Chapter 2

My boyfriend, Callum Hansen, who'd grown up with me at the orphanage, passed away in a freak road accident three years ago.

I had been shrouded in nightmares ever since. I fell into severe depression and anxiety. I had even tried multiple times to take my own life.

It wasn't until I saw Carlisle's face that I finally found the will to live again, simply because Carlisle bore a striking resemblance to Callum.

I did everything in my power to find out more about Carlisle and try to slowly inch my way into his life. Eventually, I became his secretary and friend with benefits.

No matter how terribly he treated me or how the others called me a shameless lapdog, I still chose to stay by his side.

Dylan knew about my situation. He sighed and said, "It's been three years, Brandon. It's time for you to let go of the past."

However, I just couldn't.

Callum was the only one in the world who treated me the best, and I could never forget him, ever.

…

I took the medications as prescribed, but I still developed a high fever at close to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

I braved the pouring rain and rushed to deliver the food to Carlisle and Theodore. By the time I reached, I was already feeling drowsy and a little out of it. Every step I took made me feel like I was floating on clouds, soft and fluffy.

"What took you so long? Don't you know that Theo has gastritis and needs to eat on time?"

Carlisle didn't even let me in the door before he started chastising me with a deep frown on his face, as if he never even realized that I was as pale and sickly as a ghost.

Theodore walked over and said, "I'm thankful enough that Mr. Westin is even willing to cook for me, Carl. Stop scolding him. I mean, I was the one who ate all the food he made for you in the past, and I kinda feel bad about it now."

Theodore was just like Carlisle in the sense that they both looked down on me like I was an ant they could crush with just a stomp of their foot.

Realization dawned on me. I only learned just then why Carlisle still made me cook for him even though he claimed to hate me. It was because Theodore liked it.

Carlisle took the food from me and made me wait at the door.

My forehead was burning up pretty badly, and my legs were turning into jelly. I didn't even care that the ground outside was dirty and just sank down to rest.

One hour later, Carlisle was finally done feeding Theodore, so he came back with me to the office.

On the way there, he suddenly said out of the blue, "I'm dating Theo now, and he doesn't like you being around me. So, you have two choices. Go and serve Athol Ferrel, or get out of my sight!"

Athol Ferrel was our company's biggest client. However, he was also very infamously known as a pervert who had ruined many people's lives.

He'd also harassed me on multiple accounts before, but I'd managed to hide from him every time.

But now, was Carlisle seriously telling me to sleep with him just because Theodore didn't like me around?

What did Carlisle take me for?

I felt a sharp stab in my heart, watching the face I loved the most speak such horrible words. The pain was so great that I nearly fainted from it.

I stared into Carlisle's eyes, my face flushed, wanting nothing more than to give him a hard slap on the cheek.

However, in the end, I found myself asking shakily, "If I go and serve Athol, will I still be able to remain as your secretary at work?"

Carlisle stared at me in shock. Then, he frowned and said, "So, you really like me that much, Brandon? You like me so much that you're willing to get yourself dirty just to stay with me?"

I didn't answer his question. I just clenched my fists and repeated my question. "Will I?"

"Yes!" he said, pausing for a bit before nodding.

I lowered my head and answered, "Okay. I'll go."

I was willing to do anything to remain by his side.

Carlisle probably never thought that I would agree to his proposition so quickly and without argument. He didn't seem quite happy.

I just couldn't understand him. He forced me into this, and I'd agreed to play by his rules. So, why was he still looking upset?

I didn't bother asking him and just leaned against the window to catch up on some sleep.

Carlisle brought me straight to the hotel that Athol was at, probably afraid that I'd go back against my word and make a run for it.

I took the room keycard from him, took a deep breath, and opened the door to Athol's hotel room.