013

SHAYLE

People definitely saw that slap; Carlos’s shocked face would probably be trending on office gossip by evening.

As I walked away from the small crowd, I should’ve felt proud. I should’ve felt vindicated for finally putting that bastard in his place.

But instead, all I felt was boiling anger.

Did he really think I’d crawl back to him? That I was some pathetic girl who couldn’t live without him? No fucking way.

By the time I reached Lucien’s office, my blood was still simmering.

I didn’t even think twice before pushing his door open. I should’ve knocked. I really should’ve but I was too angry and I had not forgotten what he did.

The moment I stepped in, the scene in front of me was unbelievable. But again, it was Lucien and I've seen worse.

He sat there, cool, calm, and collected, leaning back in his chair, while a blonde woman knelt between his legs.

Her head moved rhythmically, and even without a clear view, it was obvious what was happening.

His gaze locked on mine the second I appeared. He didn’t even flinch. His eyes stayed on me. Not even on the blondie giving him a blow job.

The girl froze too, then turned and saw me.

Her eyes widened before she scrambled to her feet, wiping her mouth and fixing her messy blouse.

I recognized her vaguely. She wasn’t from our department. She was one of the assistants from a different floor.

She looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her whole.

I should’ve turned around. Should’ve apologized for barging in. But I didn’t.

I was beyond embarrassment at this point. I’d reached the level of exhaustion where nothing shocked me anymore.

Lucien’s lips curved slightly. Deep down, I had a feeling he wanted me to see this.

I cleared my throat.

“Since my gown is stained and I’m extremely stressed after you made me return to the company by myself, I’ll be leaving work earlier today.”

The blonde girl was confused, clearly unsure whether to stay or run. Lucien didn’t even blink.

“And who’s supposed to do your job while you’re away?”

My eyes flicked to the girl standing beside him, cheeks flushed and lipstick smeared.

“Maybe when she’s done giving you a nice blowjob, she can cover for me.”

Her face went white. Lucien’s jaw ticked. For a second, his eyes darkened so much I thought he’d yell.

But I wasn't going to give him the chance to.

“I’ll be on my way now.”

I dropped the branded bag with the red dress he’d given me earlier onto his desk, alongside the iPad, and turned on my heel.

I could feel his eyes drilling into my back until I was out of the office.

My hands were shaking as I grabbed my stuff from my desk. Every step out of that damn building felt like freedom.

The second I climbed into a cab, my chest finally loosened.

The driver must’ve thought I’d lost it; I was sitting there breathing like I’d just escaped prison.

I stared out the window, watching the city blur by. My mind was running wild with every possible consequence of what I’d just done.

What if he fired me tomorrow? Well, that’s what I wanted anyway.

But I doubt he'll give me what I want so easily. I sighed tiredly at the thought of it.

By the time we pulled up to my apartment complex, my anger had cooled down to a dull ache. I climbed out, paid the driver, and started walking towards my building.

But then my eyes caught Kieran’s shop.

The glowing sign flickered faintly and my heart instantly skipped.

God, just seeing that name made me lighter. Maybe I should stop by. Talking to Kieran always made me forget everything else, and right now, I desperately needed a distraction. But one look at my stained dress made me wince. I couldn’t go to him looking like this.

“First things first, shower and change.”

After bathing, I stood in front of the mirror with my towel wrapped around me, scrolling through my phone.

My thoughts were bouncing everywhere. Tonight was the night. How do I make sure this doesn't fail like how “Quitting my job” failed.

I unlocked my phone and opened YouTube. My fingers hesitated before typing: how to seduce a man.

Then I paused and added: without looking desperate.

The results popped up instantly. There were so many videos it was almost embarrassing. I clicked one. Then another. And another.

The first one had a woman in a red dress pouting into the camera.

“Step one,” she cooed, “smile like you know something he doesn’t. Step two, make eye contact. Step three, the triangle gaze. Step four—”

I paused it. “What the hell is a triangle gaze?”

Then another video talked about “the lip bite method.”

Another about “casual physical touch.”

I was halfway through my fourth video when I realized I’d been taking notes like it was a damn exam.

Smile. Look confident. Don’t look too available. Show skin but not too much. Make him think he’s in control even though you are.

I threw my phone onto the bed with a groan. “Jesus, this is hard work.”

Still, I wasn’t giving up. If I was dying in a few months, I wasn’t about to die a virgin.

I opened my wardrobe and stared at the new clothes I had. I wanted to look sexy but effortless.

I finally settled on a soft, floral top that hung loosely off my shoulder and a pair of denim bum shorts that hugged me a little too perfectly.

“No panties,” I muttered, remembering one of the videos. “Makes seducing easier.”

I applied my red lipstick. It looked good just like this morning but I wished I had gotten some makeup products and tried to learn at least.

When I looked at my reflection, I didn’t see the plain Jane from last month. I saw a woman who wanted something and wasn’t afraid to take it, which was a big upgrade for me.

My heart was already beating fast when I grabbed my phone and stepped out.

“You got this, Shayle,” I whispered under my breath.

I got to Kieran's shop and as I pushed open the glass door, a small chime rang, and the sound alone sent a nervous thrill down my spine.

The first person I saw wasn’t Kieran though.

It was another man; tall, muscular, with tattoos crawling up both arms.

He wore a black apron smeared with ink stains and was busy working on another guy’s arm. His concentration broke when he noticed me. His gaze did a slow sweep from my head to my legs, lingering way too long.

I instantly wished I’d worn jeans.

He stood, removing his gloves with a grin.

“Hey there. Can I help you?”

I tried to sound composed, but my voice came out smaller.

“I’m… uh, looking for Kieran.”

“He stepped out to get something,” the guy replied, walking closer. His eyes didn’t move from me for a second.

“But I can help you if you need something.”

My lips parted. “No, it’s fine, I’ll just…”

He extended a hand before I could finish. “Jim. Kieran’s coworker.”

I hesitated but shook his hand anyway. “Shayle.”

I tried taking my hand back but he held it firm, not letting go.

“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, his grin widening. “You live around here?”

“Uh, yeah.” I tried to pull my hand away again, but he still didn’t let go. My cheeks warmed, and not in a good way.

Before I could come up with an excuse, a familiar voice cut through the air behind me.

“Jim,” Kieran called, his voice carrying a hint of warning.

“Let her go, man.”

I turned so fast and there he was. Kieran stood at the entrance, a small paper bag in his hand, his dark hair a little messy, his shirt sleeves rolled up as usual, exposing those veined forearms that I had no business staring at.

A huge smile broke out on my face unconsciously.

“Kieran.”

I’d never been so happy to see someone in a while now.

He smiled back, easy and warm. “Hey, Shayle. Didn’t expect to see you here this early.”

My heart fluttered at the sound of my name in his voice. Jim stepped back a bit, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

“Didn’t know she was a friend of yours.”

Kieran’s eyes flicked from me to Jim and back again. “Yeah, she’s… special.”

That one word made my stomach flip.

Jim smirked faintly and went back to his client, and Kieran turned fully toward me, his eyes softening.

“Rough day?”

I laughed quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear.

“You have no idea.”