He Had Me On A Contract

One thing wrong with not knowing the main person who you are meant to hold onto in this case is that each and everyone who is a suspect looks the same

I am sitting in one of the round table chairs with Jessy beside me and I cannot take my eyes off the four AJ brothers as they all spoke to different people moving from one table to another

Hands-on the jaw, face forward and unmoving I follow every direction their eyes went to and every body movement any of them makes

"Seriously Clarissa everyone will start thinking you are an assassin sent to eliminate the AJ brothers" Jessy who has had enough of my watching and glaring eye's towards them said and then proceeded to drag my hands off my jaw

I sighed

"I'm just doing what I came here for Jess. I'm not here to eat these fancy foods and smell the incredible scent of the perfumes" I look at the table, with all the expensive wines and champagnes at the opening of the new store, and know this place isn't exactly my ideal

So many people standing or sitting, wearing expensive dresses that can feed me for at least a year, they all have their hands out and their fingers twitching all the time as they show off the expensive rings as an omelet and oh we might as well just sneak in the scent of the dresses too

"You have to bring your eyes down" She caution me again and I know I wouldn't do that

I came here on a mission, to find the AJ brother that could be Zoey's father

Yes, you heard me right. And before you start judging me, Zoey is an extraordinary two year old that should know who her father is, except I have no idea

"If only Laura just told me the one then we wouldn't be here right now"

"If only he answered her emails then we wouldn't bother been here right now," Jessy said in contradictory to my words

The thing is, my sister Laura Miller had a one night stand with one of the AJ brothers, and she never told me his name except for AJ. I was excited at first, easy to find right? Until I found out they were four and all their initials are A.J(terrible Americans aristocrats)

Okay, the description might match, right? Looking at them right now

'Strong chins that makes you wish he could keep making them clutch, blue sparkling eyes that makes you feel like his watching you the whole time, dark hair that you want to run your hands on at every single minute, and the fairest skin you can imagine

You see, the thing wrong with that description is that the three of them have the same description

You can imagine how confused I was browsing through the net as soon as I came down to New York to find Zoey's father

That is exactly what is wrong with my plans

"She must have said something to differentiate him from the others" Jessy reasoned

I racked my head but I knew there was nothing significant except that very description

I turn my attention back to the brothers and watch them as they all chatted away

One of them turned and our eyes collided together

"Shit" I turn my eyes away suddenly looking at the perfume bottle that has been in front of me all along

Do you think he noticed someone has been watching them? I should have looked away as soon as I have their physique memorized in my head

"I need to head to the restroom," I said to Jessy tapping her shoulder as I stood up

I walked straight to the restroom and rested my head on the entrance door as I got there

Everything is happening so fast, moving to New York from Decorah, losing the library as well as losing my job and now I have absolutely nothing to do in New York

I am here for Zoey I reminded myself more as I wash my hands and reapplied a little powder on my face

After calming myself a little I started walking out of the restroom back to where Jessy is. One look in her direction and I knew she was in deep conversation with this work crush whom she never stop talking about, it is better I let them be for a moment

Excusing myself I went to the bar and settled on one of their seats

"A glass of champagne please," I said to the tender and he nodded with a smile before disappearing

"Make that two," a voice said beside me and I turned and almost yelped out of my seat as I stand side by side with one of the brothers

"Hi I'm Jaime," he said with a smile that makes him look almost boyish as he stretch out his hand for a shake

I looked at the outstretched hand and looked at his face

"Umm right I'm uhhhh Lara" I gave him the fakest smile I could mutter dipping my hand to his and taking it off almost immediately. Bad idea

He smiled at me then his hands are back into his pocket

I made sure my face is to the bar even though I know Adriel Jaime is watching me

Everyone knows Adriel Jaime just like everyone knows his brothers.

He is the owner of the perfume spray organization of A.J cooperation which he recently launched and has been doing so well that this is his second launching

He is accessing me with his eyes and looking me over, I can feel his eyes on my neck as they grow warmer

I distracted myself by taking the order as soon as they arrived. My glass in one I jumped down from the stool and made to take a step away when his deep rooting voice stopped me

"Do I know you from somewhere??" He asked

"What??" With shock, I turn back and stared at him, my eyes growing on its pace

If he thinks I look like my sister then he should be the one right??

