Chapter 7: Terminating The Contract
962 Words
NYLAH’S POV
“Nylah, you will report to my office today,” Alpha Deiph declared, his tone firm yet laced with an uncharacteristic gentleness, “I surmise you must be feeling somewhat claustrophobic, cooped up indoors?” he inquired, his eyes narrowing slightly as he scrutinized my reaction.
I wondered if Joanna had divulged my confidences to him,
“By no means, Alpha Deiph,” I protested, “I merely—, “Your opinions are irrelevant, Nylah,” he interjected brusquely, “You will assume the role of my assistant for the day. I have an array of files requiring attention, and you will dictate the order in which I address them,”
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I sat at the desk, attempting to make sense of the file in front of me, the staff began to snicker and whisper to each other, “Well. Look who’s playing assistant today,” one of them said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “What's the matter, miss? Can’t handle the big bad files?”
Their words stung, but I tried to brush it off, “I’m just trying to help out, that's all,” I replied, attempting to sound confident.
But they wouldn't let up, “Yeah, I understand you’re just a pretty face. No brains whatsoever. At least she's good for something. Alpha Deiph must have a thing for her,”
I felt my eyes stinging as tears began to form. I tried to hold them back, but it was no use. The staff’s words cut deep, and I couldn't help but wonder if they were right. Was I truly useless?
Just as I thought I was alone, I sensed a presence behind me. I turned to see Alpha Deiph standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed in concern, “Nylah, what’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and gentle.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. I didn't want to admit my shame to him, “Nothing, Alpha Deiph,” I muttered, trying to brush it off. But he wasn't having it.
“Don’t lie to me, Nylah,” he growled, his voice dripping with a low, menacing tone, “I can sense your pain. Tell me what happened,”
Alpha Deiph approached me, his eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt a shiver run down my spine, “Nylah?” he urged, his voice softening, “Tell me what’s wrong. I can feel your pain, and it’s driving me crazy,”
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But something about his words resonated deep within me, and I found myself opening up to him, “I can’t read and write,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alpha Deiph’s expression changed from concern to surprise, “Why weren’t you able to read and write, Nylah?” he asked, his voice gentle but curious.
I felt a mix of emotions: shame, embarrassment, and fear, “I don’t know,” I admitted, “I just never learned. But, please don’t punish them,”
His face was red with rage as he confronted me, “You saw how they treated you, and yet you still defend them?” he thundered.
I trembled, tears streaming down my face, “P-please, Alpha Deiph, don’t punish them. They didn’t mean it. They’re just scared and ignorant,”
But Alpha Deiph was unmoved, “You are too soft, Nylah. You need to learn to stand up for yourself,”
He turned to leave, but I stopped him, “Please, Alpha Deiph. Don’t do this. You’ll only make things worse,”
His eyes narrowed, “What do you know of it, Nylah? You’re just a fragile little thing. You don’t understand the ways of the world,”
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Alpha Deiph entered my room, expecting to find me resting. But instead, he heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. He approached the door and knocked gently, “Nylah, may I come in?” he asked.
There was no response. Deiph’s instincts told him something was wrong. He tried the door handle, but it was locked, “Nylah, open the door,” he said, his voice laced with concern.
Still, there was no response. His worry turned to alarm. He could sense my distress, and his own heart raced with anxiety, “Nylah, open the door!” he ordered.
The sound of water stopped, and he heard a faint sobbing. His heart broke at the sound. Slowly, the door creaked open, and Alpha Deiph saw me standing in the bathroom, her eyes red and puffy from crying.
I looked up at him, and Alpha Deiph’s heart shattered at the sight of my tears, “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, “Can you terminate the contract, Alpha Deiph? I know what you have always wanted me for, but I cannot be th—I apologize,”
Her words tumbled out in a rush, and his world came crashing down around him.
His expression changed from anger to shock, “What are you talking about, Nylah?” he asked, his voice firm but detached, “You want me to terminate the contract?” he asked, his tone skeptical.
I nodded, my eyes pleading. Alpha Deiph snorted, “You think I’d just let you go?”
But then he saw the pain in my eyes and knew he had to make a choice, “Fine,” he said finally, his voice gruff, “I’ll terminate the contract,” I nodded, tears streaming down my face, “Thank you, Alpha Deiph,”
He turned away, his cold attitude returning, “Don’t thank me, Nylah. Just leave,”
And with that, Alpha Deiph walked away, leaving me to process my newfound freedom.
- Writer
