004

SHAYLE

I screamed. The sound ripped out of me before I could stop it. My hand flew to the door and I slammed it shut so hard the glass rattled.

My heart was going crazy, hammering against my ribs like it wanted to break free. My legs moved on their own, carrying me back down the hall as fast as I could go.

What the hell did I just see?

No, forget what I saw. Why the fuck did I see it at all?

I tried to breathe but my chest was tight. My heels clicked too loud against the floor, and I hated the way people turned their heads as I rushed by.

I was so distracted, I didn’t even notice until it was too late.

I slammed straight into someone’s shoulder.

“Shit, sorry,” I muttered, stepping back, rubbing my arm where it stung.

Then I looked up and froze. It was Carlos.

And he wasn’t alone. A girl clung to his side, her hair shiny and her lips painted too red. She looked me up and down with a smirk that screamed judgment.

Her laugh was soft but it cut through me. “Look at her. She’s blushing just from bumping into you.”

“What?” My brows pulled together.

I turned to the glass wall next to us. And sure enough, my face was red. My cheeks were burning like fire.

But it wasn’t because of Carlos. It wasn’t because of his smug face or the fact he had a new girl on his arm when he was just with my sister yesterday.

I was red because I just saw my boss’s dick.

But of course, I couldn’t say that.

Carlos raised an eyebrow, his expression flat, almost like he was pretending to be bored. Like my presence was annoying him.

I scoffed under my breath. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. I wanted to tell him I didn’t want to be around him either and how much I now hated him despite my heart hadn’t healed.

But I knew myself too well. If I started talking, I’d end up crying one way or the other and this wasn’t the best place to settle our scores.

I adjusted my posture, kept my chin high, and walked past them without another word.

By the time I reached my office, my legs were trembling. I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, clutching my chest.

“What is wrong with that man?” I whispered to myself.

Having sex in an office? Well, technically it was his office but still, there's plenty of hotels around and it's just a few blocks away.

I dropped into my chair, my knees weak. Why couldn’t anything in my life be simple? I only wanted to hand in a stupid resignation letter. That was it. But now I had this burned into my brain.

And worse, now he probably thought I was some creep who barged in on purpose.

“God, why did I even run?” I groaned, covering my face with my hands.

I couldn’t let him think that.

I shot up from my chair, my pulse racing again. No. I had to face him properly. Give him the letter. Get this over with.

I forced my feet to carry me back down the hall. Every step felt heavier than the last. When I reached his door again, I hesitated for a full ten seconds. Then I knocked.

“Come in,” a voice called.

I swallowed hard and pushed the door open.

Inside, a man stood with his back to me, facing the wide glass window that overlooked the city. He was buttoning his white shirt, the movements slow. The redhead from earlier was gone.

Huh. He cleaned up fast.

I cleared my throat and forced myself to step closer. The smell of his cologne hit me immediately. Expensive, strong and masculine. I hated that I noticed.

“Um… I came from my department head. He told me to submit my resignation letter directly to you.”

Lucien Dorne finally turned around.

My breath caught before I could stop it. His shirt wasn’t fully buttoned, and the smooth lines of his chest and abs were on full display. The muscles there looked carved, the kind of body you only saw in movies or magazines.

My jaw nearly dropped but I caught myself just in time, clenching my teeth together.

Of course. No wonder he was a womanizer. With a body like that, he probably thought every woman wanted a taste. Actually, which women wouldn't want a man with the body of a god?

He smirked as he strolled to his desk, his shirt still wide open. His eyes dragged over me slowly.

“Well, If it isn’t one of my employees barging in without knocking again.” His voice was smooth, deep, dripping with arrogance.

“What’s the matter? You didn’t get enough of the show earlier?”

My stomach flipped. I gripped the paper in my hand tighter. “That’s not— I didn’t—”

He chuckled, low and mocking, then held out his hand. “Resignation letter.”

I shoved it at him quickly, eager to get this over with.

But he didn’t look at the paper right away. His eyes swept over me from head to toe, slow and assessing, like he was stripping me down without touching me.

“You know,” he drawled, “you really don’t look like much. Not my type at all. But I can see why someone like you would stare.”

Heat rushed up my neck. I wanted to scream.

For a brief second, I remembered my stupid thought earlier; which woman wouldn’t want him? I took it back immediately. I definitely didn’t. Not now. Not ever.

He finally glanced at the paper, then back at me.

“Wait. Shayle Vale? You’re the one? The workaholic?”

“Excuse me?”

He chuckled again, amused. “You don’t even know what people call you around here? Workaholic Vale. That’s your nickname.”

I clenched my fists. “I didn’t come here for nicknames. I came to resign.”

“Relax,” he drawled, leaning back against his desk like he owned the world.

“I’m just surprised. You’ve won employee of the year twice, haven’t you?”

I forced a smile, tight and cold. “Three times, actually.”

“Wow.” His smirk widened. “So not only are you boring, you’re also lonely as fuck.”

My face burned. I wanted to throw my shoe at his head. But I kept my voice even.

“If you’re done insulting me, I’ll be leaving.”

He raised an eyebrow, then casually walked over to the shredder in the corner. He slid my resignation letter into it.

I gasped, my mouth falling open as I watched the paper vanish into long strips.

“What are you doing?!” My voice cracked.

He turned back to me with a smug smile.

“You don’t really think the company would let go of such a devoted little worker bee, do you?”

My hands shook. I tried to breathe through the building anger.

“I’m moving out of the country. That’s why I’m resigning.”

“Really?” He tilted his head. “Which country? We have branches everywhere. I’ll happily transfer you.”

I stared at him, disbelief clawing at me. Was he serious? Or was this some twisted game because I’d walked in on him earlier?

I forced a polite smile, my chest aching from the effort.

“No, thank you, I don't need a transfer. I'm done with working for this company, Mr. Dorne. I’ll reprint the letter and bring it back for you to approve right away.”

But as I turned to leave, his voice stopped me cold.

“What about a promotion instead?”

I froze.

He took a step closer, his eyes glinting with something dark.

“Be my secretary and you’ll be paid five times what you earn now.”