Chapter 1

Yana’s PoV

Adrenaline buzzed through my body continuously because of the deals I cemented over the last few days. As I exited the conference room, I watched Damon eyeing me from across the room. His permanent smirk etched his features, creeping me out even more.

I've been with Brownbrook Hotel for four years, and he's been my manager for the last two.  He is simply a narcissistic, perverted asshole in a suit who is highly connected and comes from old money.

Breaking eye contact, I made a beeline for the door and heaved a sigh of relief but that was short-lived. A hand grasped my wrist tightly, and I took a deep breath.

"What is it now, Damon?" I asked politely, even though all I wanted to do was snap at him.

He grinned sheepishly, running his thumb in a suggestive manner over the back of my hand.

"How about we grab that drink now, huh?"

My brain sagged as I tried to come up with an excuse, but fate intervened! Kent Sawyers, a renowned interior decorator, approached us with his notebook in hand.

"Damon, I hope we can discuss the ideas now before I go?" He smiled kindly at me ,most likely noting my discomfort. 

Pulling my hand away discreetly, I put some distance between the asshole and I. My body relaxed as I took a few shaky breaths.

Damon's reputation for being forceful and inappropriate with female staff was no secret. I consider myself lucky to have survived this long, especially since he became my manager.

He scratched his head, "Yeah, let's do that Kent, at least we can iron out the details to get things started."

Kent placed a hand unto my lower back as he led us to some nearby seats. I stiffened in reflex but soon relaxed as I realized he wasn't being inappropriate. My ideas flowed fluidly as Damon once again allowed me to take the lead. I knew for sure he was using me, but I was cementing myself in this industry.

Kent seemed genuinely impressed, so imagine my surprise when he outrightly expressed this to Damon. "This one's a keeper Damon, if you're not careful, I  will definitely steal her shamelessly."

Damon masked his anger with a toothy smile, but I could see the bulging vein in his forehead. "She's a keeper and she’s pretty smart too. Yana is very dear to me, that's for sure."

I suppressed the urge to barf as the chauvinistic pig regarded me as if I were a piece of property. "That is kind of you, Mr. Sawyers but there is still much for me to learn before I even consider branching out."

This appeased Damon somewhat, but I knew what was coming later. He will most definitely remind me that he can end my career with little effort. 

Kent excused himself, and as soon as he was out of earshot, Damon roughly dragged my chair closer to him. "You better know your place, Yana. Remember,  I can get you blacklisted with a single phone call." He seethed slowly.

I was instantly enraged. "You know what? Do your worst, Damon. I've had enough of your bullshit and empty threats!" I whispered as a few executives walked by us.

He was taken aback by my response, I've never been this brazen with him before.

"I see you've got a backbone afterall." He grabbed my leg and tried to slide his hand up my exposed thigh.

Screw my life for opting to wear a dress today! I pried his hand away, scratching him in the process.

"Don't touch me ever again or your job will be the last thing to worry about."

Sliding back the chair, I stood up, grabbed my tote and MacBook then distanced myself from him.

Damon glared at me, "I will have you sooner or later Yana..." He stood up, his height towering over me. "Willingly or unwillingly, you will be mine."

I could only watch as he walked away to meet and greet other executives around the room. Fear coiled in my belly as I replayed his words repeatedly in my head.

Can I afford to quit and job hunt right now? Nope! My student loans, bills and living expenses won't take a vacation while I'm jobless. Not to mention the meager savings I had managed to stash away for rainy days.

Shaking my wandering thoughts from my head, I headed to the buffet to grab lunch.

My phone vibrated indicating a message. I  grinned like a Cheshire cat when I realized it was my only sibling Laura.

How was today and what time is your flight?

I quickly typed a response then resumed eating. But to my dismay, Damon resurfaced and took the empty seat across from me.

"I hope the food is to your liking hun." He smiled and if I was stupid, I would've actually  believed he actually cared.

Scoffing, I wiped my mouth with my napkin since I instantly lost my appetite. "I was quite enjoying it until you showed up."

His nostrils flared. "I will not tolerate your bitchy attitude Yana, when all I've been is nice to you."

My subconscious gasps dramatically, Is he really hearing himself right now?

The server from before placed my drink down, delaying my heated response. Damon sent daggers my way as he began eating. I glanced at him, wondering why women really threw themselves at him. The answer was obvious: MONEY. He wasn't ugly, but he wasn't exactly Vogue material either.

As soon as the server walked away, I narrowed my eyes on him. "I've had it with you Damon!" I slammed my free hand onto the table, luckily we were a bit secluded.

He leaned back in his chair watching me with an unreadable expression. I glared at him, feeling my anger reach a zenith. "I wouldn’t sleep with you even if you were the last man on the Earth! I would rather slit my throat as you watch Damon!"

Damon narrowed his eyes to mere slits. "Remember, I decide whether you get the promotion or not, hmm."

I felt deflated instantly! If only I had the connections and wealth he possessed, then I could tell him to kiss my ass.

He smirked in satisfaction. "This would be so much easier if you simply give in to me Yana." The arrogant jerk grabbed my hand, rubbing circles with his thumb on my palm. "I would give you anything you desire in this world, anything at all."

Snatching my hand away, I stood to leave as my body craved distance. " I would rather lay myself bare to a rabid dog or homeless man Damon."

He huffed in annoyance, "Noone has to know, matter of fact let's go upstairs and order room service."

It's confirmed, this asshole is either mentally unstable or hearing impaired. Anger surged through my body and I did the unthinkable! Without caring what would happen to me or my job, I tossed the remainder of my Mimosa in his face!

Grabbing my stuff, I exited the buffet and made a beeline for the hotel lobby.

Shit!

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