Chapter Fifteen – My Plan’s Not Working

Killian

I fumed as I mounted my motorcycle and headed towards the activity center. The tour was so exhausting, I couldn’t walk another step. The wish to see Sydney surrender had backfired. Why wasn’t she breaking? I hadn’t expected her to hold on much longer. Yet she was the most resilient woman I had ever seen.

I was so wrong about her. I had expected a pretentious bit*h who I could hate easily, but Sydney was a total opposite. Although she was a billionaire’s only daughter, she was humble and down-to-earth. Who in their right senses would decline so much easy money? 

She baffled me every time. 

Now I was at my wits’ end to make her surrender to me. What else could I do? It seemed the only way to break her would be to win her love. It was a sure shot means of breaking her father. With only a month at hand, it looked like a distant dream.

‘Take it slow, Kill!’ prompted my inner mind. Although patience was never my strength, I couldn’t afford to lose my shit. I would have to take this slow and win her trust and heart one day at a time. 

The activity center was abuzz with guests enjoying the on-site events like Braai-making workshops, rock-climbing, guided hikes around, run the vines, e-bike adventures, and so on. I greeted them, going about my work like an automaton. Yes, I was eager to get back to the office to check Sydney’s progress. The task I gave her was impossible to complete. She had no other option left than to give up. 

I wanted to see her fail and give in to my demands. My c*ck throbbed, knowing what it implied. She would be mine for a month to do what I pleased with her.

Why did I feel so drawn towards her? I didn’t even like the woman. 

I hadn’t expected my body to react this way towards the enemy. Maybe it was because I wanted to break her. Yes, that was the only reason. Killian Barlowe was too shrewd to fall for a woman, that too his worst enemy. 

“Are you facing any problems, Gage?” I stopped before my new events manager, who had filled in for Hendricks. 

“No, sir. I’m loving the ambiance here.” Gage Stevenson was older and more experienced, having worked in a similar capacity before for a neighboring glamping site. We discussed ways to engage guests of all ages. 

“This month, we’re starting a single-parent activity. The winner will earn a free stay for three days at the camp. I’m sure we will get more response from the deal.”

I appreciated his efforts and made way for my motorcycle. It was evening, and the office would close soon. I wondered if Sydney had given up and gone back to the tent already. 

“Mr. Barlowe, can you please come over to the front office?” said a breathless Joshua, running towards me from the reception building. 

I stopped and waited for him to reach me. “What happened?” I glanced at his stressed face and immediately knew something was up. 

“The cops are here, sir.” 

My heart sank with dread, and I sped towards the reception building. I knew why they were here, yet I couldn’t think of a way to avoid them. How did the cops know about Sydney’s presence here? Did her father seek her out? But how? I had left no footprints behind. Who could have betrayed me? My thought went towards Hendricks. Was he the one? 

I reached the reception area to find two officers from the SAPS Special Unit waiting for me. “We have information about a most wanted drug dealer, Jaques Le Roux, hiding in the vicinity. If you have any information about him, contact us right away.” They showed us a photograph of the criminal and I released the breath I was holding. It was a relief that they weren’t after Sydney this time. 

“We’ll be careful, Officer. Thank you for informing us.” 

They left after questioning my staff, and I headed back to the office. Parking the motorcycle, I walked in to find the guard closing for the day. “Have all the employees left, Jeremy?” 

He nodded. “Yes, sir.” 

I frowned as I walked towards my desk. 

“Give me ten minutes. I’ll just wrap up the work.” I had to find out what was going on before I faced Sydney. Did she complete the assignment? Or did she consider giving up? 

I unlocked her device and checked the emails she was managing. To my utter astonishment, apart from three emails that had arrived a few minutes ago, there were no unanswered ones. 

I blinked and re-focused on the screen. How could that be possible? How could she answer so many pending emails in three hours? 

I walked out in a state of daze and faced Jeremy. “How about the new employee, my PA? When did she leave?” I knew how pathetic I sounded, but I had to know. 

“Oh, Ms. Bardot left ten minutes ago, sir. She was the last one to go.”  

