The Billionaire Boss' Dilemma

Chapter Four: Two steps backwards

“It's a company vacation,more like a get together, so you have to be there,” said Acheron.

It's been eight months working with him, and Althea was gradually losing herself. If it wasn't ‘ Mr. Narcissist’ rude behaviors and tricks, then it was the massive occurrence of work bullying she got from her colleagues and boss.

“It's fine,” she said to no one in particular, as she rubbed her forehead, completely ignoring her boss's attempts to make her attend the company beach party.

“I'm done with this,the party is voluntary but I think I want you to submit these files on that day. I don't feel the need for them right now,” said Acheron before walking out.

„Funny how I saw this coming, typical Acheron’s childish tantrums. I guess I'll have to go then,“she thought to herself.

It was a hot Saturday afternoon. A good day to go to the beach. “Acheron must be proud of himself for getting Zeus blessings for his company event,” said Althea as she got into a cab headed for the beach.

The sun on her Mediterranean skin caused it to glow. Her sea green eyes looked like they were tearing up. She had put on light makeup and her feets decorated with leg chains and painted toe nails. On her slim waist, a beautiful set of colorful waist beads lay. She was beautiful.

It didn't take long for things to go the other way. She had eventually loosened up and began enjoying the smooth music and the beautiful scenery, the sun made as it was setting.

“Come and join us,” said a group of her female colleagues. It seemed like a joke to her, considering the fact that they didn't like her. Acheron's army, she had heard them say once. “It's just a game, don't ruin the party ,”said a familiar voice from behind her. A voice she was learning to hate. So she left. To be anywhere, but close to him.

“I've got it!” A colleague screamed as she rushed towards Althea’s position. Two bodies leaped in the air just to hit one volleyball, but something was really wrong and suspicious. Her colleague pushed her into the deeper side of the water, while they hung mid-air.

A joke or on purpose, came the thought, as water began rushing through her nose and mouth. She struggled to surface, but someone pushed her deeper and pulled her hair out of spite. Her salty tears mixed with the sea water. She was losing consciousness.

Splash! A tall figure hit the water and stretched to reach her. Her legs and hands were weak from struggling. Slowly water began to fill her lungs. She watched her body twist and turn, in desperation to save her. A natural defense mechanism? Too late ,she thought to herself as she began to feel herself fading. The figure swam deeper and stretched to grab her. It was a man. It was her nemesis. Acheron. Even in the water, she could see his eyes held hurt. „ I'm slipping, at least I won't have to see these faces again, tomorrow,” she thought and smiled to herself, as her eyes shut.

Althea! Wake up, please!

“Why is the greater beyond, so noisy?” She asked herself. She could feel her chest hurting as every muscle twisted and turned, and forced her to cough the water out. Someone flipped her on her side, just until she finished coughing out the water. She turned to see who had flipped her over, her face immediately formed a frown. Muscle relaxers memory?

“Leave me! Leave me! Please leave me alone!” She started screaming immediately when Acheron tried to hug her. Tears began to fill her eyes. Memories of every s**t, he had put her through began rushing in

Acheron withdrew his hands but couldn't hide the hurt in his eyes. “Please,”she heard him say. Immediately she tried standing up to run. She tried standing without help but her knee gave way and fell. She was still weak. She was going to rest on the sand, until she regained her strength.

Acheron had managed to dismiss the party and fire the culprits, before coming back to her. He had seen everything. He couldn't take his eyes off her, since her arrival. He thanked the gods, he didn't. By the time he got to her, she had cried herself to sleep. Something ached in his chest, but Acheron knew this wasn't a ‘chest pain’. She had nearly died today and hated him. But she was doing things to him and it was wrecking him.