The Billionaire's second choice

JADE AELYN ROSE'S POV

"You can do this Jade "

"You can do t...."

One peek at the mirror was enough for the daily affirmations to fall off my mouth and bad memories flooding in as I continued to stare at my reflection.

"Fatty jade"

I winced slightly as I remembered the nickname that stuck to me through middle and high school.

I stared at myself, jeering my thoughts away from the current depressing ones.

I wasnt that person anymore, I was better now, I think.

"Cmon jade, you probably have a better job than most of them."

I said, trying to hype myself until a creeping voice in my head whispered

"That's if you could keep it "

I realised it was futile trying to hype myself, that depressing voice would always be there to shut me up.I tore my eyes my from the mirror, my mind riddled with disturbing thoughts that was until

My room door was thrown open by a strange man, I looked at him as though I was a deer caught in head lights.

"Sorry I was looking for the bathroom "

He said while running his hands through his hair as an attempt to look cool

I only just blinked and pointed to the door across the hallway. He smiled sheepishly before shutting the door, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

I really had to talk with my roomate Diane, she made life so difficult for me.

I couldn't forget the amount of times, I had to pick her from the bar because she was drunk out of her mind nor the amount of times I had to pick her up from the local police station.

I specifically hated seeing the bodies of naked men, Jay walking into the apartment like I wasn't living here.

My alarm rang beside me and I rose to my feet and grabbed my things. Today I was starting a new job as the Assistant to the COO of a fortune 500 Company called SANDOVAL CONSTRUCTION....

I took one last glance in the mirror, straightening the creases in my outfit before dashing out of my room.

I walked into the main area, rolling my eyes at my naked roomate, who had a red solo cup in her grasp. I decided to tiptoe over her but she snapped her eyes open before I could even get to the door.

"Get me water Jade"

I bit my lip as I continued to stare at the wooden floor.

"Water Jade, are you deaf!"

She raised her voice and threw the solo cup at me, making Alcohol dappen my shoes, I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water in the fridge, tears brimmed in my eyes as I stared at her

I wanted to say No

I wished I could say No but unfortunately I couldn't

"H..here y.y.you go"

She chucked down the water before throwing the bottle at my head and laughing

"How's your pathetic self going to work with that stutter?"

I bit my lip from crying, I stuttered only when put in uncomfortable positions, I didn't do it so often. I swallowed whatever I wanted to say and bolted out of the door.

As I drove to the office with tears brimming in my eyes, I tried convincing myself that she was only jealous because I got the job and she didn't.

It was a 40 minute drive to SANDOVAL CONSTRUCTION. I stared in awe as I looked at the building in front of me. It felt like a mighty tower with the name SANDOVAL CONSTRUCTION shining bright Atop of it.

"Are you going to stare Ms Rose or get in"

My head Snapped up at the scowling face of my supervisor,

"Good morning Ms lauren"

She raised her palms shushing me as we walked into the building with her heels clicking rather loudly.

"You're 6 minutes late on your first day "

She stared at the exquisite timepiece resting lazily on her hand. We walked into the waiting elevator and she continued

"Tardiness is unacceptable here"

She snapped at me and I bowed my head in shame, I peeked at the other employees in the elevator, some gave me pitiful looks and others snickered.

"But then I would expect nothing less than from someone who came from a nameless school."

I balled my fists, trying to keep my anger at bay, I worked hard to graduate top of my class, she had no right to demean me like so,

"Do you need a royal invite to exit the elevator "

I blinked, I was lost in my thoughts. I hadn't realised the elevator had stopped.

I ran behind her as she walked particular fast to torture me more.

I had to catch up to her, I met her standing infront of two large double doors.

"Let's meet your new boss shall we"

I took a deep breath and she threw the doors open and we walked in, I calmly took the sight before me

My eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before me.

There, seated, was a man unlike any I had ever seen. With a tall, imposing figure clad in an expensive tailored suit, he exuded an air of power that seemed to fill the entire hallway.

