Linrey University.” Mr. Black squeezes his son’s shoulder.

“That’s correct, sir,” I add, my pulse beating rapidly beneath my chest.

“My son here is the captain—” Greyson gives him a slight scowl, cutting off his words. “Or I mean, he’s one of the captains of the basketball team.” He smiles proudly, and I instantly feel bad for this man who has no idea how evil his son is. “So he is quite busy, but in his downtime, he’ll be here watching over the office while I’m away for business. He’ll also be here to help you with whatever you need.”

I nod, displaying a fake smile as I fight the urge to vomit in the middle of his office. I’m quite sure that would warrant me getting fired on my first day.

“Well, I didn’t mean to keep you, Sarah, but again, we’re thrilled to have you here, and we hope you feel the same,” Mr. Black notes.

“I am. Thank you,” I confirm, shaking his hand again before I walk past him, avoiding the beady eyes drilling holes in the side of my head from his son.

The second I’m out of his office, I book it to the bathroom, no longer able to keep down the protein bar in my stomach. I push the bathroom door open, relieved to find no one else inside and enter one of the stalls to empty my stomach.

I wipe my mouth with a piece of toilet paper and flush, leaning against the wall as I stare at the ceiling, fighting back tears that want to escape.

This can’t be happening.

I hear the door open and straighten my spine while smoothing my hair. I unlock the stall and walk toward the sink to wash my hands, keeping my gaze straight ahead. The freezing water on my skin is comforting as my heart continues racing erratically.

Calm down. Just breathe. Everything is fine.

“Not happy to see me, Sarah?”

Every muscle in my body tenses, fear crescendoing throughout me.

The cruelty in his voice sends a shiver down my spine, and I grip the edge of the sink so I don’t fall straight to the floor. Glaring in the mirror, I find Greyson leaning against the door with his arms crossed, watching me maliciously.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand, relieved my voice doesn’t give away to the panic inside me.

---