With too many wild thoughts, I put back the phone, leaned in my chair, and took a few deep breaths to prepare myself for this meeting.
CLICK ... CLICK
My heart was thumping harder with each step I was taking toward Boss Derek’s office.
There was a moment that I wished I could run away from here, go back, and resign. Who knows what he was going to do to me?
But, I can’t give up this job.
This is the only hope for me to afford our life, or my mom would turn to beg her evil husband again. I'm sure of that!
Come on, Amy, you're a strong, independent woman.
You didn't do work wrong today. Even if he wanted to fire me he would need a reason.
Pushing away all the fear and nervousness from me, I straightened my back and then like a tigress headed to his office without a fear.
Yes, it was just a one-night stand and I had no intention to seduce or threaten him with this. He had no reason to fire me as long as I made my work worthy.
And I'm always a good worker that never disappointed my bosses before.
With new confidence, I passed his secretary, and she nodded at me, allowing me to enter.
KNOCK .. KNOCK
With a slight knock in respect. I waited for a moment before I entered his office. And Derek the Boss, was sitting behind his desk.
His expressions were blank and his eyes bored into me.
With my head held high, I passed him a smile filled with no emotion.
“Good Evening, Boss.”
“Amy Hood…” My name came from his lips a bit differently, it wasn’t like he was acknowledging an employee but more like a hooker.
Shame filled in my cheeks remembering what we did just a day before.
God, he must’ve taken me as a hooker…
Shame!! Shame!!
When the vivid images of us that night passed in my mind, I noticed Derek’s eyes getting sharp on me staring with an unspoken threat.
Quickly, I composed my emotions, “You asked for me, Sir. Is there anything I can do for you?”
For just a flicker, Derek’s sharp eyes flickered with something mischievous with my question and then it returned their sharpness including the deep depth of darkness.
“Miss Hood, I heard that Miss Wilson has handed you the Olsein project,” Derek spoke with a serious straight tone of business and instantly I also returned my posture to business.
“Yes, Boss, I am working on the new designs,” I told him.
“Hmm, what’s the layout in it?” He questioned.
“Currently, I am working in the South. We need the parking lot for the first floor instead of making it underground. Also, if we could add a back exit this would also help in passing vehicles fastly.” I told him the ideas I came up with for the project.
The Olsein Project is something huge, I am sure once the construction would start and the project would be done, people would be rushing to see it.
To avoid the crowd of vehicles, we should go for the back exit, instead of making it to the front only.
Derek’s eyes didn’t move from me, nor his expression dropped, he remained the same as he asked about the North plan.
I told him about it in detail too and he listened without giving any response to me at all.
“When will I get the layout on my desk?” He questioned and without hesitation, I replied, “Tomorrow, they will be on your desk.”
Finally, his straight lips lifted just a fraction as he spoke, “Good.”
And there I let out the breath of sigh I had been holding all the time. So, he didn’t call me to fire me but to question me about the new project.
He wanted to know the layouts and tested my ability.
Thank Lord. I didn't lose this job and still could pay my bills!
But my relief didn’t stay long as the next second he poured the cold water on all my joy.
“I heard the rumor Miss Hood, would you like to clear my understanding of it?” He asked and my smile froze.
“What happened in the morning, was it a deliberate act of seduction?” He questioned straightly and for a moment I looked at him in confusion, and then slowly my mind started to play the memory of the morning.
I, on my knees and he was enjoying my cleavage.
Oh, no !!
It was like a punch in my gut. My eyes closed in despair, that must be the picture I most wanted to erase from my life. But before that, I had to clarify my innocence to keep my job.
“I fell and got slightly bruised too. If I would be acting, at least I would save myself from the pain, Sir.” I explained, trying my best to appear as calm as he is at the moment but with his dark eyes fixed on my face, I am not at ease.
“No pain, no gain, you must’ve heard about that saying, Miss Hood.” He ignored my words completely and mocked me openly.
He didn't believe me, his words proved that he too misunderstands me just like the others in the company. I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed.
“I didn’t approach you, Sir, far away from the seduction. It was you who came over to help me, I never asked for it.”
"Also, If I truly wanted to seduce you I would stay glued to you after you helped me, but I kept my distance from you all day."
I talked impassively.