I nodded, feeling more confused than ever before. Did she fall ill from the workload? “Was she unwell?” 

“Yes, sir. So, Ms. Jenny, Mr. Pine, and Mr. Frank helped her out.” 

I gaped at the guard for a minute, realizing how Sydney had completed the daunting task. No wonder she could leave early. I fumed at her underhanded ploy. How could she seek help to complete her job? I was paying her to do it.

“Thank you for the update. Good night, Jeremy. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Did Sydney think I wouldn’t find out? Well, it wasn’t acceptable at all. To me, she had failed in her task and wasn’t good enough for the job. There was only one way for her to earn. Hatred and anger filled my body and I couldn’t wait to teach the trickster a lesson she would never forget. She was just like her father. 

Parking the motorcycle, I took two steps at a time to reach the front door. Unlocking it, I stormed inside, but she wasn’t around in the lounge area. “Sydney!” I yelled, but there was no answer. 

I strode into the bedroom and heard her in the washroom. The bed looked slept in, and her clothes were lying on a chair nearby. Such a princess! One day at work had made her so melodramatic! 

I stormed towards the washroom when the door opened and Sydney emerged, pale, haggard, and staggering towards the bed. She gasped at the sight of me glaring at her. 

“What the f*ck is going on? Why have you sought help from others to complete your task?” I gripped her arm to shake the daylights out of her. 

“I didn’t want help. Please believe me, Killian. I wasn’t leaving the office without completing it. So, they…” She trailed off when I gripped her and shoved her backwards against the wall. Her head swooned, and I rolled my eyes at her drama. 

“Stop your f*cking drama, woman!” She hit the wall and went limp, closing her eyes and falling to the ground. I grabbed hold of her and pulled her up to my level. “It’s not working, dammit. Face the truth. You have failed in the task. You aren’t good enough for the job. So stop wasting my time and do what you’re good at. Be my who*e and I’ll treat you like a princess.” 

She didn’t stir. Her body went limp in my arms while I gaped at her. Did she actually lose her consciousness? 

I was even more confused than before. “Sydney.” I patted her cheek, but she didn’t stir or move. 

“Shit!” I picked her limp body up and carried her to the bed. Depositing her, I walked into the washroom and crinkled my nose. The stink of vomit floated in the air. Was she really sick? 

When I returned with water and sprinkled it on her face, she did not move, lying in the same position as I had left her. Fear gripped my heart. What the f*ck was wrong with her? 

I called my manager for a doctor and a cleaning staff. 

The cleaning staff arrived, followed by Dr. Stewart, who was a regular at the site. He greeted me and glanced at Sydney. “Do you know her? What happened?” He gave me a suspicious look.

“Yes, she’s my girlfriend and PA. She returned from work and has been throwing up ever since. I just came back to see her in this condition.” 

He checked Sydney while I sat chewing my lips nervously. Did I overdo it? 

He revived Sydney, and I released the breath I was holding. 

“When did you eat last?” asked the doctor, and Sydney hesitated.

“I didn’t get time to eat all day, doctor.” She gave him a guilty look while I gaped at her. What? Did I force her to skip all meals? 

“That’s absurd. Do you realize you cannot work on an empty stomach?” 

She nodded, avoiding my eyes. 

“Well, you’re lucky not to land up at the hospital. Drink lots of water and have small portions of food at regular intervals. You’re dehydrated, so fluid intake and rest are a must. You should be better in twelve hours.” 

The doctor left, and I faced Sydney. “You have failed miserably on your first day at work. It only proves you aren’t fit for it. So, are you ready for the alternative?” I watched her flinch at the implication. 

“There are other alternatives for me. I don’t need to be your se* slave. Anyway, I’ve already emailed you my resignation. Didn’t you get it? I refuse to work for a man who prioritizes se*ual favors and forgets humanity. I’ve fallen sick because of you, Killian. Do you realize that? I’ll take up any job nearby. I’ll borrow money from my best friend and get out of your life forever.” 

I gaped at her for a minute, not having expected this from her. I had underestimated her.