15

GABRIEL
I had broken many rules in my life, so I learned to set the ‘right’ rules for myself to not lose again. I once tried to trust again, but another mistake made me realize I shouldn’t keep my guard open.
For now, I only have one goal. It was to keep Audrey next to me. I figured out how I would bring her down and then her family. She was going to fall for it, and after she’s head over heels, I’m going to throw her way—just as she threw me away.
Cruel? That’s how the world is, mate.
I would make sure I’d enjoy every moment of how I was going to destroy her life. I was going to watch her struggle and beg me to stop. At the same time, I would make sure that she was thoroughly fucked.
I’m going to fuck her so senselessly that she’d forget her own name.
She had been teasing me for three months. I’d always chastise myself, waiting for the right moment. I’d stopped fucking anyone since. It’s ridiculous to admit that for everything I’d been through, I could see Audrey as the lady who grew up in a vineyard, the girl whom I watched grow into a woman.
I knew I should have kicked her right away when she stepped into my building, but everything would be for nothing. My hardship would be pointless.
“Dave, where’s my coffee?” I called my right-hand man. It was the first time she had missed it. “Why hasn’t Miss Hopkins brought it to me yet?”
“No, sir. I’m sorry. Miss Hopkins actually asked me to bring it to you, but it must have slipped my mind.” He sounded concerned.
“Why are you bringing it instead of her?”
“Audrey is in HR with Mr. Jameson. She knows you’d be late today, so I told her to tell you—but then—it might also have slipped my mind. I’m really sorry. I was speaking to Timothy Hamilton of Green Textiles.”
I frowned hard. Why would she go to HR? And more surprisingly, Kline wasn’t the type to be concerned in such matters.
I opened my laptop, and I saw that she had already, at least, do her daily routine.
“Send Audrey in when you see her.” I ended the call and then proceeded to the emails. Thirty minutes later, she came into my office.
“Mr. Stark.” She prompted.
I’d been thinking of what I should tell her and make her feel incompetent, but when I looked up at her, I immediately regretted my thoughts. Deep down, I felt suddenly defeated.
Audrey wasn’t in her usual self. She was still beautiful, but she seemed too tired, like life had left her body.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. Is she resigning? She went to HR first before consulting me. What else would it be?
“Mr. Stark…” she spoke breathlessly, “I’m sorry, but can I take a leave?”
The tightness of my chest slightly loosened. She’s not going to leave, I thought.
“Did something happen?”
“It’s my brother. It’s just… he passed away, sir.”
I almost fell in my seat. Suddenly, I almost regret everything I thought about Audrey.
“Your brother?” I didn’t know which voice was more inaudible. Hers or mine. She looked at me in surprise.
“No, it’s not Anton. It’s our eldest,” she murmured.
Samuel. Yes, it was him. The one, at least, who had a soul and humanity left in their family, but he’s gone. He helped me not even once. He was a very weak man, but it was still a surprise to think that he was dead. I was only older than him by a year. Such a young age.
“And this is what you went to HR about?”
“Yes, sir. It’s only because you’re not in yet.”
I heaved a sigh. “Alright.”
“I’m taking a friend, sir. It’s Chelsea—um—Miss Lind.”
As much as I wanted to ask her how Samuel passed away, it’d be odd to ask her that. I leaned back on my chair. Never in my life had I thought of coming back to Phoenix. Sure, it was where my parents lived and died. The place was also where I buried my old self and turned my back on who I really was. It was where my life had no meaning. I clenched my teeth and fists in unison. But this sudden event was making me hold back.
“Okay.” I nodded. “Very well, Miss Hopkins. Did you book your tickets?”
“Yes, Mr. Stark.”
“Give me the details. I shall upgrade you to first-class—”
“No, Mr. Stark. It’s okay,” she cut me.
“Then at least accept an amount as an act of my sympathy. I hope it will help with some of your expenses. I’m really sorry about what happened to your brother, Miss Hopkins. My condolences.”
Something halted her, but she eventually nodded. “I will accept it, Mr. Stark, but I’ll pay you back with interest.”
What she said made my blood boil. I tried to calm myself. I clenched my fist. She’s a Hopkins, after all.
“What am I, a loan shark? You don’t need to, Miss Hopkins. Besides, my company has a fund for my employees’ emergencies, and you are my assistant, so give yourself some credit.”
She lowered her head. I hadn’t seen her so down like this—not even before. The last memory I had of her was her cold eyes when she looked at me while her father was whipping me to death.
Of course, it was his brother, I thought, on the other hand. It was Samuel, for god’s sake, and he was a lot better than Anton. How silly I was.
“When should I expect you to return?”
Somehow her expression lightened up. What was she worried about?
“Um, I’ll be gone for a week, if that’s alright, sir,” she said, her voice so low, I could barely hear her.
“Of course, it’s alright. Very well…” I picked up the phone, thinking of calling Dave’s desk, and pressed his direct line. “You can leave, Miss Hopkins, and have a safe trip.”
“Thank you, sir.” Her mouth formed a smile, and she exited my office.
“Sir?” Dave Kline answered.
“Come to my office now. I need you to do something for me.”