“Hmm, what about the other night, Miss Hood, didn’t you approach me that night?"
"Didn't you try to stay as close to me as you could?”
BOOM
My whole face flushed from his bold and shameless words.
Finally, he brought up the topic of that night which I was deliberately trying to avoid. I had prayed to God that he would never mention but here he is discussing it so calmly.
My hand eventually went to my collar at the mention of that night to cover the hickeys. The moment I touched it, I somehow felt the same heat of that night again
Damn! What’s wrong with me?
Seeing me blank and quiet, Derek stood from his place very slowly approaching me. I watched and just watched, as if my tongue had swollen and I had no words to say to him in response.
“So, are you denying that night you’re not the first one to approach me, Miss Hood?”
He questioned, this time his eyes weren't plain but they had a little effect of being coquettish, and they shone with something darker, lust or desire.
I couldn't identify it.
But his closeness was setting my nerves on fire and before I was able to back away from him, he reached for me out of the blue.
I was wrapped in his arms, his eyes staring at me with a hint of a smile, not evil, not mischief but a genuine softness in his eyes.
I unknowingly lost myself under such a gaze from him. I felt my mind messy, what was he really trying to say?
“You shouldn’t be wearing open-collar shirts like this.” He remarked,
His long fingers slid around my jaw, grazing into my hair. His eyes looked down at me and I couldn't look away.
With leisurely insolence, his thumb grazed along my lower lip. The touch shot weakness through my body.
I didn't know why I just couldn’t move. I was transfixed, my heart slugging in my chest.
I should push him away from me, I am just an employee, not his lover, but my limbs had just given up on me.
He is your Boss, Amy!
Office romance would definitely ruin your job!
My self-consciousness returned, and I raised my hand to push him away from me but out of the blue, his mouth crashed onto me, whispering seductively.
"Shall I repeat that night with you again?"
His crazy words immediately took away my senses all for once.
What did he mean? Was he going to lay me down in his office?
His mouth covered mine and I was shocked by the way his tongue probed into my mouth without a struggle.The same taste of the night we spent together.That ravenous monster from that night captured my mind again and the control of my body too.I could feel I was getting wet for him.I wanted to wrap his waist with my legs like we did that night. I wanted to tear his shirt and feel his fit abs again. I wanted him to open my thighs domineeringly as he was that night and put his length into my pussy again.I remembered how amazing it worked. We were matched perfectly on bed.I felt every cell of mine was well aroused as his tongue swirls around mine deliciously. With my vague sight, I caught his eyes, opened and watchful.“So you remembered that night, right? Miss Hood?”His tone was heavier and deeper. His brow raised and I found him inviting. But for some reason, I doubt if he really meant those words.A thought hit me when I caught that flash smirk on his face.He was only testing me
The Next day, I appeared early in Derek’s office before he presented.I placed the layouts on his desk neatly after greeting his secretary. Then I left the floor hurriedly.I decided to keep my distance from my boss as much as I could.After what happened yesterday, I was sure I couldn't get myself into trouble again by encountering him. I would just focus on work.After work, I went out with Elle. Busy yesterday, I didn't have time to complain about all this shit I got."You mean More Than 10 is our BOSS!" Elle slammed the table with more excitement than it was needed and I quickly gave her a warning glare.“Stop overreacting, people are watching.”With a kick under the table, she sobered a little but the shock was evident on her face, so her eyes."Amy, you know what," Elle lowered her voice as she glanced at my belly, "you two didn't take any protection that night, right? That means you could be carrying the child of our boss now!""I don't know," I bit the straw of my drink and fr
Seeing the frightening aura Derek carried with himself, all the people stayed silent and stared at him in astonishment.As he approached like a King of the kingdom.“It isn’t a respectable thing to put your hands onto a woman in public…” He glared at the guard and he immediately stiffened from his dark gaze.Derek’s aura was more than powerful.“It was my order, Sir…” The Manager looked at him with blank look and soon Derek provided her his surname which made her gasp in surprise.“Mr. Shepherd…”The way people’s backs straightened around me, I wanted to stand straight and clapped for Derek’s such mind-blowing appearance, but sadly, my swelling foot didn’t allow me.I tried to keep my balance while cursing Lynda a thousand times.Such a Bitch !!“Mr. Shepherd, it’s so lovely to see you here…” Lynda was the first person to jump on Derek and I tried hard to not scoff.Does she even know him?“I am Mrs. Miller, this is my daughter, Nancy Miller…” She introduced herself as though she belo
