Chapter 5 A Tap On The Shoulder

"Congratulations, Ms. Vale! We secured the deal thanks to your outstanding performance yesterday."

"Thank you so much, Mr. Cortez," I replied warmly.

Thorne Corp. had officially won the contract, which perfectly explained why Creed left the meeting in such a foul mood. He hadn't reached out since, and that alone was both a relief and a fresh source of anxiety. I had no clue what he was scheming next.

"Also... I'm sorry about what happened there," Cortez added, appearing genuinely remorseful despite it not being his fault at all.

"It's fine," I assured him with a small smile.

Even if the CEO was a cold, arrogant jerk, he only sent me out to protect me. But that didn't change the fact that everyone had already seen... everything-Cortez included. My cheeks heated up at the memory, and I shifted my gaze only for it to land on a black leather folder sitting on his desk. Bold letters read: V.V.I. - very, very important.

"What's that?" I asked.

His eyes followed mine, and instantly, his whole demeanor shifted. "Uh... nothing," he said quickly, grabbing the folder and slipping it into a drawer. "Now what were you asking for again?"

A frown tugged at my brows. Whatever was in that file was clearly significant and equally secretive. But it wasn't my business. It shouldn't be.

"I need the financial records for Casper Motels so I can prepare the contract."

"You'll find those in the finance department. Just give them a call."

"Um..." I scratched my head awkwardly. "I don't know anyone from finance. Honestly, the only people I know here are you, Mr. Thorne, and the doorman."

He chuckled. "My mistake. I completely forgot I never gave you a proper tour. I'll call someone to bring the files to you."

"Thank you." I started to walk away, but he called after me again.

"Have lunch with me in the cafeteria today. I'll introduce you to everyone."

"That sounds great," I replied, genuinely pleased.

Back in my office, I found another mountain of work waiting for me: sending a letter to three hundred people, each needing different names and dates.

I exhaled heavily.

What if I dropped a poisonous tarantula into Creed's bed? Or better yet... into his suit?

Would he die?

Or would he somehow manage to corrupt the tarantula too?

If that vile man simply didn't exist, the lives of so many including mine would be blessed with peace. I could be a normal employee with a normal boss, worrying about normal things like rent and groceries instead of being haunted by phone calls and the threat of prison walls.

Huffing, I forced myself to focus on the task, when suddenly my phone rang. I nearly jumped. Frantically checking the caller ID, I sighed in relief, and my mood lifted instantly.

"Brooke!"

"My girrrl!" came the loud, honey-smooth voice of my best friend.

I hadn't seen her in months not since I left Canada.

"How are you? I've missed you like crazy!"

"Same! But am I going to keep missing you? Absolutely not. I'm coming!"

I shot out of my chair in pure excitement, my smile stretching until my cheeks hurt. "Wait-really?!"

"Yes! I already bought the ticket. I'll be there soon."

"Oh my God, I cannot wait!" I was practically bouncing around the room.

"Neither can I! Now listen to orders like ten cartons of ice cream. You know my favorite. We're having our soul-freezing competition again!"

I laughed. "Of course! It's a tradition."

A notification pinged on my laptop, drawing my attention. A new email. I opened it and my eyes flew wide.

It was from the boss next door.

Report to my office. Immediately.

What now?

"Brooke, I've gotta go. Work emergency. Safe travels-I can't wait to see you!"

I hung up and rushed to his office. As usual, he was buried in work.

"Sir, you called?"

"It seems you have a great deal of free time, Ms. Vale," he said without looking up from his papers.

My brows drew together. "Why would it seem that way, sir?"

He finally looked up and set the papers aside. "You're not paid to chat with old friends during work hours."

My jaw unhinged.

How in the hell did he know that? Unless...

I leaned forward, glanced at his monitor-and gasped, eyes nearly popping out of my head.

He'd been watching me.

A wave of hot embarrassment washed over me. I knew the camera existed, but still-I wasn't exactly mindful of every tiny thing I did all day. And what had I been doing right before the call ended?

Oh God.

"Sir," I muttered stiffly, "I don't mind the camera in my office, but I'm not very comfortable being watched like that."

"It's called surveillance," he responded coolly.

His calm tone made my eyes twitch. "It's called invading privacy," I snapped back.

"If it bothers you that much, you know where the door is," he said simply, gesturing behind me.

Unbelievable.

If I could, I'd gladly shove his arrogance someplace unpleasant and storm out but life had my ankles chained. So, swallowing pride, I forced the next words out:

"I'm sorry, sir. I have no objections."

"Excellent. Then you won't mind managing those too." He pointed to my right.

I turned and nearly screamed.

Files.

Not just files. Mountains of files stacked on the cabinet.

Was he insane? Was this a punishment for taking a phone call?

"Sir..." I croaked.

"Yes. These are cost and profit analyses for several new resorts. I want every number verified."

It felt like someone had dropped the entire planet onto my shoulders. My current workload already pushed me to the edge now this? When exactly did he expect me to finish? Two hundred years from now?

As if reading my thoughts, he added, "Two days. You're dismissed." Then he returned to his documents like I was invisible.

I deflated with a long exhale.

God, help me.

But apparently God took a vacation, because it took not two days, not even three but four grueling days, to finish checking every line of those cursed reports. And the devil-man still wasn't satisfied about the extra day delay.

At last, I was done. And look at that it was nearly lunchtime. Finally, I could escape to the cafeteria, have lunch with Mr. Cortez, and be around humans who weren't Jaxon Thorne.

Stretching on my tiptoes, I lifted my arms and loosened my stiff joints, bending and twisting

Then froze.

The camera.

I squeaked and darted out of my office before the surveillance could catch more humiliation.

In the cafeteria, laughter echoed around our table as coworkers shared stories.

"I heard from Sarah that even the sixty-year-old chairman of Hawks Group once flirted with our boss right in the middle of a meeting," Howard said, prompting more laughter.

"Our CEO is such a heartthrob that every woman practically drools over him," Jessica sighed dreamily.

"Have you drooled over him yet, Seraphina?" Melody asked mischievously, making everyone turn to me.

I grinned. "You'll know from the headlines when it happens."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"Girl's got jokes," Anthony winked before shoveling spaghetti into his mouth.

I rolled my eyes. There was always one like him in every workplace.

Lunch went wonderfully. Cortez introduced me to so many lovely people. Despite our intimidating CEO, the company was full of warm, welcoming employees. And that only made the guilt twist deeper in my chest. I was deceiving all of them into good, hardworking people who didn't deserve any of this.

My eyes stung, and I wiped quickly before anyone noticed. Then my phone vibrated. Dread crashed back into me.

"H-hello?" I answered shakily.

"The next project," came that dreaded voice.

I shut my eyes, and the tears I'd tried to hold back spilled freely. I had no choice.

"C-Casper Motels," I whispered.

"See you there."

Before I could argue, a tap on my shoulder froze every drop of blood in my veins. I turned slowly.

And the manager stood there.

Only this time, his expression was far from friendly.

"Who were you talking to, Ms. Vale?"