"I mean, you have been watching me right from there" he pointed at the seat which was occupied by Jessy and her colleagues, and I

"Ohh" not knowing a word to say I press my lips together and just look down at my feet. Oh God I want to disappear right this moment

"It is creepy when people do that, look at others like they owe them something. It makes them look like serial killers"

"What serial killers?" I look up with my eyes opened in shock and defense "that would be the last of the occupation in my mind" I said in my defense

"Oh I can see" he nibbled the word "then I will like it if you stop watching my brothers and me, in that serial killer way"

"But I don't...." He turned around and with his stride step he walked away

My eyes are fixed on his back and the way his step collapse and the strength of his walk as it seems every eye is falling at his watch as he moves

The very ground looks like it is collapsing and I cannot help but watch as he walks until he disappears completely

"Oh my goodness what just happened"

I ransacked my brain as I walk as fast as my legs could carry me until I'm settling back into the seat

"I saw that, what did he say to you?" Overzealous Jessy asked me as soon as I rejoin her on the seat

"I think he is the one," I told her plainly

She opened her mouth and looked at me with confusion

"What? How do you know??" Her attention is completely on me as she asks all the question

"First of all he thinks I'm familiar with Jess and that proves it. You know how Laura and I almost look the same??" Now I'm more than determined knowing he's the one

She scoffed "that doesn't prove anything, Rissa, besides he must have caught on real quick" She nudged me to look the way she is and I turn my attention to see that he is looking at the table where we are seated

His smile is curled and cute and he raised his glass our way before I looked away from him

"See? He looks like he should be the one" I reasoned more "plus he is the partying one and the one who never stays out of trouble right? That's Jaime Adriel" I reminded her if she has forgotten

"Alright I get it but I still doubt that I'm sure we can talk about it later on" she touched my arm reassuring me before her attention is back to the discussion is happening

I try not to let my mind wander off that little encounter and why he had to approach me, I mean almost everyone sitting here is all watching him and he singles me out for what?

That must have meant something. A nudge to my shoulder and my thoughts are broken as one of Jessy's colleagues asks me a question

I know I'm going to go back to this and solve all the mysteries, I need to make sure Zoey has a home finally...

"What are you doing, so late in the night" I turn my back to see a sleepy-looking Jessy moving towards me in the living room

I have a duvet draped over my body and a laptop on my lap as I scroll through the web

I force it shut removing the speck that adorns my face

"Nothing, just searching for a job online" I take the laptop dropping it on the seat as she comes over

She sighed before dropping herself beside me and then dragging her body closer until she is now hip to hip attached to me

She sighed again, dropping her head on my shoulder. With her hand, she drags the duvet across her body until she and I are now covered by the same duvet

"I know what you are doing Clarissa and it wasn't job hunting," she said

I roll my eyes looking away from her face, of course, she knows I wasn't job hunting. Even though I am seriously in need of an occupation right now in this new city I cannot sacrifice my sleep just for that, not yet anyways

Already caught doing what I had promised her I wouldn't, I dragged the laptop from the seat and brought it down to our level

Opening it I turned it on and then restored the setting to what I have been on before

"Oh Rissa" she gave me a scorching look before her eyes came back to my recent search on-screen, "you think it's Jaime??" She gave me accusing eyes

"Oh please Jessy, I can think of whoever I want to as I am desperate with every minute that counts, and now my whole eyes are on him" I point to the screen making sure my fingers are direct to the face of Adriel Jaime, my number suspect

This picture was taken two nights ago at the event, his dark Armani luxurious suit with the Rolex watch that perks to his wrist and speaks of more wealth than I have ever seen my whole life

He is handsome, they are all handsome and have half the women in the world throw themselves to their feet, I don't know what appeals to them, I am looking at the picture and it feels like I am seeing more but I'm not

"I work for Jaime Rissa, he is the most discreet when it comes to his dating life," She said

"Oh really??" I answered her with the most amused face I could gather. I browse through the net and there on different pages are so many women that have been linked with him

"On Tuesday, the CEO of A.J Spins and Scent Jaime Adriel is seen with the art personality Moe Devan after a day being seen with the New York Times reporter Jessica Simpson. On....."

