Chapter 4

TERA.

"What the fuck are you doing in my office?" His voice was deep, cold, and terrifyingly calm, making me freeze.

I tried to breathe, but my lungs betrayed me.

His ocean-blue eyes narrowed at me with disgust. He didn't need to raise his voice for me to feel the impact of the venom in his words.

God, he sounded as intimidating as he looked.

My pulse quickened, and a cold sweat broke out along the back of my neck. It was like my body was betraying me, sending me into full panic mode.

Thankfully, the secretary had walked out even before Mr. Ryan lifted his gaze from his computer to see who his appointment was.

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to compose myself, "I..." my voice trembled, "Good morning, Mr. Ryan," I greeted as that was the first thing I was meant to do before anything else. As if that would calm him down.

He scoffed, shaking his head as if he'd seen something unbelievable, "This must be some kind of a joke," He shut his eyes momentarily as if trying to hold back something dark and dangerous. His jaws clenched so tightly I thought they might crack, and his hand balled into a tight fist as he glared at me.

He was doing everything he could to contain himself.

"Don't tell me..." he said slowly, his words laced with disbelief, "Don't tell me you are the one my uncle asked me to give a job...?" He said and I didn't know if it was a question that needed to be answered or not.

"I am sorry, Mr. Ryan..." I began, licking my bottom lip nervously.

What exactly was I apologizing for?

I sounded stupid.

"You are sorry?" He scoffed, "You nearly destroyed my life!" he continued, "My daughter almost died that day. And what did you do? Nothing. You just stood there like she wasn't worth saving. And now you think you can just waltz in here, ask for a job, and get it handed to you on a silver platter? Without working for it?!" The last words came out firmer, making me flinch.

His eyes were burning with something darker than disgust—hatred, maybe? It was as if the very sight of me was repulsive to him.

The corner of my eyes stung with tears. My throat tightened, panic bubbling up inside me. This was worse than I could have imagined. "It wasn't like that," I choked out, my voice trembling. "I didn't mean—"

"Didn't mean what?" His voice rose, "Didn't mean to let my little girl choke to death? Or didn't mean to be so heartless that you couldn't even try to help?" He scoffed, shaking his head.

He leaned back in his plush leather seat, "So, aside from being a heartless bitch, and manipulating people to get undeserved favors, what other evil things do you do?" He asked with raised brows.

"I'm sorry," I whispered as I dropped to my knees. It was the only thing I could think to do, the only thing that might show him how sorry I truly am. "Please, Mr. Ryan... I never meant for any of that to happen. I didn't know what to do. I was scared..."

"Scared?" he spat, "Sorry, Miss. Tera Williams, you can't work in my company."

My heart stopped.

I couldn't stop the sob that tore from my throat. The humiliation, the guilt—it was all too much. "Please," I begged, my hands trembling as they clutched the fabric of my skirt. "I'll do anything... I just need a chance. Please."

His eyes were full of loathing as he looked down at me. "I wouldn't let you work in my company if you were the last person on earth," he said, his voice as cold as ice. "I wouldn't even let you clean the fucking floors here!"

I flinched at the harshness of his words.

He grabbed his phone off his desk, dialing a number, his jaw clenched with fury.

"Uncle," he called into the phone, "I'm not hiring her. I don't care what the deal was, but I'm not giving her a job in my company."

There was silence as he listened for a response, but whatever Mr. Kingsley was saying only made him angrier. His eyes flashed with even more disgust as he looked at me, his lip curling in a sneer.

Finally, Ryan dropped the call, slamming his fist down on the desk with a loud bang, making me flinch. "Fuck!" He cursed.

My body felt numb, cold with fear.

Without another word, he grabbed his suit jacket and keys and walked toward me. He paused for a moment, his eyes burning into mine, full of disdain. Then he stormed out of the office, the door slamming shut behind him.

I was left alone, my body trembling as silent sobs wracked my chest.

What was I supposed to do now?

My mind was spinning, overwhelmed with confusion.

Should I leave or stay?

That was a stupid question to ask. Of course, I had to leave. He obviously would never give the job to a cold, unfeeling, heartless woman like me who stood by and watched his little girl almost choke to death.

Standing up to my feet, I slowly made my way to the door when the door swung open and the secretary from earlier walked in with a grin on her face.

"I'll show you to your office."

***

The day was fast spent, and I just sat down in my supposed 'new' office, doing absolutely nothing.

No one had come to tell me more about my job description, and no appointment letter had been given to me yet. Nothing, nothing, nothing!

I felt so stupid.

I was told by Kathrine, the secretary, that I was assigned to be Mr. Ryan's Personal Assistant. Although it scared me, considering that I'd have to be around him every single day at the office. How would I deal with his anger and the guilt I felt?

'Oh, God. My life is a total mess.'

It was already 5 pm, indicating the close of work for the day. I still hadn't set eyes on Mr. Ryan yet.

I didn't know if it was right to... Maybe... Leave? Would he get upset? Should I wait longer?

Even though I knew absolutely nothing about being a personal assistant, I knew I wasn't meant to leave until my boss was ready to close for the day. But how the hell am I supposed to know if Mr. Ryan had closed for the day or not?

Damn it! How did my life get to this point?

This was all because of a simple act of kindness... Maybe I can call it a simple act of foolishness.

I was from a very poor home. Lost both parents at an early age. I had to learn to fend for myself after running away from my abusive uncle.

I worked so many jobs to see myself through school. Nothing big or special. Sometimes, I worked as a janitor, a waiter in a coffee shop… Heck! I even opted to work as a nanny at some point.

I knew how to handle children so well that my employee at that time didn't want me to leave. That's why I desperately wanted to have my own kids, but Logan denied me that one request but went ahead to get his mistress pregnant.

I couldn't stop the tears that spilled from my eyes at the painful memories.

I hope they both have a miserable life ahead of them!