The Love We Share

By Aisha

Nila Rose is James Grey’s PA of five years. She’s the perfect PA as she’s always on time, completes her tasks, and doesn’t have to be told what to do more than once. After completing her studies, she has applied for a job as James’s PA so she can gain experience in the field of work, but after five years of knowing James, she can’t seem to leave.

James Grey has it all—the looks, the money, and the brains. Men want to be him, and women want to be with him. However, James only has eyes for a particular Trinidadian woman who is also his PA.

James has done something that breaks Nila’s heart. One night, things have happened between them, and Nila is now carrying his child. James has a secret that puts both Nila and the baby in danger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796011913

Aisha

About the Author I am born in Trinidad and Tobago, which are twin islands in the Caribbean. I’m the third of four children. I live in the countryside with my family, but I rather spend my time on the roof or in a quiet place by myself. What I love about growing up in Trinidad is that everyone gets along despite our races and our rich mixture of different cultures. I enjoy dancing, designing clothing, biology, astronomy, chemistry, writing, reading, and drama. Writing is my favorite because it’s my way of escaping reality. I have also learned to play the keyboard at the age of nine.

Book preview

Chapter 1

On Monday morning, my first day of torture for the week finally began. I groaned loudly as I got out of bed—well, more like fell off my bed. Let me put it more like this: My alarm rang, but I was too tired; nevertheless, I still had work, so I tried getting off from my bed but got wrapped up in my sheet. And when I tried to get off, I fell off the bed.

I then went to my bathroom after getting out of the sheet, in one piece, that is; did my business; and then brushed my teeth. The apartment was big enough for two but not a family. The walls in the living room were black and white, and the kitchen was also the same color, but the stove and sink were both silver. The bathrooms were cream and had a shower, a tub, and a toilet as well as a sink with a mirror; and as for the rooms, we decorated them how we wanted. I chose blue and purple as I thought these two colors matched really well together.

Afterward, I went to my closet and picked out my outfit for work and a pair of black high heels, and then I took a bath and got dressed. I never liked high heels, but it was part of the wear needed for work. I then brushed my hair and tied it in a bun. Then I went and applied a little bit of makeup since I never liked them.

I told my roommate and BFF, Christina, that I was leaving for work so she wouldn’t get mad at me for not telling her. We worked in the same company, but she was supposed to be at work thirty minutes after me. She never liked being early, but she was not lazy. If you were wondering why we stayed in an apartment fifteen minutes away from work, it was so we didn’t have to wake up too early. Afterward, I left to get Mr. Royal Pain in the Neck his coffee and me some breakfast with a cup of cappuccino.

The café was a two-minute walk from my home, so it didn’t take long. That morning, there was a long line, so I was happy I left home extra early. I liked going to work early so I would get started earlier and finish earlier. While walking toward the line, I bumped into a guy with blond hair and brown eyes. He was really cute but not as much as James. Where is all this coming from? Nila, remember, he is a royal pain in the neck. You hate him.

Sorry, we both said at the same time.

It’s okay. I’m Ryde, and what is your name?

I’m Nila.

Nice to meet you. Would you like to join me for coffee?

Nice to meet you too, but I’m in a rush, so I’m afraid I’ll have to pass.

Okay, I understand, but I hope to see you again.

I hope so too. Bye. With that, I went and got James’s coffee and myself a caramel cappuccino and a muffin for breakfast.

I didn’t expect to see Ria, my friend. Well, she was my friend until she started to hate me because I worked as a PA to the most eligible bachelor in the world. She then came up to me and told me she got a job as James’s secretary and to back off because he was hers. She even dressed like a gold digger now. You think James will go after you, Ria? He’s smarter than that. Then I walked out of the café. She was getting on my nerves; she was really naive.

She acted nice when we first met maybe because she thought she needed to be nice to the average-looking girl. Then I got an interview at Grey’s Incorporated and decided to take it, even though I heard rumors about how arrogant he was, that he didn’t care for anyone but himself, and that he mistreated his employees. In the end, I got the job and discovered that, in reality, he was the total opposite.

Let me get back to telling you what happened. I tried to keep it from Ria because she was obsessed with him. Her room was literally painted with James on it, and she was always boasting that she would become the future Mrs. Grey. Then one day I got really ill to the point where I couldn’t go to work, and when I didn’t show up, James came by my house to see if I was fine because I usually was never late or absent, or so he said.

I obviously invited him inside since Ria said she was going shopping, and I didn’t want to be rude. He did travel a long way to check up on me. He then carried me back to my room since I couldn’t walk well from how sick I was, and he went and made me soup. This was surprising since I thought he couldn’t cook. But I didn’t mention the fact that the tap wasn’t working well, and his shirt got wet, so he had to remove it.

But we forgot to close the apartment door, and Ria walked in. She saw him, and at first, she thought he came to see her because of some competition, but he didn’t even see her at the door. At that same time, he came into my room with the soup in a bowl; and when he opened the door to enter, I noticed her behind him. She then turned and stormed out of the apartment. She took everything the wrong way.

