Chapter 4

I stepped back, carrying the six folders. I could feel my hands trembling no matter how much I tried to stop it.

He kicked his swivel chair away from him and hurriedly made a call on his cellphone. With one hand, he forcefully loosened and removed the necktie from his neck. He turned his back to me, fist clenched in rage.

My body turned cold, and I could barely understand what he was saying. I sucked a breath when he turned toward me. His gaze was dark, his hand clenched as he continued talking to the person on the line. The only thing I could grasp at what he was saying was that millions of pesos were involved in that contract.

The call lasted for twenty minutes. After that, he immediately sat down and did something on his laptop. He didn’t look at me.

I held my breath. I had no idea how long I’d been standing there. If it had been an hour or more, I couldn’t tell—my nerves were so tight I couldn’t move, not even a twitch, afraid I’d catch his attention.

All I could feel was my heart pounding, and my body felt weak with fear. My breathing came in uneven gasps.

I thought he would never turn to me. But I was so wrong!

“Seraphina,” he called menacingly.

He didn’t shout. Just that deep, commanding voice. But because I caught his attention, I flinched, and the folders slipped from my hands, tumbling to the floor.

“Y-Yes?” I answered weakly, on the verge of crying.

My lips trembled, and my eyes immediately filled with tears when I saw him stand. I wanted to step back, but I was stuck where I stood. My fear doubled as he started walking toward me.

I closed my eyes as he loomed in front of me, bracing for something to hit. He looked murderous, and I knew this time it wouldn’t just be words that hurt. I imagined him slapping me, kicking me, or worse—punching me for what I had done. I expected it. But minutes passed, and still, nothing happened.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. He was standing right in front of me, yet he didn’t move. I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I blinked repeatedly, trying to hold back the tears.

“You’re going to pay for this,” he murmured, the threat wrapped in a low, sensual tone.

I didn’t answer. I lowered my head even more, my strength draining away.

“What will happen to your family if you get fired because of what you did, hmm?”

I could imagine it. If I got fired, things would only get worse. Papa had already lost his job over a contract issue. Mama’s salary wasn’t enough for the five of us. That’s why this job mattered so much to me.

“Do you want me to fire you?” he whispered, his voice low and sensual.

I immediately shook my head. My tears started to fall because I really couldn’t afford to lose this job.

“Please, I’m sorry for what I did,” I sobbed. “Don’t fire me. I’ll do better next time.”

He didn’t speak for several seconds. The silence only made me cry harder, because I felt like he was really going to fire me.

Then I heard him sigh. “I had a rough day this morning,” he said suddenly.

I didn’t answer. Why was he telling me this? What I want to hear is him to say he wouldn’t fire me, not talk about himself.

“Where are the other folders, hmm?” he asked calmly. I still couldn’t speak.

Was he really not going to fire me?

I gasped when he lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. Our eyes locked, and I saw that languid look in his eyes as he stared at me. I blinked repeatedly, confused—he didn’t look angry now that I was looking at his face.

I saw how his piercing eyes fell on my lips. I was still in shock and confused when I felt his lips on mine. I gasped. Only then did I manage to back away.

I kept backing away until I suddenly turned and ran out of his office and out of the company.

…