Bitter Sweet Reversal

Laura

Weeks later

“You can go in, ma'am,” the secretary smiled, handing me some keys and a file.

“Thank you, miss,” I flashed her a polite grin.

“Who even smiles on Monday mornings?” I muttered as I sprinted up the lavish stairs.

I had just landed a job as the personal assistant to the CEO of Topex Corp; the crown jewel of Greentop. It felt like a dream. They gave me a car, an apartment, and a generous salary.

Finally, freedom from Lotus city and its toxic entanglements.

I quickened my pace like I was heading to paradise, grinning like an idiot, right before I slammed into something hard.

“Ouch!”

My bag dropped to the floor. My face lit on fire, sparks of pain dancing behind my eyelids. I moved, but stilled myself; one wrong move and my head could roll off.

It just doesn't end, does it? First, my child. Then, my family's grill. Now, a split head on resumption day.

Who the hell was doing this to me?

“My apologies, dear. Are you hurt?”

That voice. That scent.

He'd chase me into oblivion because he saved my life.

“My—”

“Do you have chest bones or brick walls?! What are you? Iron man or cement wannabe?!” I snapped, rubbing my temples.

His eyes widened. “Laura DeVille! What are you doing here?”

He adjusted his tie, glancing around as if I were a thief caught breaking into his gold safe. “The last time I checked, you were in Lotus City, recovering from whatever tragedy you suffered.”

His face pinched. “Oh, you came looking for me? Need my help?”

“Looking for you?” I scoffed, crouching down to arrange the scattered files.

We both grabbed a file. I shot him a glare and slapped his hand away. “I should be asking you that.”

Then, something flipped inside me. “Christ! You're stalking me… aren't you?”

He halted, brows furrowed. “Stalking you? I own this place.”

The words licked at my skin like poison, my tongue wobbling from the sting.

He paused, contemplating. Then, his lips pulled into a smile. “Wait… you're my new assistant?”

“Y-You own Topex?” I asked, my voice pained.

“Bingo! That's it. You are,” he clapped swiftly in confirmation, the sound jarring in my ears.

He scratched his stubble, a wolfish grin taunting his face. “How lovely Mrs. DeVille. You ghosted me for weeks, and now fate ends up hitting the jackpot.”

He pinched my nose playfully. “Incredible plot twist, don't you think?”

My pride twisted in my gut.

“Plot twist, my foot!” I hissed under my breath.

The universe was saying screw you, Laura. You escaped from Lotus City, straight into your dream trap.

I faked a smile. “Newsflash! I'm resigning,” I shoved the file into his chest, and turned on my heels, but he grabbed my wrist.

“Think about your child, Laura,” he paused, letting the words sink in. “You'll let your ego get in the way of giving it a good life. Months from now you'd be parading with a pot belly… and an empty stomach.”

I scoffed. “I have my certificate.”

He laughed, mockery profound in his tone. “No one wants a liability, It's tit for tat. If you're pregnant and tired, you're of no use in a company.”

I shook my head, wriggling out of his hold. “And you want a liability? Seriously? Was that the best you've got? There are other ways to give my child a good life. Other places.”

“One million every month,” he cocked a brow, his eyes searching mine for a response.

I blinked twice. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me clearly. One. Million. Every. Month. What say you?”

My pulse raced, temptation tugging at my heart strings.

One million every month— enough to secure my child's future and even start my own grill.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I’m a business man. You never know when you’ll need help.”

I frowned. “Investors? Share holders? Fellow elites? Why me?”

“Business varies, Mrs. DeVille. Let's just say I had your back, and you'll without question have mine when I'm in need. Deal?”

His words carried a hidden edge, but whatever his motives were, I was ready to walk into that trap for the sake of my child.

I nodded. “Deal.”

He brushed past me, reaching the elevator in a few strides. “For f**k’s sake, Laura. The company won't partner itself.”

Partner meeting?

I hurried after him, heels clicking on the marble floor as I slipped inside, just as the elevator doors slid shut.

.

.

.

.

We moved through the onyx walls, escorted by men in black as a sea of eyes flooded us. It made my skin prickle.

The events of the hospital when I first met Kaida, flashed through my mind. He was alone that day, why the escorts now?

I was about to ask, when his phone rang. He veered toward an empty space near the boardroom, and I followed suit, not minding his private space. Besides, I was his assistant.

“Your grandpa. He needs you!” A feminine voice spoke through the phone, her tone urgent.

His face went ashen. “I’m on my way!” His voice was shrill as he hung up.

Was his grandpa sick? I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to pry into personal matters.

He spun, almost bumping into me. Before I could speak, he chimed in.

“Listen, you know the onions. Take my seat, scale the partners, and close the deal if it sits right,” he said swiftly, and dashed out the door.

“What? I–I just resumed today!”

The elevator doors closed behind him.

My mouth went dry, anxiety punching through me.

Who hires an assistant, and vanishes halfway without showing them the ropes? Haven't even closed a deal before?

Christ. The day just keeps getting better.

“You just have to evaluate them, ma'am, nothing more,” the secretary beamed, despite the panic.

I drew a shaky breath, my hand trembling as I twisted the doorknob.

The moment I stepped in, familiar scents hit my nose, and the files slipped from my grasp with a soft thud.

Rage blasted through me, flaking my blood into hot chips.

“Laura!” she barked, shoving her chair backward. “Who let this bitch in here?!”

“Ma'am, you're bleeding!” the secretary gasped in shock.

Yes, I had bitten my cheeks, but it was nothing compared to how these demons bled me.

I had been so lost in my fury when a sharp slap snapped me back to reality. I looked up, only to see a pair of red lips curl into a smirk.

“A wretched janitor ought to knock before barging into the council of the elites.” she spat, her eyes scanning me like a mannequin used for display.

Then, I saw him. The man who broke me. He sat there, legs crossed on the table, a devious smile plastered his face, as he tossed chips on the floor.

“What do we have here?” He sat up, grinning sinisterly. “I see you do cleaning jobs now. Tell me, how many shifts? I have some stacked laundry at home that requires washing. Hand service, no machine. Interested? I could pay double?”

The flames of agony rekindled in my chest, but I smothered them, embracing calm as if nothing had happened.

“Laura DeVille. I'll be closing the deal.” I extended my hand with a confident smile, as if we were already partners. “Your brief, sir.”

Kai snarled. “It seems you bled your brains along with your babies. Get to work before I call security.”

My chest twitched, but I smiled. “I’m the CEO's representative.”

They both exchanged glances, their faces drained of color, but underneath it, Kai's body seethed with anger.

“T-That’s not possible!” Kai rambled.

I snatched the file from his grasp without even going through it.

SLAM!

“Mr. Kai, we don't turn spare parts into luxury vehicles, nor scribbles into a Mona Lisa.”

I paused, the words slicing like a war blade. “You're welcome to apply again, but know this… Topex doesn't promote parasitism. You never were, are, and never will be qualified.”

Veins bulged on Kai's neck, as he stared at me with bloodshot eyes.

I stood up, spine straight, my voice low and deadly. “You bled me once. Never again. This company wouldn't survive the way I did.”

The words clung to the air, stiffening them like statues.

A strange sense of foreboding curled in my chest. This wasn't over.

I blinked back the tears misting in my eyes. Then, my phone chimed, jolting me out of my daze. I answered.

“Laura… marry me.”