YOU WERE ALWAYS ALL I HAD

CHAPTER 002

Liesel Bauer POV

"Please, sir, are you serious? Oh, my goodness!

"Yes, my dear. Today is the first day of your work."

Many, many thanks to you! Your personal assistant is someone I will do my best to serve.

The truth is that you won't be working for me at all. You are going to be helping out my son, Niklas. My eldest son, who is in charge of the business in London, and I have made our home there.

"Oh..."

Once more, I expressed my gratitude to Mr. Weidemann. He gave me a gentle pat on the head with a friendly smile on his face before I could leave. Have a good time dealing with my son. He has the potential to be... challenging.

Difficult? That was an understatement. I’d heard plenty about Niklas Weidemann—his anger, his arrogance, his complete lack of patience.

As soon as I reached the ground floor, I shot the receptionist a thumbs-up. She grinned and returned the gesture.

And then, there he was. Mr. Giant, standing near the entrance, his broad shoulders tense, his jaw locked. Oh, he was fuming.

I smirked. "Your father hired me."

His nostrils flared, his fists clenched. I could practically hear his teeth grinding.

Then— My foot caught on something. My balance wavered. My body lurched forward.

I almost caught myself in time. A wave of laughter rippled around me.

I spun around. There he was, crouching slightly, his sneer keen as a sword.

"Next time you play with fire, remember this—" His voice was low, silky, deadly.

"Whether you touch fire or fire touches you, you’ll burn in the end. And I am the fire."

With that, he stormed away.

My pulse thundered in my ears. I clenched my fists, swallowed my pride, and walked straight out the door.

I refused to let him get under my skin.

The drive back to my apartment was quiet, but my mind was loud. I slipped into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto my couch, staring at the ceiling. My phone buzzed beside me.

Markus Lehmann.

Recently, he has been acting distant. Long-distance communication was having a negative impact on it. At the time, I was in New York, and he was in California.

I took a draught. "What's up! Markus, did you forget about me?"

"Of course not."

His tone was bland. I am bored. Detached.

I frowned. "What’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange."

"It’s nothing, Liesel. Just... mind your own business."

Your well-being is my concern! At least I didn't give up on you in the same way that you gave up on me.

Liesel, please be quiet! No, I'm not in the mood for this right now.

"Oh, so now I’m the one being ridiculous?"

"You have always been. You continue to be."

"Markus!" What in the name of all that is holy is on your mind?

"Nothing."

As I did so, I inhaled deeply. I am writing to inform you that I have been offered a position at Weidemann Enterprises. It's true that Mr. Weidemann is adorable—"

I was interrupted by his laughter. A piercing and ruthless sound.

"What is it? Did I say something funny?"

"No. Not at all. Congratulations on your success!"

There was movement on his end. With a muffled chuckle.

A voice that is female.

My stomach was in a knot. Do you have any friends with you right now? Call me at a later time."

"Yeah, that’d be better."

"That's fine. Goodbye. Do I miss you?

"I don't know." Goodbye."

When the line was cut off. My eyes were fixed on the television.

After that, he hung up.

I forced the thoughts away and contacted my mom. She picked it up immediately.

"LIESEL! Tell me everything!"

I laughed. "Mom?" It's official: I've been hired by Weidemann Enterprises!

She let out a gasp. "Oh, this is so sweet! Indeed, that is fantastic!

Regarding Mr. Weidemann, Mr. Giant, and the odd experience, I informed her about all of these things. Before saying our goodbyes, we shared a nice laugh together.

There was, however, one more phone call that I needed to make.

To Anneliese. Since we were children, my closest pal.

Her response was tardy. "Hello?"

She had a voice that was as sweet and sugary as she always was.

"Guess what?!"

"What?!"

The work is now mine! Enterprises Owned by Weidemann!"

We both let out a squeal.

When I heard it, I was in the middle of telling her everything the whole story was about.

"The voice of Markus"

I became numb. Hey, Anneliese, what's up? Can you be found with Markus?

"That's right! In all honesty, I am."

I mustered up a smile. "Oh, well, that's nice," she said. These are the days when he must be so bored.

It was a giggle. Elle, you need not be concerned. I have been keeping him company for a while now. Considering that we are like the best of friends."

I felt a shiver run down my spine.

I took a deep breath. It's okay, I guess. It is time for me to leave. Anneliese, good night to you!"

"Goodnight, Elle!"

I hung up the phone.

Friends for life.

For a long time, when she was in college, she had a serious crush on Markus. On the other hand, she vowed that she was finished with it.

Was it she?

My faith was in Markus. On the other hand, he stated that he had never bothered about her previous feelings. He said they were just good buddies.

I kept telling myself that.

On the other hand, why did it seem as though something was wrong?

The time was eleven o'clock, according to the clock. I was in need of a distraction. The absence of any thought. I reached for my phone and began scrolling through w*****d in an effort to dispel the bad sensation that I was experiencing.

However, falling asleep was not an easy task.

My decision to give up came around four thirty in the morning.

Following my waking up, I proceeded to brush my teeth and consume a speedy meal before settling down in front of my laptop.

Weidemann Enterprises was a topic that I needed to learn more about.

One of the top five multi-billionaire firms in the world, it was a multinational corporation.

What about Niklas Weidemann? 26 years old was his age. Tobias Weidemann, his older brother, was twenty-eight years old at the time and took charge of the London branch.

Regarding Niklas, he was known to have a really impressive reputation.

An arrogant person.

Untouchable.

One of the players.

I was aware of it.

He had the ability to enchant whomever he desired, but I was not one of them.

The clock was checked by me. It is six forty-five. It's time to get set up.

I was dressed in my typical work attire, which consisted of a button-up shirt, pencil skirt, and stilettos, and I was ready to leave by seven thirty. I did not style my hair and instead allowed it to dry naturally.

The time I arrived at the office was thirty minutes earlier than I had anticipated.

"Good morning, Sabine!" I began by greeting the receptionist.

It was a smile. "Good morning, Liesel."

After entering the crowded elevator, I pressed the button that corresponded to my floor.

People poured out one by one as they left.

The very last person to go was me.

It was quiet on the floor.

Way too peaceful.

A tense quiet pervaded the entire area, which was rather unnerving.

And then— I felt it.

A presence.

Something—or someone—was watching me.

But who?