SEVEN

~Abella 

It was liberating accepting the job. 

Now that it is the morning of work, I’m starting to regret my once confident decision. I wanted, at the time, to so desperately defy Cian’s demands. I’m not sure why he is so adamant that I shouldn’t take the promotion, but something tells me it has to do with the fact that now, he cannot control me. 

Those few nights ago when he delivered me safely back to my apartment, he mentioned nothing on why he found me interesting enough to pursue me to the length that he did. Not that I asked him, though. I mean, how would I ask that?

He has been back since then, and it’s been a few days. All my confidence has died off since I alerted the royal manor that I would be taking the job. 

Noah’s assistant informed me that he would be greatly pleased. 

Wiping my sweating palms against my jeans, I wander outside my apartment. It’s early enough to where the sun has not yet risen, my new job calling for me to show up earlier than usual. Considering how far away the royal manor is from my town, it means getting up early, and catching a taxi all the way there. 

How am I going to afford these taxi rides every morning? It’s not like I have enough  money to pay for my rent this month let alone these taxi rides. 

Oh. 

As I push through the glass doors of my apartment building, I see, standing against the same car I remember from the other night, is Cian. That smile on his face says it all. He knows he has trapped me in yet another situation with him. 

I’m tempted to simply turn around and walk away. 

“Don’t you look awfully nice for work? Trying to impress someone?” he asks, smiling wickedly as I stand still in the middle of the street, unsure of what to do. 

The taxi I called for has arrived yet, so it is just myself and Cian, standing under the illumination of the street lights. I know by now, he doesn’t mean me any harm, but it is unnerving that he manages to insert himself into every free space of my life. How he manages to find this information out about me, I don’t know.

“If you’re trying to ruin my first day, then I suggest getting out of here before I call for the authorities,” I mutter, clutching the straps of my backpack. Cian holds his hands up, trying to appear innocent. 

“I’m here to simply offer you a ride,” he says innocently. 

As if I believe that. Cian is here for a reason, and I have a feeling his motivation to not have me take this job is behind it. I’m not sure why he is so adamant I shouldn’t have this promotion, but i don’t care. 

“I have a cab that’s waiting for me, but thanks,” I say dismissively. Folding my arms over my chest, I look out onto the street, wishing this driver would show up. 

“Don’t worry, I sent him away so you didn’t have to pay. At least this ride I’m offering you will be free,” he tells me, popping the passenger door open. Inside, a violet light glows, trying to entice me into the car. I grit my teeth. My ride is gone, and there is no way that I’m going to be able to book another one in time. I’m surely already late.

Irritable, I tap my foot against the ground. “Why are you doing this? What do you want with me? All I’m trying to do is go to work.”

Cian doesn’t seem fazed by my desperate tone. 

“I’m simply offering you a ride,” he tells me, propping the door open a little further. I don’t need to glance down at my watch to know I’m going to be late if I don’t leave soon. So against my better judgement, I shove my bag into the car, and follow after it. 

Cian rounds the car, hopping into the driver’s seat. I hate that I had to accept his ride, but getting to work on time means more to me than my pride. This will be my first real impression on the Alpha, which is something I cannot mess up. Through him, perhaps I could get another big promotion.

“No driver today?” I comment, as he pulls onto the street. 

“I thought you would appreciate the offer more if it were me driving you to your first day of work,” Cian comments, looking over at me with that toxic smile I’m growing to truly hate. Every time it appears, he is doing something that I’m not prepared for. 

Shifting in my seat, I look out the window. “You better get me there quickly. I don’t think you understand how important this promotion is for me.”

Cian doesn’t care, I know that. All he  cares about is taking up my time, forcing himself into my life where he isn’t wanted. I’m curious about how he managed to become so obsessed with me from one encounter. Maybe he wants something from me, yet I’m still trying to figure out what. 

“You shouldn’t work for someone like Noah, you know,” Cian tells me smoothly. I glance up at him, a frown etched into my face. 

“What would you know?” I question.

Cian shrugs, looking out onto the road as we swiftly leave the city. “All I’m saying, is that working for an Alpha can never be good, right? They are big headed and greedy. He’s just going to use you. You mean nothing to him.”

There’s a force behind Cian’s words that make me flinch. Cian might be rich, but I highly doubt this guy from the Desire pack knows anything about my Alpha. Maybe he is jealous I got a job in such a high place and he hasn't. I’m not sure why that would be the case, since he manages to pull money out of nowhere. 

Honestly his motives are just one big mystery. 

“Why did you want to take me to work then if you’re so against the Alpha?” I question, watching trees blur by us with the speed of his car. At least we will make it to the Alpha’s manor on time by the looks of it. 

Cian doesn’t say anything, falling silent. Knowing he isn’t going to explain himself any further, I settle into my seat, and pray I get there safely. 

Time passes without me noticing for a moment. It seems as though we are driving quickly, making good headway to make it to the manor by my required time. And I believe that, until the sun rises and I glance down at my watch, noticing that I’m half an hour late, even though as far as I know, we are heading straight there. 

“Oh my God, I’m late,” I say frantically. 

Cian glances at me. “I’ll get you there, don’t worry.”

“No, I can’t be late. You have to drive faster,” I tell him. He doesn’t drive faster, but thankfully, the moment I glanced out the door, the royal estate stretches upon me, and relief consumes me. I might be late, but at least I’ve made it here on time, and that is the main thing. 

“I’m sorry you’re late,” I hear Cian say, but I don’t listen, as I step outside of the car, running toward the back of the building. 

There is no time for me to admire or enjoy the sight of the manor. Right now, I need to get in here, and explain myself to whoever is willing to listen. Most likely, they are going to turn me away and tell me never to come back here. Thanks to Cian, I might not be able to pay rent again for this month. 

I’m greeted the moment I walk through the back door by the same woman I saw last time. She looks much more frightening this time around, dark hair pulled into what I assume is her usual bun, framing her angular face. 

“You’re late,” she comments. 

“I know, I’m so sorry. I know no excuse is going to get me out of this, but I was meant to get taken in by a taxi, but some guy who has been stalking me practically, sent my taxi away and offered to drive me. He is the reason why I’m late, I swear,” I tell her, while she stands there, arms folded over her chest. 

I’m getting the feeling she is enjoying the fact that I’m late. She wasn’t nice to me last time I was here, so why would she be nice to me now. 

“I’m not your boss, so I would suggest waiting until you can make your plea to the Alpha, who I believe would be more interested in hearing what you have to say,” she says, her voice full of fake sweetness. 

My throat goes dry. Surely I’m going to get fired. 

I’m sent to the same room once again, where I first met Noah. There, I wait patiently, hands clasped, feet tapping on the ground. My second job and I’m going to get fired right away. How could I have let this happen?

Cian will pay for this. I’m not sure how, but he will. And I’m going to do it by unearthing his deepest thoughts, so I can find out why he is so obsessed with me. 

Or obsessed with ruining my life.