*I don't own Twilight, it all belongs to Stephenie.*
Jasper hopped off his black mini cooper and looked at the entrance of the imposing building.
He was apprehensive, that was an important day.
He ran his hand nervously over the jacket of his beige linen Gucci suit, which matched his Berluti oxfords, all chosen for that particular occasion. He needed to be flawless.
He took one last look at his reflection in the dark glass of his car window. His short golden waves were still tamed back, not even one rebellious thread jeopardizing his formal appearance.
He strode through the entrance to the counter that limited access to the offices. Sitting there, a stocky, frowning man watched his approach.
"Good Morning." He said in a cordial tone. "Would you, please, contact the HR department? Miss Dallas is waiting for me."
The man nodded and typed on his keyboard. Within three minutes Jasper was in the lift to the sixth floor.
Alone in the elevator, he fiddled with the ring that seemed to weigh on the finger it adorned.
It was a very fancy and very thick platinum band studded with little diamonds, a flat court profile and a brushed matte finish. Emmett had presented it to him six days ago when, celebrating their fifth anniversary, he proposed.
The wedding date was already set and their families couldn't be happier. It should be enough to make Jasper glow with joy and fulfillment. Any man in his position would… After all, that was just the icing on the cake.
Besides the fact he'd been living with the best of boyfriends for two years, a dedicated, sensitive, understanding man that was his best friend and biggest supporter, Jasper was about to occupy the second highest position in one of the largest multinationals of the country due to his professional credibility, which he acquired in a very short career time. He also had a great supportive family that loved and accepted him for who he was and, at the early age of twenty-nine, and without any financial help from his wealthy father, he owned his own apartment and car. He was independent, he was successful…
But he didn't feel accomplished.
It seemed like there was something missing, something he could not quite put a finger on.
"Mr. Hale." The slightly sharp voice sounded before the door opened completely, ripping him out of his musings.
Gracie, the company's HR director, was slender but not tall. Her wavy blond hair went down to her chin and framed her angular face, which was illuminated by her infectious smile.
She had been waiting for Jasper with a thick briefcase in her hands. Her steady posture contrasted with her uneasy gaze as she indicated the path with her finger for him to accompany her.
"We have to hurry. The superintendent will be off to London by the end of the day and will only return within a week. He has an important meeting with newly acquired clients. We have a breach on his schedule in half an hour. The day is full due to the modifications the company is undergoing, but he insisted on meeting you in person." The blonde chattered as Jasper tried to follow her quick steps along the long, empty corridor. "He demanded that I myself took care of the hiring for this position, and it was supposed to be done very carefully. You were very well indicated by a person I trust. I believe you have the potential the company needs."
Jasper nodded sheepishly and followed the woman silently, trying to ignore the subtle nervousness that such responsibility caused him.
I'm ready for this. I've been preparing myself for ten years. You do not have to be nervous. He thought to himself.
"First, I'm going to take you to your office, and then to the registration department so we can take your credentials." The woman continued to speak, oblivious to Jasper's reactions.
"Miss Dallas…"
"Oh, you can call me Gracie, Mr. Hale. We're colleagues now." The HR director said with a friendly smile.
"Gracie… Well, you can call me Jasper." He responded to the gesture with kindness. "The superintendent... He is my direct boss, am I right?"
"Yes. You respond to only him. And you'll probably work together most of the time. Mr. Cullen is young and full of ideals. He has great plans for the company. He needs support in the account management area in order to accomplish his goals. And that's exactly where you fit in.
Jasper wasn't hearing the woman anymore. He had frozen when she mentioned the name Cullen.
No. He repeated in his mind over and over. This can only be a coincidence.
After all, there were lots of people around the world with the same surnames… Not all of them were related.
But she said he's young...
No, no, no, NO! I can not think of him. I will not think of him! He scolded himself.
Gracie stopped in front of a blasted glass door, where it could be read Account Manager inscribed in gold letters in a fine metal plaque.
"This is your office." She said while opening the door.
Jasper turned and realized that he had not noticed the large mahogany table that strategically occupied the front of his room.
He was still afflicted by the possibility that threatened his future.
"Do I have to designate a person?" He asked, trying to concatenate his thoughts.
"If you prefer... But we can do it for you. And if you do not approve the person, we'll arrange another."
"It's all right." He spoke airily.
Jasper did not pay much attention to the presentation of the room. His heart was already racing and his hands were sweating.
He discreetly checked his watch. Only another fifteen minutes and he would find out if he was really doomed as he imagined.
After getting his credentials and leaving on his desk the few belongings he had brought, Jasper followed Gracie to the end of the same corridor where his office was located, getting truly surprised as he realized there were only those two rooms on the floor.
The huge oak door was intimidating. In front of him, a woman of simple and affable appearance was typing on the keyboard of a state-of-the-art computer.
"Jasper, this is Angela Weber, the superintendent's secretary. Angela, this is Jasper Hale, the new account manager.
Angela got up and walked around the table, offering her hand in a friendly gesture, even though she was admittedly stunned with the man's beauty.
"It is very nice to meet you, sir. Welcome". She spoke in her sweet voice.
Jasper sympathized with her at once, corresponding to the subtle handshake.
"It's my pleasure. Thank you."
"Mr. Cullen is waiting for you. Let me announce your presence".
And again there it was.
The nervousness had returned with full force. Burning his throat and his eyes in anxiety.
Jasper kept himself steady with some difficulty. He took a slow breath to try to regain his composure, but it was useless.
Angela spoke into her headset and nodded.
"You can go in."
Jasper's legs were wobbly. But he controlled his movements and disguised his agony well, walking after Gracie into the room.
He did not simply drop dead on the floor because he was very persistent. He could not allow that irony of fate to divert him from his career plan.
He kept his head held high as he found himself before the tall, virile man in front of him, trying desperately not to get, once again, hypnotized by those fierce green eyes.
The man circled his desk with an incredulous look. And before he could utter a word, Miss Dallas, as he called his great friend and confidant when in a professional environment, began the unnecessary presentation.
"Mr. Cullen, this is the new account manager..."
But the woman was carelessly interrupted by him.
"Jasper?!"