Courage disappeared

When I arrived at the highest floor, where the president’s office is located, I started to hear my heart beat like a drum. I was nervous as hell. More so that Sir. Remy couldn’t accompany me because the president especially requested to see me alone.

What does he want from me?

Is he going to fire me?

Seeing how angry he looked earlier in the morning, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case.

The metal doors finally open.

Since the elevator was specifically for the president, the first thing I saw in the room was his back facing the huge glass window that looked over the city. The

office of the president was breathtakingly beautiful. It had these black interiors and low-dimmed light that sparked a mysterious vibe around the room. Yet because of my nervousness, I couldn’t help but get an eerie vibe from it.

I strode towards his desk like a rabbit in fear.

"Sir, you called for me?"

At the sound of my voice, he glances over to see me. As usual, he was this godly human being who had perfect looks. For a second, I was actually observing his looks in more detail. Raphael had dark brown hair and blue ocean eyes that stood out from the dark. It didn’t help that his clothes hugged him to reveal his muscles. I would prefer it if he could just wear his coat to prevent myself from being distracted, for pete’s sake.

Because of the thoughts running through my mind, I had to look away in haste.

"You’re Abby Brooks?"

"Yes, sir."

He walked up to me and I started to scream internally. It wasn’t just because I was nervous about getting fired, but the memories of that night started to flood my mind. I continuously tried to convince myself not to be so horny at such a crucial time.

Even his scent was driving me mad. Great, now he also has perfect hygiene. Just great.

"Look at me, and don’t test me this time. My patience is at its limit. " He commands.

"How dare I even look at you, sir?" He didn’t give me a chance to finish and just went on to pull my chin up for him to see.

For a moment, I expected an angry expression on his face, yet I was surprised to see it the other way around.

"Stacy- Oh i mean Abby Brooks," A grin appeared on his face, "Tell me why you disappeared after f*cking me that night."

I gasped at his choice of words.

Holy shit! Should I already admit it? But he was so drunk, how could he recognize me so easily? Or maybe he was testing me? I shouldn’t fall for this trap so easily!

I let out a nervous laugh, "Pardon sir? I do not remember such a thing happening?"

He lets go, his eyes portraying anger. "Playing innocent now, are we?" I told you, don’t test me. If you lie one more time, I won’t forgive it."

After that, I knew there was no escaping or risk-taking left to save my ass. How could I

even lose my job on my first day? All my courage disappeared in an instant, and I quickly kneeled in front of him in apology.

"I’m sorry, it didn’t occur to me that you would remember!"

"Didn’t occur to you? Wasn’t I obvious enough, Ms. Brooks?"

He’s talking about what happened in the lobby. I sighed.

"I’m sorry."

"Apology won’t cut it." He said, and went back to his desk. "What I’d like to hear from you is a reason. Oblige me on why did you use a fake name, disappear, and even have the audacity to pretend you don’t know me. You’re hiding like a mouse, Ms. Brooks. It seems to me like you have done something wrong and you’re trying to run from it."

Damn it, why is he interrogating me like this?! Are all high-IQ people like this? Since I have to convince him, I might as well say something truthful.

"I didn’t mean to hide. It’s just that I didn’t expect that you’d be my boss. And since you were approaching me publicly, I had no choice but to protect my peace. And about that night, I’m sorry if I used a fake identity. I admit that I deceived you. It was a one-night stand. I thought it wouldn’t even matter whether I disappeared or not."

He chuckles bitterly, "You must have a lot of experience with men to think that it wouldn’t matter."

What? This arsehole!

Finally having the courage due to anger, I looked up to meet his gaze. "Am I wrong?"

"How much?"

"What?"

"How much do you want? Seeing as you followed me all the way here to get my attention—which is quite effective, fortunately for you. I’d say you’re still deceiving me at this point. Name your price and let’s just get this over with."

Hah... I can’t believe this narcissistic bastard. I felt my whole body shake in rage, but all I could do was hold it in silently. I stood up and took a huge deep breath to calm my nerves. I can’t let emotions get the better of me; I cannot let them get over me!

I smiled.

"I do not want anything from you, sir. As I said, it was only a one-night stand on my part. Nothing more, nothing less."

"You don’t want money, then a plot of land

I presume?"

I briefly closed my eyes in irritation. "No. Please spare me this mind game, sir. I’m purely stating my honest answer to you, so I suggest you give an honest response too, so as to not waste your precious time."

"All that deception for nothing?" He squints his eyes in utter confusion. "It doesn’t add up, Ms. Brooks. I refuse to believe that you slept with me without wanting anything in return-” He paused for a second. “Wait. I didn’t use protection that night, did i?"

Shit.

My chest pounded like there was no tomorrow, and I hastily shook my head.

"I’m on birth control, sir!"

"I came a lot inside you, didn’t I? Can that

pill cover that?"

I gulped. I can’t let him discover this child. I’m sure he’d try to abort it if he knew I was carrying his child. I have to divert his attention somehow!

It was then that I had a sudden bright idea in mind.

"A... Actually, sir! I have something in mind that I’d want from you. " I bowed my head in respect when I saw his eyebrow raise, "Tomorrow... Please give me the day off! I tried asking for it but they said it needed to go through a long process and I don’t have that time anymore. I’d appreciate it if you could let me skip the process with your approval."

"For your mom’s birthday?"

"How did you..."

Did he investigate me?

He nods, "Ok, granted. I’ll let Jack handle the papers tomorrow. You can go now."

What? That’s it?

My eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. I couldn’t understand how we got to this point, but nevertheless, it was to my benefit to escape from him, so I just shut my mouth and nodded silently in my place. I had no more business with him since he suddenly started to ignore me, so I took that sign to leave hurriedly without looking back. Once I reached Emily’s car, I got inside and laid my back on the car seat in exhaustion.

"Where the hell have you been, Ms. Brooks?" Emily exclaims, looking at me. "What took you so long? I’ve been trying to call you for over an hour now. I was about to call the police about a missing person! You could've at least replied to one of my messages."

"Please just drive. I’m so exhausted. That man just drained me of life."

"Who?"

I glanced at her, and I felt the grievance travel from my body to my voice, "I think...For some reason, I just entered a lion’s den. Why am I feeling this?"

"Wait... Did you meet with our boss?"

I was too tired to say yes or no, so I let the silence answer for me. And as expected, she reacted oppositely to me and decided to scream her lungs out in excitement. If I wasn’t so tired, I would’ve shut her mouth-yet I was in no state to stop her fanatic side going wild.

She giggles as she starts the car, "Honey, you didn’t enter a lion’s den. The moment you slept with him, you were already in the den. You just have to choose; be the food

or the lioness."

"Just drive, please." I pleaded before she finally drove us off the place.

As much as I hate to admit it, she wasn’t wrong. I might have escaped for now, but since we would be under the same roof every weekday, I should expect dangerous things to happen from now on. I can’t let my circumstances control me; I have to get ahold of myself and persevere.

I have to fight this bad luck!

"Oh, did you notify Auntie that we’d be going home late?"

I turned to her, "What? Where are we going?"

"You already forgot? We’re supposed to buy gifts for your mom tonight.

"Right. I’ll just message her that I’ll be late

I tried to pick up my phone from my bag. But something was wrong, i couldn't find it. I tried to pat my pockets to feel through it, yet I still couldn't find it. With my bad memory, I couldn’t even recall where I last used my phone and I started to curse myself for it.

"Please, no no!"

"What? What is it? " Emily asked in concern.

"My phone... it’s missing!"