Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

This man had no heart, He knew I was terrified of heights and still dragged me onto this thing. I always avoided looking down when I was up in the office and here he was putting me in a damn chopper. 

It felt like years before we finally touched down on the helipad of some high-rise building.

I yanked the headset off before the engine even stopped spinning. 

I noticed the two bodyguards both biting back laughs, looking ridiculous. 

I followed their eyes to see what’s funny then, I winced. My nails had buried themselves into Sebastian's hand. He hadn't said a word the entire ride, but his jaw was clenched. 

"Boss, sorry. I'm so sorry."

He ignored me and turned to the bodyguards instead. Their faces went serious instantly. "Ready the car. Make sure the meeting place is clear."

The two of them took off fast. I was about to follow them when Sebastian pulled me back into my seat. 

“Look what you’ve done. It’s bleeding. You’re a grown woman and you’re still scared of heights.”

“Phobias don’t just disappear,” I shot back. 

What the hell had he swallowed as a kid to end up having heart made of stone and zero consideration?! I swear Sevi would never be like him. I’d wrap my kid in so much love and guide him the right way so he would never hurt any woman. 

If Sevi picked up any trait from his father, I wanted it to be the Sebastian I used to know. The one who was intimidating but sweet underneath. He used to put me first. When I’d cry over school stuff, he was the one who calmed me down.

But I couldn’t see that guy anymore. Maybe he died, or maybe he’d only pretended just to get me. He’d told me it was all a game to him.. I fell so hard I gave him everything.

I regretted being that stupid but I will never regret giving birth to Sevirious. 

The helicopter door opened again. A bodyguard handed Sebastian two bottles of water.

"Fix yourself. Don't ruin my meeting by being dramatic."

My mouth fell open as he walked out, tossing one of the bottles to me on his way.

“What an arrogant prick!” I burst out, that made the bodyguard laugh. I figured he wasn’t about to snitch on me when he helped me down from the chopper. 

Every hallway we passed through had the corporation's logo stamped on it. The offices here were maybe seven times the size of MedBrain. I was already calculating whether I could get lost on purpose if it meant avoiding the chopper ride back. 

The second we stepped into the conference room, I spotted Sebastian at the far end of the long table. At least ten people were there. I guessed the guy up front was going over the corporation’s financial reports.

I froze mid-step when I realized the bodyguard was leading me straight toward the seat next to Sebastian. He glanced back and jerked his chin, telling me to follow. So, I shook my head and pointed at the corner spot where nobody would really notice me.

My hand hung in the air when Sebastian looked up and found me instantly. I kinda rushed beside him because his eyes were warning me. 

I lowered my head when I felt the entire room shift its attention to me. They were probably wondering who the hell I was to sit next to the big boss.

Who would dare mess with the only son of the Pharma Magnate? 

Sebastian was the king in his territory. The way he carried himself made it crystal clear who was in charge. I twisted the hem of my office skirt when I felt Sebastian’s burning stare and I sucked in a breath as our elbow brushed. 

My heart almost gave out. An electric current shot through the point of contact and scrambled every calm signal in my body. 

The meeting moved on to the big upcoming projects. Back in college I already knew our lives were worlds apart, but hearing budgets thrown around in the billions made that gap feel even wider.

I wasn’t surprised when Sebastian barked at one guy over inflated material costs. Did they really think the head of Rocc Corporation was too stupid to catch the smallest discrepancy in a project breakdown?

Sebastian’s IQ was above average. Sevi got it from him. 

"I want this project clean and done right. There is no room in this company for incompetence!" he snapped, throwing the papers across the table. 

The fear was still written all over their faces when Sebastian finally dismissed the meeting.

“Wait for me in my office.”

I gave him a quick nod when he said he had a document for me to draft for MedBrain.

His office wasn’t hard to find. 

The second I walked in, the blast of cold air-conditioning almost knocked the breath out of me. His office made MedBrain look like a shoebox. Barely any decoration  and it smelled expensive.

The moment my butt hit the sofa, I felt like it was going to swallow me whole. I shot to my feet when the door opened, expecting Sebastian. 

But it wasn’t him. 

The blonde woman standing in the doorway looked just as frozen as I was.. Lolita’s eyes went wide the instant she finally recognized who I am. 

I wanted to sink into the sofa and disappear because I knew exactly how this looked. Like I was the other woman.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she screamed.

"Good afternoon.” I don’t know what I’m saying. Sh!t!

"I asked you a question!" Lolita stormed closer. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm the CEO’s secretary, Ma'am."

"I don't believe you." She looked me up and down with pure disgust. "Sebastian would never hire you as his secretary. You're desper—"

“I’m not his mistress, if that’s what you’re thinking.” I cut her off before she could go any further.

Lolita laughed mockingly and grabbed my arm. “Get out of this office. Out of this building!” 

“You don’t need to push me.” I yanked her hand off and twisted it just enough.

“Ouch! You bitch!”

“You started it. I’m leaving, okay?”

“Don’t you ever come back here. Desperate slut!”

She followed me all the way to the door and shoved me again. I was about to shove back when I saw her face go pale. I followed her stare and spotted a guy with the same green eyes walking toward us, smirking.

I shoved her right back. “I already told you, you don’t need to push me. I’m leaving, okay?”

The witch didn’t answer. Especially not when the green-eyed guy stopped right in front of us.

“Who’s leaving?” he asked, voice flat. His unsmiling face was straight-up intimidating.

“I’m going,” I said politely. I’d just wait for Sebastian in the lobby and text him.

“You’re not leaving, miss.” He caught my arm before I could go. Then his eyes slid to Lolita, who was standing there looking nervous. “She will.”

“Huh?”

“You’re leaving, Ms. Asagra. Right?”

Instead of answering,Lolita hurried  off like she was scared for her life.

“Why did you send the CEO’s wife away?” I asked, staring up at him in shock.

“Wife,” he repeated and laughed. “Ridiculous. Where’s Sebastian?”