Out Of The Blue

Amber's POV

"... You have a meeting in five minutes, a newly booked appointment with CadLtd," I glanced up from my tablet to take in the man sitting in front of me, with no ounce of emotion on his devilishly handsome face. Not even a goddamn flick.

His mask was always in place, I doubt it ever slipped. What is he? A statue of a damn Greek god?

His brows raised ever so lightly and my eyes fell back to my tablet and I cleared my throat.

"Well, the CEO of CadLtd wants to meet with you and probably discuss the merging of... "

" Cancel it"

The command was low, so damn low I'd have missed it if I was breathing so loudly. What!

"Cancel it?" I asked, he tilted his head staring at me in that 'do you have a problem with it' manner. I drew in a deep breath and fucking resisted flipping off my boss.

He's an asshole, I would agree with anyone on that. He was a beautiful one at that who had the attention of both male and female and yeah, they flocked around him a lot.

"Do you have a problem with that, Amber?" he asked and I shook my head even though my blood was simmering beneath my veins.

I'd managed to put up with him for three fucking years as his PA, his attitude never gets old but it gets on my nerves the whole time.

He stood up like a predator watching his prey, green eyes fixed on me with so much intensity I almost shuddered, but I managed to pull myself together.

I don't like this one bit.

"Good. I have a meeting to attend" he said before leaving the office in smooth, long strides without sparing me another glance.

I waited for a second, glaring at his back. If I had my way, I'd have knocked some sense into his 'not dumb head'.

Getting my feet to move, I knew better than to lag around.

When he said he had a meeting to attend, he was flatly biased... because we were both attending the meeting. That's how it's always been from the start.

If I wasn't present in a meeting, it pisses him the hell off. But I knew better than to say Xavier had an obsession with me because ha! The man was a stone.

Hurrying after him, I was fast enough to see him get into the elevator. I raised a finger, silently pleading with him to hold it for me as the doors were already sliding shut.

His face was impassive and he didn't even move a muscle. The doors shut right in my face and yeah, I lost my cool.

"Asshole!" I cursed my face and ears hot from either anger or embarrassment.

Luckily, we were the only ones occupying this floor of the company. My office came before his, I was doing both the job of a Secretary and a Personal Assistant and because my boss was Xavier, it sucked.

I ran my fingers through my hair before I stiffened, my eyes almost fell out of their sockets when the elevator slid open and my eyes met with that of Xavier's.

Oh shit!

The silence hung in the air thick and heavy. What does one say after calling their bosses assholes?

I took the easier route. Cleared my throat, straightened my spine, and walked right into the elevator avoiding his hunter's eyes and pretending I did nothing wrong. Well, I didn't.

"Thank you" I muttered, expecting him to be quiet just as he'd always been, but I was in for a big surprise.

He pressed the button leading us to the second floor which had the conference and meeting room.

"Did you call me an asshole?" He asked, his voice dry and dead serious. I shifted uncomfortably on my foot.

I lowered my head a fraction.

"No sir. You probably didn't hear right" I said, staring at my shoes. I loved my job too much to lose it, well I meant the pay.

There was silence and I risked glancing at him. His broad shoulders leaned against the elevator wall, his hands tucked into the pocket of his Tuxedo pants, and...amusement danced in his eyes for a slight second before it disappeared.

I was sure I'd seen it.

" I don't have hearing issues, '' he said and I almost huffed. Everyone thought he did. I wasn't going to touch that topic.

I won't be the one telling him he had hearing issues because the man heard right.

"I doubt" it was a grumble. Under my breath, he wasn't supposed to pick on it but he did.

Of course! Psychopathic abilities.

"You think I have hearing issues? Seriously?" I closed my eyes. I'd have pinched the space between my brows to wedge off the headache that I could sense brewing.

Before I could come up with a reply, his phone rang, cutting off our awkward little chit chat and I was grateful for the interruption.

His face darkened. His eyes once held a little warmth hardened and turned into frosty green slits. His lips pulled into a hard line, tension oozing off him.

I took a step back.

I know there was a lot to Xavier Castillo, he was a beautiful surface with the deepest and darkest secrets lurking beneath.

The elevator dinged and the doors parted, I stepped out of it almost too quickly.

But Xavier remained in it, his jaws set hard, his eyes staring into nothing, and his fingers wrapped tightly around his phone that I feared for the poor phone.

Whoever had called was a trigger or an enemy or... I don't know. The doors slid shut, but not before his gaze rested on me.

I shivered, his eyes weren't as predatory as they'd been earlier... they instead looked calculative.

And a calculative Xavier was dangerous.

It could never mean a good sign.

Xavier's POV

My fists were clenched so tightly that I had no doubt they'd turned white. It was one thing to have a brother who was an ally and a different thing to have one who hates your fucking existence.

One who'd call you on the phone to inquire if you're dead yet or remind you of the impending loom of you losing your trust fund and company...

Yeah, that one.

