No matter how hard I tried to avoid him
Dora’s pov
Why do I have to sit with Mr. Jess?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.
"Because it's a big opportunity," Nathan said matter-of-factly. "He wants to mentor whoever was selected, and that's you."
"I don't want to then," I said, louder than I intended. The room went quiet. A few raised eyebrows shot in my direction.
"She will," Douglas cut in quickly. "She's just nervous. Give her some time." He grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.
"What are you doing, Dora?" he whispered urgently.
"I'm not working with him, Douglas. I can't. It's too much."
"Listen, babe, this is huge. If you nail this presentation, your promotion is basically in the bag. Don't let him ruin this for you. You've already lost so much because of him."
"But.." I started, but Sienna interrupted.
"Douglas's right," she said. "Don't let that dickhead screw up your chance."
"Sienna, language," Douglas sighed, but his lips twitched like he was holding back a smile.
The next day, I dragged myself to Austin's cabin. My stomach was a knot of nerves. He was there of course, looking effortlessly perfect in a light blue shirt, black pants, and a matching tie. His cologne was the kind that could drive any woman insane. It was frustrating how charismatic he was, even when he was the last person I wanted to be around.
"Yes?" Austin said, not even bothering to look up from his laptop.
"Nathan said I have to work with you until the presentation," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked, still typing.
I clenched my jaw. In my head, I screamed, Screw you. But I forced a tight smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Jess," I said through gritted teeth.
"Could be better," he replied flatly. "Next time, try saying it like you mean it."
I stood there awkwardly, waiting for him to explain what we were supposed to do. Minutes passed. Nothing.
It’s just for two weeks, I told myself. You can do this.
"Get me a coffee," he said suddenly.
"Excuse me?" I blinked.
"The same one you had the other day."
"I'm not your maid," I snapped.
"It's fine if you don't want to go alone," he said with a shrug. "We can go together, if that's what you want."
My cheeks burned with anger. Without another word, I stormed out and went straight to Sienna.
"I'm not giving the presentation."
"What? Why?" Sienna's voice echoed through the hallway.
I told her everything. How he was already pushing my buttons.
"Don't you get it?" Sienna said. "He's doing this on purpose. He wants you to quit. If you walk away now, you're giving him exactly what he wants. It's only two weeks, Dora. You can handle him. This is not the time to back down."
Reluctantly, I grabbed his coffee again and went back to his cabin. His smirk when I placed it on his desk made me want to throw it in his face.
"I'm disappointed with your efficiency," he said, sipping the coffee.
The rest of the day was torture. Austin kept throwing little jabs at me, testing my patience. I held it together, biting my tongue every time. But then, just as I thought I was in the clear, he glanced at me with that infuriating smirk.
"By the way," he said casually, "nice pants. They fit you perfectly."
My heart pounded in my chest. My fingers curled into fists at my sides.
This was going to be the longest two weeks of my life.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Mr. Jess, let me remind you again, I am your subordinate. Stay within your limits, or I will complain about harassment." My voice was firm, but my heart was racing.
He leaned back in his chair, a faint smirk on his face. "It was just a compliment. Sorry if that offended you in any way." His words sounded polite, but there was not a hint of regret in his expression.
Eleven more days, I reminded myself as the day finally ended.
With my parents away and Austin always around me, my resolve started to crack. No matter how hard I tried to avoid him, it felt like he was always there, pulling my attention without even trying.
Every day, I found myself bringing him coffee like some personal assistant. He never made another comment about my clothes, thankfully, but he was still unbearable when it came to work. Yet, despite his attitude, I couldn’t help but notice how much I was learning from him. It was clear he hadn't become assistant vice president just because of connections, the man knew what he was doing. Why hadn’t I realized that before?
Seven more days. I kept counting down. That afternoon, I was in the coffee room with Douglas. I was tasting the dish he had made, and I couldn’t help but moan. "Umm..." It was so good.
