The next morning, I order breakfast and head to the company soon.
Stepping into the office, I feel empty. This is the place where Noah used to work.
I look at his chair and break down. This is the place he used to sit at. Everything in his office is still his, not mine.
I move his chair to the side and use another one.
I can’t sit in his chair, it reminds me too much of him. Besides this will always be his.
I also notice a new secretary.
“ Hi, I’m Stacy. Mr. Knight hired me when he was handling the company. I’ll assist you from now on Miss Emma. “ She replies with a merry tone.
I nod in return.
Just then John enters. I remember him, he was the manager in the past. He was kind and we often conversed, something that bothered Noah.
He greets me with a smile.
“ How are you? I hope you’re coping with the situation well. “ He speaks sympathetically.
“ I..I’m okay. Thank you for asking. “ I reply with a merry tone. Even though my state inside is the opposite of that but I’ve to be strong, for Noah.
The moment I stepped in, I entered a new world. People are different here. There are bad men like Lucas and people who have their eyes set on the company, knowing that the original owner is no more. I don’t know how I’m going to deal with all this.
“ I know it’s your first day here Emma. And I hate to burden you but there is something important you need to deal with. “ He states, an apprehensive expression takes over his face.
He ambles forward, plopping a bundle of papers in front of me.
“ When…when some of the employees came to know of the recent changes they resigned. These are the employees that resigned. “ He states.
“ But these are a lot. “ I mumble, looking at him.
“ I know, and the problem is that these are the employees at the executive positions. The company will be imbalanced. Restoring the seats with new people in such a short time is impossible. “ He explains, heightening my worry.
“ And the weirdest thing about this is that all of them are transferring to Knight Inc. How did they get a job there so fast? And why are all of them shifting to the very same company? This is some serious plotting. I advise you not to accept their resignation. They don’t have a solid reason. “ John recommends.
“ But they can make a fuss about it. It will ruin the company’s reputation. “ The new secretary butts in.
John looks at her in confusion with his eyebrows raised.
“ Who are you? “ He says, in a taunting manner.
“ I’m the new secretary. Mr. Knight appointed me when he was handling the company instead of Miss Emma. “ She states.
“ The same company our employees are shifting to? Don’t you think that’s a bit weird, Emma? “ John questions.
“ I.I don’t want to point at anyone. “ I reply.
“S..sir it is true that Mr. Knight appointed me but I would never betray the company. I signed a strict contract, I’ll serve 3 years here. I can’t shift even if I want to. Besides working here is working for the Knight Inc. I signed a contract with them, for your company. “ She explains.
“So what you are saying is that even though you will work for this company, you’re under Mr. Knight? “ John asks, getting frustrated.
This doesn’t make sense.
“ Yes, I’ll also be paid by Knight Inc. “ She further states.
“ If you’re his puppet. The door is there you can leave. “ I say, pointing towards the exit.
“ Sorry, what? “ She asks, utterly puzzled.
“ I don’t want him, or anyone associated with him near me. “ I whisper, looking down. My life is going downhill and Lucas is just adding up more problems for me. How can you do that to someone you claim to love?
“ Ma’am please trust me. I’m sincere about my job. This is the first experience I do not know what’s going on. Please just let me work here. I really need this. “ She begs, and I feel bad.
I could have been that girl. I was that girl once, trying to keep my job as a waitress in the restaurant yet I was fired and no one helped me.
I can’t be that cruel person who fired me without a second thought without taking into consideration my circumstances.
“ You can stay. Just don’t make me regret my decision. “ I state, looking straight into her eyes.
John tries to object but then doesn’t say a thing.
“ What are we going to do about these? “ He says, referring to the bundle of papers.
“ I can’t hold them, John. If they don’t want to work here, I can’t force them. They won’t stay loyal to the company. “ I argue.
“ You’re right. But we can sue them for this. Make a legal case out of it. Just to drag them for doing this. So next time, they think twice before pulling up a stunt like that. “ John says, with a hint of viciousness.
“ But that’s mean. “ I point out and John crackles at that.
“ That’s how it works here. This is a work filled with deceit. There is always someone willing to drown you so that they may swim. “ He explains.
“ Anyway, there are a lot of investors backing off. Our partnerships are also being canceled. The death of Mr. Noah Enrique spread like wildfire. “
“ In short, we are doomed. “ Stacy completes.
“ Everything was fine when Noah was present. “ I whine. I can’t deal with this. I don’t even have a simple degree in this field. How am I going to face real-life situations that I haven’t even studied about? I know absolutely nothing!
“ Everything was also fine when Mr. Knight handled all these things, after Mr. Enrique’s death. It all turned upside down as soon as you stepped in. I don’t want to be rude but that’s what I have seen Emma. “ He states.
