He was gone. And I was back to my senses. Well not completely because as much as I regretted sleeping with a stranger last night, I’ve never experienced such pleasure before. What I regretted was not knowing anything about him. But it was for the best because such a man would ruin me. I fear he has.
My hair was all scattered as I checked the bathroom mirror, and I gasped as I saw the millions of hickeys he left on my body. My ass still hurt from the whips but a crazy smile widened my lips at the feeling of it all.
I don’t feel so hateful anymore. But I still had a mission.
Cleaning up and wearing my clothes, I pushed last night out of my head. My plan starts in a week. I can’t let memories of a night with a stranger ruin it. Because I would never truly be happy till I destroy everything Ryan has ever loved.
One week after, I was back in the one state I hated the most. The state that made it so hard to breathe, but Jay was here and he gripped my hand as I stepped out of his car. “Remember it gets better. Ryan doesn’t know you are alive. You will take back control”
I smiled, feeling a little better. “Thanks Jay.”
He ruffled my hair. “It’s nothing kiddo. Everything is perfect and ready for you snowflake.”
I hugged him tightly, and placed a kiss on his cheek. He was the best and I didn’t deserve all he did for me, especially helping me with my revenge plan. “Try not to miss me old man.”
He snorted. “Whatever. The house is well secured and not so far from the bus station. Since you refused a car.” He rolled his eyes then sighed. “Just promise me you will give up on this once it gets too dangerous.”
I smiled, nodding. I wouldn’t give up on this if it got too dangerous.
He sighed again. “I know you wouldn’t, ‘Em.”
He was the only one who called me Emma in private.
Them he entered his car, leaving me in front of the place I was going to be living in for the next year. “Go get ‘em.”
And he drove away.
I sighed as I walked into the house, and immediately changed into my office wear, for my interview. Jay secured a job at Ryan’s company, since he knew the owner and all I needed to do was a short interview to know where I would be working.
I planned to be the secretary, so as the interview ended and the man gave me a firm hand shake, I knew I was going to get the job.
Then he said. “Go to the CEO’s office to finalize the deal. He always asks to meet new employees personally.”
I snorted to myself. Of course he would. This place was one of the biggest companies in the whole of the city, the owner had to be extra cautious of who they were employing.
I nodded politely at the interviewer. “please lead the way.”
He took me to an elevator, and I stood steadily, wandering the perfect spot to be placed so
I could have easy access to all the files I needed. We ended on the last floor, and walked down a long, sleek hallway lined with expensive art and marble floors that seemed to echo each step. I felt my pulse quicken. This was it, the moment I had been planning for months. The chance to face the man who had taken everything from me and start dismantling his life, piece by piece.
The interviewer gestured to a large, imposing door at the end of the hall. “The CEO’s office is just through there. He’s expecting you.”
“Thank you,” I said, offering a polite smile as he left and let out a sigh, hoping I’m accepted and given a good spot, preferably the head secretary.
I held my head high as I placed my hand on the door handle, and turned it open, stepping into the office.
I was greeted by a luxurious office that seemed more like a penthouse than a place of business. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the city, while sleek furniture and tasteful décor screamed wealth and power.
But my focus wasn’t on the scenery. It was on the man behind the desk, who was facing away from me, staring out the window. His voice was cold and casual as he spoke without turning around.
“Close the door behind you.”
A gasp left my lips as I gripped the door handle tight, not believing my ears. What were the odds? Why did he have to be the CEO?
Why does the man who saw that side of me, have to be my boss?
He swirled in his chair, and came face to face with me and I froze as those intimidating beautiful eye’s recognized me instantly, and then trailed down my body, causing familiar shivers to run through my bones.
He was even more handsome than that night. His hair was perfectly styled like he wasn’t a day over thirty. His beaded, slightly grey but perfectly trimmed and his scar over his eye, just as sexy as the last time. He was in a perfect black suit, and I knew it was worth a lot.
He was danger and ruin. And has come to ruin my perfectly thought through plans. I can’t believe this was Damien Caldwell. CEO of the company I sold my business to three years ago. Fate is a fickle, funny son of a bitch.
He smirked, and relaxed in his chair. “Well well well. I knew if I prayed hard enough, you would appear. Or are you stalking me, Angel?”
