Sereia's POV
"So that's why I decided to work here," Hana ended her rant.
She had stopped by my office to say hi and ended up telling me about her reason to work here and not our competitors.
"I can't believe we're the same age," she told me. "You're the director of this company while I hold the cup you piss in, literally. I wish I were you."
I laughed. "No, you wouldn't. It wasn't easy getting here and at one point I was barely managing to stay alive."
She frowned. "Is that how you got hooked on drugs?"
I hesistated to answer at first, but I decided to just be honest. "Yes."
I'm not perfect and I have many flaws.
There are so many wrong things I've done since Violet passed. Some things I've just chosen to forget and others I've chosen to regret.
I lost myself and I won't deny that.
"Well, I'm proud of you for stopping," she said. "Not everyone is as strong as you to stop."
My parents.
I smiled. "I can put in a good word for you if you want."
She shook her head. "No, I want to earn my position like you did."
"Okay," I nodded.
I admired her integrity and ambition.
The office was suddenly filled with loud whispers and murmers.
"What's going on?" I asked her and she shrugged.
We both got up and went to see what was going on.
She grabbed one of the gossiping women. "What's going on?"
"The big man's parents are here," she said. "They're coming up the elevator as we speak."
Hana's eyes widened. "What?"
The woman nodded. "It's either he's been caught in a big scandal or some other trouble."
My heart started racing. "Why-why do you say that?"
Hana turned to me. "The Harringtons never come here. The last time they came here was last year when he sent his brother away. Appearently his parents had a problem with it."
"The brother was director after all," the woman answered.
My breathing became shaky.
What if they find out about us?
This isn't how I want it to be revealed.
I want to reveal it to Olivia myself.
I want to see the hurt all over her face. I want to be the one who stabs the dagger in her heart.
"Well, I guess we'll see the scandal on the news tonight if it's true."
I stared at the elevator door, waiting for it to reveal them.
"Mr. Harrington being in a scandal?" Hana asked. "I don't see it. He might be an ass, but he would never."
"All it takes is the right woman," the woman said. "These girls nowadays have no conscious and self respect. These new aged sluts should be ashamed of themselves."
I stayed quiet as I took her indirect insults.
I should be ashamed of myself and I deserve all the insults that are coming my way.
The elevator doors opened to reveal Mr. and Mrs. Harrington.
They stepped out in unison, exuding an effortless elegance that turned every head in the office.
Mr. Harrington looked like the older version of Elliot. He was tall and impeccably dressed in his tailored suit.
Beside him, Mrs. Harrington glided with the grace of someone accustomed to luxury, her designer heels barely making a sound on the polished floor.
I swallowed, feeling sick to my stomach.
The weight of their presence and display of their power suffocated me.
As they walked, Mrs. Harrington took off her sunglasses and my face was the first her eyes landed on.
Her husband followed the direction of her gaze as they continued in the direction of Elliot's office.
I kept my expression composed, even though I wanted to throw up, until they were out of sight.
I finally let out a breath.
Hana smiled at me. "Relax, you're acting like you're the one in trouble."
"What?" I asked nervously. "I'm not in trouble."
She laughed. "I know. That's exactly what I just said."
"Oh," I held my chest and faked a laugh.
The woman laughed. "Boss, you are quite the character. I should get back to work."
"Me too," Hana joined in. "Not all of us are directors."
They both waved to me before going their separate ways.
I returned to my office and paced back and forth.
Should I start packing my things?
They're going to want to get rid of me first thing.
My phone vibrated on my desk and I quickly grabbed it.
They've already found me.
I held my chest when I saw a new message from an unknown number.
My feet shook as I tapped on it.
Hi Sereia, it's mommy. Your father has asked to spend his last days at home. Please come see him.
I sighed in relief when I saw that it was only a text from my mother.
Guilt fell upon me when I remembered the last word I told my father.
Die.
Did I mean it? Of course not.
Before everything blew up, he still showed love to me, even though I wasn't his favorite.
I love my father even if he doesn't love me back.
I don't know what is, but die is not the last word I want to say to my father.
My heart continued to pound out of my chest.
I couldn't take it anymore.
I walked out of my office and headed towards Elliot's.
I paced in front his door as I contemplated what to do.
"Are you okay, Ms. Sinfield?" his assistant asked and I quickly nodded so that she could leave me alone.
The doors opened and my heart dropped when I saw Mr. and Mrs. Harrington staring at me.
Mrs. Harrington walked up to me, her eyes narrowing.
She hates me.
I'm ruining her son's life.
I'm done for.
"Excuse me for staring dear," she said. "You are so beautiful that I just have to stare."
"I'm sorry for ruining Elliot's-"
I paused when I registered what she said. "Huh?"
"Huh?" she questioned my informal language.
"I'm sorry," I looked down. "Thank you for the compliment. You are even more beautiful."
Mr. Harrington joined. "Excuse my wife. No one else in this place looks good so she doesn't know how to act."
"Alexander!" his wife hit him and he laughed.
Their whole cold demeanour vanished.
Elliot stepped out of his office, a moment of panic flickering across his face before he swiftly concealed it behind a composed facade.
"What's going on out here?" he calmly asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Your father was just being rude and unprofessional," Mrs. Harrington laughed and her husband did too.
I too found myself smiling as I watched them.
They were so...not what I expected.
"Well, how about you two leave my director and be on your way?" he suggested.
Mr. Harrington sighed and looked at me with a smile. "Our son is always trying to rush us off."
"Dad," Elliot said with a bit of authority in his voice.
"Okay, okay, we're leaving," his father answered.
"It was nice seeing someone pretty today," his mother smiled as she and her husband rushed out.
"Ms. Sinclair," Elliot called my name. "Step into my office please."
Now my heart was beating fast again as he watched me with a serious look.
"Okay, sir," I answered nervously as I walked past him.
He makes me nervous.
He's the only man who has ever made me feel this height of nervousness.
He stayed quiet as he shut the door and locked it.
I took deep breaths as I slowly walked away from him to his desk.
It was as if I was trying to get as far as possible from him.
His silence scared me.
Even though I tried, I failed miserably because in two steps he was already behind me and bending me over his desk.
He pressed himself so tightly against me that I could feel this abs printing through the fabric of my shirt.
"What were you doing outside of my office, temptress?"
His lips brushed against my ears and his hands went under my skirt.
"Who told you that you could speak to my parents? Were you ready to meet them already?"
I gasped loudly from the way he painfully gripped my ass.
He was no longer gentle like this morning.
"Are you going to answer me or keep making those sweet noises?" he asked as he tortured me without even knowing.
His kisses went from my ear, to my cheek, then my neck.
I just wanted him. I don't care anymore.
I grabbed has hand and guided it into my panties.
These girls nowadays have no conscious and self respect.
The worker's words from earlier crossed my mind and I felt guilty.
"Sereia," he said with restraint in his voice. "Why do you keep tormenting me like this?"
"Are we in trouble?" I asked him. "Did they find out about us?"
"Of course not," he reassured me. "No one knows about us."
I guided his hand lower.
"Sereia," he said again, this time he pulled away his hand. "I can't."
I clenched my jaw as I forced myself from under him.
I'm such an idiot.
"Sereia."
I quickly fixed myself.
"Forget it," I said as I walked out.
I was embarrassed again.
My plan was to make him fall for me, but I failed miserablyâI ended up falling for him instead.
Now, I'm just a fool for making him lead me on.