Chapter Fifty-EightThe shrill sound of the phone echoed on the rooftop, and Rina hesitated, biting her bottom lip in anger.She did not want to pick up his call. She was definitely not in the mood for some ass chewing.Her finger hovered above the answer icon, her mood becoming sour at the thought of hearing his insults once more.Why was he calling anyway?He had his sources and already knew what was happening in MAGIC. Yet, he called her at any opportunity to remind her of her incapability.This thought made her grit her teeth in fury, as the phone continued ringing, its ringing tone, a shrill reminder of the derision to come.However, the thought that he was watching her through the hole of a sniper rifle, made her jolt back to her senses and she quickly swiped on the icon."What?" She snarled into the phone, already trembling with fear and annoyance, but she still managed to keep the tremors out of her voice."You were demoted?" The voice asked calmly."Wait what? How did you kn
Chapter Fifty-NineDeciding she'd been on the rooftop too long, Rina heads down the empty stairway.Occasionally, she'd lean over the railing, her eyes scanning the floors below, trying to see if she could see any employee fleeing but there was no one there, and she finally decided she was being paranoid.About seven floors below, Lana quietly slipped through the door that led to the staircase and emerged on the seventh floor. Employees milled about, and she quickly blended with them, making her way to the elevator that would take her back to the design team's office.Her face was impassive, not even glancing sideways at the employees who stole surreptitious looks at her. However, her heart was beating fast at what she'd just done, and what she'd just heard and witnessed.When Rina left the design team's office in a hurry, Lana had waited for two minutes before casually walking out after her.She was just in time to see Rina, taking the side door and making her way to the rooftop, and
Chapter SixtyDamien stopped in mid-stride as soon as he sighted Lana. Immediately, his expression softened and he looked relieved.The next instant, he tried to hide his relief when he saw that she was staring him with that annoying dead eye stare once more.Great, what had he done now?He stuck his hands in his pockets and moved closer to her, "Already ditching work on your first day?" He asked sullenly, as he moved to stand in front of her.She swallowed hard and avoided his eyes, ignoring his question. He narrowed his eyes in puzzlement, especially when he saw how tense her shoulders were.Did something else happen while he was gone? Come to think of it, Rina was also not in the office just now.He had come back to the office, pretending he wanted to drop off some files for her, but he had really just wanted to see her face once more and ask if she'd be willing to go out to lunch with him.It was maddening the way he could not stay away from her. It had been barely thirty minutes
Chapter Sixty-OneRina walked out of the elevator, sullenly. The joy she'd felt earlier at still being alive, and also with the fact that the instructions she received was to her benefits, had evaporated.She crossed her arms under her bosom as she walked on, her face pinched with annoyance when she recalled that she had to go back to the office and act like all was well, and also receive orders from that bitch, Lana.Well, it was something she had to do if she was to get her plans in place.She rounded a corner and stopped short, her eyes narrowing into slits at the sight before her.Damien stood in the middle of the passageway, tenderly holding on to Lana. The affection in his face and the tender, loving look he was giving her gradually increased her anger.She dropped her arms and her fists bunched by her side. Lana had only just started working here and she'd had him come to the office twice in an hour.This had never happened when Rina was the head of the design team. Damien had
Chapter Sixty-TwoThose words from Rina seemed to ignite a fury in Damien. He grabbed her shoulders tightly, his fingers digging deep into her flesh as he glared at her, his teeth clenched in rage.Rina watched him with a tiny, mocking smile. She knew what she'd said had triggered him and she meant every word of it.Lana walked over to them quickly, "What are you both doing?" She hissed in anger. "This is a business place. I'll appreciate it, if you both stop fooling yourselves in front of the employees!"Rina turned on her, her eyes shimmering with tears, from her fake crying. However, they were red-rimmed now, and glared at Lana with intense hatred."You don't tell me what to do, Lana...aarh!"She cried out softly in pain, as Damien dug his nails into her shoulders, deliberately.He could not stand her talking to Lana that way."Let go of me!" Rina said fiercely, her face twisted with the pain in her shoulder. She twisted and turned in his grasp, but it was too firm."I'll scream!"