“ So you mean I’m the problem? “ I ask, pointing towards myself.
“ Not exactly, I think you are someone’s problem. Someone very powerful. The person has no problem with the company but as soon as you stepped in, it’s like he wants to turn it t ashes within seconds. And the way this is going, that moment is not is far away. “ He explains.
“ And that person is Lucas. “ I complete.
Both of them turn their heads to me.
“ What are we going to do now? “ I ask, looking at them for help. They’re more experienced than I am.
“ For now, we have a meeting with one of our major investors. Let’s try and make the meeting beneficial for us. “ John says and we all move to the meeting room.
Stacy and John brief me about it.
The investor soon enters. He is a middle-aged man, and behind him follows Lucas wearing black shades and carrying a dominant aura.
What is he doing here? I ponder to myself.
“ That’s one of my new business partners. Our company is honored to work with him. He’ll help me review the situation and whether I should continue investing here. “ He says, introducing me to the devil.
I eye him with hatred. If only looks could kill, he’d be 10 feet under.
“ The situation doesn’t seem so good. I advise you not to get your hopes high. “ Lucas announces, finally making his shades off and grabbing a seat.
“ Who asked you? Get out. “ I speak, an immature act in my side but he is getting on my nerves. This is all his doing!
“ You shouldn’t say that to someone who can decide the fate of this company. I’m done. “ He states, shurgging his shoulders and leaving. He strides towards the elevator.
“ I can’t put up more investments now. I don’t see much potential in this company now that a woman is leading it. “ The investor puts out his sexist remark.
Realization dawns upon me and I control my nerves. I run behind Lucas and get in the elevator.
“ Ok stop. Just, please tell him to continue investing. “ I ask, casually.
“ We’re not friends. I’d rather you prefer me formally, just like I do Miss. “ He enunciates.
“ Lucas please. I know you’re behind all of this mess. Just, please don’t do this. “ I beg.
He looks at me, unbothered.
“ Let’s say, I do help you out. What do I get? “ He asks quite boldly.
“ Wha...what do...do you mean? “ I stutter, out of nervousness. He gets closer to me, step by step.
“ Do I get to do this? “ He asks, dipping his head in my neck. Nuzzling gently.
“ Or this? “ He asks, putting his hands all over my body. His large masculine hands stop at my womb.
“ I can’t wait for your womb to swell up with my seed, you’ll look extremely ravaging. “ He murmurs in my ear.
I back off, only to be met with the cold steel wall of the elevator.
“ I don’t want to hurt you, Emma, just say yes. “ He again whispers in my ear. His hands still roaming around my body, his large frame pressed against my petite frame, extremely close to one another. His crotch rubbing against me.
“ Are you threatening me? “ I ask, unsure.
“ You can take that as a yes. I won’t back down until I get what I want and you know that Emma. “ He states, quite boldly.
“ Are you not going to ask him to invest? “ I ask one more time. Still having a little hope in my heart, that I can somehow save this company.
“ I can, but why would I do that? “ He asks, with a devilish smirk.
“ Be.. Because…” I try to come up with a reason, but I find none. Why would he invest in something that won’t benefit him, this is Lucas we’re talking about.
“ You have something very precious you can give to me. “ He hints, with a glint in his eyes. He says the words in a playful manner as if toying with me.
“ I don’t know what you want from me. “ I sigh, in desperation.
“ You’re so naïve. I want you, Emma. You can give me yourself, completely. “ He states, locking eyes. His hand moves towards my cheek and the back of his hand gently grazes against my skin. Petting me in a gentle manner.
“ Tell me, are you willing to give yourself to me? “ He questions, his voice low and his tone soft.
I take a deep breath and then reply.
“ Fine. If I have no other choice, I’ll sleep with you. “ I finally agree.
Rather than a pleased expression, his face holds disapproval. His eyes that were once loving go hard and he narrows them at me. Scaring me with a newfound look and posture.
He suddenly bangs his hand against the steal door and it oscillates to an extreme level. Passing on the vibrations, causing me to quiver too.
I look at him scared. Did I say something wrong?
“ Is that what you fucking think Emma? That I only want your body. I want you Emma, the whole of you, not just an empty shell. But you take my love for you otherwise. I’m fucking disappointed in you. “ He growls, still cornering me. His anger scaring me.
I look down, not able to match his intense gaze.
“ I want you at my house at 8 pm sharp. If not, say goodbye to your beloved Noah’s company. I have several wicked ways, and this is nothing compared to that. Don’t irritate me, Emma. You won’t like the consequence of that. “ He warns, before leaving the elevator.
He strides away, leaving me in a shaken state, utterly miserable.