Chapter 4 The place where my nightmares were born

Early the next morning, I went to his office to confirm my decision. Just as I was about to knock on his door, I overheard him talking to Carlos, his best friend.

"You remember that poor girl at the café, right? I've decided to employ her so she can do something meaningful with her life."

Carlos let out a short laugh. "No man, I hope you don't want revenge?"

"No, I hold no evil against her."

"I doubt you."

Those words stung like a knife to my chest. My breath caught in my throat. Poor girl? Is that what he thought of me? A charity case?

I froze, my hand still hovering near the door. A part of me wanted to turn back, to walk away from this humiliation. But then, an inner voice whispered, Do it for Ariel.

Swallowing my pride, I stepped in.

Christ looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. "Oh, Annie. I knew you were a smart girl and would make the right decision."

I forced a nod.

"As I mentioned the other day, you are my personal assistant, and your work begins now. I have a very important meeting with one of our biggest investors, and I want you to prepare for it. This time, the meeting is about apologies and the signing of a contract. I missed the last one, so I need to ensure everything goes perfectly this time. I will be going out, and once everything is ready, let me know."

"Okay, sir."

Jefferson Thomas, Christ's father, was a shipping magnate with partners all over the globe. Mr. Kashmir, one of his key investors, was from India, so I did everything I could to impress him. I even learned how to say you're welcome in Hindi and familiarized myself with their cuisine.

Thank God it worked. He signed the contract.

But something unexpected happened.

As I stood, thanking Mr. Kashmir for his time, I felt a gaze lingering on me-intense, assessing. When I turned slightly, I caught Jefferson Thomas staring.

Not just staring. Watching.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes held something unfamiliar-intrigue? Amusement?

His lips curled into the faintest smirk as he leaned forward. "You're an impressive young woman, Annie. I can see why my son hired you."

The words should have felt like a compliment, but something about the way he said it made my skin prickle.

Christ, standing beside me, stiffened. His jaw clenched as he looked between his father and me.

"She's my assistant, Father. Nothing more."

Jefferson chuckled, swirling the whiskey in his glass. "Is that so?"

Normally, I would be proud of myself. But as we left the meeting, Christ's mood had darkened.

"You made me look irresponsible in front of my father and the client," he said flatly.

My stomach dropped. Not even a simple thank you. After all my efforts.

He hadn't changed.

Back in those days, this man made me work tirelessly, often without food. If I ever complained of hunger or exhaustion, he would punish me.

One evening, he asked for hot water. I brought it to him, and he poured it on my back, saying he wanted coffee instead.

To this day, the scars remain. The burns. The memories.

He refused to take me to the hospital.

It was Joseph Stive, my boyfriend at the time, who paid for my medical bills.

Now, Christ was standing in front of me, glaring, as if I owed him something.

"Come to my house this evening," he ordered. "I have more work for you."

I clenched my fists. He wanted to drag me back to that place. The place where my nightmares were born.

My eyes darted to his desk. A folder lay open, filled with important company documents.

I froze. Without these, he can't be the next CEO.

I hesitated, then did the unthinkable.

I took them.

Meanwhile, in Christ's sitting room...

Carlos eyed him warily. "I have this strange feeling that I know this Annie girl from somewhere," Christ muttered. "Every time I touch her, it's like I'm back in the club. We were both wearing masks, so I never saw her eyes, but her red hair, her voice, her energy... it's the same."

Carlos scoffed. "Man, you're making assumptions. You need proof."

"That's why I hired her." Christ leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips.

Carlos' eyes widened. "You mean, at your house?"

"Yes."

"You're crazy! Man, stop that plan. Stop the revenge. I know you-you haven't forgiven her for what she did that day."

"I'm not crazy," Christ said, his voice eerily calm. "And I hold nothing against her."

Carlos wasn't convinced. "Okay, but if she is not the one... what will you do?"

Christ smiled. "We change the plan."

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Annie had arrived.

The moment I stepped inside, I felt it. The weight of the past pressing against my chest.

Christ's house. The place of my torment.

I stood still, staring at the walls as if they could speak. The kitchen-that cursed kitchen where he used to beat me when my food wasn't up to his standards.

My hands trembled. I couldn't breathe. The memories slammed into me like waves, and for a second, I felt the sting of the belt against my skin, the hot water on my back-

"Annie?"

Carlos' voice pulled me back to reality.

I blinked rapidly. Focus.

"Yes?"

"You look... shaken. Are you okay?"

I swallowed hard. "Yes. I'm fine."

I wasn't.

I walked into the kitchen. My fingers traced the countertop absentmindedly, and my stomach twisted. I have to get out of here.

After serving coffee, I clutched my stomach, feigning a sharp pain.

"I don't feel well," I muttered.

Christ eyed me for a long moment before nodding. "You can go."

I turned on my heels, my breath shallow, and practically ran out of that house.

It felt like I had just escaped hell.

My eyes burned with unshed tears as I walked down the street, my mind spinning.

I reached into my bag, feeling the weight of the stolen documents.

What am I going to do with these?

I didn't know.

But I knew one thing for sure-

I wasn't giving them back.