Get Out Of My Building

Alyssa's POV

The drive to Luke's company thrilled me more than it should've. Every cell in my body felt so electrified with the anticipation of what to expect. At least I still had a car so I wasn't totally broke.

I assumed work truly started immediately so I carried a couple of sheets where I normally write manuscripts and some limited edition fancy pens that I purchased from an indie pen maker in another part of the country.

As I came down from the car, I fiddled with my keys nervously before tossing it into my sling bag. I was scared of what people would say if they saw me. Being cancelled because a beta reader lied against you was no fun. 

The only thing that kept me sane was the popular knowledge; people that worked in a huge gadget company would not be interested in little gossip, hopefully.

I packed out everything I needed and headed into the large luxurious building. 

As my heels clicked on the exquisite floor of the company, I didn't feel like a champ. If anything, I felt my insides churn for some reason.

I shrinked under the heavyweight of the stares of people that couldn't help but look at me like I was totally out of place, or like I reeked of something unpleasant.

I knew why they were all staring, but I refused to believe that truly, they actually knew me. It meant I was totally ruined. 

I wanted to curl into myself and disappear. I felt a sudden desperate need to make an escape from my own being. 

On wobbly feet, I still managed to make my way to the receptionist's desk, trying my best not to break down.

She was a petite girl, clearly buried in whatever it was that was keeping her busy. Apparently she hadn't noticed what was going on with me.

I cleared my throat nervously before I spoke.

“Good morning. I'm looking for Luke Lexington. He asked me to resume today so please kindly show me to his office.”

For the first couple of seconds, stretching to minutes, she didn't regard me. The very second she looked up at me, I watched her eyes widen and her countenance immediately change.

“Excuse me? Can you repeat what you just said?” She requested in an icy, mocking tone and this time, her attention was on a staff member behind me. That staff member made some nasty remarks I couldn't see since I wasn't facing her, but I could hear, and it broke me that they had no single regard for my feelings.

Her arms were folded and her mouth looked tight, as though there was something bitter inside of it.

Ignoring the jeers, I repeated the question and wiped my free hand against my beige skirt as it was suddenly soaked in sweat from my nervousness.  

“I said I'm here to see the CEO. I just got hired for a job.”

She blinked, then stared at me as if I was crazy before she broke into a fit of laughter. She laughed hysterically, holding on to her stomach because she couldn't contain herself. She even let out a quick, disgusted snort. Her action disoriented me. All of a sudden, I felt disconnected from my own body.

“Is something wrong?” My voice cut, unease settling in my words.

Finally taking time to scrutinize me derogatorily, she practically combusted.

“Is this some type of joke? You're the famous author, Alyssa Waters! Did you think we all don't know of your evil deeds?” 

Her eyebrows shot up and true anger was etched on her face. She was so ferocious that if they let her, she would've pounced on me and scratched me all over.

“Famous people like you pretend to care for others, yet you support disgusting things in secret!” She spat out angrily with all her might. I was too stunned to even speak, the accusation hung in the air and I felt my body stiffen in response, my heart beating anything but rhythmic.

The air grew heavy, making it hard to exhale and inhale. Still, she wasn't done.

I kept taking in deep breaths, my eyes finally brimming with tears at her harsh words. They all watched and didn't bother to defend me.

“Why would my boss hire you? Infact, what are you even doing here without a single dignity? You're so shameless! It's disgusting! How dare you! Get out before I call security, you callous, evil woman!”

Her voice echoed in my head over and over, like a loop. My stomach dipped like the floor fell out beneath me and honestly, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me.

As I turned around and watched as their lips curled up in sinister, disgusting grins, I could no longer bear. My fighting spirit gave way. 

A single tear began to encourage others as it fell and made its way down my neck.

In the midst of all the jeers, I felt a dominating presence behind me suddenly. A presence that made the thick air stand still, and the hairs at my back stand on end. I knew who it was before I even turned around to meet his gaze and when I did, he was already staring at me, hard. 

He was dressed in a dark grey suit, and I took in his features even better as he was so up close. His cologne wafted through my ears and he smelled like sin and man.

After what felt like hours of watching me, I noticed his jaw tick and tighten.

“Come here, Alyssa.” The deep baritone of his voice hit the depths of my existence and I felt it run through me.

He beckoned me to come over, and my feet already swayed towards him before I even realized it. He must have seen everything that had happened, but I wondered if he understood. 

The whole place fell silent as I stood in front of him. With one soft swipe, the tears on my face were off and he wiped them on his expensive suit, shocking me.

“You're crying. Who hurt you?” He looked at me like he cared about me. It was so confusing.

When I said nothing, his eyes looked over me and I knew exactly who they rested on. I turned around to watch the sight. The receptionist was on her knees, her lips parted widely as if she couldn't believe her eyes.

“Sir, I didn't know you truly employed her, I thought she was–” She rubbed her hands together harshly, and I knew that in that moment, she felt the same way she made me feel over the past couple of minutes.

“Laughing at my new employee? For what? Nadia, tell me. What's so funny?”

He left my side and took long, harsh strides towards her, just before towering over her as she went down on her knees.

“If you can't give me a suitable answer, pack up and get out of my building.” His harsh words reverberated across the room. If a pin dropped, it would echo.

I immediately gasped and a hand reached to cover my mouth instantly as it fell open.

Just like that?