Chapter Sixty-ThreeAfter exactly twenty minutes, Zaire sent another text message and since it was already lunch time, Lana went down to meet him.She blew out a breath in nervousness, clutching her purse tightly as she stood waiting for the elevator that would take her down to the lobby. She had to admit she was nervous meeting Zaire, and wondered how much she'd tell him. In order to fully pacify him, she needed to tell him the reasons she was doing what she was doing and why she was at Romero.The elevator finally arrived with a loud ding, jolting Lana out of her thoughts. The doors slid open with a satisfying hiss to reveal a group of employee, arguing loudly with raised voices.At the sight of Lana, they blanched horribly and fell into a deafening silence. Lana frowned slightly as her eyes darted side to side in the elevator, checking out the employees uncomfortable stance.Some of them actually slid back a few inches, until they were almost touching the wall. They glanced at he
Chapter Sixty fourAll Zaire wanted was to have a nice, little lunch with Lana. He'd missed her terribly and had not been himself since that night of the gala.He was consumed with different emotions all at once-Anger at the fact that she'd chosen to work with MAGIC, even after several pleas for her to work with his company, SERENE.Fear, at the possibility of old flames being rekindled between her and Damien Romero. Fear, at the possibility that she'd never be his, as long as she'd stepped her foot back into Romero.He'd been cranky for days, snarling and snapping at things and people. He regretted leaving so abruptly at the gala. Perhaps, if he'd waited to hear her excuse, then he wouldn't be so troubled, and feeling such heavy weight on his heart.When he finally summoned up the courage to invite her out for lunch, so he could hear what she had to say, he'd been stunned speechless.By her beauty and gracefulness, and the silent plea in her eyes. Zaire was sucked in all at once, a
Chapter Sixty-five Damien had quietly returned to his office fuming, after Lana rejected his invitation to lunch.He walked into his office to find Liam giving him a knowing look. Damien's brows furrowed in a fierce frown at this.He pointed at him and said in a warning tone, "Do not say a word."Liam shrugged, a smug expression taking over his face. He knew Damien's offer to go for lunch was rejected by Lana, and it pleased him greatly. His lips twitched in amusement, as Damien brushed past him to his desk.He removed his jacket in a huff and draped it behind his chair, then sat down behind his desk. He flipped through the files which Liam had set on the table, wordlessly. His eyes were on the documents but his mind wasn't there."How much longer would she reject me?" He thought miserably, as his eyes scanned the work in his hands, absent-mindedly.He was a man of great pride and his ego had been bruised when she had rejected him, in front of Rina, nonetheless. It had taken grea
Chapter Ninety-FiveWhen the car rolled to a stop in front of the main house, Vera held on to Rina, "Honey, why don't you come over to my place?," she asked, " I don't want you to be all alone here, and it will be easier for me to speak to your father."Rina gave her a tight smile, but slowly shook her head, "No, Mother." She replied, in a lowered voice, "I need some alone time. I want to be by myself for some time."Vera sighed, "Alright then, go on." She saod and Rina climbed out of the car with great relief. As she walked towards the entrance of the house, Vera lowered the window pane and called out to her, "Don't even think about getting funny ideas, dear. I'll call at the house later this evening, okay?"Rina gave her a warm smile and waved her along, "Okay Vera, I'll see you soon." She uttered softly, and as the car drove away with a cloud of dust, Rina's smile slowly faded away, and in its place, came a nasty scowl. "Ugh, she's so annoying, geez." She uttered, shuddering dram
Chapter Ninety-Four"W...what?" Rina stuttered, looking at Vera with eyes wide with terror. She had gone a little pale and did not know how to reply to Vera's request.Vera looked her up and down, her brows furrowed in confusion, "Why are you so shocked?" she asked in a surprised tone.Rina let out a nervous laugh, "oh, it's nothing." She cracked, suddenly apprehensive. She swallowed hard and looked at Vera once more, "It's just that you've never asked about my family, so..."She trailed off, giving Vera a knowing look and Vera laughed lightly, "No dear. I never asked about them because I didn't want you to be uncomfortable." She replied Rina, "And besides, Damien liked you despite your family's influence, that's why I decided to just let things lie low."Rina also laughed nervously and nodded her head, "Oh ok. Well, that's okay, Mother." She said, trying to reassure the older woman, "Just continue to keep things lying low."Vera shook her head to Rina's chagrin, "No dear. Now is
Chapter Ninety-ThreeThe security guards escorted Madam Vera and Rina out of the premises of the company.Vera had stopped struggling and Rina was still playing a dying girl. Soon, the driver brought Vera's car round to the entrance of the lobby, and only then did the security guards let go of the women."Let go of me," Madam Vera struggled one last time, just as they let go of them. She turned to glare at the security guards who still stood behind them, waiting for the woman to get into their cars.Vera stretched back her hands and gave them both slaps across their faces. The men did not flinch and their grave expression remained the same, even with the red welt marks on their cheeks."Please, get into the car, ma'am." A body guard said, giving Vera a serious look. The other glanced at the driver, who came round to open the car door for them."Lowlife bastards," Vera swore under her breath, glaring at the security guards with hate. They gave her a look that said they did not even c
