Chapter 4 Saved By Him

CHAPTER FOUR

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as Olivia and Jasmine stepped into the café. Olivia headed straight for the counter, ready to order their drinks.

"I'll get the drinks," Olivia offered.

Jasmine nodded. "Make mine extra strong. I need to recover from yesterday's chaos."

Olivia smirked before stepping up to place their order. Just as she turned around, coffee cups in hand, she collided hard into someone.

The dark liquid spilled instantly, splashing all over both of them.

"What the hell?!" the man growled, stepping back sharply. His broad frame towered over Olivia, and his eyes darkened with rage as he looked down at his now-ruined shirt.

Olivia's heart skipped. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there-"

"Are you blind or just fucking stupid?" he snapped, stepping toward her. His presence was suffocating, the air around him heavy with irritation.

Olivia opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Jasmine's voice cut through the air like a damn blade.

"Oh, hell no."

The man turned sharply, his glare now set on Jasmine.

She crossed her arms, unfazed. "Are you seriously losing your shit over coffee? What, did it melt away the last two brain cells rattling around in that thick-ass skull of yours?"

The man's expression twisted with annoyance. He took a step toward her. "Who the fuck do you think you are?"

Jasmine smirked. "Oh, I don't know-just someone with an actual personality and functioning social skills. Unlike you, who probably crawled out of a sewer this morning judging by that stench you're carrying. Seriously get a grip,you overgrown baboon."

The man's jaw locked, his eyes flashing with anger. He raised a hand slightly, as if debating whether or not to react.

Jasmine took another step forward, tilting her head. "Go ahead. Lift that hand. I dare you. But let me warn you-you lay a finger on me, and I'll make sure you're sucking your dinner through a straw for the next six months."

His nostrils flared. The tension in the café was so thick, Olivia swore the air crackled. The man clenched his fists, his entire body tight with barely controlled rage.

Then, a deep voice cut through the moment.

"Let. Her. Go."

The man turned, and Olivia followed his gaze-to him.

Logan.

His sharp eyes locked onto the man, his expression calm but dangerous.

The man scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "Whatever." With that, he turned and stormed out of the café, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.

Olivia let out a shaky breath.

Logan looked down at her, his eyes searching hers. "You alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

Logan tilted his head slightly before smirking. "your'e welcome,Olivia."

She blinked, surprised he knew her name.

"I'm Logan, by the way," he added casually.

Olivia let out a breath and gave a small, amused smile. "Finally introducing yourself properly?"

He chuckled. "Guess so." Then, glancing toward the door, he added, "You've got a habit of attracting trouble, huh?"

Olivia sighed. "Apparently."

Logan shook his head, amused. "Well, try to survive your morning without pissing anyone else off."

With that, he walked away, leaving Olivia standing there, still processing everything.

Jasmine, who had been watching the exchange with a smug smirk, grabbed their coffee cups and handed Olivia hers. "So that's the guy who drove you home?"

Olivia nodded as they stepped outside.

Jasmine whistled. "Damn. He's hot."

Olivia rolled her eyes, sipping her coffee. "Don't start."

"Oh, I will start. And I'll keep going," Jasmine teased. Then, as they walked toward work, she exhaled dramatically. "But let's talk about me for a second. I swear I nearly died back there. I have no idea what possessed me to mouth off to that guy."

Olivia smirked. "Adrenaline. Or temporary insanity."

"Probably both," Jasmine admitted. "The moment he turned toward me, I swear my life flashed before my eyes."

Olivia laughed. "You were bold, though."

Jasmine groaned. "Bold and dumb. I actually thought he was going to hit me."

Olivia nudged her playfully. "If he did, I would've thrown my coffee at him again."

Jasmine snorted. "And then we'd both die."

They both burst into laughter as they walked through the busy streets, the morning sun casting a warm glow over them.

Jasmine let out a sharp exhale, running a hand through her hair. "God. I was terrified back there."

Olivia glanced at her. "You looked terrified."

Jasmine let out a dry laugh. "I don't even know where that confidence came from. One second, I was watching in horror, and the next, I was yelling at a guy who could've probably crushed me with one hand." She gave Olivia a pointed look. "You do realize that man was built like a damn machine, right?"

Olivia smirked. "Oh, I noticed. You were the one provoking him."

Jasmine groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Yeah, and I actually thought I was gonna die for a second there. The moment he turned to me with that look, I swear I felt my soul preparing to exit."

Olivia chuckled. "Well, at least you didn't back down."

Jasmine shot her a look. "Because I was too stupid to. My brain had already signed the 'fight' contract before my body could catch up."

That made Olivia laugh, and soon Jasmine was laughing too. The weight of the moment earlier faded as they stepped outside, the cool air hitting their skin.

Jasmine exhaled again, shaking her head. "Never again. Next time, I'm keeping my mouth shut."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "Are you?"

