Chapter 69 – Between Heat and Humiliation

Mannie’s POV

Today should have started fine, but it just had to start on a sour note because of Zarah.

Thinking of how Zarah had rushed to my house early in the morning just to question me about Michael made me seethe with silent rage.

She not only successfully angered me but also dented my image in my children’s minds.

The sound of her voice still rang in my head, sharp and accusing — “So, you’ve moved on to his uncle now?”

I could still see the disbelief on her face, the way she looked around my small living room like it was beneath her. My stomach twisted with anger at the memory.

The knife embedded in the wall beside the sofa still stood as proof of how much control I’d nearly lost.

I hadn’t planned to throw it. My hand had moved before my brain caught up — pure reflex.

I didn’t even aim for her, but the fear in her eyes when the blade hit the wall made me freeze.

My mom had walked in just then, holding my children’s school bags. The way she looked at me — disappointment mixed with exhaustion — burned deeper than Zarah’s words.

She hadn’t said anything, just took the kids’ hands and walked out quietly. That silence hurt more than a thousand scoldings.

I trudged the road, letting out a long sigh as my mind replayed everything. “God, I really need a new start,” I muttered under my breath.

Thank heaven the knife hadn’t hit Zarah. If it had, I’d probably be explaining myself to the police by now.

Even so, I couldn’t stop wondering what had driven her to my door so early, her face red and voice trembling.

“He told me you were with his uncle,” she’d said, shaking like a leaf. “How could you, Mannie? How could you take what’s mine?”

Her words had confused me at first. But as the pieces fell into place, my anger burned hotter.

“It seems she and Michael are in talking terms?” I thought bitterly. “So, he could talk to Zarah but couldn’t tell me when he was leaving the country? Not even a goodbye?”

The betrayal tasted sour on my tongue.

Michael — the same man who had looked me in the eye and sworn that he loved me. The one who had told me he was broke, struggling, barely getting by — yet he had enough to spoil Zarah whenever he pleased.

And now, finding out that Dominic was his uncle… that explained a lot. The luxury gifts. The reckless spending. The mystery behind his connections.

“Liar,” I whispered under my breath. “They all are.”

A loud honk tore through my thoughts.

I jumped, stepping back instinctively as a motorbike sped past me. My heart slammed against my chest.

I patted my chest in relief and muttered a shaky “Thank God,” realizing I had almost been hit. I’d been so lost in thought I hadn’t noticed I was already halfway across the road.

I crossed quickly, hailed a cab, and gave the driver the office address.

The ride felt endless. My head throbbed with leftover anger and the dull ache of exhaustion. The driver said something about traffic, but his words were just background noise. I only nodded.

By the time I got to the office, I was already late — though I had taken permission earlier, telling them I’d be in late today. I straightened my blouse, wiped the small sweat beads off my forehead, and took a deep breath before walking inside.

The moment I entered my department, the chatter that had filled the air moments ago dropped into silence.

Dozens of eyes turned toward me — curious, sharp, whispering behind half-smiles.

I could practically feel their stares crawl over my skin.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. “They’re probably gossiping about me,” I thought. “They always do.”

I ignored the murmurs and walked straight to my desk. The soft clatter of my bag landing on the table broke the quiet tension in the room. My fingers trembled slightly, but I refused to show it.

“Mannie, come here,” my supervisor called from his office, poking his head out.

I forced a polite smile and went over. “Yes, sir?”

He handed me a file. “Take this document to the secretariat on the presidential floor.”

I frowned slightly. “Now?”

“Yes, now. And make sure it gets signed.” His eyes darted back to his computer before I could ask more.

I bit my lip, holding back a sigh. “Okay, sir.”

The elevator ride to the presidential floor was silent. I adjusted my grip on the file, mentally preparing myself. I didn’t like being on that floor — it always made me uneasy, like the air itself was watching.

The doors opened with a soft ding. The moment I stepped out, hushed voices followed, bouncing off the high ceilings.

People were whispering again. I didn’t need to hear the words to know they were about me.

I tightened my grip on the document and kept walking, pretending not to notice.

After passing through the general office, I reached the long hallway — the one lined with conference rooms and private offices, each larger and more intimidating than the last.

At the far end of that hall was the secretariat office where I needed to drop the file.

I started walking faster, my heels tapping softly against the marble floor.

Halfway down the hallway, I saw him.

Dominic.