Without raising his head in my direction, a subtle smirk played on his lips. It sent shivers down my spine, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from his ambience that was scribbling something down on a piece of paper, was as if he knew something, something that sent a wave of unease washing over me.

Before I could regain my composure, he spoke, his voice smooth and velvety, dripping with a hint of danger.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A timid little assistant, late on her first day. How delightful."

My breath hitched in my throat as his words hung in the air.

His voice sounded a little to familiar

I knew that voice very well, I just couldn't put a finger on it

His presence was overwhelming, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he held the key to unlocking a dangerous path.

But as I opened my mouth to speak, he suddenly snapped his head up and fear washed over my being.

He had the same icy blue eyes that tortured me for six years

The same eyes that were responsible for the many scars littering my body

The same eyes as my high school bully.

All these thoughts raced through my mind, but with each passing moment, the mystery deepened, leaving me on the edge of a precipice. Little did I know, this encounter was only the beginning, plunging me into a world of secrets and unexpected twists that would change my life forever.

JADE AELYN ROSE'S POV

"A...alex"

I whispered, staring at those cold blue eyes dancing with mirth.

All the memories I had buried so deeply had begun resurfacing once again, it felt that the scars that littered my body were reopening once again.

It seemed that they recognised the person who made them.

His blue eyes made the painful past I swore I left behind rush in.

His name was ALEXANDER JAMES SANDOVAL . He was the epitome of the rich, popular jock in high school. With his charming smile and charismatic personality, he had a way of making everyone fall under his spell, even me despite being the bearer of his cruelty. I was the nerdy girl, the easy target for his cruel jokes and relentless bullying.

I still remember the day it all started. I had just moved to a new town, hoping for a fresh start. But Alex had other plans for me. From the moment he laid eyes on me, he made it his mission to make my life a living hell

"Miss rose"

Ms Lauren called trying to snap me out of my reverie, but her voice was blurred out by the powerful enigma who was making my body quake without doing anything.

"Aelyn "

I shook uncontrollably when he called my name, only he called me by my middle name. He made my name sound like a punishable sin.

I shook my head, his voice was exactly the same, but only deeper but it still held the menacing tone as always.

"Aelyn."

He called again and this time his voice was slightly raised, my knees gave out making me fall to the ground.

I could remember the times he passed through the halls and shoved me in the lockers.

The times he locked me into the janitor's closet when he realised how terrified I was of the dark.

Soon I began hyperventilating and hitting my ears trying to rid myself of those voices that haunted me.

"Aelyn, don't you want to play with us"

"Fattie jade"

'Look Alex, Fattie peed herself.'

Tears streamed down my eyes furiously, as Ms Lauren tried to stop me from continuously hitting myself. She was talking to me but it all just felt like a high pitched ring in my ear.

Black polished shoes were the last thing I saw before passing out.

I woke up on a leather couch, I blinked once and twice trying to make sense of where I was.

"How do you feel ?"

I almost got a whiplash from turning my head so fast at the sound of his voice.

"Ff..I.. ne, thank you"

I spoke hastily as I rushed to stand up from the couch but fell back down because I was lightheaded.

"Take it easy Jade"

His voice cooed and I gaped at him, why was he being so tender.

Why wasn't he making fun of my stutter ? He always made me feel so small and insignificant,

What has changed?

Why was he now nice to me ?

Tears welled in my eyes, so in fact he could be nice, but he chose to hurt me and make my life hell in high-school. He and his friends made me feel less than I actually was.

And now, here he was, sitting in front of me, as my new boss, his face void of the signature smirk always resting on his lips. But something had changed about him. There was a sharpness to his features, a darkness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. It was like looking at a different person, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened to him since high school.

I continued to stare at him, and he looked ethereal, sitting behind that desk made him more powerful than he seemed.

His great physique made the three piece suit he was wearing seem better than it was.

His dark raven hair tied tightly into a man bun and his icy eyes raking my skin.

