Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 62 Epilogue

9 Years Later

I felt the cold rain hit my skin, one drop after another as I stepped out of the car. I opened my umbrella and smiled as I looked up at my company.

To be honest I never thought I'd own my own fashion company especially because I was never one to care so much about fashion. In high school, I'd wear whatever. If I wanted to look classy and wear a dress for the day I would, or even if I felt like wearing sweatpants then I would. I didn't dress to impress anyone but myself, yet here I am everyday dressing to try and start a trend.

My smile widened at the beauty of the tall building at night. It was kind of funny if you thought about it. I didn't even realize how much I loved fashion until the wedding dress project Mr. Keith assigned. When I won that and got to be an intern I was ecstatic. It was such a great experience working for Valerie Thompson. She's actually the reason I was where I was.

As for the speaking thing with the new dean at Johnston Boys University, it did happen about a year and a half later and my speech hit quite a few people around the world as I ended up spending my summer months traveling and speaking at different places. That wsa where some of my fame came from.

Still I guessed it was a good thing I got kicked out of the boys’ university all those years ago since it led me here. Someone suddenly bumped into me and my butt hit the ground from the hard impact.

"Excuse you," I said sarcastically.

Some people.

"Sorry, I didn't see you there,” a male voice said, holding out a hand. I couldn't see the face of the man because of the blinding light from the building, but I still accepted his help.

Once I was up I thanked him before finally looking at his face. He was definitely handsome. I thought silently as I bit my lip and at least he had the decency to apologize.

"Sorry again, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Although I should've been because you are definitely one of the most beautiful girls I've ever ran into,” he said, flashing a charming smile.

"What do you do this often?" I asked jokingly and he shrugged putting his hands into his pocket.

"Only on Saturdays,” he said and I laughed before holding out my hand that wasn't holding the umbrella for him to shake.

"The name's Claire,” I said smiling and he shook my hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Claire. I'm Jesse,” he said and I nodded as he released my hand. "So this is just out of curiosity. But was there a reason why you were just kind of chilling on the middle of the sidewalk?" I laughed, nodding while taking down my umbrella when I realized it was no longer raining.

"Yeah this is my building. I like to look up at it sometimes and appreciate that I own it and think about how I got here,” I said, looking at building again.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that. You must be pretty famous then,” he said making me look at him again.

"You must not be from around here then. Most of Seattle knows who I am and I don't mean that in a conceited way,” I told him and he chuckled.

"Yeah, well it's nice to know there's still hope for the world today if there's people who don't take everything for granted.” I smiled at him silently agreeing. "And you're right I'm not from here. I live in LA."

"Oh how come you're here if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'm visiting an old friend,” he said, a familiar dark look appearing on his face and I nodded. I've only seen a look that dark on one man before.

"Hey, I know we just met and all, but by any chance would you like to go to dinner sometime?" he asked me, changing the subject and I have him an apologetic look.

"Sorry I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression, but I have a boyfriend,” I told him and he nodded.

"I'm not surprised. Of course, a beauty like you would. How long have you two been together? If you don't mind me asking."

"About eight years,” I told him and his eyes widened.

"And he still hasn't put a ring on it?" I let out a small laugh, nodding.

"He has a bit of commitment issues. I'm sure he will soon though." The last part didn't come out as confident as I wanted to, but I still plastered a smile on my face. It took an extra year after Eddie's death for Caiden to ask me out. We both needed time to fix ourselves. He did end up getting a therapist for three years once he saw how much mine helped me the year that I had her. Although he still is sensitive about his past he's not such an ass all the time.

"Understandable. But, Claire as much as I have enjoyed talking with you I have business to take care of. If you ever want to take up my offer maybe as friends, then here's my number,” he said, taking a piece of paper and pen out of his jacket and scribbling something on.

"I'll definitely take you up on your offer sometime soon.” I smiled and he nodded before stuffing his hands in his pockets and walking away.

I looked down at the paper he gave me to see his number and his full name, Jesse Farone. It had a nice ring to it. I walked inside the building and headed up the elevator to my office. I looked at my assistant at her desk.

"You can and the rest of the office can go home for the day. I expect you here by five in the morning tomorrow. We have multiple orders and shipments that have to be gone through tomorrow,” I told my assistant, Elena getting straight into work mode.

"It's already eleven,” she complained frowning and I raised an eyebrow.

"If you're not here by five tomorrow you'll be fired,” I told her and she nodded. I walked into my office closing the doors behind me.

After working on some new design ideas I decided to call it a night when the clock reached 1:30. My cell phone rang on my way out, making me sigh.

"Hello?" I answered, tired not even bothering to check who was calling.

"Hey, baby doll,” Caiden's voice made me smile and relax a bit. "Are you coming home soon?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm actually leaving now,” I told him, shutting off the lights.

"Good,” he said before hanging up the phone. I frowned looking down at my cell. Believe it or not his social skills have gotten better ever since he became the CEO of some huge manufacturing company.

Thirty minutes later I was finally home. I opened the front door and walked inside, locking it behind me. I threw my keys and purse on some table and kicked my shoes off.

"Long day?" Caiden asked, peeking his head out the living room. I jumped, putting my hand on my heart.

"Geez way to scare me,” I muttered. “And you already know the answer to that. I've been running around all day.” He came over to me and wrapped his arms around my waist pulling me against his body. When I felt his muscular chest I knew he wasn't wearing a shirt. I turned myself around in his arms and smiled.

"How was your day?" I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Great now that you're here,” he told me before pecking my lips a few times. "I attempted to make us some dinner,” he said and my smile widened.

"What? The Caiden Anderson made dinner? I'm surprised. Who knew you even knew how to use the stove.” He rolled his eyes before removing my arms and grabbing my hand, leading me to our kitchen. When I saw the candles and the beautiful dinner placed out in front of us I was almost positive tonight was the big night.

We sat down eating and enjoying our dinner for a while before he sighed standing up and bring his plate to the sink. He leaned against the counter and looked at me.

"You're so beautiful,” he said making me smile and stand up.

"And you are so handsome,” I told him walking over to him. He kissed my lips letting his hands rest on my waist again. A few minutes later when we were both breathing hard he pulled away.

"I'm suddenly in the mood to go to bed. Care to join me?" he asked smirking, and I rolled my eyes.

"I guess,” I said pushing his chest a little signaling for him to let me go. I grabbed my plate placing it in the sink and followed him upstairs.

No, that night he didn't propose to me. A few weeks later I came to figure out that maybe he just didn’t want to marry me. Sure I was happy being his girlfriend, but in reality how long could I be happy never having a ring, or even kids? If he wasn't ready for marriage then I was sure as hell knew he wasn't ready for a family.

His past was to blame for this. He would never want true commitment like marriage or a family because of what happened to him. I could still be happy with him right? I mean if I can go undercover in an all-boys school then I can definitely face my future with Caiden Anderson.

Right?