Chapter 3: The New Beginning

Sabrina Dubois' POV

It was Monday when I got the exciting news. My awaited job has finally arrived. I was overjoyed. I looked at the company name, Live Corp Industries. I tore the offer letter up and read the job offer.

"Dear Ms. Dubois, we are happy to tell you that you have been selected to work with us on research-based in Chicago, Illinois. Please come to work on November 1st or any time after your J visa has been processed. Thank you for making us your first choice and welcome aboard! AH!" I was screaming loudly after I read the letter. I was running into my house to tell my father about the job offer. He was pleased but also overwhelmed. He was pleased that I finally got a job but also, he's worried to let me go to a foreign country without friends and family. I assured him that I can survive, and he doesn't need to worry about it. He smiled before decided to have a little party with our neighbors and friends about my job offer.

We were setting the house for a small gathering. I told my friends, Solehah, Momo and Sherry about the party and they told me that they will definitely come. I was cooking a grand meal such as Turkey roast, fish tacos, beef stew and also Chicken curry that I learned during my trip to Malaysia. It smells really good as I was done to serve to the guests. They did not arrive yet until 8 P.M. and it only 7:45 P.M. I still got time to get ready.

I was taking a shower in the bathroom as I was shampooing and scrubbing myself. I then went to the counter to blow-dry my hair. My read, curly hair was cascading my face when I finished blow dry it. I choose to let it loose tonight as I was putting on my embroidered emerald dress. It hugs my figure perfectly, showing the right curve. I was doing my makeup in the bathroom when the bells rang.

"I got it," my older sister shouted as she was opening the door to allow the guest to come in. I was finalizing my looks before went downstairs to greet the guests. There were the Debaux, the Martins, the Bernard, and the Thomas and there were some other people that I can't recognize. Maybe my sister's friends and family. What the hell? It was supposed to be my party!

I was mingling around the backyard before someone came up to me as he was tapping my shoulder on the back. I turned around to see Charles Bernard, the guy that I had the crush in high school, looking all rugged and charming was looking for me. I was drinking champagne at the time as I choked on them when I saw his face.

"Hey, are you okay? Sorry if I startled you," he said apologetically as he was patting me on the back. I coughed a few times before straightening my back and smiled apologetically at him.

"Sorry, I was surprised to see you were here. I thought you're on vacation with Sophia, where is it?" I said trying to get the name on top of my head

"Denmark?" he asked, helping me out.

"Ah yes, Denmark. What happened?" I asked him as he was supposed to travel with his fiancée, Sophia to Denmark to visit her family there.

"Yeah, she had some work to do so we did not end up going. Anyway, enough about me. What about you? I heard you got some job in the States. I mean, that's pretty awesome. New country, new place, new people. That is amazing," he said while sipping on his champagne.

"Yeah, it is great. Overwhelmed, mostly but thinking about it just makes me feel sad, you know. I will be missing my family a lot probably and I don't more time to spend with my dad. It is a step of going into adulthood, right?" I said while looking at his beautiful face. His hazel orbs were looking at me with such intensity. My feet turned to jelly as he was looking at me. Someone cleared their throat behind us. We turned around and saw Charles' fiancée, Sophia was looking at us, more like glaring at us. She then smiled sweetly as she looked at Charles and smiled saccharinely at me before holding his arms.

"Honey, who's this?" She said while looking at Charles. Charles was stuttering to introduce me. I smiled sweetly at her and introduced myself.

"Hi, I'm Sabrina. Charles' friend from high school," I extended my hand to shake her.

"Oh, you're Sabrina. Charles told me everything about you," she said before kissing me on the cheeks. I smiled sweetly before looking at the couple.

"I hope it's all good things he said about me," I replied. Charles was rubbing his neck before someone called me. My sister, Sasha, was shouting that my friends had arrived.

"Excuse me," I said to the couple before heading out. I turned to look back at them and saw that Sophia was whispering seductively into Charles' ear before they both kissed passionately. I smiled sadly as I make my way toward the door.

"Hey guys," I said as I spotted the trio from afar.

"Hey, Sabby! Cool party," Sherry said.

"Here, let me take your coats," I said as they were handling their coats to put into the coat's closet. We were making our way to the backyard and settled in at a deserted table. There were people playing some card games, singing and chit-chatting. I took a seat at the table as my friends were taking some champagne from the refreshment.

"Congrats Sabby! Finally, you ready to work. I hope you have a good time in the States," Sherry told me as she was sipping on her drink.

"Yeah, I heard a lot about exciting stuff over there but don't get too excited. There is also some bad news. You have to get home before 8 P.M. to make sure you safe okay?" Solehah said concerned before putting her hand on my shoulder. I nodded at her concerns and smiled.

"Hey, Momo! What are you smiling about? Seriously, she's just freaking me out," Solehah said as she was looking at Momo. Momo just laughed at her snide remark.

"Well... I got some good news. I...I...I just got engaged!" Momo said excitedly, making everyone turned towards her.

"Really?!!" We said in unison.

"So, who's the lucky guy?" Sherry asked.

"It's Pierre, you know, the boyfriend from Nice. He proposed to me on the yacht and..." Momo's speech just got adrift as I was thinking back to that intense slate orbs. It just mesmerizing until someone tapped on my shoulder.

"Hey, Sabrina. We're about to head out. Thanks for inviting us. Congratulation, by the way." Charles said with Sophia at his side. I stand up to greet the couple. I kissed their cheeks as we were saying goodbyes.

"Thanks for coming and thank you. Have a nice night," I said before they went into the house to the front door. The trio just looked at me and smiling wickedly as they looked at each other.

"You look so calm after meeting your crush and his fiancée. Don't get jealous now," Sherry said, making the other women laughed.

"Shut up," I said before sipping on my champagne. But lately, the only thing that keeps on popping in my mind was that intense slate orbs, high cheekbones with 5 shadow feature and those lusty, kissable lips.

I wonder if our paths cross again and oh boy, why did I wish for that…

Nathan White's POV

"what is it that was so important that you need me back in the States, Alfred?" I asked as I walked inside the conference room as Alfred was sitting at the end of the table.

"well, well, well, I'll be damned if isn't the best agent of CIA, Mr. Nathan White himself?" He said as he stood up from the chair.

"How are you doing, Alfred?" I asked him as I hugged him. He has been like a father to me ever since I joined the CIA.

"So what's the big deal about this Red Arrow chick that will be joining us in the mission?" I asked as I was crossing my own chest. Alfred just chuckled when he knew that was the idea that had been playing in my mind.

"well, if you need to know about it, why don't you contact themselves?" He asked me. I just want to mush that old man as he was playing with me.

"that's the thing. They don't have any connections or anything that can make us believe they even existed," I exclaimed as I slammed my hands on the table.

"they could be the terrorist for goodness' sake," I said as I was looking at Alfred who remained to calm the whole time.

"maybe you don't give them the chance to prove themselves and now you are accusing of the thing that they did not even associate themselves with," he said as he went to the door.

"I'll say we need to take precautions," I said as Alfred looked at me.

"I think you need to concern yourself with this," he said as he threw me a dossier that contained Celine Dubois.

"I already have this," I said but Alfred was long gone.