I didn’t know Austin was outside the door at that moment, his hand clenched around the doorknob, his jaw tight.
"That was so good, Douglas," I said, licking my lips.
Austin left after that, and I had no idea he had even been there.
"Do you think she will like it?" Douglas asked, closing the lid on the box.
"Like it? She’ll love it! It’s her favorite dish, and I can’t stop myself from eating more. Can I have another taste, please?" I pouted, trying to grab the box again.
"No, Dora. I gave you a taste, not the whole thing," Douglas laughed, pulling the box away.
"Fine," I huffed. "I never knew you could cook so well."
"Love makes you do crazy things," he said with a wink, making me laugh.
After lunch, I went back to Austin's cabin, only to freeze at the sight before me. His laptop was on the floor, papers scattered everywhere. He sat in his chair, his fingers interlocked, resting his chin on them. The air in the room felt heavy, like a storm was about to break.
I had seen him angry during our marriage, but this... this was different. This was cold, silent fury.
I tried to tiptoe out of the room, hoping he wouldn’t notice me.
"Take another step," his voice was low, a warning growl, "and you won't like what happens next."
I froze. A sudden wave of fear rippled through me. Why am I afraid? I didn’t do anything wrong, I told myself.
She isn’t what she pretends to be, Austin. Don’t fall for her innocent looks. I’ve seen her with men many times. Going to the office is just an excuse, she’s meeting her boyfriend.
The words echoed in my mind like a cruel drumbeat. I didn’t have to be there to know someone had fed Austin these lies, again. I could see it in his eyes the moment I stepped into the room.
“Where were you?” His voice was calm, too calm, like the sky right before a storm.
I froze. His question felt like a knife hovering over my throat. I didn't know if I should stay quiet, hoping it would pass, or speak and risk cutting myself deeper. I swallowed hard, trying to read his mood, but the silence only made him angrier.
“I asked you, where were you?” His voice was louder this time, a demand, not a question.
“It was lunchtime. Where do you think I was?” I whispered, my breath shaky.
BANG!
His fist slammed against the desk, sending papers and his laptop crashing to the floor. I flinched, my heart racing. Before I could move, he was right in front of me.
I took a step back, but he grabbed my arms, pulling me close. His grip was tight, too tight. I winced, but his dark eyes didn’t soften. They burned into mine, searching for something, a confession, guilt, fear. Tears stung my eyes, but I bit my lip, refusing to let them fall.
“If you need a man,” Austin hissed, his breath hot against my face, “you can come to me anytime. Is it necessary for you to whore around in the office too?”
The word hit me like a slap. Whore. Again.
The tears I had fought so hard to hold back spilled over, blurring my vision. My chest ached from the weight of his accusation. I wanted to scream, to shove him away, but his hold on me was like iron.
“Let me go,” I stammered, my voice shaking, barely more than a whisper. It took everything in me to say those three words.
“Why?” His voice dripped with rage. “So you can run back to him? Or maybe you want me to satisfy you right here, right now!”
Before I could react, he pushed me onto the couch, his body looming over mine. My heart pounded against my ribs like a caged bird.
“What’s wrong with you? Just listen to me!” I begged, my voice cracking.
“Listen to you?” he scoffed. “I heard you in the coffee room with that bastard. Quite a show, wasn't it? Or do you prefer him over me?”
The memory hit me like a punch to the gut. He’d heard me laughing with Douglas—tasting the food he'd made, nothing more. But Austin's mind was already poisoned.
I felt humiliated. Insulted. Scared.
“Nothing happened there, okay?” I sobbed, my voice cracking. “Please, just listen to me.”
He pinned my hands above my head, his strength overpowering mine.
“Austin,” I gasped, “I beg you, don’t do anything irrational. Please, just listen, we were just…”
“We were just what, Dora?” he growled. “Do you think you can fool me every time? That I'll let it go like always?”
“Please,” I hiccupped through my sobs. “For God's sake, check the CCTV if you want!”
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