Chapter 5 Token

Rachael stood stiffly in Deevin's office, her heartbeat still unsettled from their tense encounter. The room felt eerily quiet without his looming presence, but the air was still thick with everything that had just transpired. She wasn't sure how much time had passed, minutes? An hour?

Then, the door creaked open.

The same man who had summoned Deevin to the conference room earlier stepped in, his expression unreadable. Rachael straightened, bracing herself.

"You are dismissed," he said simply. "Mr. Blackwood has left the building to attend to important matters."

Rachael blinked. That was it? No explanation? No follow-up?

She swallowed, nodding stiffly as she rose from her seat. The man held the door open, waiting.

The moment Rachael stepped out of Deevin's office, a cold wave of fury rippled through her. Her body was still shaking from the unsettling encounter, but she clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The helplessness, the powerlessness, it burned her inside. She hated that he had made her feel that way. That she had let him.

She stormed into the restroom, shoving the door open with more force than necessary. The mirror reflected her flushed face, wide eyes, and parted lips as she struggled to steady her breathing.

"Get it together," she muttered, gripping the edges of the sink so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Her mind replayed every second of their interaction. Deevin had backed her into a corner, literally. His words still echoed in her head:

"Too bad."

"You look much more appealing when you aren't talking."

She hated that his presence had shaken her. That his gaze had made her skin tingle with something she refused to name.

Rachael scoffed at her reflection and turned on the tap, splashing cold water onto her face. Droplets dripped from her chin as she gritted her teeth.

He didn't fire her. Why?

Did he enjoy playing with people? Was he testing her?

As she reached for a paper towel, the bathroom door swung open, and in walked Claudia.

Rachael saw her smirk in the mirror before even turning around.

"Well, well, well," Claudia drawled, crossing her arms. "Look who's still here."

Rachael exhaled slowly. "Not now" she thought to herself.

"I have to say," Claudia continued, stepping closer, "I really thought you'd be packing up your things right about now. But I guess groveling has its benefits."

Rachael's grip on the sink tightened.

Claudia chuckled, tilting her head. "Or did you find another way to keep your job? Something more.... persuasive?"

Rachael turned sharply, eyes flashing. "Claudia please."

Claudia blinked, then laughed. "Oh, I'm pathetic? Sweetheart, you're the one walking around like a kicked puppy after running to the CEO's office." She leaned in. "Tell me, did you cry? Beg?"

Rachael lifted her chin. " I don't need to crawl to get ahead."

Claudia's smirk wavered.

Rachael gave her one last glare before brushing past her and walking out.

She had bigger things to worry about.

That night, Rachael didn't go straight home. Instead, she took a cab to the hospital.

Her mother's room was dimly lit, the soft beep of the heart monitor the only sound filling the space. Rachael sat by her bedside, taking her frail hand in hers.

"Hey, Mom," she whispered, stroking her fingers gently. "Today was... awful. But what's new, right?" She let out a humorless chuckle.

Her mother didn't respond, lost in deep sleep, but Rachael liked to believe she could hear her.

She hesitated before continuing. "I might have lost my job mom."

Her fingers tightened slightly around her mother's hand. "I wish you were awake. I wish you could tell me what to do."

A soft knock interrupted her thoughts.

Rachael turned to see her father standing at the doorway.

She hadn't seen him since yesterday. He looked hesitant, as if debating whether to step inside.

She sighed. "Dad, I really don't-"

"Are you okay?" His voice was quiet and more careful than usual.

Rachael let out a bitter laugh. "No. But I'll live."

He walked over, standing beside her. He glanced at her mother. "How's she doing?"

"Same," Rachael muttered. "Nothing's changed, except for me being an even more pathetic daughter than I was 24hours ago"

A long silence stretched between them.

"Don't beat yourself of Kiddo, Life happens, and I'm sure you'll find a better job."

He lingered a moment longer before walking out, leaving her alone with the weight of her thoughts.

The next morning, Rachael's inbox chimed with a notification. She stared at the screen in disbelief.

From: Office of the CEO

Subject: Meeting Invitation

She clicked on it, reading the details twice.

Deevin wanted to see her again.

Her stomach twisted. What now?

As she sat in the empty executive lounge, she felt the weight of eyes on her. The staff working on this floor barely spared her a glance, but she knew they were curious. An intern had been summoned-twice.

Finally, the secretary led her in.

She didn't know what to expect, but she had a sinking feeling that whatever this was, it was far from over.

Rachael dressed carefully, opting for a navy-blue blouse and fitted black trousers. She needed to look composed, even if she wasn't.

By the time she arrived at the executive floor, her heart was hammering. The secretary barely glanced at her before waving her in.

She stepped inside, and there he was, Deevin, sitting behind his massive desk, looking completely at ease.