I got the hiccups as I continued staring at him.

He was a little too beautiful that sometimes I forgot to function as a human whenever he was close by.

As I snapped out of my daze, I forced myself to speak, despite the trembling in my voice.

"Alex"

I called him, trying to snap him out of his reverie, the way he stared at me unravelled me and made a wreck of nerves.

I managed to say without stuttering, my words barely audible.

"I would rather you address me with honorifics, I am your boss after all"

I swallowed thickly, staring into his eyes that seemed to have softened for a second, hardened again.

"Do you still remember me ?"

He asked, tilting his head slightly

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"How could I forget?"

I half-whispered, half-mumbled.

He leaned back in his chair, still studying me with those piercing eyes.

"Well, I'm glad to see you've grown up,"

he said, his menacing voice laced with an unsettling mix of mockery and curiosity.

I looked down at my trembling hands, trying to hide the fear that was threatening to consume me.

"I've learned a lot since then,"

I said, my voice is stronger now.

"I won't let you intimidate me anymore."

For a moment, there was silence in the room. The air felt heavy with tension, as if two worlds were colliding in that very moment. And as his gaze bore into mine, I couldn't help but wonder what game he was playing.

Finally, he let out a low chuckle, the sound sending chills down my spine.

"Oh, Jade,"

he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I never expected you to be so feisty. This might actually be interesting."

My heart sank. It was as if he still saw me as that timid, scared girl from high school. But I was determined to prove him wrong. He stood up, taking one step after another, his eyes never leaving mine until he was standing right infront of me.

I took in a shaky breath, when he bent to my eye level.

"As much as I love you being feisty "

He said softly as he caressed my chin, I shut my eyes, relishing his touch.

His hand grabbed my neck harshly and I stared at him, my brown eyes shining with fear.

"I miss my obedient Aelyn."

He said with a wicked smirk that left a cold shiver down my spine, And made a new resolve steel within me. If working for my former tormentor was the price I had to pay for my dreams, then so be it. But one thing was certain, I would not let history repeat itself.

I would prove to myself and to Alex that I was no longer the girl he had known in high school. I was stronger, wiser, and ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

JADE AELYN ROSE'S POV

"How was your first day weirdo "

I nodded robotically as an answer to my roommate's question, as I stared blankly at the TV screen.

"Jade"

I shot from my seat, pouring juice on the couch,and she looked at me as though I had gone crazy

"What the hell "

She screamed at me, after realising the juice had poured on her favourite white jacket.

"I'm so sorry"

I scrambled, trying to wipe the stain from the jacket but ended up making it worse.

She shoved me harshly making me wince

"God, you're so pathetic Jade "

Her harsh words made tears well in my eyes, I really didn't mean to but I couldn't bring myself to stand up to her.

"I'm sorry Lara, I'll get you a new one."

She stared at me with disgust shining in her green eyes.

"Do the world a favour Jade and drop dead"

She picked up her keys and stormed out, slamming the door as she left.

That was all it took for the tears to fall from my eyes.

My body shook as I bawled my eyes out as though I was mourning.

I dragged myself back to my room, staring at the mirror,

no matter how much I told myself that I wasn't that girl who almost bled to death in the hallways.

No matter how much I lied to myself that I was better than the girl who was shoved around all those years ago,

The truth was simply that I was the same fat pathetic pushover.

"You're nothing."

I whispered, that was Alexander's favourite thing to say to me. His cold eyes would stare into mine as he said it, trying to ingrain it in my head that I was truly nothing.....

Next day......

The sound of my alarm jolted me awake, bringing an end to the restless sleep plagued by nightmares of my past. I realised that I had fallen asleep in front of the mirror, I wiped the dry tear streaks from my face and as I looked at my reflection, determined to see the woman I had become. No longer would I allow myself to be defined by the insults and abuse of others. I took a deep breath, repeating my newfound mantra.

"I am not nothing. I am strong. I am resilient. I am worthy."

