EPISODE FOUR
1234 Words
Lucas' POV
Dropping Kiara off at school should have felt like a normal start to my day, but the thoughts from yesterday haunted me like a storm cloud refusing to break. It was like déjà vu. The last time this unease crept into my bones, lives were lost. Now, lives are in danger again—and this time, it’s personal.
Joanna.
She stopped taking her meds months ago, and after murdering her last therapist, no one was willing to take her on. Finding another has become nearly impossible. The Walz family—their name alone could silence anyone—they’ve covered every one of her crimes.
They protect her like she’s royalty, shielding her from justice with influence and blood money.
She's not just mentally unstable. She's lethal.
Traffic stalled me as I turned onto the expressway. I drummed my fingers on the wheel, but then I saw her.
Emily.
Sitting peacefully in the backseat of a yellow cab, head tilted, a soft glow in her expression, like the world had never tried to hurt her. For a brief second, watching her soothed something raw inside me. Her calm was like oxygen.
I arrived at work, but the weight of my thoughts was heavier than ever. Everything felt off balance. Still, I forced myself into the elevator, rode it to the top floor, and answered a short call from a business client just as I stepped into my office.
I stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping my coffee, watching the clouds drift lazily over the skyline. The world outside was calm. Peaceful. A lie, maybe—but a comforting one.
A knock interrupted my thoughts. Sharp. Persistent.
"Come in," I said, my tone cold but calm.
I knew it was her before she even stepped in. The confident click of those heels, the subtle scent of fresh orchids.
Emily.
She cleared her throat softly. I turned.
She looked... different. Stunning, even. Her fitted outfit hugged her curves in all the right ways. Her short hair was freshly trimmed, lips gleaming with gloss. The heels she wore elongated her legs, giving her a poised elegance.
I smirked, letting my silence stretch a little.
"Speak," I said, lifting my coffee to my lips again.
She bit her lower lip, her lipstick nearly smudging. Nervous. But she stepped forward and placed an envelope on my desk.
“I’m resigning, sir.”
Just like that. The words hit like a gut punch.
I leaned back in my chair. So, this is how the day would go.
“Reasons?” I asked, trying to sound uninterested.
“I just need a change. "A new life.” Her voice trembled slightly, but she was holding it together with every ounce of strength she had.
I couldn't afford to lose her—not now. Emily was the backbone of too many deals. She was the silent force behind our contract with Rodriguez. Without her, that contract would dissolve faster than champagne bubbles.
I stood, slowly walking toward her.
“What will people say?” I asked, voice low. “That the mighty Apex Corporation couldn’t hold on to one secretary? That she left us for crumbs?”
I was close enough to hear her breath hitch. Her eyes didn’t waver, though.
“If Apex truly cared about its people, it would know how many are silently breaking,” she said, her voice laced with hurt.
I considered her words. She was right. But I wasn’t about to let her go.
“You want a raise?”
“I want a life.”
Tough. Stronger than most.
“You think you can just walk out?” I said, grinning darkly. “I could make sure you never get hired anywhere again.”
Her confidence shattered just for a second. But I could see her holding it together.
Rodriguez thinks she’s a charm. My grandmother-in-law believes she looks like someone from her past and wants her protected. They both had reasons for wanting her around—and now, so did I.
“But you're valuable, Emily. Let’s make a deal.”
Her expression hardened.
“A deal?” she scoffed. “I’m a slave in this office." No qualifications, no voice, no peace. I can’t even breathe unless someone permits me to. And now you want to negotiate?”
Her words silenced me.
“You let people use you,” I said finally. You never spoke up. "You can’t blame everyone for how you feel.”
She rolled her eyes, tears beginning to form.
“That’s why I’m resigning, sir. This place is Hell.”
We stared at each other in silence. She was really hurting. And I’d been too busy to see it.
“You’re not the only one going through tough times. Be professional. Don’t mix emotions with business. That’s always the downfall.”
“Then let me fall,” she snapped. “Because I’m already at the bottom.”
Her voice cracked. That was a real pain.
“One month,” I said finally. Stay just one month. I’ll draft a new contract. No strings after that—you walk if you still want to.”
Her expression faltered.
“And,” I added, “you’ll be promoted." My personal assistant.”
She blinked, confused. “Wait... what?”
“You’ll work directly with me. Travel. Make double your current salary. Gain experience others only dream of.”
“Why me?” she whispered.
“Because you never broke, Emily. You’ve been carrying more than your share, and you’re still standing. You’re not invisible—you’re just in the wrong role. And this company needs you.”
I needed her.
“I’ll give you a break,” I said. Take the rest of the week off. Breathe. Next Monday, your new desk will be right next to mine.”
She didn’t smile fully, but her lips curled slightly, almost in disbelief. Then, silently, she turned and left.
Seconds later, my phone rang.
Thomas.
“Yes, speak.”
“I tried to stop her, boss, I swear. But she nearly stabbed me.” His voice trembled.
“What the hell are you talking about?” I snapped, standing up.
“She went to the police. Said you killed the nanny. She had evidence. I don’t know how, but…”
“You were supposed to take care of all of that! How incompetent can you be?”
“That’s not all. She will find out about the shipment next week. She might expose everything.”
I cursed under my breath.
“I have people in the police. I’ll handle it. You take the men, find her. "It’s time she went back to the psychiatric home.”
“She wasn’t alone. Some guy was with her. I couldn’t see his face clearly. But he’s... not normal. I think she’s planning something big.”
Joanna.
She’s always been a storm in human form. But now she had help. This could be the end of everything I’d built.
I called one of my inside contacts, grabbed my keys, and rushed out. The building was already surrounded by reporters.
News was breaking.
But my men had cleared a path. For now.
War was coming. And it started with a woman who knew too much.
And another who didn’t even realize how much she mattered.
Emily and Joanna—my undoing or my salvation.
Time will tell.
- Writer
