Chapter 5: You owe me

~ Anyssa's Pov ~

“Get up,” Ronan said to him. The smile on his face was gone, now replaced with disgust. I wondered what he was going to do to him.

“Come here, Anyssa.”

I walked to his table. Brimsworth watched silently for a few beats, saying nothing.

“Get on your knees and apologise. Only then will you get the job.”

“What?”

“Do I look like I have something in my mouth? I said, get on your knees and apologise or be ready to kiss this job goodbye.”

Brimsworth looked at me and then at Ronan, his eyes shifting between us.

“I can’t do that. This is my student—”

“Whom you have been failing and threatening, if I might add.”

His face contorted in shock as he stared at Ronan in disbelief. How did he know that? I hadn’t told him about the failed tests and exams.

“You think I wouldn’t know? How pathetic can you be? You’ve tried every possible means to stop her, even going as far as recording private moments,” he said. He looked back at me and then returned his gaze to Brimsworth.

“Kneel, or kiss this job goodbye.” Brimsworth hesitated for a moment until slowly… his knees touched the ground. He knelt before me! Slimy Brimsworth actually knelt before me! I should take a picture of this moment and possibly laminate it.

“Now repeat after me: I am sorry for what I did, Anyssa. If there is anything I can do to make up for my stupid and foolish mistakes, I will.”

“I can’t say that.”

“Can’t is a strong word,” Ronan said, his hoarse voice reverberating throughout the room.

“I am sorry, Anyssa, for what I did. If there is anything I can do to make up for my mistakes…”

“No no, say the whole thing.”

“If there is anything I can do—”

Ronan tsked. “Now you have to start again. I’m sure she can’t hear you. Be audible.”

Brimsworth took a deep breath and started. “I am sorry for what I did, Anyssa. If there is anything I can do to make up for my foolish and stupid mistakes, I will do it.”

“Good. Now, Anyssa,” he glanced at me, “do you forgive him?”

Do I? I hate Brimsworth, but what’s more important is me passing his classes.

“It’s fine. I forgive you.”

Brimsworth nodded and stood up straight as Ronan pulled out a white envelope. Wait… is he still going to hire him? Brimsworth smiled as he took the envelope and tore it to shreds. His wide grin changed to an angry scowl as he read the contents.

“You can’t fire me from UCF, you don’t even work there!”

What? He got him fired from UCF?

“Actually, I have some shares in the college, so yes, I do have every right to fire you.”

“This isn’t fair! I did everything you wanted! I apologised to her, and now I get this!”

“You think I was going to let you leave here with a new job? You must be joking,” Ronan said calmly. He appeared unaffected as Brimsworth pulled his hair in anger.

“I apologized to her! You can’t do this! You can’t ruin my life like this.”

“Yes, I can. The university would love for you to stop working there. Also, your history isn’t clean, and you must know how to cover your tracks, but I don’t expect much from you. Get out of my office.”

“You can’t do this to me! Fuck this! You can’t ruin my life like this! This job is all I have.”

“And you should have thought about that before threatening her and thinking you could get away with it. Get the fuck out of my office.”

“No! You can’t do this!”

The door burst open, and two large men walked into the office. They grabbed Brimsworth and pulled him out. Wow, I didn’t think Ronan could get him fired.

After a few silent beats, I spoke. “Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. He needed to go, and I’m sorry you were a victim. I can’t imagine how many more girls he threatened.”

I swallowed as I nodded. The air seemed heavy, and I could only breathe in his manly scent.

“So… I think I owe you now. Thank you for not telling my father, at least. It was a quick save.”

“Why?”

“What?”

His head tilted to the side. “Why didn't you want your father to know about him? He was making your life a living hell.”

Probably because I thought my father wouldn't believe me. It's better this way.

“He didn't need to know. It was a problem I could solve, and now it is handled. I trust you to keep this between us, please?”

He watched me for a second and nodded.

“You owe me,” he said. The way his eyes glimmered…the blue in them was darker than any shade I had ever come across.

“I know. Tell me, what can I do to repay you?” He paused, as if thinking of a possible way.

“Work for me,” he said.

“Anything but that.”

“You said you needed a company to intern at. My company is quite good; I don't mean to brag.”

“There’s no position for me here.”

“You can work as my personal assistant. Besides, your father agrees to the idea. Why don’t you?”

I groaned. “My father agreed because he sees me as some dog he needs to put on a leash. Working for you means he has me under his control and can do whatever he likes. Working for you gives him the upper hand, and I don’t want that!”

“Then what do you want? I can see how you don’t want to be treated like a dog by your father, but having your reputation ruined is much worse. You work for me, and I will pay you whatever amount you desire. It will be a win-win for you.”

Why is he suggesting this? He even looked shocked when Dad brought it up, so why is he supporting the idea now? What does he plan to do?