I needed to stop letting Alexander and Lara control and hurt me so often.

I smiled at my reflection once again

"You can do this Aelyn"

I repeated over and over again before going to prepare for the day ahead.

I drove absentmindedly to work, staring at the large building as a looming nightmare.

As I walked in the building, people stared at me, as they also whispered.

I couldn't blame them, I ran out of the building like a mess yesterday, with mascara tear streaks smudged on my face as I ran out of Alexander's office as though the devil was chasing me.

"I bet she would run out again today"

I heard a couple of Coworkers whisper to one another as they saw me in the elevator. I began to fidget as we drew close to the 1st floor. The doors opened and I took a shaky step out straight to his office.

I knocked and heard him say enter before opening the doors.

"Good morning Mister SANDOVAL."

I greeted, despite me shaking, I did not want to give him the satisfaction of breaking me.

His lips tilted to a small smirk and his eyes danced with mirth.

"You're late, Aelyn."

I looked down and stared at my feet, the longer I was in his presence, the more terrified I was.

"I am sorry Mister SANDOVAL"

He shooed me away and after that I walked to my desk burying myself in work.

"Get in here Aelyn"

I heard his voice through the comm device and I took a deep breath before going to his office.

"You called sir "

"I need a file from three years ago, for the complex of Bert Street."

He threw me the keys to the storage and I went to the dusty storage, spending hours trying to find his stupid file.

I walked back to his office, sneezing because of the dust, and it didn't help that I couldn't find the file he requested.

"I couldn't find the file"

I whispered audibly, I was afraid of the ire of his anger.

"It's okay, I found it"

I raised my brow at him in anger, if he had found it, why the hell didn't he tell me before searching through piles of dust.

"And you didn't think to tell me"

I snapped, annoyance dripping out of my voice.

"Drop the attitude Aelyn"

His tone was warning but I was just too blinded with rage to care

I stood my ground, refusing to allow his intimidation to break me.

"No, Mr. Sandoval. I will not drop the attitude. I have had enough of being treated like I'm less than deserving. I deserve respect and fairness, just like anyone else in this office."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, obviously trying his hardest to keep his anger at bay, but I wasn't done lashing out.

"No wonder everyone abandons you'

His eyes snapped open and he looked at me with anger swirling his blue orbs.

"Seems you have forgotten your place"

He took menacing steps to me and grabbed my wrist pulling me out of the office as he walked briskly.

"Where are we going Alex"

I asked as he shoved me into the car and drove off like a maniac

I banged my hands on the window, but he ignored me and continued to drive,

His hands turned white as he gripped the steering wheel in anger.

"Alex I'm sorry"

Tears leaked from my eyes out of fear of what he might do to me, he was furious and it terrified me to my core.

He took a sharp turn and my heart sank when I realised where we were going

"Alex stop the car "

I pleaded, but he refused to look at me.

" Alex, please"

Tears streamed downy eyes furiously as I saw the black gates of the place that had tortured me,

The gates to my own personal hell in the shape of a school.

He stopped the car abruptly and opened the door.

"Get out Aelyn"

He said while opening the door for me, I shook my head No with tears running down my cheeks.

He Yanked me out of the car dragging me out and into the school

Each place reminded me of memories that haunted me and scarred me.

"Alex please "

I shook uncontrollably as he dragged me to the hallway, I could still remember my body hitting the lockers,

I looked at the janitor's closet and I remembered how he locked me in there

"Look everyone, fatty Jade is scared of the dark."

I could remember the laughs that echoed these very hallways as I cried and begged for them to let me out.

"Oh God the whale peed herself "

The laughter never stopped and they never faded, I crashed to my knees in the middle of the hallway, making Alex stop and look at me.

I was kneeling exactly in the spot where I was found all bloodied.

The exact place where my blood pooled the hallways.

Loud ringing pierced hearing and worried blue eyes were the last thing I saw hovering over me before passing out.....