Chapter Ninety-TwoRina walked into her office, and all the employees quickly stood up and bowed in unison, with respect. The fact that she had such influence to the extent that, she'd gotten Rina fired was still mindblowing.No one would dare to cross her from now on, especially now that they knew the CEO was solidly behind her. He even escorted his mother out of the premises for her.Lana sat behind her desk and only then did she ask them to sit with a curt nod of her head. The employees sat down clumsily, shifting uncomfortably under Lana's scrutinizing gaze.Claudia and the rest of Rina's minions felt the most uncomfortable. They could not even raise their heads to look at Lana. Instead, they fiddled with their keyboards or thumbs or bag straps or the pile of papers on their desks.All the while praying that Lana does not call them out. Even though they hated her, they still loved their jobs and wanted to keep it. Rina was gone, so there was no use acting up in front of Lana.L
Chapter Ninety-One"I'll reconsider suing your mother, Damien." Lana uttered, "If Rina is fired from MAGIC!"Rina gasped in outrage, while Vera struggled in the hands of the security men, "Let me go!" She struggled fiercely once more, and managed to wrench herself free from the men, who were a bit surprised by her strength. They had let her go, because it seemed like Vera would hurt herself any moment with the way she was struggling.She stood arms akimbo and faced Lana, "You bitch, what are you saying?! You want Rina fired, after everything she's done for MAGIC?!" She yelled at her, "Do you think I don't know what's going on? You're trying to throw out the rightful owner and take Rina's glory!" She then turned to face Damien, saying fiercely, "How long are you going to believe her? Can't you see how evil she is?!"Damien was silent, ignoring his mother's outburst. He tilted his head and watched Lana with a calculated, narrowed gaze. "You will reconsider, you say?""Damien!" Vera scr
Chapter NinetyLana looked so fierce, that both Vera and Rina were overcome with fear. They shuddered, even as Vera tried to stand firm."I won't let you get away with this, Lana!" she retorted, "I won't!""Oh right!" Lana said suddenly as she walked back to Diego, and examined his face once more. The sight of his bleeding lips made her grit her teeth in anger. She turned back to Vera and said coldly, "I won't let you get away with this too, Vera."Vera eyed her in annoyance, "What?!""This is assault." Lana said, simply, "You dared to hit a person to the extent that you left a mark on their skin." She smiled tightly, "You have to pay for that."Vera scoffed, "You must be out of your mind!" She spat out, unable to believe what she was hearing. She sniffed haughtily and looked down her nose at Lana, "I was only teaching your lowlife assistant a lesson. How dare he speak out of turn to me?!"Lana brought out her cellphone from her bag, and gave Vera a fake smile, "you can explain that t
Chapter Eighty-NineVera raised her hand to strike Diego once more, but then she felt a tight grip on her hand, holding her back. "What the..." she started saying as she turned in anger to look at the person that would dare to hold her hand back. Her eyes widened in shock when her eyes met Lana's face."Y..you.." she retorted, trying to sound firm, "What do you think you're doing?""Are you out of your freaking mind?!" Lana growled, baring her teeth at the older woman, who was stunned at her audacity."Let go of me this instant!" Mada Vera shrieked in a tremulous voice, "Don't you know who you're talking to?!"Lana was trembling with rage. She looked from Diego's reddened cheek and bleeding lips, and it only seemed to add more fuel to the inferno that was raging within her."You nasty old hag, how dare you touch him?!" She said to Vera, fiercely. The employees gathered around, all gasped at Lana's audacity. They wondered if she knew she was talking to the mother of the CEO.Vera's mo
Chapter Eighty-EightDiego paced back and forth outside the office of the design team, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Damien.He could not take it if Lana was angry.His heart clenched within him, as guilt made his stomach churn. The question she'd asked him rang in his ears over and over again "Is CEO Damien your boss that you take orders from him?"He was sure he'd heard some traces of hurt in her voice. Diego groaned at that possibility. He could not believe he was such a coward in front of the person who had treated his mistress so badly when she was in RomeroIt was just that Damien's aura was too domineering and Diego still feared him.If it weren't for Miss Lana being in the Romero Villa, Diego wasn't sure he'd ever have gotten the opportunity to look Damien in the face.That was how high up he was.The elevator dinged behind him and he turned to it sharply, his eyes lit with hope, "Miss Lana?!" He called out as he walked towards the elevator. However, he stopped and froze, a
Chapter Eighty-Seven"We'll be signing it in the office."Lana scoffed in disbelief. She raked a hand through her hair, and tried not to glare at him."It's okay, it's okay ." She calmed herself down, "He's just trying to get on your nerves."She was certain now, that Damien was playing tricks with her. If not, why all these delay in signing the papers?"You said you had the papers here." She said, giving him a right smile, "Why trouble ourselves and take it to the office?"Damien shrugged, "So we can meet my lawyer there," he replied and walked past her to grab his jacket which was on the chair next to where he'd been sitting, and draped it over his shoulders, "He can be our witness as well."He finished buttoning the jacket and gave her a cocky smile, as she watched him puzzledly.What he'd said made sense .Perhaps, he was not playing tricks after all?"I can only know that when I sign the papers," she reminded herself, then raised her nose haughtily at him, before saying outloud.