"Yeah I get the picture" She waved her hands around to show me just that, "something tells me that is exactly what he wants people to see" her eyes are on the screen much as mine but she has disbelief splashed across her face

"Okay I get you, you work for him as a marketer and don't believe in any of this shit going around and I get it, but he could still be the one"

"Or any of his brothers Rissa, we don't even know anything yet," She said

God she was right, if only Laura had made this easier for me I wouldn't be here right now finding Zoey's father

"I just need to get closer to them, then somehow I can gauge who the real father is," I said looking at Jessy

"You are crazy, you know that right??" She asked and I nodded firmly "how are you going to do that??" She ask and I shrugged

"I don't know the answer to that question, but I know I am going to get closer in some way and I will find out the truth" I assured her, more determined than I have been the whole I am here

"Okay great, whatever you choose" she slams the laptop so hard closing it

I tried to protest but she glared at me standing up with the laptop on her arm.

"Tomorrow is another day for job hunting Clarissa, you can't waste this entire night looking for what isn't there" she blew a kiss my way before disappearing with the laptop

I feel like this heavy stone has been draped on my shoulder, losing my sister has been one of the biggest things to have happened to me, and taking responsibility for her daughter has been what I adored more.

But now it comes more than that, she needs me now and I need to make sure things go well, at least I need to make sure she is alright

Half determined to start the day by sleeping off with this thought, I stood up from the floor, dragging the duvet with me I walk out of the living room

* * *

The sun is heavy on the sky, scorching hot that drip of sweat is rolling all over my white shirt

"Dammit" I swore so hard untucking the shirt of the trouser I have worn over it as I walk faster to get off the hot sun

After a day of walking aimlessly from one office to another, I need an evening to cool my head and just rest the day off

I know getting a taxi from that place to home was the best option but opening my purse I found nothing. No money

I have spent the entire dollars I took out with me today from hopping from one bus to another and now I have to trek the last step home

From where I'm standing I can see home but it seems so far away and I want to lay down here and cry as my heart feels so heavy

I was doing well back home in Decorah, the small library I have been working at paid enough money for the both of us

Suddenly fire from God knows where to raze the whole place down, leaving me with absolutely no money or any option for an income

After three months and doing little jobs in Decorah, I knew the sort of life I'm living isn't meant for Zoey so I started looking for her father

It was easy at first, I memorized the description Laura had told me. Not until I went on the internet and found out it wasn't easy at all

Instead of standing here and having a field day of pity, I went back into the sun, using my bag on my head as I shield and ran very fast

I turn the lock on the door and it opened

"Oh you are already home" I shouted into the house and seconds later Jessy pierced her eyes out from the bathroom door

"Don't tell me I left the door open again" she said dejectedly then came out of the bathroom

"It seems so" I went after her into the bathroom and dragged out all the pieces of clothing I'm wearing

Everything feels so wet like I have run a marathon and won or something

"I have news for you" she shouted from the other side seaming happy

"Really?? What could this news be" the bathroom has both the toilet and the shower tomb inside

It was small, and hardly fit two persons inside but in a big city like NYC this should be expected

"Well when you come out from there I will tell you" She shouted back

I turned the shower on and had a very quick bath. The water is warm, exactly what I needed after the whole sunburning that happened to me

Tying the towel all around my waist I walk out of the bathroom and see her over the small table in the kitchen with her laptop as she is focused on it

"What is this news??" I ask her coming closer till I'm standing beside her

"Oh well" she smiled and then shifted the laptop off her face to my way

I squinted my eyes and lowered my body to the level of the laptop and read it out

"This is to inform interested candidates that A.J Spins and Scent is looking for a personal assistant, and the categories are as follows..... Holy shit did I just read this out??" I turn my eyes away from the laptop almost jumping off myself with excitement

"You said you wanted to get closer, I think this is the opportunity you need" she winked at me looking as excited as I am

I cover my mouth as happiness blooms deep in there, I cannot believe my luck, although their requirements have already made me underqualified for this job but I think this is the universe's way of speaking to me

"When is this??" I ask her with the excitement that doesn't want to die down

"I think in two days, I am super excited right now and I can't wait for you to crush it," she said giving me a high five

I hope so too, I sincerely hope so

Jaime POV

I roll my sleeves up as I look at the supposedly budget for the opening of the branch at NYC 2 for Spins and Scent, it looks incredibly ridiculous

