Chapter 3. Have We Met Before?

Cody was wearing an oversized facial mask as he helped her to clean the house. He was holding a broom that was much larger than himself, “Mommy, from now on, this place is our home.”

“Yep,” Cristelle climbed the ladder and changed the light bulb, “I promise I will get you guys a bigger house when I find a better job, okay?”

Cody nodded heavily. Candace just sat on the couch and looked at Cristelle confusedly.

She couldn’t understand what her mom and brother were talking about.

Cristelle cast a look at her sweet son and daughter. They always gave her strength no matter how defeated and tired she was.

She made up her mind that she would work hard for her sweet babies. She would do anything to provide them with a better life.

****

After leaving the kids to a trusted neighbor, Cristelle went to a nearby hospital, where she applied for her job as a medical assistant. Her friend had introduced her to this job. All she needed to do was go to this hospital and find a doctor named Drew Weston.

Dr. Weston was a famous therapist. Cristelle also found this job for Candace’s sake.

When Cristelle finally arrived at Dr. Weston’s office, she took in a deep breath as she stood before the door.

She knocked on the door three times, yet no one came to open the door.

“Doctor?” Cristelle called, pushing at the door gently. The door was not locked. She decided to poke in her head and take a look. However, when she tried to push the door open, someone was also pulling the door from inside at the same time.

Cristelle lost her balance and stumbled ahead. The next thing she knew, her face collided with a firm chest.

The man who stood before her was extremely tall, and he was basically built with hard muscles. His hard body even hurt Cristelle a little.

“So-sorry... I didn’t mean to,” Cristelle apologized as she stepped back, her bag falling off and all the content in it rolling out on the floor.

Linford was quite pissed off. He was never patient with women who deliberately threw themselves on him. Their tricks could get quite annoying and endless most of the time. They seemed too determined to get in his bed, and Linford just got irritated whenever they forged these repetitive scenarios.

He wanted to dust his suit jacket and walk away like usual, but he suddenly saw Cristelle’s eyes.

He didn’t know why, but those eyes looked so familiar as they stared at him innocently.

Fuzzy clips of memories shot across his mind... sultry dark room, a repressed moan... and blood on the sheet.

Linford closed his eyes, suddenly feeling a bit dizzy. But he soon steadied himself, crouching down to help the woman to collect her things on the floor.

It was rare for Linford. He was seldom so enthusiastic about any woman. Even Linford himself couldn’t explain why he was suddenly doing this.

“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to be so clumsy,” Cristelle was desperate to get the job. This entrance was definitely what she imagined making before her new boss.

“It’s okay,” Linford said, his voice deep and throaty. He still felt a bit of a headache now as he bored his clear pale eyes into Cristelle’s beautiful face, “What is your name?”

Cristelle thought this man was Doctor Weston, so she answered without any hesitation,” I’m Cristelle... Cristelle Friesley. I’m here to apply for the job. I believe my friend has mentioned me to you.”

“Oh...” Linford stood up as he flickered through a notebook he had just picked up before handing it back to Cristelle, “Have we met before, Cristelle Friesley?”

The way he said her name was slow and sensual, his voice deep as a cello’s. Cristelle only realized how handsome this man was when they locked their eyes. She couldn’t help blushing, “I... I don’t think so, Doctor.”

“Um... I’m actually here for the interview,” Cristelle swallowed as she added.

Gosh! This man was so intimidating.

She silently thought.

And her friend told her Dr. Weston was a bubbly person.

Linford noticed she was a bit scared. So he smiled at her, “You came here for the interview? Well... Congratulations! Because you just got the job right away.”

“Really?” Cristelle’s eyes widened in disbelief. She looked charming when she was overjoyed.

“Of course.”

“Thank you, Doc. You have no idea how much I needed this job. I’ll work really hard,” Cristelle smiled brightly as she shook Linford’s hand.

“I feel lucky having a diligent worker,” Linford couldn’t help smiling. This man was already attractive when he was not smiling. Cristelle didn’t even have the strength to look him directly in the eyes when he smiled at her like that.

Cristelle felt like she was walking on cotton when she turned around. After that, she couldn’t even push open the door.

Cristelle shuddered as she felt Linford lean over to hold the door open for her from behind. He was a tower of muscles. Cristelle felt tingles on her skin as the distance between them shrunk. She could even smell his musky scent.

“Please, Miss Friesley,” Linford’s voice was polite and sexy.

“Thank you, Doctor,” Cristelle murmured as she went out of the door. Her eyes skimmed across his long-fingered hand on her way out. A red bolt of a scar on his wrist caught her attention. Cristelle darted her gaze away instantly. She didn’t know how Linford got that scar, but she knew it would definitely be rude to stare at it.

When the real Dr. Weston finally returned, Linford was leaning on his couch, drinking a cup of coffee.

“What the heck did you do to yourself again, Linford?” Drew frowned as he noticed the scar on Linford’s wrist, “Did you cut yourself again?”

Linford shrugged as he put the cup of coffee on the table, not answering Drew’s question.

“Damn it! Can’t you control yourself a little?” Drew cursed as he rushed to find the first aid kit.

“Chill, Man. I’m not dead yet,” Linford said with a straight face. Drew would have punched that handsome face if this man wasn’t his best friend growing up.