When I got better, I tried calling her numerous times, but she didn’t answer her phone. Then one morning when I was getting ready for work, she came into the apartment. Without waiting for me to say anything, she pounced on me; but when I dodged her, she started to scream at me. You … you stole him! I thought he came and was making me brunch, but he went into your room, not even noticing me! And worst of all, he was shirtless!

I was sick, and he came to see me. Why are you acting so?

He came to see you? Are you sure that it isn’t that you wanted me out of the house so he could come and I wouldn’t know? And every day when you return late from ‘work,’ I bet you were with him. I mean, nobody called and said I won, but I assumed that he surprised me!

Maybe I was with him, but you got it all wrong, and you’re the one who said you were going shopping!

Really, I didn’t even like you, but I was just being nice!

You know what? I don’t need any fake friend, and I’m his assistant that is why I was coming home late from work, but it was because, instead of paying half the rent, you were spending the money on stuff you’ll never even use.

I then left the apartment, and while entering the building, I bumped into Christina. After apologizing, we began to talk and became friends. After a few weeks, Christina told me she was also looking for an apartment to stay in, and then we became roommates. When I told James, though, he literally interrogated me; and in all honesty, if I had the choice, I wouldn’t have told him, but he needed to change it on my file.

Let’s get back to the real world. As I arrived to work, I got into the private elevator for the CEO and his personal assistant. Yes, I knew what you were thinking. Oh my gosh, you’re one lucky girl. Well, let me tell you, it was a good thing if you took away all the glares I got from the women in the office. When I arrived on the top floor, I went to my office and put down my purse on my desk as well as my cappuccino and muffin, and then I went to James’s office and put his coffee on his desk; he wasn’t there, so I assumed he was just a little late, and I decided to leave.

As I walked out of his office, I walked into a wall. Wait, walls don’t breathe and have hands. Without looking at the person, I said, I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear a reply maybe because I was busy mumbling about how clumsy I was, and then the person interrupted me.

I know you’re clumsy, no need to tell me, Mrs. Obvious. I knew that voice—James.

I slowly looked up at him; today he looked even cuter than usual. Are you done staring, Nila?

I didn’t even realize I was staring; this was so awkward. Okay, Mr. Obvious, but just so you know, I was not staring. I was just wondering how I ended up working for a royal pain in the neck. I believed God wanted us to be honest, so I was being honest.

First, if we’re Mr. and Mrs. Obvious, that would make us husband and wife. And second, I’m not a royal pain in the neck, but you, you’re a pain in the behind.

I can’t blame him for calling me a pain though. I was really one, but he didn’t have to make it sound so dramatic. First, wipe that stupid smirk off your face. Second, we can’t be husband and wife because we are royal pains to each other. Third, I’m not a pain in the behind. And fourth, don’t we have work to be doing?

Yeah, so you have to help me with some files, and you’ll be in my office for the entire day.

Yes, sir, Mr. Grey, sir. I then gave him a dramatic bow, and we made our way to his office—after I got my stuff, of course.

Just as we were about to enter his office, my phone rang, and what I heard next from Christina made me angry—no, I was furious, and I wasn’t normally that kind of person. Usually, I would take deep breaths and calm down, but now I couldn’t keep it in. James Deacon Grey, can you explain why my stuff from my apartment is being moved under your orders?

Oh, well, you see, it is because from today you’ll be living with me.

Why would I do that?

Because, as my PA, your job never really ends, and I don’t think you’ll want to be trying to get a taxi at midnight to my place, and I don’t want you in danger.

Fine, I’ll let this one go, but inform me next time, please. And FYI, I own a Range Rover.

I will, and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. Let’s get started.

Sure. Don’t judge me, but I forgave easily. My god taught me to.

With that, we started to work on the files but not before I went and got my cappuccino. During lunchtime, neither of us felt like leaving for lunch, so he ordered us pizza. I told Christina, and she understood, but maybe it was because I told her that I had a lot of paperwork and not that I was too lazy to go to lunch. Technically, I didn’t lie, though, because we did have a lot of work to complete. Plus, while waiting on the pizza, we did complete as much work as we could have.

James and I did get into an argument, though, because he said I was overqualified to be a PA and that I was being offered the job of the CFO. I turned him down. We didn’t talk for a few minutes after that—yes, a few minutes. Apparently, I couldn’t ignore him.

Hey, James?

What do you want, Miss Rose?

Please don’t use that tone with me, and I only turned down the offer because I love being the PA, and you know my job needs more work to be done than the CFO of this company.

It’s fine, he said as he showed his signature smirk.

Why are you smirking? It’s because of the work, not you.

"Are you sure, mi amor?"

Positive, and I am not your darling.

You care for me, don’t you?

No, I don’t.

Admit it.

No!

Why not?

B-because I don’t.

You know you do.

For the hundredth time, no! God, please forgive me for lying.

Don’t overexaggerate. It’s only the fifth time.

"You arrogant, cold, calculating bastardo!"

Did you seriously call me that?

Yes, and I do care for you, but you just had to make me admit it.

See? I knew you do.

How?

Well, aside from you admitting it just now, remember when I got sick and you took care of me and banned me from work so that I’ll get rest?

I do.

Then that’s how I know you care.

Oh, let’s get back to work. We then resumed our work, with me being a little more playful than usual, and