I swallowed, raising my chin. “I had no idea you are the CEO. I’m here strictly for work.”
He chuckled as he picked up my file. “Amanda…” his tongue rolled out my fake name and I shivered nonetheless. His voice did something to me the minute I heard him talk.
His grey eyes met mine once again. “So that’s the name behind the good girl.”
Anger flooded me as i clenched my fists. “You didn’t bother to learn it then, so forget it. And I would love if you stopped mentioning that night, if I’m going to be accepted in this company, sir.” I spat, and he rose a brow.
“Feisty. Hm, doesn’t at all sound like the same woman” he smirked again, and I opened my mouth to correct him but he said.
“I’ll give you the job, but not as secretary.”
I instantly relaxed, he was giving me the job despite our past but the other part hit me.
“Wait, not as secretary? But that’s what I applied for.”
He straightened in his chair, and every sign of playfulness was gone as his eyes bored into mine.
“I don’t want you as a secretary. I was you as my personal assistant. That means you and I would be working very closely together, Amanda.”
Anger rushed through me and I struggled to keep it at bay. Why was he so infuriating?
“But that’s not what I applied for.”
He shrugged. “I give what is best to the capacity of my candidates. So you can either take the job, or walk out to another company. But I’m sure you wouldn’t because there’s a reason you took this company. I’m right, aren’t I?”
I bit my lip as I thought of my options and his gaze fell to my lip, making me feel self conscious and a little bit turned on.
This was why I couldn’t work here anymore. But I needed this company. This was my only shot to take control from Ryan. To
Take my life back.
I could resist this distraction. In fact, working as his assistant gives me the best access to the database of the company.
So I gave him my best smile and said.
“Deal, I will work as your assistant on one condition.”
He raised his brow in amusement. “What condition is that, Amanda?”
I steeled my gaze, making sure I sounded more confident than I felt right now.
“That night never happened, Mr Caldwell. This would be strictly professional, and it stays there.”
He smirked. “If that’s what you want, then welcome to Caldwell.”
He stretched forth his hand, and I hesitated.
“Come on. I don’t bite.”
I faltered, knowing how much of a lie that was.
Amusement flashed through his face, and he smirked.
I sighed, slipping my hand in his, and sparks flew through my hand as he lingered before letting go, causing me to squeeze my thighs together.
How was I to destroy Ryan when Damien was going to be my boss who I’ve already slept with?
And how could I resist him when all I could think about when I look at him is fucking him?
I walked out of his office hurriedly and shut the door quietly behind me. I made my way to a secluded part of the restroom and checked to make sure no one was there before I pulled out my phone.My hand was shaking as I paced around the restroom and my chest tightened with disbelief. This couldn’t be real. It had to be some cosmic joke, I was both disheveled and horny at the same time and it was so crazy.I pushed my thoughts away and looked for Jay’s number before dialing it, waiting for him to pick up the damn phone.“This is not the time to be unavailable, Jay,” I muttered under my breathe while looking at the door nervously and praying no one would come in. I could hear people talking but it was faraway and I realized no one was close enough and I let out a sigh of relief.Finally, the line clicked. “Emma?” Jay’s groggy voice was a balm and an irritant all at once.“Amanda,” I corrected instinctively. He still had that bad habit of calling me by my former name and I wasn’t going to
I turned to look at the man, offering him a reassuring smile. “You okay?”He nodded quickly, looking at me like relieved like I had just saved his life.“My name is Andrew,” he introduced himself and I gave him a curt.“Amanda.”“Thank you for handling Becca for me,” he had said, his deep, smooth voice wrapping around me like a warm scarf. “She’s… difficult, but you managed her well.”I had nodded, keeping my face neutral. “It was nothing.”But then he’d smiled, the kind of smile that made my stomach flutter despite the walls I’d built around myself. “Still, I appreciate it. Let me make it up to you. How about coffee?”For a brief moment, I’d hesitated. Accepting coffee with Andrew when I had only just met him wasn’t logical but saying no would have seemed rude- or worse, defensive.But he wasn’t Damien. He wasn’t older and sexy…Shit, was i comparing men to Damien now?Seeing as Andrew waited for a really, I pushed the stupid thoughts away.I had forced a smile and agreed. “Sure. Coff
