Chapter 8

• BRAELYN
• I was frustrated with my luck. He won't let me resign because he wants to torture me. I too didn't have another option. My job supported us . This was my fate. Be constantly in the presence of the man I have never gotten over and receive all the insults and tortured he inflicts upon me.
• Cursing my luck , I opened the files and got started with the humongous amount of work that he had assigned me with. I was very careful with the report because I knew he would throw it out of the window if he finds so much as a single fault.
• I couldn't get up even for a few minutes, much less a lunch break. I was surviving on a cup of coffee I had in the morning.
• At nearly eight , I was done with the report. Organizing everything, I finally got up . My back was aching and my feet felt numb. The exhaustion due to starving was kicking in.
• I knocked on the door to his cabin when I heard a gruff 'come in'.
• " Why are you still in the office Ms. Taylor?" He got up from his seat,looking genuinely confused as if he hadn't demanded for the report to be completed by today. I mentally rolled my eyes.
• " The report." I kept the files on his desk and walked back but before I could take more than two steps, I was unsteady on my feet. Immediately one hand wrapped around my waist steadying me and another held my shoulder firmly.
• " Are you not well , Ms. Taylor?" His voice sounded concerned but I didn't want my hopes to get high. I closed my eyes for a longer second before opening them.
• " Just a bit dizzy." When I turned my face, his face was inches away from mine. I was getting lost in his grey eyes that were piercing through mine. A shiver passed through me at our proximity. His cologne was making me feel intoxicated. What I found scary was that even after so many years only he was the only one who could make me feel like this. I moved out of his hold before I could lose my senses.
• " Should we see a doctor?" I looked at him strangely. How was he all of a sudden acting concerned?
• " No , I will eat something and I will be fine." I said in a dismissive tone.
• " What does that mean? Did you skip your lunch ?" Irritation filled me at his words.
• " How does it concern you ?" I used the same tone that he had used earlier. He gritted his teeth in annoyance.
• " Why did you skip your lunch?" This time I was pissed. He was acting as if he really didn't know.
• " This report. That's why. I had to complete it by today, right ? I couldn't afford to not complete it and get fired , could I ?" If I wasn't hallucinating, I saw guilt flash in his eyes before he composed himself.
• " Right. Now come with me, I will drop you off." He went back to his desk to take his belongings.
• " That won't be required, Mr. Lewis. I'll manage."
• " Are you going to drive in this state?" He mockingly asked.
• " I will get a cab." I started walking out of his cabin. I heard his footsteps behind me. I couldn't bear being alone in the car with him. Just then, I saw Austin leaving the building.
• " Austin.." He looked back , surprised to see me here .
• " Brae? What are you doing here this late?" It was my first time that I had stayed till eight.
• " Had to complete some work. Can you drop me off at my place? " I asked him.
• " Yeah sure, but you never ask for a drop. Are you fine?" He placed a hand on my arm .
• " Yes I am fine, just a bit tired." I smiled at him and we settled down in his car. As I turned to fix the seat belt , I saw Evan standing there , his jaw clenched , his eyes staring directly into mine.
• Maybe it was a foolish move to refuse his offer. He looked angry but why? He wouldn't want me to be in the same car as him right ? I kept looking at him when Austin drove out of the car park.
• EVAN
• I was just wrapping up the last of my work when I heard a knock on my door. Braelyn walked in with some files in her hand. I looked at the clock to make sure it was five past eight.
• "Why are you still in the office Ms. Taylor?" I got up from my seat . She faintly raised a brow at my question as if I was stupid to ask that.
• " The report." Saying this , she kept the files on my desk and I immediately remembered the work I had given her. I was surprised that she really finished the work. I saw her walking back but before she could take more than two steps, she swayed , her eyes dropping. I immediately wrapped one arm around her waist and another on her shoulder to steady her.
• " Are you not well , Ms. Taylor?" My voice gave out the concern that I didn't want to show.
• " Just a bit dizzy." Came her reply before she turned her face towards me. Our faces were really close , our breaths mingling with each other. The sweet fragrance of her hair filling my nostrils. I dreaded that the realization that this was the only woman who had the ability to intoxicate me like this was growing stronger. Suddenly she pulled away, creating a respectable distance between us.
• " Should we see a doctor?" The words flew out of my mouth on their own.
• " No , I will eat something and I will be fine." My forehead creased at her words. Does that mean she skipped her lunch?
• " What does that mean? Did you skip your lunch ?" I voiced my question.
• " How does it concern you ?" I was growing annoyed with each passing second. I couldn't find a possible reason for skipping lunch.
• " Why did you skip your lunch?" From her facial expressions she looked pissed , wondering why.
• " This report. That's why. I had to complete it by today, right ? I couldn't afford to not complete it and get fired , could I ?" She used my words in a taunting tone. Guilt consumed me realising that I was responsible for her condition. Of course I had told her to finish the work by today but honestly I wasn't expecting her to complete such a huge amount of work.