Chapter Four

Aisha’s POV

The silence that followed his words stretched unbearably thin.

Because I plan to make you suffer.

My throat went dry as I stared at him. This was a mistake. Coming back here was a mistake. I should have never allowed Charles transfer me to the headquarters. Thinking I could start over was the biggest mistake of all.

Kyle turned away from me like he hadn’t just threatened my peace of mind and walked back toward his desk, calm and composed.

“Sit,” he said.

I didn’t move.

He glanced up from the file he had picked up.

“That wasn’t a request, Aisha.”

My pride screamed at me to walk out of his office and damn the consequences, but my feet moved anyway. I sat stiffly across from him, my hands clasped together in my lap so he wouldn’t see them trembling.

He opened my file again, flipping through it slowly like he had all the time in the world.

“You graduated top of your class,” he said eventually.

I didn’t respond.

“You’ve had one successful internship in London.”

Still, I said nothing.

His gaze lifted to mine.

“And to crown it all, you are the daughter of Raymond Manchester. One of the most prominent families in this city,”

I stared at him. What did my background have to do with this?

He leaned in his seat.

“So tell me why someone with this kind of record would suddenly want a transfer here.”

“I already told you,” I replied tightly. “I didn’t know you were the CEO.”

His lips twitched slightly.

“That’s not what I asked.”

I clenched my jaw.

“I completed my internship with the branch in London and due to my outstanding performance, I was offered a transfer to headquarters which I couldn’t refuse,”

I wished Charles had just appointed me in London instead of giving me an offer letter to the headquarters and trapping me here.

His chair scraped softly against the floor as he pushed it back and stood.

“Which you couldn’t refuse?” He repeated.

My pulse quickened as he began walking toward me again.

“Yes.”

“And London suddenly became uncomfortable for you?”

“No.”

He stopped in front of me.

“Then why are you here?”

My patience snapped.

“Because Charles said it was one time opportunity, okay? Because I needed a fresh start. Because I was tired of feeling stuck. Because I wanted to build something for myself that didn’t involve my brother or the family business.”

“And because you thought running away would erase what happened four years ago?”

My breath hitched.

“That afternoon wasn’t my fault,” I said again, forcing the words past the lump in my throat.

Kyle didn’t respond immediately.

Instead, he leaned forward, placing both hands on the arms of my chair.

Trapping me.

My heart slammed violently against my ribs.

“She went out with you,” he said quietly.

My back pressed further into the chair.

“She trusted you.”

“I didn’t push her in front of that car,” I whispered.

“But you lost her,” he countered.

Guilt twisted painfully in my stomach.

“Yes,” I admitted.

The word came out broken.

“Yes, I did. And I have lived with that guilt every single day since then. You think disappearing from this town was easy for me? You think I don’t blame myself too?”

His jaw clenched.

For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes.

But it was gone just as quickly.

“You should,” he said coldly.

Anger surged through me.

“I didn’t come here to fight with you.”

“No,” he murmured. “You came here to work under me.”

I pushed against his chest.

“Move.”

He didn’t.

Instead, his gaze dropped to my mouth.

My breath caught.

“Kyle…”

He didn’t move away.

If anything, he leaned closer. My breathe caught.

“Aisha Manchester,” he murmured, lifting my chin so I had no choice but to meet his gaze, “fate brought you back to pay for your sins.”

My heart thundered.

“And you will pay.”

“Will you push me in front of an oncoming train?” I asked, trying to hide my fear.

He chuckled, dark and low, as his hand slid down my waist.

“I have better ways.”

His hand shot out instantly, gripping my waist and holding me in place. 

His fingers squeezed my hips and I swallowed.

My stomach flipped.

His touch burned through the thin fabric of my blouse.

“Kyle, this is an office,” I whispered.

His lips brushed against my ear.

“I know.”

My knees nearly gave out.

His hand slid slowly from my waist to the zipper of my pants.

I grabbed his wrist immediately.

“I have a boyfriend.” I lied through my teeth.

His expression turned lethal.

“Do I look like I give a fuck?”

My breath stuttered as he leaned in closer, his lips grazing the side of my neck.

“Does he make you flutter the way I do?” He asked quietly.

My fingers tightened around his wrist as my resolve began to crumble.

“Kyle, please.”

The door flew open.

He pulled away instantly, fury flashing across his face as he turned.

I turned too and the woman standing there looked at me in shock.

“You.”She stared straight at me in anger. I recognized her immediately.

Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Porcelain skin. This was no other person than Yvonne Williams.

Kyle’s girlfriend.