Beautiful Scar

Chapter 1 RUNNING LATE

JENNIFER'S POV

The bustle of New York City always takes me out. At this point, I don't know if that's what I hate about this city. I sit behind the counter, prop my hand under my jaw, and lean my upper weight on the counter while watching the activities outside the glass doors animatedly. People-gazing has to be the best sport of all time—people just aren't aware of its benefits.

I glance at my wristwatch, bobbing my right leg impatiently on the stool. I hate this part of working, especially since Amanda takes over my shift. That girl never understands the art of punctuality, and it scratches my gut that she has to be the one working after me. Now, don't get me wrong—I absolutely like Amanda. She is a ball of sunshine, so bubbly, and at the same time, a lovely soul. I wouldn’t have minded her lateness if I had nowhere to be.

Talking about going somewhere, I dig my hand into my baggy pants and pull out a neatly folded piece of paper. I peel it open to go through it once more.

An eviction notice.

My landlord is the absolute worst—no, he isn’t. I’m just flatbroken.

I received an email last week about the expiration of my rent, but I was broke then, and I still am. I had to do what a girl had to do. I spent my entire week sneaking in and out of the apartment so he would miss me one-on-one. I woke up this morning, ready to carry out my criminal routine of sneaking out, when I saw a folded paper beneath my door. He had threatened to lock me out of my house, and oh! He really can.

Until today, I have to get a lot of money to control my landlord’s rage... I have a lot of money in my pocket, but it isn’t a lot since I live in a dingy basement.

This week has been a blessing in disguise. Ellie called in sick. Lexi is on leave, and the manager has traveled to another branch in the next city for God knows what. This means I’ll get paid the worth of three people, which will do a lot of good for my pocket. Thank God it’s Friday—I’ll swerve to HR at the back to get my weekly pay.

The door chimes, and I raise my head, praying to see Amanda. But to my non-disappointment, I see a man in a tux step in.

Eli.

He glances at the counter, catches my eye, and spreads his lips into a broad smile. I try so hard to fight the smile threatening to escape from the corner of my lips, but when my stupid lips give up on me and flash themselves at him, I do not blame them either.

Eli has been my friend since college—my very good friend. Two years ago, he bagged a great job as the PA to the CEO of Sterling Corps, which is enormous. People would die to even see such an aristocrat of society, let alone work directly under him.

I started working here earlier this year, and to my utter disbelief, I saw him walk in on my first day. After three years out of college, I hadn’t seen him until then, and it was a pleasant surprise.

He walks up to me, and my inner teen hushes over him as he moves forward. Eli had always been my crush since freshman year. He was the handsome, nerdy boy who still became popular around school. And maybe because he consoled me when I wept my heart out over my dead goldfish, he looked even more handsome to me.

Now, he has grown even more breathtaking—brain-numbing, in a s*xy way. His sandy hair curls neatly on his head, his oceanic green eyes are so soft they could make grandma cry, his nose is small yet straight, and his lips... Oh, Lord! His lips are so enticing that I could just—

"Down to earth, Jen."

A finger-snapping drags my attention back, and he is now leaning close to me over the counter... Wait, how did he get so close?

I clear my throat and plaster a friendly smile on my face. "Hey."

"You always zone out, Jenni," he says with a soft smile. I don’t take offense because, honestly, it’s true. You don’t want me telling him that I was secretly drooling over him, do you?

"Eli, how are you? Here to pick up your boss’s favorite coffee?"

Eli chuckles. "The usual. He’s in a hurry."

"Right." I bolt up with relative speed and move to get the coffee ready.

Eli’s boss is quite temperamental—so I’ve heard. There are a lot of complaints and praise about him at the same time. Eli adores the man immensely, though he refuses to admit it. But you need to see how he gushes over his boss—and when he hates on him, too. It always gives me the vibe of a nagging girlfriend—not the bad kind, though. I would have thought there was something fishy if I didn’t know that Elijah was as straight as a plastic ruler.

Besides, who would even be at the bottom? Eli? Nope! Eli defines masculinity at its peak—his muscles, features, carriage, and everything about him. Well... you never know with men.

I immediately set the cup of coffee on the counter and winked at Eli, who shook his head with a smile.

"You owe me a drink, remember? I'll text you a date and time, and no excuses, Jen," he whispers before leaving just as quickly as he arrived.

Can I give an excuse now?

I part my lips, ready to protest, but his d*mn legs stretch out so long that he leaves the café before I can even speak.

My weekend is packed. I have piano lessons with kids on Saturday morning, a personal painting session in the afternoon, and I need to binge-watch the Japanese movie I downloaded recently. Can’t let it go to waste!

The doorbell chimes again, and I hope it’s Eli so I can spew my excuses once and for all. When I see a redhead, I know it’s Amanda.

Finally.

I sigh and peer at her, trying to look offended, but I know it’s futile. That girl has a truckload of excuses ready to go, and we both know she’s about to lie through her teeth.

Okay, so... 1-2-3-4 aaaaand—

"I’m so sorry I’m late, Jen, sweetie. My gran is so sick—I just came from the hospital."

You see? A lie. She said her gran died last month. But we all know Amanda doesn’t even have a grandmother.

"You need to keep up at this point, Mandy," I say.

"I know, but I didn’t have control over this one, you know—"

I interrupt her before she ventures into a non-existent sob story, a smile on my lips. "You said she died last month. I mean, keep up with the lies, will you?"

"Urghhhh! You got me there."

Amanda drops her act immediately, the sorrowful look on her face quickly disappearing.

She reverts to her usual self. "Honestly, I’m so sorry for being late, but if I could return in time, I’d still do the same."

God, no! We are not going down this lane today.

Amanda is quick to share personal details. I don’t mind since I get free gossip, but some things are too personal—I have to protect my ears.

1-2-3 aaaaand—

"You wouldn’t believe who I saw today! I came across Jason—the brown-skinned, s*xy guy from Block B across the street. We got a little dirty, you know? And guess what? He is so good! You needed to have seen his—"

"La la la la la!"

I block my ears immediately. I do not want to hear details about Jason’s... anatomy.

"Alright, alright! No more details." Amanda raises her hands in surrender.

"I need to get changed and go. You know I have plans," I say.

"Oh, whatever! You’re such a bore," Amanda sniffs, unbuttoning her jacket.

"I saw our hottie, Eli. Banged him yet?"

I shake my head, incredulous. "Amanda, I’m seriously done with you."

I rush inside to change. I hear Amanda calling out about how hot Eli is, but I don’t even want to know.

The only thing I think is finishing on time and heading to my next job—I can’t afford to be late.

Chapter 2 Saving Matteo

JENNIFER'S POV

Excitement is one way to put it. I got my paycheck this evening, so I won't get kicked out after all. I’m in a cab on my way to my next job, and the sum of money in my bag already has me floating on cloud nine. All I can think about now is the extra cash I’ll make at my next gig—enough to pay off my rent ultimately and finally get the landlord off my back.

The vibration from my bag drags me out of my blissful thoughts. I dig my hand inside, brushing past the carefully placed bundle of cash. It takes a whole lot not to squeal in excitement.

I pull out my phone, and when I see the caller ID flashing on the screen, I hold back my reflex urge to hiss.

Big Bro.

Seriously.

Way to destroy my mood in seconds.

I decline the call and chuck my phone back into my bag. I definitely cannot think—

"INCOMING CALL FROM BIG BRO."

A tiny robotic voice sings out from my phone.

Oh, screw you, Siri, a