Chapter 16.2

'Didn't she tell you about signing a new internship contract?" Titan walked towards them, placing his hands on his waist while cocking his eyebrows. 'I don't give a damn if she's conservative in your eyes. Maybe, you don't know your friend that much after all."
'What contract is he talking about, Steph? You said Mr. Sandoval will be your new supervisor, but you didn't tell me about living with him."
Stephanie couldn't answer her troubled friend.
Titan sighed. 'If you're worried about her living with me for a while, don't."
'Of course, I'm worried for her. And why would she agree to stay with her obnoxious boss for the next six months just because you're the new supervisor?"
Titan scoffed. 'Did you just say I'm her obnoxious boss?" He repeated the word 'obnoxious" with a more sarcastic tone while cocking an eyebrow and flicking his head, demanding Christine to confirm what he heard. Next, he looked at Stephanie, who quickly averted her gaze somewhere else to avoid Titan's piercing and menacing stare. 'Is that how she described me to you?"
Christine flinched, surprised as to how Titan's menacing stare looked. Then, when she landed an eye on Stephanie, she noticed her friend looking down. 'Well…"
Titan looked at Stephanie. 'Is that true, Stephanie?"
Stephanie looked at him and showed an awkward smile. Yet, she still didn't open her mouth to explain her side of the story.
'We've got to get moving, guys," Simon said, beckoning them to enter the car and leave the property. 'We have to catch up with those guys. And, by the way, sir—" he paused and cleared his throat while pinching his nose, 'We still have much to discuss at the office. The board meeting will be in a few hours. So, we have to get there and prepare. You, too, Stephanie, will be needed there."
'But—" Christine demanded further explanation. However, Stephanie grabbed her hand and winced.
'We'll talk about this later, okay?" Stephanie said.
Christine gulped and sighed in frustration. 'Fine. Whether you like it or not, I'll come by later to ensure things go well. For now, I'll let this pass. But next time, you've got to promise you'll tell me about this first. Alright?"
When Titan heard Christine, he rolled his eyes before he entered the car.
Stephanie nodded. 'Sure, I will. I promise."
Though Christine smiled, in hindsight, she couldn't stop worrying about Stephanie's situation. Deep inside, her chest tightened as she clenched her fist while pressing it on her chest. I hope you're alright, Steph. You can't continue living like this. You don't deserve this kind of life at all.
'Come on, guys. We've got to go," Simon said, beckoning Christine and Stephanie to hop inside the car and leave the place.