Jasmine narrowed her eyes. "Okay, probably not. But if I get hit, you better throw yourself at Logan and make it worth it."

Olivia groaned, pushing Jasmine lightly. "You're ridiculous."

Jasmine smirked. "And you love me for it."

They both laughed again as they headed toward work, the morning already off to a chaotic start.

The office was buzzing with its usual Monday morning energy when Olivia and Jasmine walked through the doors. Phones rang incessantly, keyboards clicked furiously, and the hum of chatter filled the air. But none of it reached Olivia's ears. Her mind was too focused on the mess she might've just walked into.

As they stepped inside, Olivia's gaze flicked over the familiar faces, the same faces that seemed so much more on edge today. She couldn't help but feel the weight of the office's oppressive atmosphere, like the walls were closing in on her.

"Back to the trenches," Olivia muttered under her breath. "Where dreams go to die."

Jasmine glanced over at her with a smirk. "At least there's free Wi-Fi."

Olivia blinked at her, confused for a moment. "Wait, there's free Wi-Fi here?"

Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? Did you think the 'corporate life' included data charges?"

Olivia groaned. "Well, now I feel even worse about being here. Not only am I stuck in this soul-sucking office, but I could've been using Wi-Fi the whole time?"

Jasmine chuckled but then grew more serious. "It's not that bad. Besides, you're still getting paid to be here. That's the dream, right?"

Olivia sighed dramatically. "A paycheck doesn't make up for all the chaos."

They reached their desks, but before they could sit, Maggie from HR-aka the office's unofficial gossip queen-was already making her way over, her eyes practically gleaming with the excitement of sharing some juicy tidbit.

"Morning, ladies," Maggie said, her voice too bright for the tense atmosphere. "I hope you're ready for a fun day." She leaned in closer to Olivia's desk, lowering her voice dramatically. "You might want to keep your head down. Mr. Hayes has been in a mood today."

Olivia stiffened, her heart skipping a beat. "What kind of mood?"

Maggie smirked, eyes twinkling with malicious joy. "I heard he fired someone this morning for breathing too loudly near his office." She looked over her shoulder, as though someone might be eavesdropping. "Seriously. Breathing too loudly."

Jasmine shot Olivia a glance, her usual humor replaced with something more serious. "What's the deal with him today? I thought he was a tough boss, but that sounds... extreme."

Olivia swallowed, her throat dry. "I-this isn't good," she muttered, her mind racing. Is that what I have to look forward to?

Maggie's grin widened. "Just be careful. He's got a short fuse today. I'd say good luck, but... you know. I'm not sure even luck could save you."

Before Olivia could process what Maggie had just said, Jasmine cut in, her voice quiet but firm. "Is he waiting for you?" she asked, scanning the office as if looking for some sign of Mr. Hayes himself.

Maggie raised an eyebrow. "Oh, he's definitely waiting for you. I heard from Dana-he's been pacing around his office like a caged animal for the past half hour."

Olivia's stomach churned. "I don't have an appointment with him," she said, her voice almost too low to be heard. She was sure her face had gone pale.

Jasmine was about to say something, but Olivia was already moving toward the elevator, her feet almost automatic as her mind reeled. She could feel the weight of Maggie's words hanging in the air. Fired for breathing too loudly? She could feel every pair of eyes on her as she made her way through the office. Her skin tingled, her thoughts a mess of anxiety.

Jasmine, sensing her tension, fell into step beside her. "You're gonna be fine. Just go in there, do your thing. Hayes can't fire you for breathing wrong."

Olivia's lips pressed into a tight line. "I'm not so sure about that." Her voice was shaky, barely above a whisper. She couldn't shake the fear that she'd be next.

The elevator doors dinged open, and Olivia hesitated for just a split second before stepping inside. Her palms were clammy, her thoughts spinning out of control. She glanced over at Jasmine, who had gone unusually quiet. It wasn't her usual sarcastic banter. In fact, it seemed like the reality of the situation had hit her, too.

As the elevator descended, Olivia tried to steady her breathing, but the words Maggie had said echoed in her head. Breathing too loudly. It sounded absurd, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed to fit Hayes' increasingly erratic behavior.

Jasmine broke the silence with a softer tone. "Listen, you're not gonna get fired. You're good at what you do. Don't let his mood mess with your head."

Olivia let out a shaky breath, clenching her fists at her sides. She had to believe that. She had to. But every step she took toward Hayes' office made her feel like she was walking the plank.

The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out. Olivia was about to head toward her desk when Maggie's voice called after her.

"Hey, Olivia," she said, still standing by the door to HR. "Good luck. You're gonna need it."

Olivia nodded stiffly but didn't stop. She had no choice now. She had to face whatever was coming next. She couldn't afford to show fear-not here.