Chapter Fifteen

Aurora’s Pov

When he told me to leave, I didn’t understand. His voice was firm, almost cold, and the word cut through me like a blade. “Yes, sir,” I managed to say before turning on my heel and walking out of his office.

The moment the door closed behind me, my heart started racing. My chest tightened, and my thoughts spiraled. What did I do wrong? I wondered, over and over again. I replayed our conversation in my head, trying to pinpoint my mistake, but nothing stood out.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I blinked furiously, trying to hold them back as I walked toward my office. I couldn’t break down here, not where people could see me. But the moment I stepped inside and shut the door, the tears fell freely.

I leaned against the door, clutching my chest as I sobbed quietly. Why? Why did he ask me to leave? Did I offend him? Say something I shouldn’t have? The thoughts wouldn’t stop coming, each one more damning than the last.

Maybe I’m not good enough for this job. The idea clung to me, heavy and suffocating. I wrapped my arms around myself, trembling.

A knock at the door startled me, and I quickly wiped my face with my hands, trying to hide the evidence of my tears. “Come in,” I called, my voice shaky and uneven.

The door opened, and there he was….Boss Ryan. My breath caught in my throat.

He stepped inside, closing the door behind him. I froze, unsure of what to do, but my legs moved on their own. Before I realized it, I was about to fall to my knees.

“No,” he said firmly, catching my arm and pulling me back up.

The moment his hand touched me, the dam broke. Tears spilled down my cheeks again, and I started rambling, unable to stop myself. “I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know what I did, but I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to upset you. I…”

“Shh,” he interrupted, his voice softer now, almost soothing. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

I blinked up at him, confused. “I didn’t?”

He shook his head, his expression unreadable. “Actually, I came here to apologize.”

My mouth fell open, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to say. He’s apologizing to me?

“I shouldn’t have acted the way I did,” he continued, his gaze steady. “I was dealing with... something, and I let it affect me. That wasn’t fair to you. I’m sorry.”

His words shocked me, but they didn’t stop the tears. I tried to wipe them away, embarrassed, but he reached out, his thumb brushing against my cheek to catch the stray drops.

“It’s okay,” he said again, his voice so gentle it made my heart ache. “I’m sorry for hurting you.”

And then he did something I never expected, he pulled me into a hug.

For a moment, I froze, unsure of how to react. But his embrace was warm, comforting, and safe, and before I knew it, I was sobbing into his chest. All the fear, the uncertainty, the self-doubt poured out of me, and he held me through it all.

When my tears finally subsided, I pulled back slightly, looking up at him with red, puffy eyes. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered again, my voice trembling.

He shook his head. “You have nothing to apologize for.”

I stared up at him, still overwhelmed by everything that had happened, and for a moment, neither of us moved. Then, slowly, he stepped back, putting just enough distance between us to let me breathe again.

“Take a moment to collect yourself,” he said, his voice steady but not unkind. “And if you ever feel overwhelmed, you can tell me. I’ll listen.”

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

And with that, he turned and left, leaving me standing there with a thousand emotions I couldn’t begin to untangle.

****

As he left the room, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface, something he wasn't sharing. But for now, I chose to focus on the tasks at hand, determined to prove myself and perhaps, in time, uncover the mysteries that surrounded my enigmatic employer.

With renewed purpose, I set about organizing the information Ryan had provided. Deciding to seek guidance, I made my way to Sophia's desk, hoping to gather the necessary documents to begin my work.

I quickly cleaned up my eyes and made sure I looked presentable with my pocket mirror before leaving my office.

After I was a little bit satisfied with how composed I was looking after tearing up minutes ago, I decided to go look for Sophia.

Sophia's workspace was amidst a cluster of desks, lacking the privacy of an individual office. As I approached, she greeted me with a friendly wink, which I interpreted as a welcoming gesture.

"Hi, Sophia," I began, trying to keep my tone professional yet approachable. "Ryan mentioned that you could provide me with the files I need to get started."

"Of course, Aurora," she replied warmly, handing me a stack of documents. "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Thank you," I said, appreciating her willingness to help. As I turned to leave, a colleague intercepted me.

"Hey there," he said with a friendly smile. "I'm Adam. Just wanted to introduce myself."

"Nice to meet you, Adam," I replied, returning his smile. "I'm Aurora."

"Welcome aboard," he said. "If you need anything or have questions, don't hesitate to reach out."

"I appreciate that," I responded, grateful for the supportive environment.

Most people looked approachable and I couldn't wait to start making friends. It was just a matter of time.

Returning to my office, I immersed myself in the work, determined to make a positive impression.

With renewed determination, I delved into the tasks at hand, grateful for Sophia's earlier guidance. The complexities of the computer system were daunting, but I was resolute in mastering them. Hours passed unnoticed until a soft knock drew my attention.

Ryan stood at the doorway, a gentle reminder that the workday had ended. "Aurora, it's late. You should head home and rest."

I glanced at the time, surprised by how it had flown. "I lost track of time. I wanted to familiarize myself with the system."

He nodded, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Your dedication is commendable, but rest is equally important. May I give you a lift home?"

Grateful yet hesitant, I accepted. During the drive, we exchanged brief, polite conversation, the air filled with unspoken thoughts. As we neared my stop, he inquired about my contact information for work correspondence like urgent emails.

Embarrassment flushed my cheeks. "I don't have a phone at the moment. I planned to purchase one with my first salary."

A thoughtful silence followed before he spoke. "We'll ensure you have the necessary tools to perform your duties effectively. In the meantime, focus on your recovery and rest."

His consideration was unexpected, leaving me with a sense of belonging I hadn't anticipated.

He dropped me off at the exact spot he dropped me on that day. I didn't want him to see how wrecked I am, especially now that I'm working for his company.

“Thank you,” I said. Not knowing what else to say.

“See you tomorrow, Aurora.”

oh the way he calls my name.

“See you too, sir,” with that statement I opened his door….waved goodbye at him and left.

I reached my apartment in no time, I changed my clothes, had my bath and started preparing what to eat.

As I prepared a simple meal, my thoughts drifted to the day's events. The opportunity this job presented was a beacon of hope, a chance to rebuild and, perhaps, rescue my mother from the clutches of my oppressive stepfather, Marcus.