"Are you sure I approve of this??" I asked looking at every member of the financial team to their faces and trying hard not to sound annoyed

Most of them averted their faces as they usually do and those who could hold my gaze for as long as 3 minutes notice the tone my direction was going and their faces are back to their floor

I don't like scaring my employees, but most of the time they bring over this ridiculous type of proposal and it's worth hitting your head on the chin when you know it isn't needed

"You approved of it sir, and I was the one that oversee its usage" the head of the financial team Mr. Grant said as he pointed to the pages of the finance and exactly to the place I had sighed

Hands-on chin I did a thorough look at the signature, making sure this had everything to do with me

Once I knew I signed it although I cannot remember doing so I stood up from the seat looking at them

"Send that budget over to my office, and make sure my assistant brings them to me" I turn around to leave

"But sir..." I heard Mr. Grant's voice and stopped walking

Cracking my head on why I'm been stopped I turned around and gave him a hard stare

He bit the lower part of his chin and stared at me until I nodded my head toward him giving him a go-ahead

"I'm sorry sir but you have no assistant as of now," he said turning his eyes everywhere else but at me

Right. That clicked in on why no one else is sitting beside me at this meeting, I sacked the last of my assistant

"Fair enough, send it yourself" Without waiting for a response from him I turned around and left the office

I hope the search for a replacement is happening soon cause there is a lot to be done and I need more than a hand to oversee all those work, especially with another opening in less than two months

* *

The door opened, ushering in Jayce. I am always taken aback anytime I see any of my brothers cause of the way we all look alike, especially Jayce and me since we both are 6'2 and seem to take over that height from father

"Jaime what's up man" he came straight to my desk settling his ass there before clasping our hands together in a shake

"I don't remember wanting you in my office" I look at all the work that is staring back at me and sighed

"We have plans, the meeting remember??" He coyed his eyes out staring at me

Of course, I have forgotten, since there is no one here to remind me that

"Right the meeting" I start turning around the work I have been doing, pushing the papers into the desk so as not to forget where I have stopped

"If only you let this one go without fucking her" He hissed

"I didn't, I didn't fuck her" I eyed him reminding him exactly why I'm not like he is

I don't fuck my workers, for me, it is strictly business and when you mix business with pleasure it goes bad

"Oh really?? But the tales....." I stood up, shutting him up

"Can you get yo ass up and let's get there already" He huffed at me before standing up as we both started walking out of the office

We talked about the opening and how important it was for the business and the sales of that night as we walk through the elevator

At the down floor, I noticed a little commotion going on and the flocks of people that seems to have suddenly filtered through my building

"What is going on here??" I turn to Jayce who seems to have the same expression on my face

He looked at me and then his eyes twitch twice, something he seems to do a lot when he has a recollection

"That's right I remember now, the search for your new assistant" He beamed at me

"Oh really??" Since I have no idea of such happening and I have interest in that too "well I hope they get someone more trustworthy than the others" I said before turning around and walking away leaving Jayce still standing behind

And that's when I saw her. A dark lilac blond hair parked in a sharpy ponytail, bronzing brown skin that seems to scream loud, and the bold way she took her steps walking into the building

Her posture is straight, her face (although I cannot see it from here) facing ahead to where she is

She should be 5'9 with the heels on and the shabby chic clothing she is putting and yet she seems so familiar

I stopped walking, all my attention now fixed on the female that just walked in. Why does she seem so familiar

Her lilac blonde hair is shining so bright, making her brown skin pop up and everyone's attention seems to be on her

Noticing Jayce coming closer to me I turn around and averted my face from where it has been before

"So I've got the news" he suddenly announced

"And what could that be??"

"The meeting has been canceled," He said "and if you have had an assistant we could have known this sooner. See you mate" he tapped his hands on my shoulder before turning away

I took a massive breath in and turn back to the lady I have been looking at before, now she is on cue with the others and have half her face turned towards this way

I twitch my eyes to look at her directly and that's when I remembered the face

The girl from the opening. The one that was watching my brothers and me throughout the night like a hawk

What is she doing here?? Knowing I cannot stand here for any more minutes an idea pop into my head and I beamed before walking back to the elevator