As Derek was too engrossed in checking my ankle, I tried to change my posture, but as soon as I moved, his head snapped up and he looked at me gloomily.“Don’t move.” He ordered and then pressed my ankle at the same place where it was bruised and I couldn’t help but frown deeply in pain.My eyes shut in pain and I gritted my teeth too harshly to not cry out.Is he inspecting the wound or making it worse?Moron !!His movement stopped and finally, I opened my eyes with slight wetness hanging at the corner of my eyes.He might have noticed it because his eyes narrowed for a fraction and then they flickered with something deep.Before I could catch it, he pulled me in his arms recklessly.“What are you doing?” I gaped in horror as his hard muscles hit my soft body.“This…” He looked down at me with a meaningful look and then the next second his mouth was on me.So warm, so skilled.I gulped all my protests and stared at him numbly for a while checking if this is any kind of his trick, bu
“Congratulations, you’re pregnant.”The doctor read my report and announced my pregnancy.All the harsh truths of my life that happened today vanished instantly, brightening my mood with this unexpected, the most blissful news of my life.My smile widened as I looked at the doctor gratefully.“Thank you… Thank you very much…”The doctor gave me a weird stare as though I had grown horns. I guess I am overreacting to my pregnancy news. I would love to do a victory dance now, but I refrained myself from doing so in front of the doctor.After getting my nutrition diet chart, I walked out of the doctor’s office with a wide smile on my face.Just a few minutes before, I was crying about my ill fate and now God has given me such a blessed thing.I can’t thank my lord more for this blessing.****“Oh My God, finally…” Elle gasped in complete shock and then handed me back my report with a wide grin matching mine.“Finally… I am going to be a mother…” I beamed in happiness.“Yeah, you’re carryi
“Look, who we have here…”Wearing a bold pink dress with too much makeup on her face, Nancy pressed her palm to the table and stared at me viciously.“Uhm, who is this, Amy?” Dean asked in a soft voice, taking Nancy’s attention.She looked at Dean up and down, and her eyes filled with surprise and jealousy.“You’re…” She quirked a brow in questioning.“I’m Dean Jones, Amy’s date…” Dean replied and Nancy’s face dropped in shock.She looked at me with deep hatred and then sneered out loud.“Haha… I must say you’ve caught a great deal this time, Amy…” Nancy mocked me and I tried to ignore her.“Dean, we should leave.” With a napkin, I wiped my mouth clean when Nancy turned to Dean and gave him a flirtatious smile.“I am Nancy, Amy’s step-sister…”Bitch !!I glared at her unhappily but she ignored me, a shameless woman.“Has Amy told you that our father has kicked her and her mother out of our house?” Nancy deliberately provoked me.“Nancy, go away right now…” I gritted my teeth but she i
“I don’t understand.”On the ride back to the house, I finally found my voice.Dean stayed in his calm posture and very slowly tilted his head toward me.“What’s there to understand?” He questioned.“Why are you not angry that I lied to you?After knowing the truth, you shouldn’t be offering me your help or a ride back home.You should just walk away from me…”I blurted out, feeling confused by Dean’s behavior.Can any man be that gentle and nice?“Because you have been honest, Amy.No matter how we began this date, in the end, you came out with the whole truth, and I respect that…Besides, after that little drama in the restaurant, you definitely need someone to rely on during your pregnancy, and I am not that bad, Amy…”In the end, he gave me his innocent smile flattering me instantly.How could someone say “NO” with such a charming smile?“I think you have a point.” I pointed out with a little pout.“You can rethink, Amy…I don’t want to force you into something.Go back to your ho
Paul Miller, my so-called father, stood in the living room in all his glory.As I eyed him with deep displeasure but he ignored my eyes and responded to my question.“I just bought this house, Amy…So, now, I am the new house owner…”He dropped a massive bomb on me and immediately it weighed on my shoulders.After such hard work, I was able to pull my mother and me out of his shadow, but this man has again invaded our personal life.What does he want, now?Why can’t he let me and my mother live in peace?What is it about this time?“Why can’t you let us live in peace?” I asked aloud, showing my strong disapproval of his actions.His face twisted in anger, “Is this the way to talk to your father?”“Huh? Do I have a father?” I sneered at his question and before the heated argument would begin, my mother interfered.“Amy, what is this behavior? Your father has the full right to buy this house for us… You can’t talk to him like this…”Oh, my poor, naive mother.Does she really think Paul
