Chapter 8 The Morning After

CHAPTER 8

Rose's POV

Now, that was a slap to the face. I was so furious I felt like I would explode. Yet, no words came out of my mouth. I just stood there like an idiot, too embarrassed to even move. She just called me a harlot. Have they not seen the news?

For the first time, I was tempted to gloat.

"I'm going to give you one last chance..." I checked the golden inscription on her chest: "...Sophia. Apologize right now, or I'll report you to Damien."

The girls laughed and began to call the attention of everyone in the lobby. Sophia grabbed a mic and spoke into it.

"Everyone, take a look at this slut who is trying to stick to Mr. Sterling for his money. The only woman who could ever try and succeed is Miss Seraphina, and even she failed to get him to put a ring on it." She tutted. "I'd stop trying if I were you."

The entire lobby cracked up, laughing at me like I was a joke. My ankles wobbled, and my confidence dropped. Coming here was a mistake. Tears laced my eyes, threatening to fall, but I wasn't going to give these people the satisfaction of seeing me downcast.

Just then, I thought I heard heavy footsteps behind me. The laughter suddenly subsided, and the workers suddenly began to focus on their tasks. Before I could catch myself, a strong arm wrapped around my waist, turning me around so I could plant my face into a chest.

The warmth, the sudden feeling of security and safety, and the familiar masculine scent overwhelmed me, and I found myself letting the tears drop. My hands gripped his shirt as I cried my eyes out, while he squeezed me tighter till I was steady.

After I was done, he cupped my face and lowered himself to whisper in my ear, "Ya zastavlyu ikh zaplatit'," before planting a light kiss on my cheek.

Even though I didn't know what it meant, I knew it sounded like a promise. A genuine promise.

"I need all the workers to gather in the assembly hall. I need to make an urgent announcement," he said, his voice rumbling like thunder.

Like rats, everyone scurried towards the elevator, most of them taking the stairs. The PA system howled as an announcement of the meeting was made. With his strong hand lightly squeezing mine, he led me to the elevator. The workers there immediately vacated the space, leaving us both alone.

When he pressed the floor button, he turned around to face me, his face unsmiling.

"Why did you come here alone?" With his accent rolling off with the English, I knew he was utterly upset, so I knew not to push my luck.

"I...I just thought..."

"Next time," he growled, towering over me while I pressed my back to the wall, praying to disappear. "Let me know before you go running off into the wild like a gazelle."

I couldn't help it. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You don't seem to understand, do you!? We need to be together and stick to our story, or everything will come crashing down."

"I didn't think finding my sister would mean lying to myself and the world!" I snapped back, watching his jaw tense and his fists clenching and unclenching.

The elevator opened, and our argument ended there. He held my hand, but I yanked it away. He did it a couple more times before finally tightening his hold and turning to face me.

"Remove your hand again and I'll have no choice but to make it permanent." I quivered, breath quickening, but I didn't rebel again as we got to the assembly ground.

There were more employees than I thought the company would have. Why did he need this many workers? And how does he pay them?

Before I could think about it, Damien grabbed me and slowly led me to the stage.

"I'll need you all to pay attention to what I'm about to say," he began. "I don't think I forced any of you to come work for me. You know the number of assessments and interviews you had to pass through to get your jobs. And I don't think I've ever mistreated you." I almost rolled my eyes at his self-righteousness. "However, you have all repaid me with unkindness. You disrespected my fiancee, and that only means one thing. You disrespected me as well."

I looked around to see Sophia's red face and red eyes, which meant she had been crying.

"What shall I do to you all?"

Knowing his reputation for being cruel, I was afraid he would do something I couldn't live with. So I grabbed his arm and whispered. "Damien..."

"You are all fired." A ripple of gasps and murmurings spread across the crowd. I couldn't believe my ears. He was going to fire hundreds of workers over what a small number of workers did to me?

"You don't have to..."

"This is none of your business," he whispered back sharply. Just as quickly, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number. "Hi, yes. I'm going to need to replace all my workers. Every single one of them. An hour is fine."

After the crowds dispersed, I turned and left the stage in anger. They may have disrespected me, but firing them was not okay. I got into an elevator, but before it could shut, Damien was already inside, glancing down at me with his sharp eyes.

"What brought you here anyway?"

I didn't respond. He attempted to touch me, but I slapped his hand away.

"I'll tell you if you agree to hire everyone back."

He scoffed. "You're impossible, you know. One would think firing them all for that stunt they pulled would make you happy."

"Well, I'm not!" I screamed, but I didn't get enough time to do that as he grabbed me by the neck and planted his lips on mine while the elevator opened.

When he pulled back to look outside, he stopped in his tracks, his eyes darkening. Who could these people be for them to ruffle the feathers of Damien Sterling?