“Please, I’d like to be excused,” I said but I didn’t wait for either of them to answer before I ran out of the office.My hands were trembling as I made my way to the bathroom, my heart was racing and I was feeling suffocated.Ryan was Damien’s son which meant that I had slept with my ex’s father.Fuck!While he deserved that and more, I realized how bad this was for me. I instantly wanted a shower. I hated everything Ryan related.I suddenly started feeling cold and everything around me just seemed to come to an halt. I leaned against the cold sink and held unto it tightly.How could I have been so stupid?I closed my eyes and let the memories of the night I met Damien resurface. I should’ve never gone to him, I should’ve ignored the stupid thing that kept pulling me to him- I didn’t and now here I was, in a complicated situation.He was Ryan’s father.The thought made me nervous and I felt like I was losing my mind. If someone as manipulative, cruel and dangerous as Ryan was raised
“No,” I replied him, my voice was firm even though I was feeling the opposite. “Nothing about you affects me.”A slow, knowing smile spread across his face, as if he could see right through me. “Good,” he said simply, stepping back.We walked out of the conference room. I was still startled but I took deep breaths to calm myself. I kept my body still and tried to ignore how much my body reacted to him.We got into the elevator and I was desperate to get away from him. But as the doors closed, Damien reached out and stopped them, his hand resting on the panel.“Amanda,” he called my name with a husky voice. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night.”I forgot how to breathe and my heart starting racing as I turned to look at him. “Damien, I-“He silenced me by walking closer to me and gripping me by my throat, I burned at the feel of his hand against my bare skin. “I want you…” he started before running his other hand through my hair. “I want you to look into my eyes and te
My body still hummed with the memory of Damien’s hands on me, his lips claiming mine, the possessiveness in his every movement but all I could feel was shake and disgust at myself. I immediately got a hold of myself, smoothened my cloth and exited the elevator even though my knees were still shaken and I could still hear his voice. I tried not to think of it all through the day while I got tasks done.I hated him. I hated how he made me feel, made me lose control and the way I fell apart just by him looking at me. Most of all, I hated myself for letting him have his way with me. Again. I was stronger than that, more in control. But around him, I became someone I didn’t recognize, someone weak and submissive. I let out a sigh and packed my things as I exited the office. When I got back to my apartment, I had nothing to distract me so the memories came flooding back into my mind. I couldn’t sleep and everything I tried to close my eyes, I felt the touch of Damien on my body, his tongue
“We need to talk,” I spoke up, my voice was curt and sharp even if his eyes on me had disoriented me. He leaned back into his chair, cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. “By all means, Amanda. What’s so urgent?”I shut the door behind me and walked further into his office. I took a deep breath to steady myself before I looked at him dead in the eyes. “There was a camera in the elevator,” I told him, my voice blunt and words straight to the point. “It needs to be deleted.”His expression changed into one of amusement and he sat up before tilting his head slightly. “Why?”“Why?” I repeated, incredulous. “You know why. That footage- it’s…” I paused, searching for the right word. “Inappropriate.”A smirk made its way to his lips. “Inappropriate? I’d say it was more… passionate.”I balled my hands into fists as heat rose to my face. “Dam… Mr Caldwell, this isn’t funny and I am fucking serious. That footage can’t exist, it must be deleted.”He stood up from his seat, walk
The day was going as expected as always bit I was on front desk duty in front of Damien’s office. I was trying my best to get my work done and not thinking about Damien or the way he had looked this morning when he demanded I sit at the desk. I was focused on the documents in front of me, sorting through them where I heard someone’s footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw it was the woman from the other day- Becca, she was looking as confident as always and had on a very expensive outfit and her cologne screamed luxury too so I knew she was rich. She barely spared me a glance as she disappeared into Damien’s office without knocking.I rolled my eyes. Becca had been circling Damien for weeks now, her flirtation as obvious as her too-tight pencil skirts. Not that it mattered to me. I didn’t care who Damien moved around with- it wasn’t like it bothered me anyways. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. About theory minutes later, Becca walked out of the office looking… well
