Chapter 3 BITTER- SWEET REVERSAL

LAURA:

Weeks later

"You can go in, ma'am," the secretary smiled, handing me some keys and a file.

"Thank you, miss," I flashed her a polite grin.

"Who even smiles on Monday mornings?" I muttered as I sprinted up the lavish stairs.

I had just landed a job as the personal assistant to the CEO of Topex Corp, the crown jewel of Greentop. It felt like a dream. They gave me a car, an apartment, and a generous salary.

Finally, freedom from Lotus City and its toxic entanglements.

I quickened my pace like I was heading to paradise, grinning like an idiot, right before I slammed into something hard.

"Ouch!"

My bag dropped to the floor, sparks of pain dancing behind my eyelids. I moved, but stiffened; one wrong move and my head would roll off.

It just doesn't end, does it? First, my child. Then, my family's grill. Now, a split head on resumption day.

Who the hell was doing this to me?

"My apologies, dear. Are you hurt?"

Anger seeped into me like venom. That voice. That scent. He'd chase me into oblivion because he saved my life.

"My-"

"Do you have chest bones or brick walls?! Why's your god damn body harder than your life?!" I snapped, rubbing my temples.

His eyes widened with a smile. "Laura DeVille! What are you doing here?"

He adjusted his tie, glancing around as if I were a thief caught breaking into his gold safe. "The last time I checked, you were in Lotus City, recovering from whatever tragedy you suffered."

His face pinched. "Oh, you came looking for me? Need my help?"

"Looking for you?" I scoffed, crouching down to arrange the scattered files. "I'd fancy the company of sewer rats to an ostrich with an oversized ego."

We both grabbed a file, those blue eyes that I'd call beautiful if he wasn't such a jerk roamed around my form with an edge.

Immaculately brushed hair, features sharp enough to cut diamonds, not a fleck of dust on his tailored suit. Not to mention his perfume scenting like paradise; raw and godlike.

A perfect control freak, with a tattered attitude. Nice contrast.

I shot him a glare and slapped his hand away. "I should be asking you that."

He grinned smarmily. "Were you checking me out?"

Just when I was considering being polite, he killed it with his arrogance.

Brushing past him, something flipped inside me. "Christ! You're stalking me... aren't you?"

"Stalking you?" he halted, brows furrowed. "I own this place."

The words licked at my skin like poison, my tongue wobbling from the sting.

He glanced at the keys and files in my hand. Then, his lips pulled into a smile. "Wait... you're my new assistant?"

Shame crept up my spine. "Y-You own Topex?"

"Bingo! That's it. You are," he clapped swiftly in confirmation, the sound jarring in my ears.

"How lovely, Mrs. DeVille. You ghosted me for weeks, and now fate ends up hitting the jackpot."

He pinched my nose playfully. "Incredible plot twist, don't you think?"

My pride twisted in my gut.

"Plot twist, my foot!" I hissed under my breath.

The universe was saying screw you, Laura. You escaped from Lotus City, straight into your dream trap.

I faked a smile. "Newsflash! I'm resigning," I shoved the file into his chest and turned on my heels, but he grabbed my wrist.

"Think about your child, Laura," his tone was mockingly caring. "You'd let your ego get in the way of giving it a good life? You're as poor as a sewer rat, Laura Deville, that's why you preferred the company of scavengers over a wealthy man who's selfless enough to help you."

Shame thrummed in the pit of my stomach, the kind that makes you want to break out in hives.

If those demons hadn't betrayed me, I wouldn't be in this condition; at the mercy of an egoistic jerk.

"It seems your wealth has crippled your sense of reasoning that you can differentiate between a stranded first-class graduate and a miserable person," I gritted out. "I have my certificate... so don't think for a second that I'm at your mercy. Because I'm not."

"Miserable?" he laughed smugly. "Months from now you'd be parading with a pot belly... and an empty stomach."

Tears prickled my eyes at the truthfulness of his words.

"No one wants a liability. It's tit for tat. If you're pregnant and tired, you're of no use in a company."

I shook my head, wriggling out of his hold. "And you want a liability? There are other ways to give my child a good life. Other places."

"One million every month," he cocked a brow, his eyes searching mine for a response.

My stomach dropped. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me clearly. One. Million. Every. Month. What say you?"