"Rachael ," he greeted smoothly, tapping his fingers on the polished wood. "Sit," he commanded without shifting his gaze from the files he was analyzing

Rachael hesitated, then lowered herself into the chair across from him.

He studied her for a moment

before sliding a file across the desk with a smirk on his face.

She eyed it warily.

"What is this?"

"An opportunity," Deevin said simply. "A new position."

Rachael's fingers hovered over the file but didn't open it.

"I thought I was getting fired," she said bluntly.

Deevin leaned back in his chair, his lips curving slightly.

"Would you rather be?"

He picked up his pen and got another file from the right had drawer beneath the desk.

"This is your sack letter"

He stated dropping it on Rachael's side of the desk.

"I could sign it now if you'd prefer that."

She stiffened. "I don't know what this 'position' is."

"An assistant role." he said, tilting his head.

"But not just any assistant. You'll work directly under me, handling things that require... "

He paused carefully placing his pen back in the drawer

"...discretion." he said slowly shifting his gaze to meet hers

Her pulse quickened.

"I don't understand, why I'm the one getting a role that....."

"Because you're, unpredictable." he interrupted.

Rachael swallowed. "And if I say no?"

Deevin smirked. "Then I go ahead and write your sack letter, and you'll walk away."

Deevin leaned back, watching her for a moment. "Open it." he commanded

She finally flipped open the file.

Her eyes widened at the salary.

It was far beyond anything she had expected. Enough to clear her mother's medical bills. Enough to ensure stability for the first time in years.

But the job description was vague. Too vague.

She met his gaze. "This is a lot of money for a simple assistant job."

Deevin rested his chin on his hand, his smirk deepening. "Smart girl."

He leaned forward. "A raise. A new role. A better office. You need the money, don't you?"

Her blood turned to ice.

"Your mother," he continued.

"I assume medical bills are piling up, as you've been there three times this week ?"

Rachael's grip on the folder tightened. "How do you-"

"I know everything about my employees, Rachael." His eyes darkened. "Especially those who interest me."

Rachael's throat went dry.

Her skin prickeld

She hated him.

She hated how easily he toyed with people.

But damn it, she needed the money.

What the hell do I do?

Deevin, noticing her reaction, raised an eyebrow.

"Something wrong?" he asked, amusement lacing his tone.

Rachael forced herself to meet his gaze.

She knew then, this wasn't just a job offer.

It was a trap.

And she had to decide whether to walk into it.

"WHAT?" Daisy's voice practically shattered the air in the café.

Rachael winced. "Not so loud!"

Daisy leaned forward, her curly hair bouncing as she pointed an accusing finger. "he offered you a high-paying job out of nowhere? And you're actually considering it?"

Rachael sighed, stirring her coffee. "I never said I was considering it."

Daisy scoffed. "But you're not rejecting it either."

Silence.

Daisy slammed her hands on the table. "Oh, hell no. Rach, do you hear yourself? This is shady as hell!"

Rachael rubbed her temples. "I know that. But-"

"But what?" Daisy narrowed her eyes. "Because last I checked, you despised that man."

"I do!"

Daisy folded her arms. "Then why are you hesitating?"

Rachael hesitated. "Because... I need the money."

Daisy's expression softened. "Oh, Rach..."

Rachael looked down. "I can't afford to be proud right now, Daisy. My mom needs treatment. And this offer...it could cover so much, and he gave me 24hours to get back to him."

Daisy reached for her hand. "I get it. I really do. But this doesn't feel right."

"I know," Rachael whispered. "But I don't have a choice."

Daisy sighed. "Promise me you'll be careful?, at least ask him for all the details and conditions to this contract before going ahead"

"what if he asks you to have sex with him ?"

"or what if he's into some weird illuminati Shit and he's using you for his sacrifice or something i don't know ?"

"or even worse what if he's in like the mafia and shit, and he stole a lot of money and he's using you as bait"

Rachael chuckled "I promise, I'll be careful and wise and I'll tell you before doing anything insane"

"but c'mon now Illuminati ?, The mafia ?" you're cracking me up.

Rachael knew deep down that daisy was right , she didn't even know deevin Blackwood's history, but she was certain he was capable of anything

Later that evening rachael was having dinner, and going through Instagram. She stumbled upon several posts of world class models campaigning for model of the year in the Year end awards

"I like Lexie Rosé, she's so chic and elegant" she muttered to herself.

She went through the comments, and saw a particular user in every comment section, telling people not to vote for Ashley brooke because she's a violent abuser.

"hmm ironic, Karma really is a bitch." Rachael let out a chuckle

Beneath the comment was a video tagged by another user.

Rachael jaws dropped , it was the video of Ashley slapping her in the parking lot.