Before I knew it, Damien had gotten out of his chair and walked to me, closing the distance that was between us in just few steps. He held my hand tightly but not painfully as he held me in place. He pushed me against the wall, his body towering over mine as his dark eyes bored into mine. “Enough,” he growled, his voice a dangerous rumble. “I have had enough of your attitude, Amanda.”My breathe caught in my throat and my brain screamed at me to just apologize and leave but I was too stubborn. I glared at him with my heart racing. “What? Did my words hurt? Or is it just hard to hear the truth?”He clenched his teeth and for a moment, I thought he was going to snap and yell at me. But to my surprise, he leaned in to me, his warm breath fanning over my ear as he spoke. “You don’t want me to touch or fuck you, which is fine. But I would do many things to you to show you that you aren’t meant to talk to me like you just did.” An involuntary shiver ran down my spine as the heat radiating
“Let’s make a plan,” I said, turning all my attention to him after I finished sorting through the papers. “What do you suggest we do?” “You already said we should stake out at the office,” he replied me. “You can’t be seen there so how do you think we should go about it?” “Anything we plan has to work, Andrew,” I said, my voice low and firm as I thought about what we could possibly do. Andrew nodded, running his hand through his hair. “It would work, there’s no other option.” I didn’t respond, making the room fall into silence as I thought hard about what could work- something so good that nothing could ruin it. A few minutes passed and a brilliant idea popped up in my head. “This is what we’re going to do,” I finally spoke up, sitting up straighter. “You’re going to act like you have a shitload of work to do and you have no other choice than to stay back at work.” “Hmn,” Andrew said, fully focusing on me. “Go on.” “Okay,” I replied with a nod. “You’ll stay late at the office
Andrew and I went our separate ways, promising to meet each other the next day. I was glad that I now had someone who could help me in my plans by my side, I had thoughts of giving up but Andrew had renewed my determination. The coffee that I had finally left my apartment for had gotten cold, so I just tossed into the trash can and walked back home, feeling a bit better and letting out a sigh as I made my way back. I couldn’t wait for what was to come next nor could I wait to see the look on Ryan’s face when I’m done with him. He had gotten away for too long and soon, her meet his end. Just like her had promised, Andrew showed up at my house the next day and I let him on. We quickly began working on how he would get the documents from the office and copy the ones he could to his laptop. Getting the files was going to be difficult but we were set on accomplishing our mission and didn’t care what it would cost. Over the next few days, we kept meeting up and discussing plans. Andr
“What’s that?”“You won’t believe what I just found out about recently,” he said, his voice was barely above a whisper. His voice was low and I knew whatever he wanted to say was confidential because he didn’t want anyone to hear about it. I raised an eyebrow, eyeing him suspiciously. “What are you going on about? Just say it as it is,” I said, already getting frustrated by the suspense. “It’s Ryan,” he replied, saying the name like it was was some kind of poison but he was still keeping me in suspense.“What about Ryan?” I asked, urging him on. “Ever since you left the firm, he’s been making life hell for everyone at the company,” he replied. I didn’t know it was going to turn into this, he had been on a business trip for a while before I left the company and while I was there, he seemed… civil. So, I didn’t understand what was up with him and his new behavior, did Cloris tell him something?“Making life hell?” I repeated, looking at him with a blank expression. “What is he doin
I could feel both their eyes on me but I didn’t care. I wanted to go far away from there, disappear even. They could go back to their talking and getting to know each other better because all I wanted to do was to be alone and find a way to stop feeling like that. After a few more minutes of staying alone, I finally felt a bit better but I was tired of staying outdoors and just wanted to go back to my room and drown in my sorrow or just rot in my bed and sleep my sadness away. “Are you fine, Amanda?” Andrew asked, his voice drawing me out of my thoughts.“Yeah, I am,” I lied yet again, turning to look at him. His eyes were filled with concern and I couldn’t help but feel bad because I had made him leave Anna behind just to check on me. “Where’s Anna?” I asked, trying to change the topic as I looked past his shoulders and realized she was not longer seated there. “Oh, she had somewhere to be so we just exchanged number and she said we could meet up next week,” he replied me, his e