DEREK POV :Eric’s deception was easy to get caught, the moment he asked me to make a choice I knew he wouldn’t let us go.I could see the blood in his eyes, he wouldn't be at ease until he painted us all in red.With his men escorting the staff, I took the golden chance to attack him.My unexpected move made him bewildered, the first thing I did was to kick away his gun.“Close the door, Amy,” I commanded, in case his men returned to help him.Amy did as I told her.“You shouldn’t have done that, Derek…” Eric scowled as he attacked back at me, his punches flew in the air and when they hit my body, it was bloody painful.“Surrender, Eric, nothing will change between us, I promise.You will remain my brother, Eric Shepherd.”During our struggle, I tried to calm him down.“I am no Shepherd,I hate this name, I am Carson Dexter.”He acted crazily, throwing me away from him and then picking up the gun.CLICK“He made me like this,It was his fault.” He pointed the gun straight at the Gran
Before he would pull the trigger his father shouted in defeat.“I’ll bring everything, everything that you need, Eric.”Eric was smiling at his victory when all of a sudden Derek’s father hinted at the man and he stepped out of the crowd with a gun.“Now.” His father yelled and the shot was fired.BAM“Ahh…” The screeches of fear filled the atmosphere. As I looked up, I realized that the man who had stepped out had been shot by one of Eric’s men, while another person got shot in the wheelchair.“Viola…” Derek’s father leaped towards his wife when he was held by Eric’s men.“I told you father, ladies first.” Clenching his jaw, Eric seethed without a single remorse of killing his shooting his own mother.“If I could shoot my own mother you all have no idea what I could do to you all?” He threatened the whole staff and they cornered, with dread in their eyes while I remained on the ground, overwhelmed by all the disaster happening around me.Derek, where are you?****CLICK“Little broth
DEREK POV :“I killed his lover.”BOOMThat gunshot broke the barrier of my patience and I spoke out impassively.“Eric…”There was silence at the other end and then a mocking laugh came.“Hah, my sweet little brother,You still act impulsively, Deriee…”Eric spoke in wit.“Let everyone go, Eric, since when did you become a murderer?” I questioned, overwhelmed by the information of the massacre he created at the Shepherd Villa.“Murderer??What about Grandpa and Dad, who murdered my childhood together, my happiness, Derek?”His question made me avert my eyes at my father.I know their expectations were too high for Eric, and they tried their best to change Eric into a perfect candidate for Shepherd Corporation heir, but sadly he failed.Or they failed I guess.“What do you want, Eric, I’ll give you everything…” I made an offer.“Everything, Derek?” He asked to confirm.“Yes, everything…” I agreed instantly.“Good, send father with the approval letter of converting all the shares under
AMY POV :“Wake up, sweetie, we’re home…”I was in a dark place when a voice and a pat muddled with my mind.“Hmm…” With a groan, I opened my sleepy eyes and instantly sat up in fright.“You…” With my back hit hard, I realized I was trapped in a car with Carson.How? Wasn’t I sleeping in Derek’s bed?Where is he?My panic started to rise when he smiled.“I left a note for your fiance, Don’t worry, he’ll come soon.”With shallow breaths I watched him, he sat calmly and groomed.I looked around to get an idea of my location but I found nothing.SCREECHAt last, the car stopped and Carson stepped out of it, and then pulled me out with him.“Ah.” The daylight hit my face making me squeal for a moment, When I opened my eyes fully I saw the villa in front of me.“Shepherd Villa?” I gasped.“Clear the way.” Unbothered by my struggles, Carson held my arm tightly and then pulled me roughly inside.As soon as the guards saw him entering with force, they charged at him, but very soon they were a
ONE YEAR LATER“Loss??” I looked at the Manager in shock. Were my decisions proved to be wrong?“Those people faked their qualifications, they were never qualified for this job Sir.”THUDI sat in my chair, lots of words, and thoughts.“What about the loan we took?” I inquired.“We have a deadline in a week,” He informed me.A week…So, we have a week to go bankrupt.“Hah…”I laughed at my misery, Since childhood, I was getting prepared to handle all the business issues, yet I failed in just a year.I did such a terrible job,It’s a shame for me.****“What’s the progress, son?” Grandpa asked at the dining table and I gave him the fake conclusion.“We’re having some issues, but we’ll be fine Grandpa.”“Great, my Eric could never make any mistake.” He spoke proudly while I sat silent, drowned in my own failure.****“Be strong, brother, I am going to visit you in a few days.” Derek tried to encourage me but I was too occupied in my disaster.After disconnecting his call, I called Elsa.