But then again, I should be dead. I deserved death, I looked forward to it every day but it just wasn't forthcoming.

I was wealthy. I built my company from nothing. I didn't depend on my father's money, which was a good thing anyway.

Not like I needed his money, but the last thing I'd ever do was lose my trust fund and company worth millions of dollars to Russo.

This brings me back to the clause on my grandfather's will.

I'd only become the CEO of TenBells legally once I'm married, only then would I be able to access my trust fund, and that too before thirty.

A reminder that I'd be thirty in the next three months. I needed to make a move.

But there's a problem.. the wife.

A knock sounded on the door, I raised my head. I'd been holed up in my office, after bailing on the meeting at the last minute and letting Amber represent me.

Amber.

I sat upright staring at the door. She isn't the kind of woman who'd knock on my door and wait for a response.

We were way past that level now. I wouldn't say she was comfortable with me, but she did way better than the rest of my staff.

That was what three years did to a person.

The door didn't breeze open as it usually did, instead, it creaked lightly. I raised a brow.

Funny.

Her head appeared first, with curious brown eyes watching me. I had no idea what she was searching for, but she was treading around me with caution.

And it pissed me off.

Pink stained her cheeks as she stepped in fully, shutting the door behind her. Meeting over, I guess.

I fixed my eyes on her face, I'd trained myself over the years to just keep my eyes on her face and not let them wander down her body.

Over the curves that stared at me right in the face, that looked sinful even if they were professionally covered.

Don't get me started on that ass.

"Meeting over. Ayana and her group are investing. That's good news" she said, excitement lingering beneath her voice.

I gave a curt nod. My body was still coiled in tension, though against my wish. It was just something I couldn't help.

She shifted.

Her lips parted and my eyes dropped to them, ever so searching for anything related to Amber Kingston.

Round, plump, and... probably soft, I could spend a whole day fantasizing about those lips.

"Are you okay? You..uh, seemed off earlier" she stated, her voice dropping a tad low. For a woman, who'd always wished I dropped dead... she seemed quite concerned.

And I had no idea what to do with that.. the way she was staring at me. I'd never had someone ask me if I was okay.

Well, I did but not anymore.

" I'm good," I cleared my throat. " Any of the investors pulling out?" I asked, gearing toward a change of topic.

A knowing look flashed in her eyes for a second and then it disappeared. Her lips curled and her shoulders straightened.

I knew that. She was back into professional mode.

"So far, they're satisfied with the way the company is going. The shares had increased and the products are doing well... None of them is pulling out" Her voice was clipped and she gave me a polite smile.

The one I'd seen her use for everyone, was her signature smile. Soft and does not imply anything.

I fucking hated it.

It was scary how I expected so much from Amber. I'd always wanted something I couldn't get and in this case.. It was Amber.

I stared at her again, my eyes roaming her face. Or maybe, I could get what I want just this one time.

I could get her to marry me.

It was just a random thought that startled me. A thought in one minute and something I should do in the other.

She was one of the people who knew me well, considering she'd worked for me for three years.

It wouldn't be hard living with her... this time as my wife. Wife.

The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Her lips were moving, but I couldn't bring myself to concentrate on what she was saying.

She's the only one damn fit for the role of my wife. She puts up with my attitude, even though she has a hard time concealing the fact that I rile her up... she was everything I needed to pull this through.

I knew I was being selfish. But come on, only Amber could pull this off. She was the only woman who knew me so well.

It would be convincing to everyone that I fell head over heels for my secretary of three years.

Who wouldn't buy such a story?

Her brows furrowed and she pursed her lips.

"Are you even listening to me?" She asked, brown eyes boring into mine. No doubt, frustrated.

I opened my mouth and only two words tumbled out.

"Marry me"

Amber's POV

I blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. What did I just hear?

"Sir?" I asked. Just maybe, I was beginning to hear things. There was no way Xavier would say what I'd thought I heard.

"Marry me," he said loud enough for me to hear. He sat up, undoing the first buttons of his shirt and losing his tie like he was suddenly hot.

Giving me a glimpse of his tan skin, I swallowed nothing looking away.

I opened my mouth to speak but no sound came out. What do I say?

"Are you kidding me?" Those were the words that left my lips. He only stared at me with a poker face unaffected.

" I don't joke Amber"

"You certainly just made a joke..." I pointed out, giving another awkward chuckle. He waited for me to quieten before splaying his fingers over his lips.

Those pretty lips.

"I'm not joking Amber and I did mean it when I said marry me," he said, his voice cool. He looked calm in this situation.

"Then, it's a no"

His lips tilted up just a fraction. He finds this funny. Great.

" I'm not asking" he muttered and I shot him a 'you can't be serious look'.

" I'm not giving you a chance to do so," I fired back. A sigh escaped me. " Today's been a long day for you, I'm going to walk out and pretend this never happened" And I meant it. My legs already hurt from standing so much.

Give a girl a break.

His eyes hardened.