“Thank you, Miss?” “Em- Amanda,” I quickly corrected myself, not wanting to blow off my cover. “Oh-“ she said. “You look familiar but I guess my mind is just playing tricks on me.”My heart skipped a beat at her words and I wanted to admit to her that not only did I look familiar, I was her cousin but I held myself back and didn’t say anything. “Thank you once again,” she spoke up, her eyes filled with sincerity as she finally stopped crying. “You don’t need to thank me,” I replied, my voice quiet. “I’m just happy that you’re fine.”She gave me a small nod before turning back to Andrew who was now standing with an unreadable expression on his face. “And thank you,” she said, her voice steadier now. “You saved me.”A blush crept up Andrew’s cheek and he scarfed the back of his head awkwardly. “It was really nothing. I was just helping,” he replied awkwardly. “It wasn’t nothing,” Anna insisted, a small smile breaking through her tears. “You were amazing.”“I just… I mean, anyone w
“Amanda!” Andrew called, making my stop in my tracks. I was still frozen in place when he walked up to me and grabbed me by my hand and pulled me towards him. “What do you think you’re doing, huh?” He asked, his voice soft but firm. “Do you really think going there without a plan in mind is a good idea?”I tried to pull away, my heart racing as I glanced toward Anna. She was still struggling against the masked man, her cries piercing the air.“I can’t just stand here!” I whisper yelled at him, my voice shaky and filled with desperation. “And what do you plan on doing just by going there? Don’t you see that he’s dangerous?” Andrew challenged, his tone calm but resolute. “You’ll rush over there and… what? Get yourself hurt too? Be smart, Amanda.”I opened my mouth to respond, but my words failed to form, I couldn’t even think of the prosper things to say. He was right, I didn’t have a plan. Hell! I wasn’t even thinking. I just wanted to save her, it’s been so long and the first day I
“Andrew,” I called, my voice soft and cautious. “I need to say something to you.”His smile faltered. “Okay…”I exhaled, making an effort to speak carefully and avoid offending him. “I am really sorry for the way I have treated you up until today. I know I’ve ignored you, been distant and even rude to you when all you tried to do was to be there,” I started, my voice filled with sincerity. “You didn’t deserve any of that.”“Amanda-““Wait, let me finish,” I spoke up again, cutting him off. “I have been cold to you. I know you… care about me, like me even. Probably more than you should. And I hate that I can’t feel the same way.”Andrew kept looking at me with an unreadable expression, but like I asked, he didn’t try to say anything or cut me off. “It’s not that you’re not handsome or amazing, because you are,” I continued. “And I know any woman would be lucky to have you as their partner. But… I can’t reciprocate your feelings. My heart is… elsewhere. And I’m sorry if it seemed lik
“I know that you are,” he replied almost immediately. “I know you and I can tell that you’re lying.”“Did you call to argue about my mental state or what?” I asked him, my voice filled with mock seriousness. “Okay. Okay, I’m sorry,” he apologized, his voice filled with sincerity. “But, you really do sound like someone that run over by a big emotional truck.”I huffed out a laugh despite myself. “Thanks for that visual, Andrew. Very helpful.”“See, I can make you laugh,” he said and I good tell that he was smiling. “But, seriously Amanda, you don’t sound like yourself at all and it’s quite heartbreaking to see you that is always strong like this.”He meant to make me feel better with his words but I couldn’t help but be reminded of how far I had steered from why I really came back to this city. “Thank you, for looking out for me,” I whispered into the phone, not sure if he had heard me. “So, this is what we are going to do to help you feel better,” Andrew started, his voice now fille
Looking up to see who I had bumped into, it was not one else other than Andrew. “Oh it’s you,” he said as his eyes met with mine. I quickly averted my eyes and dropped it back to the floor, increasing my pace in trying to gather my things together so I could run- run as far as possible away from him and this building. “Amanda?” He called, his tone soft but probing. “What is going on? Where are you rushing to? And why are you carrying a box of… everything?”I had no idea of what I was going to day to him, how was I even supposed to reply him? I kept my eyes glued to the floor, unable to meet his eyes. “It’s… it’s nothing,” I finally managed to say, my voice trembling. “Amanda,” he called my name again, his voice firmer this time as he placed his hand on mine to stop me. “Talk to me, you know you can. What happened?”The dam broke. The tears I was holding back fell free, one slipped down my cheeks followed by another and then another. I bit my lips gently, trying to get myself toge