ERIC SHEPHERD :Seven Years Old“Leave me alone, Deriee,” I growled unhappily.While I was here studying madly, and doing multiple activities, my twin brother, Derek got the chance to walk around free and eat ice cream.His continuous offer to me made me want to take a bite of ice cream too.“Eriee,” He teased me.“Fine, one bite I’ll take and just one race.” Closing my book softly, I told him.“On your mark, get, set, go.”Derek started to run away and I chased after him. Whenever we raced there was no winner or loser, we always got into a tie.Even today it would happen the same way if Grandpa hadn't returned home early.“Eric.” At his one call, I stood straight, panic rising in my heart.“I win… I win…” Derek jumped happily while my heart dropped with each step Grandpa was taking toward me.“Is this the way an heir should be, hmm?Look at yourself Eric,” He scolded me and I lowered my head further in shame.“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” I apologized quickly.“Get back to studying.” He orde
“A child needs a father,I won't let that kid experience the life I had, Derek.I could never be that cruel."Amy spoke irrelevantly making me frown deeper."We'll talk about this in the morning, Amy,I already had enough for today."I groan in response all ready to leave the room and end this stupid topic when her words halted my steps."Drop me back to my home, Derek,Knowing this place belongs to someone else in your life, I can't stay here, Derek..."That was it, her words literally boiled my blood.Can't she see that everything I have belongs to only one person, that's her.Can't she see??"You’re my f**king fiance that doesn’t allow you to give me away to others…I am not a f**king toy, I am a human with a heart and it will always belong to you, I belong to you, Amy.I Love you, Damn it,and I will never allow you to walk away from me or push me to someone else.I know I made a few mistakes in the past and hurt you badly, but God, can't you see I'm trying my best to change every
DEREK POV :Amy’s behavior outside was totally unexpected, and what’s more unexpected is her ignorance regarding her actions.What had happened to her?I thought this trauma won’t harm anyone but looking at Amy now, I felt frightened by her appearance.What if she harms someone else too?The man called her “MadWoman” and she didn’t show any response to it.Has her mind gone numb?I felt fully helpless in this situation, I don’t have any idea what to do.Knowing that my own brother has done this to my lover hurts me f**king bad.Why?Why did Eric harm Amy?She has no relation with him at all.Why, Eric? Why?“Amy…Derek…Dear, what’s this noise outside?” Amy’s mother came rushing, worry written all over her face.Amy remained pale and unresponsive to her when I wisely held her arm breaking her trance.“Oh, we just revealed our relationship status to the paparazzi, they were congratulating us…” I made up a lie.“Oh, that’s such a good news,My dear, Amy…”Unknown to Amy's lack of emotio
AMY POV :The peace in my heart matched the peace on the man’s face beside me.Derek slept peacefully and I watched him in fascination. This man could never look dull, although I know he’s exhausted but this peace on his face, his charisma could never let his charm fall off.GOD !!I sighed in admiration while caressing his face.The scruff on his face rubbed roughly at the palm of my hand but I didn't mind, it gave me the console I needed the most.I had no idea for how long I watched him until the room started to get dark giving me the indication of the night.Pulling Derek away from me gently, I stood up to look for the switch but as I was bound with the IV in my hand I couldn’t move around much.Thinking wisely I pressed the button to call for a nurse.The moonlight fell in the room and I felt attracted towards it.Without knowing, I headed for the vast window and looked outside, as I had expected it was full moon and the moonlight created a melancholic mood that swept over all th