8. Waste of time!

Lisa’s POV

His scent surrounded me like heat and I hated how much my body reacted to it. One second of being close to him and I completely forgot that this is the same man who makes my life hell every day. Why did he have to look like that? Why did he have to smell that good? It was unfair. A man like Louis Wolf should look like stress and misery, not like every fantasy I try to bury.

For a moment, I almost forgot who he was. I almost forgot that he would ruin my life without blinking. The idea of having him close, his hands on me, his breath on my skin, it made my thoughts messy and wild. And the worst part? He didn’t push me away. He didn’t yell. He didn’t even insult me for tripping. That alone was enough to confuse me more than anything.

Was he actually affected by my touch? By my presence? Like I was.

No. That was impossible. Louis Wolf only cares about his name, his reputation and his ego. He doesn’t feel. He destroys. Then why did he look shocked? Why didn’t he bark orders at me like always?

When he finally let go of me and stepped back, the distance hit harder than his insults ever could. His touch vanished and the coldness returned instantly.

“It’s done. I’ll take your permission now.”

I didn’t give myself another second to overthink. I practically ran out of his office.

“Where are you lost?”

Jack snapped his fingers in front of my face and dragged me back into reality.

Right. I wasn’t at work anymore. I was at home. Sitting at the table. Eating breakfast. With my completely oblivious brother. I shook my head.

“Nothing.”

He raised an eyebrow like he didn’t believe me for a second.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

I almost choked on my juice. “What kind of question is that in the morning?”

He shrugged casually. “If you don’t come home one night, at least I’ll know you’re not lying in a ditch.”

“Shut up.”

Of course there is a man I might end up with one night. But not romantically. Not sweetly. More like accidentally and disastrously. And definitely not by choice. My boss and his work!

I changed the topic. “Did you find a job yet?”

That worked. His mouth shut instantly.

“Not a job but I have a business idea.”

He said it like he was talking about making a sandwich.

“Listen carefully. I am not funding any business ideas.”

I got up and grabbed my purse. 

“Whatever you do, think before doing it.”

“Got it.”

This generation is too relaxed. Including him.

By the time I reached the office, the awkwardness was back. I wasn’t scared. Just… aware. Too aware. Would he be thinking about last night too? Would he pretend it never happened? Would he look at me differently?

There was something between us. I felt it. I didn’t know what it was and I hated that I cared. I wasn’t desperate for him. I wasn’t dreaming of being his favorite. I didn’t want a man in my life and definitely not him. But I couldn’t lie to myself. There was a spark. A dangerous one.

I shook myself mentally. I was overthinking. He was my boss. My rude, cold boss. Nothing more.

I walked into his cabin and placed his coffee on the table, silently praying he wouldn’t throw it at me again.

He didn’t even look at me. He just picked it up.

“File.”

“It’s ready. I’ll bring it.”

I kept my voice professional and left the cabin.

Maybe I was the only idiot replaying last night a hundred times. Maybe he truly didn’t care.

I placed the file in front of him and stood silently while he read. His blank expression slowly shifted into irritation. My heart tightened.

Here it comes!

“Now do I have to teach you how to make a basic report?”

His voice cut through the silence. Before I could blink, he ripped the pages and threw them at my face.

What a great start to the day!

“It had everything you requested, sir. I don’t know what’s missing.”

He pushed his chair back, got up and stood way too close. His eyes were sharp enough to slice me in half. I wanted to step back but I forced myself not to. I refused to look scared even though every instinct in my body screamed to run.

He looked furious. Like my reply personally offended him.

“Are you arguing with me, Lisa?”

His tone was quiet and cold. The type that meant trouble.

“I would never argue with you, sir. I just need guidance to fix the report.”

He clenched his jaw like he was annoyed I didn’t crumble.

“I don’t pay you to guide you.”

His voice was low and angry, and he was close enough that I could feel his breath on my face. Why was he so angry? 

Why was I even questioning it? He lived on anger.

“You missed something. Find it, add it, and only then show me your face.”

He glared at me like I am the last person he wants to see today.

“Okay, sir.”

I lowered my gaze and left the office before his temper turns into something worse.

You need this job, Lisa. Killing him is not an option. At least not today.

I sat at my desk again and opened the file. I reviewed it repeatedly. Nothing was missing. Nothing was wrong. Still, I updated every line, polished it, checked every possible mistake, even used AI to make sure nothing was missing.

Hours passed. Finally, I felt confident.

I knocked, entered and placed it in front of him.

He read it slowly. Too slowly. Then, without hesitation, ripped it and tossed it in the bin. I stared at the bin like it personally insulted me.

“Get out.”

I didn’t argue. I just walked away. If he wants a war, fine. I have thick skin. I made another version. And another. Every time, he rejected it. Threw it at me. Yelled. Insulted.

Finally, I couldn’t stay silent.

“Sir, I don’t understand what you want. I have worked the entire day. I have rewritten the report multiple times. Just tell me what is missing. It wasted my whole day.”

He looked at me like I had committed a crime.

“You think this is a waste of time?”

“No. I—”

He cut me off.

“These reports involve millions and you’re treating it like homework. If you can’t handle the responsibility, you can walk out.”

“I didn’t mean—”

He interrupted again.

“I’ll show you what wasting time feels like.”

Before I could react, he took the laptop from my hand and dropped it onto the floor. The sound echoed. Keys scattered across the tiles.

I flinched. My heart dropped.

“You will write the report manually.”

My throat tightened.

“And if it isn’t on my desk before my coffee tomorrow morning, you’re fired.”

There was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

So that was his goal.

“Understood.”

His smirk answered me before his words did.

I left the room with only one thought.

What the hell does Louis Wolf actually want from me?

But I know one thing that I am not resigning!