Chapter 4

Paul's POV

My insides raged like a tornado, but I wore a peaceful expression as I observed the standing lady in front of me.

Her hung head fell slightly, and her folded arms fell. Her face was white as she stared at me in shock, her face a definition of disbelief and suspicion.

"Why do you want me to be your girlfriend?" She questioned with her eyes wide and her face paled.

I was a good discerner when it came to emotions and feelings. It was not so hard to figure out her feelings for me, and it made it all the easier for me to get under her skin.

I could tell that beyond all that sass and defiance, there was that lady who wanted me to love her—acknowledge her and respect her. Hence, my new strategy. I could sense her defences, lowering bit by bit at my offer.

The last thing I needed was for her to be free from me. Not after all that she did to me.

She had been wearing the mask of a saint ever since since she got employed by me. Little did she know that I had employed her to get back at her for what she did years back.

Two years ago, I had been at a bar to celebrate my newly established company with my girlfriend Hilda when Anne—a snake seduced me.

The might remained fresh in my memory.

I had spotted my girlfriend, Hilda, walking into the club when a reckless redhead, Anne, had gotten into my line of view and pressed lips on mine without warning.

Hilda was mortified at the scene. She stormed out of the club tearfully, warning me never to come close to her again and calling me a 'stupid cheat'. I was broken. How could my relationship of four whole years just crumble like that?

Anne—the witch—had disappeared immediately after that silly act, leaving me to mope around—my night of joy now turned to a night of sorrows.

Hilda moved on, dating a popular figure in the country, an actor—Zane Rivers.

I had drowned in my heartbreak for months, burying myself in my company until it had managed to rise and become one of the best.

When I saw Anne—the cause of my misfortune—applying for a job at my company—I knew that this was my chance to have my revenge on her.

I started out being nice to have her fall deeper into my web before revealing my true disposition towards her. Now, she was trying to leave.

I felt a tiny tug at my heart at her sudden decision to leave. Was she that eager to get rid of me? Did she really hate me that much?

My eyes darkened. Why should I care anyway?

My gaze returned to her, standing in front of my desk with a questioning stare.

"It doesn't matter," I stated simply, reclining into my seat. "I'm waiting for your response."

She shifted on her feet, and I could sense the struggle in her mind. She had feelings for me. It was obvious as daylight. What better way to keep her from leaving than to use those very feelings against her?

"I-I-um.." she trailed off, wetting her lips with her tongue as she struggled to come to a decision.

I raised my brows, causing her to swallow.

"How do I know this is not some trick to humiliate me further?" She suddenly asked, her palms clenched into fists by her side.

My eyes narrowed at her. Did she really think of me as such a monster that she couldn't trust me?

"It's your choice. You can stay and find out, or you can leave," I put it to her. "And never get another job again."

Her eyes widened slightly, betraying her carefree disposition. I could see her contemplating—financial insecurity or complicated feelings?

"I don't have all day," I urged, pulling out my laptop from and turning it on.

She shivered slightly for a moment before opening her mouth to respond, "I-I will be your girlfriend." She looked like a scared cat as she responded, leaving me smirking.

I furrowed my brows, however, in feigned confusion. "Can you speak up? I didn't heat a word you said."

She stared into my eyes, and I could see the frustration in her beautiful emerald eyes. Her lips pressed together in a thin line before she responded a pitch louder this time.

"I said I'll be your girlfriend."

I felt a sense of satisfaction at her words. I relaxed in my seat. I knew that would be a good place to get her to give in to me, and it did work.

You're not escaping me, Anne.

"Good," I clapped. With my hands, I signalled for her to come over to me, and she scuffled over, her fingers locked together.

She stopped just before my desk, but I waved her over. A look of unease settled in on her face as she stared around in confusion, not wanting to come any closer to me.

"Girlfriend, if you're going to do your job as my girlfriend well, you'll have to do what I ask without thinking the worst of me."

She raised her brows in uncertainty, unmoving, and I sighed. This lady and her pretences.

Rising to my feet, I moved closer to her, and she inched away impulsively.

My eyes grew dark. Did I really irritate her that much?

Rejection was something that was foreign to me. I barely ever got rejected by ladies. It was always the other way round. I had my charms, which drew women around me like ants and sugar, but this lady just kept pretending like she wasn't pulled by my charms.

Before she could take more steps backwards, I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her against me in a tight embrace. Her head leaned backwards, and her palms rested on my chest to keep space between us.

"Stop," she whispered with a shaky breath. "What are you doing?"

My amusement increased. She loved me, but she didn't want me to touch her.

I raised my brows. "Why are you moving away, girlfriend? I just want to do what girlfriends and boyfriends do."

Her eyes grew wide, and she physically trembled. I could tell that my touch made her weak.

"Don't worry. I won't cross your boundaries," I assured her.

Before she could react or resist, I dipped my head and captured her lips with mine in a kiss.

Her eyes grew wide for a moment before closing slowly. Our kiss was soft and slow, and I could feel her heart racing against mine. Slowly, her hands wrapped around my neck, and the kiss deepened.

I smirked against her lips as she got carried away, pulling me so closer to her that I could hear her heart's beat.

'I have you just where I want you, Anne,' I thought to myself. 'You're bound to me until you pay for your crimes...'