He was walking in my direction, flipping through a document like he owned the world — which, technically, he almost did. His movements were calm, but his eyes… they were sharp and calculating. Even from a distance, he radiated authority.

My stomach twisted painfully.

A ball of anger lit up inside me, hotter than the morning sun.

I remembered Zarah’s voice again, the accusation that still stung.

My pulse quickened.

He was Michael’s uncle. Michael — the liar who had hidden his true life from me.

Now everything made sense. The occasional expensive gifts, the subtle arrogance in his tone whenever he spoke about the “future.” He had never been poor. He had just been pretending.

I clenched my jaw and prayed silently. “Please, just don’t notice me. Let me pass quietly.”

But of course, fate didn’t listen.

The closer I got, the stronger that strange, heavy scent became — mint and musk, cold but oddly warm at the same time. It filled my chest, confusing my senses.

I lowered my gaze, trying to hurry past.

Then, suddenly, his hand shot out.

Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist.

My heart stopped. “What—”

The world blurred for a second. The next thing I knew, the door beside us swung open, and he pulled me inside.

Thump!

My back hit the wall hard, the sound echoing in the empty conference room. Pain shot up my spine. I grimaced, wincing as I looked up at him.

Dominic’s tall frame loomed over me. His hand still gripped mine firmly, his chest rising and falling with steady control.

“Are you sure you aren’t the one from five years ago?” he asked suddenly, his voice deep and rough.

My breath caught. The question scared the wits out of me.

I didn’t dare lie. Something about his eyes told me he’d know. So instead, I shifted the conversation.

I traced my hand lightly along his suit, forcing a teasing smile. “Tsk… are you sure you’re not thirsty? Is that why you brought it up?”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t respond.

His silence made the air heavier. The space between us felt too small. His presence was suffocating — powerful and demanding.

I didn't dare lie as i knew he may catch it. So, i could only change the topic.

Tracing my hand lightly on his suit, i said. "Tsk... are you sure you aren't thirsty? That's why you brought it up?"

He didn't answer me but said "I am going on a trip. If you need anything,? call my assistant. "

I rolled my eyes inwardly, "like hell i knew his assistant or had her number." I thought inwardly and twisted uncomfortably as the space between us was just too tight and suffocating.

"Is this a goodbye or what?" I raised an eyebrow, happiness flashing briefly in my eyes.

I could finally have some space.

Suddenly my view darkened as Dominic drew near. I forgot that Dominic wasn't a sheep but a big bad wolf and i had just stroked the fire.

I pushed him away with force. Fear gripped my heart and an excuse flew out of my mouth.

"Sorry, i want to use the toilet."

I raised my head in trepidation and watched as Dominic face turned so dark that it could drip water.

"Since you want to use the toilet so bad. I will make you use it." He said coldly.

Knock! knock!

The door was knocked on the moment he threw that statement.

"Master, you called for me." The bodyguard opened the door and said.

I was stunned. When had Dominic called for a bodyguard? And what for?

"Get a female bodyguard and give her a bucket of water. She is to finish it and then you report to me at the end of the day, how many times she goes to the toilet." He sneered, "Since you seem to love it so much."

"Yes, sir." The bodyguard said.

"Also inform her supervisor that i gave her a work to do and do not let anyone enter here." Dominic ordered and turned to leave, not sparing me a glance.

I didn't even have the chance to plead. It's not like i would plead, but still.

I watched him leave, and before i knew it, i was doing a water challenge.

By the time the day ended, i had visited the toilet a total of 25 times. Even i lost count on the tenth go. I wouldn't have known how many times i used the toilet if i hadn't heard it from the bodyguards mouth as he reported.

I spent the whole day drinking water that i could swear that if i didn't have a strong kidney, i would have developed a water intoxication syndrome.

When i was finally allowed to leave, some of my colleagues were leaving and noticed how weary and tired i was. My eyes were sunken already and my eyes listless.

I picked up my things in the office and hailed a cab home.

Inside the cab, my phone suddenly rang. Feeling weak and tired already, it took me a while to bring out the phone.

"How was your visit to the toilet? Do you still want to go again?" He taunted.

I didn't understand how out of his busy schedule he would remember to call and taunt me.

I didn't answer and pursed my lips. Seeing that i wasn't willing to say anything, he didn't care and didn't want to waste time with me, so he threw down a warning.

"Next time you try to ruin my fun again. You wouldn't like the ending."???