My pulse raced, temptation tugging at my heartstrings.

One million every month- enough to secure my child's future and even start my own grill.

"Why are you helping me?" I sniffled.

He shrugged. "I'm a businessman. You never know when you'll need help."

I frowned. "Investors? Shareholders? Fellow elites? Why me?"

"Business varies, Mrs. DeVille. Let's just say I had your back, and you'll, without question, have mine when I'm in need. Deal?"

His words carried a hidden edge, but whatever his motives were, I was ready to walk into that trap for the sake of my child.

I nodded. "Deal."

He brushed past me, reaching the elevator in a few strides. "For f**k's sake, Laura. The company won't partner itself."

Partner meeting?

I hurried after him, heels clicking on the marble floor as I slipped inside, just as the elevator doors slid shut.

.

.

.

.

We moved through the onyx walls, escorted by men in black as a sea of eyes flooded us. It made my skin crawl.

The events of the hospital when I first met Kaida flashed through my mind. He was alone that day. Why the escorts now?

I was about to ask when his phone rang. He veered toward a space near the boardroom, and I followed suit, not minding his private space. Besides, I was his assistant.

"Your grandpa. He needs you!" Her tone was urgent.

His face went ashen. "I'm on my way!" His voice was shrill as he hung up.

Was his grandpa sick? I wanted to ask, but I didn't want to pry into personal matters.

He spun, almost bumping into me. Before I could speak, he chimed in.

"Listen, you know the onions. Take my seat, scale the partners, and close the deal if it sits right," he said swiftly, and dashed out the door.

"What? I–I just resumed today!"

The elevator doors closed behind him. My mouth went dry, anxiety punching through me.

Who hires an assistant and vanishes halfway without showing them the ropes? Haven't even closed a deal before?

Christ. The day just keeps getting better.

"You just have to evaluate them, ma'am, nothing more," the secretary beamed, despite the panic.

I drew a shaky breath, my hand trembling as I twisted the doorknob.

The moment I stepped in, familiar scents hit my nose, and the files dropped from my hands.

Rage blasted through me, flaking my blood into hot chips.

"Laura!" she barked, shoving her chair backward. "Who let this bitch in here?!"

"Ma'am, you're bleeding!" the secretary gasped in shock.

Yes, I had bitten my cheeks, but it was nothing compared to how these demons bled me.

I had been so lost in my fury when a sharp slap snapped me back to reality. I looked up, only to see a pair of red lips curl into a smirk.

"A wretched janitor ought to knock before barging into the council of the elites," she spat, her eyes scanning me like a mannequin used for display.

Then, I saw him. The man who broke me. He sat there, legs crossed on the table, a conflicted smile plastered on his face, as he tossed chips on the floor.

The flicker in his eyes was fast and dead, but I'd slash my throat before getting back with this devil.

"What do we have here?" He grinned sinisterly. "I see you do cleaning jobs now. Tell me, how many shifts? I have some stacked laundry at home that requires washing. Hand service, no machine. Interested? I could pay double?"

The flames of agony rekindled in my chest, but I smothered them, embracing calm as if nothing had happened.

"Laura DeVille. I'll be closing the deal." I extended my hand with a confident smile, as if we were already partners. "Your brief, sir."

Kai snarled. "It seems you bled your brains along with your babies. Get to work before I call security."

My chest twitched, but I smiled. "I'm the CEO's representative."

They both exchanged glances, their faces drained of color, but underneath it, Kai's body seethed with anger.

"T-That's not possible!" Kai rambled.

I snatched the file from his grasp without even going through it.

SLAM!

"Mr. Kai, we don't turn spare parts into luxury vehicles, nor scribbles into a Mona Lisa."

I paused, the words slicing like a war blade. "You're welcome to apply again, but know this... Topex doesn't promote parasitism. You never were, are, and never will be qualified."

Veins bulged on Kai's neck as he stared at me with bloodshot eyes.

I stood up, spine straight, my voice low and deadly. "You bled me once. Never again. This company wouldn't survive the way I did."

The words clung to the air, stiffening them like statues.

A strange sense of foreboding curled in my chest. This wasn't over.

I blinked back the tears misting in my eyes. Then, my phone buzzed, and I answered.

"Laura... marry me."