Chapter 7

• "Neriah?" Shawn calls, stepping into the bathroom where Cainan just left. He sees Neriah by the basin washing her hands, "Neriah?" He calls again and this time she looks up at him.
• "Shawn hey," she warmly smiles at him as she pulls the tissue and wipes her hands before tossing it into the dustbin.
• "What's going on and why's Cainan leaving the ladies bathroom."
• "I got you your job back?" There's no victory in her words and for someone who just did something good she doesn't look good and this draws him in, in a weird way.
• He stares at her for an unending moment before requesting, "Can I at least ask how you were able to do that? Cainan isn't one who negotiates or changes his mind Neriah, what did he ask for in return?"
• "Nothing," she answers with a mild shrug.
• His brows shoot up, "Nothing?"
• "Yes," she sighs deeply.
• "Don't lie to me please." He pleads.
• "He didn't ask for anything in return, he kissed me."
• Shawn's teeth clench and she sees his hands balling into a fist, "And you call that nothing? Did you like it or something?!" He exclaims.
• "No!" She exclaims, "Why would you ever say that? I slapped him for kissing me Shawn so no I didn't like it."
• He scoffs, "He kissed you and gave me back my job what other way is there to ask for payment from someone?" He asks with a humourless tone of voice.
• "I was going to threaten him into giving you your job and leaving me alone."
• "Threaten him, with what?"
• Neriah knows telling the truth to Shawn might put them both in danger but she knows she has no choice and can't bear lying anymore. "An affair with Clara."
• "His ex-girlfriend?"
• She nods, "Apparently they've been screwing for the past five years although she has also been married. But he promised to kill both of us if anyone ever found out about it."
• "All the years I've worked for him there's one thing I know, you don't threaten Cainan with anything or he'll lash back."
• "We should go home."
• There's a look of disappointment on his face, "We didn't accomplish anything tonight then because he's still not going to get off your back."
• She manages to crack up a smile, "You got your job back"
• "About that," he storms out of the bathroom and Neriah follows him behind.
• "Where are you going and what are you trying to do?!" Neriah exclaims fearfully because something tells her he's about to do something he'll regret later on.
• "I'm going to find that piece of shit that calls himself Cainan Inferno and give him a dose of his own medicine, that's what I'm going to do"
• "Are you crazy? You're only going to get yourself in trouble."
• Cainan isn't only powerful with money, he is also physically fit, but strong-headed Shawn ignores all that as he walks to where Cainan is and taps on his shoulder.
• Cainan is having a brief discussion with some close business friends when he feels a tap on his shoulder, he turns around and sees Shawn and he expects to see a lot of emotions on his face but doesn't think anger should be one of them. Nevertheless, it's there and needs to be dealt with.
• "Mr Ola. What is it you want?"
• Shawn opens his mouth to speak, but he's beaten to it. "To say thank you," Neriah completes, coming to put her arms around Shawn. Shawn tosses her hands away and glares at her, a gesture Cainan takes note of.
• Cainan nods although feeling the heat between them, "Yes as expected. We should talk privately." He suggests to Shawn before turning to the men he was just talking to. "I'll be right back."
• He begins to walk on and Shawn turns to Neriah, "Don't follow me," he warns and she nods, knowing he's furious with her for what she just did.
• He leaves Neriah and follows Cainan who leads him to a private spot in the hall.
• "Do it," he urge immediately, taking Shawn by surprise.
• He frowns, "Do what?"
• Cainan rolls his eyes, "I'm pretty sure your girlfriend has told you everything and that means you know I kiss her and you were coming over to probably knock my teeth out earlier. She was right to stop you there because hitting me in pubic would cause stir and attention and we both know I hate attention, but now you should hit me."
• Hearing him beckon for his retaliation weakens Shawn and frustrate him even more. "Why did you kiss her?"
• His eyes widen in disbelieve, "Seriously, you need a reason? Because I like girls that are a pain, sassy, but demanding and I think you're going to have to man up if you hope to keep her or else people like me will."
• Shawn cuts him off and doesn't let him finish before slamming his fist to Cainan's face. This sends Cainan back a few steps but doesn't take him down. Shawn wasn't hoping to take him down either, he wanted to leave a mark and as Cainan's hand goes up to touch his mouth and it's bleeding from the deep cut it has, satisfaction appears on his face.
• "Stay the fuck away from my girlfriend or you'll be sorry." He warns before walking back to Neriah. He takes her hand and begins to walk out without uttering a word. The take a taxi and Shawn gives him Neriah's address although he still doesn't speak to Neriah.
• The taxi reached the house in twenty minutes and they both step down and Shawn pays. When he turns to Neriah she's already at the door opening it. Silently he follows her but Neriah stands in his way and prevents him from going inside.
• "Let me in Neriah." He says looking up at her.
• She crosses her hand over her chest, "You realise those are the first words you've spoken to me in 30 minutes right?"
• "What do you want me to say?"
• "What you did to him for starters and you came and pull me away like a child and you know I hate that."
• "I'm sorry," he apologises, his head dropping down in regret.
• "What happened there that changed you this way?"
• "I punched him okay?" He answers, looking up into her eyes. "He wanted me to."
• "What? Why would he?"
• "I don't know," he shrugs after heaving a deep sigh, "something about me manning up."
• Neriah smiles, "Did it work?"
• "I busted his lips, never done that to anyone before," Shawn responds with a wicked smirk.
• "Why do I find you hot for doing that?" She asks, biting her lips and pulling him closer.
• Shawn raises a brown at her, "Are you doing what I think you're doing??"
• She winks at him, "What do you think I'm doing?"
• He kisses her lips and she responds, kissing him back before wrapping her arms around his shoulders.
• "Come inside."
• ****
• "What the hell happened to you?" Exclaims Samantha as she approaches Cainan who has a blood stain on his white inner white shirt and a busted lips, "who did this?"
• He pushes her hand away from him when she reaches to touch his lips, "I'm fine Samantha, we are leaving," he says, taking her arm and leading her away.
• "What's wrong with you?" She demands wiggling her arm from his grip.
• "Can you just do what I say without asking me stupid questions?" He growls.
• "You're being a jackass again, why are you picking on me when all I'm trying to do is help?".
• He runs a shaky hand through his hair, "I'm sorry, but this night is not my best, so can you please listen to me and let us leave?"
• She glares at him but still enters into the limo and he does too before they drive off.
• "Tell me who did this?" She suddenly asks after a while of silently staring out of the window.
• Knowing she's not going to drop the subject, "An employee I fired a while back?"
• "He must really hate you," she mumbles aloud.
• He chuckles before saying, "You'd bust my lips the first chance you get cause you hate me too."
• She doesn't try to deny it, "I hate you in a good way."