Chapter 6 - Serendipity

You're my Serendipity, I wasn’t looking for you, I wasn't expecting you. But I am very lucky I found you. - Denise McIntire

Sapphire POV

I woke up feeling grumpy this morning. My night, as always, was dark and unwelcoming. It was the same dream being replayed in my thoughts repeatedly.

After the revelation that was dropped on all of us by Mr. Hargrove last week, the tension in the office was thick, and everyone was unsure what would happen now. There were multiple whispers about what the new CEO would be like.

I went to the bathroom and began getting ready for the day. I wore a navy-blue suit before slowly making my way downstairs.

After my dream, I wasn’t in the mood to interact with anyone today. It wasn’t normal for a person to have the same dream recurring over and over again.

But despite my designation towards the beast who chased me, I couldn't help but let my thoughts wander towards the man who saved me each time. He was an enigma, but I couldn't help but feel intrigued by him.

I would be grateful if I never had to see him ever again.

As I made my way into the kitchen, I was surprised that Michael wasn’t there today, so I decided to make a quick breakfast.

I was biting into my hash browns when I heard my mother's heavy footsteps as she came down the stairs. I turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow as I took in her unruly hair and long robe.

I smirked as I stared at her. "So... How was your night?" I asked casually.

She sent me a deep glare causing me to raise my hands at her defensively. When my mum got into one of these moods, it was best to leave her alone and not disturb her. From what I could tell, she most likely argued with Michael.

"Not a word." She seethed. I stuffed my mouth with hash browns as I watched her begin to rummage through the fridge.

"So, did I tell you we got a new boss?" I said casually.

She slammed the fridge door before turning to look at me in surprise. "No. What happened to Mr. Hargrove?"

"Apparently, the company is going bankrupt, so he had to sell it." She hummed in response as she came to sit next to me with an apple in her hand.

She must have noticed the worry on my face as she came up to me and pulled me into a hug. “What was that for?’ I asked.

She sighed, pulling away slightly as she raised an eyebrow before saying, “I know that look. You shouldn’t worry. I am sure everything will be fine.”

“But what if it isn’t? If he is going to fire someone, it makes the most sense for it to be me,” I said in frustration.

“Hey! You are great at your job; I am sure he will see that too. And even if he does fire you, it is his loss. You will get another job, and we will be fine. You don’t always have to be the one to take care of me.” She said firmly.

I sighed as I nodded my head; I knew she was right. I just couldn’t find it in me to accept the fact.

"So, who is the new guy? Is he hot?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows at me, and I groaned at her in response.

"Mum!" I groaned as I rolled my eyes at her.

My mum was constantly trying to match me with men. It didn't matter how often I clarified to her that I wasn't interested in a relationship. It didn't stop her from trying.

"What? You are a young girl. Beautiful. Yet still single. Why?" Mum asked quizzically.

"We've been over this. I am not interested in guys." I said to her firmly.

"So, girls then?" She said hopefully.

"I am not a lesbian mum. I am not looking for love from anyone except you and maybe Michael. We can manage him." I said to her with a shrug.

I watched her scowl at the mention of him. "Trouble in paradise?" I asked her teasingly.

"He has just been acting weird lately and has been very secretive. I do not want him to become distant. It feels like he is pulling away." She said in annoyance.

I felt my face soften at her words. Michael was an idiot sometimes; he did not know how to express his emotions well, so he often came off as impassive or cold. He was distant because he was thinking about how to propose to her. On the other hand, my mother was an overthinker, which is why they were perfect for each other.

I pulled her closer, placed my chin on her head, and rubbed her back. "I am sure he has an excellent explanation; if not, we can always chop off his balls," I said with a grin.

Slowly she pulled away from me, and I watched as she quickly wiped the tears away from her face before offering me a sad smile.

She suddenly turned to face the clock on the wall and turned to me with frantic eyes, saying, "We are going to be late for work."

I groaned. "Can’t I just start my retirement now?"

"If anyone should retire, it's me. Come on. I am driving you. Maybe we can meet your boyfriend there." She said cheekily.

I huffed at her words. "I don’t need you to drive me."

But she gave me a sharp glare in response to my words which immediately caused me to shut up.

I groaned when we made our way toward her beat-up car. It was on its last leg, so I preferred to take the bus.

"I might as well have walked," I muttered.

Eventually, the car started, and we began our journey. My office is only fifteen minutes from our home so that I could have quickly taken a bus. But no one says ‘No’ to Emily Trainer.

We came to a stop eventually in front of the building, and she widened her eyes at how tall it was. People usually had the same reaction when they saw it.

"Have a good day at work, sweetie." She said, ruffling my hair, and I grimaced. I patted her bump before making my way out of the car.

Before I stepped in, I heard her beep her horn and turned around curiously. "Don’t forget to be extra good for your new boss." She shouted, and I could feel several eyes on me as I blushed deeply with embarrassment.

I ignored her and made my way into the building after having faced enough embarrassment as it was.

I took in the atmosphere around the office, and although there weren't many people around, I could tell there were a lot of hustles.

I greeted Suzzy at the reception desk as I stepped up to her. "Hey, Suzzy. Why is everyone so tense today?”

"Didn’t you hear? The new CEO might be coming in today." She said excitedly.

"Oh," I said, unsure of what else to say.

"Everyone is polishing up their portfolios and getting their work in order. They say he might change up a few things." I gulped at her words. If he was firing people, there was a chance I could be part of them. I was relatively new and not a significant asset to the company.

I feared what would happen if he did fire me. "See you later, Suzzy," I said to her grimly before making my way out of the room.

I headed towards my office and gritted my teeth when I saw Carlos sitting at my desk. "Someone is getting fired today. I can't wait." He said cheerfully.

I shot him a glare, shooting him away as I sat behind the desk. "This might be the last time you see me; you know."

"Leave so I can finish my paperwork," I begged and watched as he reluctantly stood up. "Better do that. It may be the last one you ever do." He grinned, practically jumping on his feet.

I rolled my eyes at him before turning back to my work. I was grateful that my workload was a lot less today. People wanted to make the best first impressions, so they were doing their work for change. It was a little past lunch, and everyone had relaxed as they assumed he was not coming today.

I was just finishing a design for a cafe when my phone rang. It was Michael, and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion before quickly answering the phone.

"Hello?" I asked. There was screeching on the other end before my mum spoke up.

"Saph, you need to come home now. There is an emergency." She said, causing me to freeze.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked in a panic.

"I am fine, but Michael isn’t. We need to get him to a hospital." I felt my heart sink at her words.

"I am on my way. I will meet you there." I said before hanging up.

My blood pulsed in my ears as I tried not to assume the worst. We couldn’t lose Michael. He was the most important person to both of us.

I rushed out of the office room and ignored the multiple curious gazes I received from people. Carlos tried to make a snide comment, but I wasn't in the mood.

I felt tears as I made my way to the lobby. I wasn’t looking where I was going as I moved through the rotating doors, only to bump into someone.

I gasped as I stared up at the man.

It was him, the one who filled my dreams and nightmare.

He smirked down at me as he said.

"I finally caught up to you. Nowhere to run to now."