Deeper

6. New Beginning

••••••••Brooklyn••••••••

How could he do this to me? He doesn't own me. I'm not a toy he can just use and play around with. He barely knows me.

"Josh," I shouted as I grabbed his shoulder and spun him around.

"What? You're getting on my nerves," he shouted in my face.

"What? I'm getting on your nerves? You're the one who thinks he can control my life and make choices for me. Who do you think you are?" I shouted back at him.

"I'm doing this to protect you, Brooklyn. Monica is a nasty woman who would do anything to get her hands on power and money," he shouted back again.

I just stood there, stunned. "I'm still mad at you. You could have told me about your little plan, and I wouldn't have reacted like this," I said, crossing my arms in disappointment.

"I didn't have time for that. The only thing I could focus on was your safety," he said in an angry tone.

"You're not in a position to be angry at me. Now take me home and give me all my stuff. I don't want to be here any longer," I said, pointing a finger into his chest.

I walked past him, leaving him in his shocked state as I made my way to the kitchen, trying to count my steps before I exploded with rage.

As I entered the kitchen with Josh fast behind me, Medeia placed our food on the table. There were chicken and mini waffles, avocado toast, home fries, breakfast wraps, and sausages.

"Wow, thank you, Medeia," I said, instantly forgetting about Josh and our argument.

We all sat down at the table and ate in silence.

After breakfast, I went for a shower, wore the clothes I had packed, and decided I’d go home after work—since apparently, I’m working for Mister Ruin-My-Morning.

Once I finished my makeup routine, I packed my bag and placed it in the back of Josh's car.

I really need to get my own car. I don't like him having this much control over me.

I climbed into the passenger seat and checked my social media. After a few minutes, Josh finally made his appearance.

"Still want to go home?" he asked as he climbed into the driver’s seat.

"Just get to work so that I can get this day over with," I replied, not even making eye contact.

Without another word, we drove off.

The short trip was quiet, and with the radio off, the silence felt like torture—but I was still too angry to say anything.

“He better give me a good salary for this s**t,” I muttered under my breath.

"Yeah, actually I am giving you a better salary and a higher job opportunity," he said as soon as the words left my mouth.

"What job anyway?" I asked, feeling a little excited despite myself.

"You're going to be my personal assistant," he said, glancing at me before focusing back on the road.

"I can live with that," I said, already thinking of all the little ways I could get payback.

*Maybe I’ll put super glue on his chair or spill his coffee on his shirt,* I thought, giving him an evil smile.

"Please don’t do that. That is freaky as f**k," he said, trying to focus on the road and not look at me.

I shook my head. Josh finally turned the radio on—I didn’t want to seem rude by doing it myself.

Josh drove into a private underground parking lot and pressed a button to open the gate. We pulled in, passing by many parked cars.

We got out of the car and took the elevator to the very top floor.

When the doors opened, we were greeted by a woman behind a desk typing viciously on a keyboard. She looked up, scanned me from head to toe, and then stood up to approach us.

"Good morning, Mr. Miller. The paperwork you asked for is already on your desk," she said, completely ignoring me.

"Thank you, Samantha. From now on, you can return to your usual work. I already found a new assistant," he said, nodding at me.

"Hello, I'm Brooklyn Carter. Nice to meet you," I said, extending my hand.

"Samantha Young," she replied, shaking my hand a bit too hard before throwing it down and walking back to her desk without another word.

*This girl really doesn’t like me,* I thought as Josh led me through the corridors into a large office.

I knew instantly it was his. The space was massive, with a personal bedroom connected to it. A large, soft white sofa stood in one corner with a matching white glass table in front of it.

My office was joined to his, and although it didn’t have a bedroom, it was still larger than a typical office. It had a similar white sofa and table, along with a little kitchen area, running water, and a coffee maker.

"I hate walking far to make coffee. Samantha’s coffee is bad, to be honest," Josh said, plopping down on the sofa.

"I'm actually not that mad at you anymore," I admitted, turning on the coffee maker and making sure to get the contents just right.

"I'm happy to hear that," he replied.

Once the coffee was ready, I prepared a cup for both of us. After finishing mine, I started cleaning my new office, getting rid of dust and rearranging things to my liking.

Josh handed me paperwork, and I dove into it.

The day passed by quickly, and just like he said, Josh dropped me off at home.

I showered, climbed into bed, and only then realized how exhausted I really was.

*I can get used to this new job,* I thought before drifting off to sleep.

---

The next morning, I got dressed for work and suddenly realized I had no ride. My old job was within walking distance, but this one wasn’t.

I tried calling Josh and sent several messages, but he wasn’t answering—and he wasn’t even online.

Eventually, I just called an Uber and made my way to work.

The building looked massive from the outside, and I knew I’d have to go in through the front entrance and hope someone recognized me. I was worried no one would let me through.

Luckily, the receptionist remembered me from yesterday and let me inside.

I took the elevator up to the top floor and went into my office. Josh still hadn’t arrived.

I sent him one last text letting him know I took an Uber, so he didn’t have to worry.

I continued working for a few hours until I finally heard the elevator open.

I stood and walked into Josh’s office.

He looked exhausted—and there was a bloodstain on his collar.

He collapsed onto the sofa like his entire body had given up.

"What the hell happened to you?" I asked, rushing to get him some cold sugar water. It definitely looked like he needed it.