Chapter 2 This is depressing

Although hunted by the thoughts of slipping falling and dying, I swiftly released the window latch, welcoming a rush of fresh air and distant city sounds. Peering outside, I assessed the distance, calculating the likelihood of a swift escape. Luckily, it was just the ground floor-a small relief amid my hurried decision-making.

"Madison?" Darren's voice interrupted my hurried thoughts. "The towels."

"Oh, yeah...yeah. Could you just leave it outside the door?" I called out, my voice strained as I mustered a sense of casualness, hoping to buy myself a few more moments to execute my escape plan.

"Are you okay, in there?" There was a brief pause before he continued, "Alright, I'll leave it here."

"Yes...Yes, I'm fine." I quickly assured him, my voice strained with forced calmness. "I mean, Why wouldn't I be? It's just a hangover fall, nothing to be worried about"

"If you say so babe" Babe? Ugh! His footsteps retreated, the sound growing fainter as he presumably placed the towel outside the bathroom door. Feeling a rush of relief as Darren seemingly accepted my explanation, I turned my attention back to the window, adrenaline coursing through my veins, I swung a leg over the windowsill, With a last cautious glance around the room, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the leap.

Balancing precariously on the windowsill, I steadied my stance, carefully judging the distance to the ground below. It wasn't a considerable drop, but anxiety gnawed at my chest. What if I don't make it? And I fall? Who was going to take care of Chelsea and Hartley Corps.?

Outside, the faint noises of the waking city mingled with the silence of my internal deliberation. The decision lay squarely in my hands, Summoning every ounce of courage, I pushed off the windowsill, descending in a controlled descent to the ground below. The landing was softer than expected, a muted thud against the pavement. Relief surged within me as I straightened up, my heart racing from the adrenaline-fueled escape.

Quickly glancing around to ensure no one witnessed a young adult woman jump out of a hotel building. Pretty funny, right? Swiftly navigating through the hotel corridors, I emerged onto the busy streets, clad in nothing but a bath towel and barefoot. Aware of the curious stares from passersby, I dialed my driver's number.

"Please hurry," I cried, a touch of embarrassment creeping in. "I'm getting some odd looks here, and it's making me feel a bit conspicuous."

After about thirty minutes or so, a familiar car pulled up beside me, offering a sense of relief. Hastily, I slipped into the backseat, grateful for the cover it provided from the curious gazes of onlookers.

"Sorry for the rush," I apologized to my driver.

"No worries, Miss Madison," the driver responded, though a hint of amusement laced his voice. He's been my father's driver for years now and now he was my driver. He obviously knew what my deal was "Anything you need, just let me know."

"Cool," I chuckled "Just get me home please, I need to get to work. Shelly must be wondering how 'punctual' her boss is." Note the sarcasm.

+~+~+~

"Good morning boss" Shelley, my secretary greeted me as usual with a coffee as I made my way to my office.

"I don't want to see a coffee right now Shelley, get that out of my face" I shivered as the thought of Darren crossed my mind. Love he says, Poor kid. I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry ma'am" She immediately threw the coffee into the trashcan and walked with with me to my office as other employees greeted me as I walked.

"Has Williams PLC returned our calls yet?" I inquired instantly switching to boss mode.

"No ma'am" Shelley replied walking beside me trying to keep up my pace as she updated me on my schedules and appointments.

"Well, have you sent an email?" I ask, because why haven't they responded yet? It's been weeks now. Or were they calling off the deal?

"No ma'am, I–"

"You what?!" I stopped walking and turned to face her. She was terrified. Shaking from her face to her legs. I loved this feeling. If my employees don't at least respect me, then they should fear me. "It's been two weeks now!" I shouted at her, which earned us looks from the other people. Good. They should watch what will happen to them if they so much as to make mistakes like this. "If you can't do your job right I'll easily get someone to replace you, do you understand?!"

Filled with fear Shelley looked at me, with tears in her eyes and clenched onto her iPad. As I saw the tears threatening to fall from her eyes, I sighed, placing my fingers on the bridge of my nose. I didn't mean to exactly scream at her, I wasn't that boss. I was just frustrated. I continued walking towards my office with her following up closely behind me. I was sure she was already crying. Shelly was such a crybaby. When we got to my office, I turned and hugged her. I didn't want the other employees to think their boss was weak or hadn't grown a pair yet and take advantage of my niceness. After all, Kindness only got you far.

"I'm so, so sorry for screaming at you like that Shells. But you know this company's future is at stake, our goods aren't selling. And we need Williams PLC for that. We need that deal badly" I grabbed her shoulders and stared into her eyes "Please send them an email"

"I will ma'am. It's just...I've been handling the traitors of the company and at the same time, trying to tone down the rumor trying to spread about you. I'm so sorry once again" Shelly apologized to me. Oh, that's true. There were a bunch of six of my employees I caught trying to steal important documents from my office and when I found out, I had to take care of them. And then, there's the rumor about me being a walking whore. Of course! That's the only way this situation could get any more depressing.

"It's alright. Leave the rumors, they've been flying around ever since I took over my late father's company." I gave her a weak smile "Handle the E-mail with that obnoxious company and I'll handle those fucking traitors" Those bitches aren't gonna know what hit them after I'm done torturing them.