06. Try Me.
Evan’s POV
Somewhere, I felt a bit bad for treating her like that. I knew she felt humiliated as it was a blow to her self respect but I couldn’t control my temper around her. Whenever she is in sight, I remember everything she did to me.
“Does he consider you more important than himself? What does he have to give you that I don’t?”
” Money.”
” What ?”
” Money Evan. Your business is in a poor condition and as bad it may sound, it is going to go further down at this rate. Money is important for a secured life and I want to live a peaceful, secured life Evan, one that he would be able to provide. I can’t spend my days in uncertainty.”
I fisted my hands and took deep breaths to control the anger rising in me.
I will make you pay Braelyn Taylor.
……………
I was about to enter her cabin when I heard her speaking over the phone.
” I know, don’t worry Bri.” I instantly remembered Brielle, Brae’s sister. According to my calculations she most probably was in her college.
“…. yeah, I am looking for a job elsewhere.” I raised my eyebrows at that. Poor soul , she thought she could resign and get a job somewhere else? Uh huh.
” I am sure I will find something, Bri.” I didn’t wait for her to finish the conversation as I barged in without knocking.
” Are you sure Ms. Taylor?” She looked startled by my sudden interruption. She kept her phone down before looking at me.
” Mr. Lewis, you should have knocked on the door.” I raised a brow at her to which she huffed and looked away.
” So Ms. Taylor, as I was asking, are you sure you are going to get a job somewhere else?” Her forehead creased in confusion.
” What do you mean ?”
” You can’t leave this job.” She looked pissed at my statement.
” You can’t decide that, Mr. Lewis.” She was trying hard to control her anger.
” We’ll go ahead and resign . Just know that one call from me and you won’t get a job in any respectable firm. ” She gasped at my words.
” I am sure you have to support your expenses and not to forget your sister is dependent on you. Wonder how she will continue with her college if you don’t have a job!” Her face hung open with shock.
” You wouldn’t.” She spoke like she was reassuring herself.
” Try me.” I spoke with a challenging look on my face. She was seething, drawing in deep breaths.
” Well, Ms. Taylor, here are some files. I want you to go through them and prepare a report .” I roughly placed them on her desk.
” But I am already working on one project. I am yet to complete -” I cut her off.
” You’re no longer doing it. It has been transferred to someone else.” Her eyes widened in shock.
” I had worked so hard on that project. You can’t do that.” She tried sounding firm while I crossed my arms against my chest.
” Are you challenging me, Ms. Taylor?” She seemed beyond frustrated. Shutting her eyes tightly, she looked away and sighed , exasperated.
” Now , as I was saying. I want this report to be ready by today itself.” I wondered how many times she was going to give me that shocked expression in a single day.
” There is so much work. How can I-” I again cut her off for the third time in a day.
” How does it concern me , Ms. Taylor? You can decide how you’re going to finish it but it should be on my desk before you leave or you are fired.” Saying that I walked out of her room.
…………
Braelyn’s POV
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.Original from NôvelDrama.Org.
” 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.