"You think I'm not in the right frame of mind?" He asked and I nodded sheepishly.

Yeah, he wasn't.

" I think so," I admitted. I was so sure I wasn't going to feel bad about this later on, and I wasn't going to lose my job over this.. but it felt like I would with the way he was glaring at me.

He dropped his eyes to the seat in front of him.

"Sit" wasn't a request, it was an order. One that I was grateful for. I fell into the seat with a grateful sigh, even though I had no interest in continuing with this... conversation or whatever it was.

"I need a wife before I turn thirty or I am going to lose my company" he started and I raised a brow.

Okay, he isn't giving me much to dwell on.

"My grandfather's will," he said. I nodded even though I clearly didn't understand what he was saying.

"Then you search for a wife. I mean, it shouldn't be a problem for you" I muttered using my hands as emphasis.

He was damn gorgeous not to have a woman by his side before he turns thirty.

"I suppose it shouldn't, but I'm not a fan of relationships," I raised a brow.

"This is the part where you come in, you agree to marry me for a while and when the company is legally mine, we'll get a divorce" The words fell out of his lips smoothly and were almost too convincing.

"I'm a fan of relationships" I pointed out, not like I was going to do this anyway.

The light tug on his lips was there again. Would it kill the man to smile?

"A one-year deal. No emotions attached, after one year, we go our separate ways," he said and I scoffed.

"I'm not giving you a year of my life," I said, pushing out of the seat and rising to my feet. I was so done with this conversation.

He relaxed into his seat assessing me with green eyes. He looked so unbothered considering the conversation we were having.

"I'd pay you and not only that, I'd help you find your father" I froze. It felt like I'd been doused in cold water.

No one knew I was searching for my father, neither my mum nor my sister knew. They were the last people I ever wanted to know and... this?

So far, I haven't made any progress in the search. Where do you start searching for a person who disappeared over twenty years ago?

He smirked. He knew he'd gotten me right where he wanted me.

"How.. how did you know that?" I asked. I got a simple shrug in return.

" I'm quite an observant man, Amber," there was a tinge of pride in his voice. Bastard.

"I'm also going to pretend you don't go behind my back and use my company's connections in trying to find your father"

I swallowed nothing, a bead of sweat trickled down my back.

"Blackmailing me, huh?" I tried to joke, but my voice came out shaky.

He reared back, those green eyes studying me.

"No, I'm giving you an easier route. With me in the picture, be convinced that we'll find your dad faster than you think is possible" A bait. He was trying to lure me in.

Clients had always given it to Xavier to be manipulative and cunning. He knew how to play his game, but I never thought I'd experience it first-hand.

I shook my head. No matter how many years it took, I'd find my dad on my own time.

"No" It was a squeak that came from me. I could feel the blood rushing out of my face. I felt so damn pale.

"No?" He asked. A dangerous tint in his voice.

"I'd be able to find my dad in my way and time" I tried to sound firm but it sounded flimsy to my ears.

"You would. Yeah? What if it's too late by then?" He asked and I kept shut. He had a point.

I had no idea what situation my dad was in. If he was alive or in a hospital or worse still dead? I had no fucking idea, and it was driving me crazy but it wasn't enough reason to push me into marrying a man I despise.

Screw that. A man I fucking want to kill.

He tapped his fingers on his desk drawing my attention back to him.

"Tonight Amber, I need an answer tonight," he said in a dismissive tone and I knew it was conversation ended.

***

Hours after I'd arrived in my little apartment, his voice still rang in my head.

"... I'd pay you and help you find your father"

I wasn't making any progress in the dating pool, not even Tinder helped. The last date I'd gone to didn't end well.

There wasn't anything much that I'd lose, except a year of my life and time of seeing other potential men.

Aside from that, I get the money and... my dad. I'd become Mrs. Castillo, even if it was for a year.

My boss would become my husband.

My phone rang, jolting me out of my thoughts. I reached for it, sitting up on my bed where I'd been lying for the past hour.

"Hello?"

"You live in a goddamn slum?"

The question took me aback, I pulled the phone from my ear to check the caller.

Oh fuck. Xavier.

"No?" I answered. Well, it couldn't be described as a slum. It was way more decent.

"Room number?" He asked and I scratched my hair, staring at the ceiling. It's too late for his madness.

"I stopped being your PA, three hours ago. Why are you calling?" I probed. Working hours were off, this was the time I got to be myself.

"For fuck sake Amber, what's your room number? It's chilly out here" he hissed and my eyes widened.

Wait.. what?

"You're out...? In my neighborhood?" I asked, even though I knew the answer. Oh shit!

"Yes," his voice was hard.

I hesitated for a moment. What would he be doing in my neighborhood by this time?

Marriage.

I climbed off my bed and paced my room in my boy shorts and tank top. I bit my nails.

What do I say?

"Are you going to keep me hanging or tell me your room number?" His voice filtered through the phone and into my ears.

"107" I called out hurriedly and after a brief second, he hung up.

Fuck!!!