Chapter Nine
1107 Words
When Emma reached Andrea’s desk, she found her still sobbing, hurriedly packing her things. The moment Andrea saw her, she glared.
“I told you,” Andrea said, her voice cracking. “I told you he wouldn’t believe me. Not only did I lose my job… I lost my respect too.”
Emma rushed over. “It’s not over. We can go to the cops—they’d believe us.”
“No! Cops won’t do anything unless we have evidence. Emma, it’s my word against his.” Andrea slumped into her chair, defeated.
Emma’s heart sank. She had hoped Sebastian would be some sort of justice—but if he wasn’t, she would have to take matters into her own hands. Hurt twisted into anger.
“It’s not over yet,” Emma said through clenched teeth. She knelt beside Andrea. “I have a plan.”
Andrea’s eyes widened as Emma outlined it.
“No! I won’t let you put yourself in danger for me,” she said, horrified.
“This is the only way. If we can’t get him arrested, at least people will see the man he truly is when he tries to force himself on me.”
Together, they finished packing Andrea’s belongings. Before leaving the office, they hugged, and several coworkers approached to give Andrea comforting embraces.
Sebastian watched from his office window. As Andrea stepped into the elevator, she glanced at Emma, who smiled. Andrea returned it. His frown deepened. Something about Emma’s behavior stirred suspicion—and irritation—within him.
He absently rubbed his left arm, the spot where he had grabbed her, a flicker of guilt washing over him. But his view was blocked as Jake, Connor, and Rory flanked her. The office quickly returned to its routine, but Connor began to leave before Emma stopped him.
“Con,” she said, grabbing his hand.
He paused, waiting.
“I’m sorry about this morning,” she said, her expression apologetic. “I had a really long night.”
“I figured. Want to talk about it?” he asked.
“Long story. Lunch?”
“Yeah… around one?”
“Sounds good. See you then—”
Her words were cut off by Sebastian bellowing her name.
“MY OFFICE. NOW.”
Everyone nearby paused, curiosity flickering across their faces as Emma simply stared back.
“I’ll see you at lunch,” she said, walking past Jackson.
She noticed Connor locked in a standoff with Sebastian, both men tense, but didn’t dwell on it. She reached Sebastian’s office, where he looked like he wanted to speak but stormed inside instead. Sighing, Emma followed, standing silently as he waited for her to respond to his mood.
“The São Paulo project. Take a memo to all the team members.”
“Yes, sir.” Emma pulled a pen and sticky note from her pocket, her tone bored. Sebastian’s jaw clenched at her nonchalance.
“Monday. Need a prototype of individual designs. Meeting at 10 a.m.”
“Will that be all, Mr. Rask?” she asked sweetly, making him even angrier.
“Yes! And next time you and your boyfriend want to make up, do it in private. This is my office, not your home, Miss Rhodes.”
Emma frowned but remained silent. He balled his hand into a fist.
“Yes, sir,” she said. Something unfamiliar stirred in Sebastian’s stomach.
“You and Mr. Walsh ar—”
“I’m sorry, sir, that is personal, and very unprofessional. If the memo was all you needed, I’ll get started,” she snapped, her demeanor bothering him more than her boldness ever had.
When he didn’t reply, Emma exited, sighing, and returned to her desk. After handling the memo, she texted Jake and Rory to meet her and Connor for lunch.
Sebastian’s eyes followed her every move, a strange mix of irritation and unease brewing.
By the time lunch arrived, Emma had saved her work and grabbed her purse. Connor appeared with his usual smile.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yeah, just let me save this… done,” she replied.
Sebastian’s gaze lingered through the window. Emma answered her phone.
“In my office.”
“But sir, it’s lunch—”
“Now.”
She watched Connor walk away, disappointed, while Sebastian smirked.
Inside his office, she found herself standing silently, waiting for a ridiculous assignment. He pushed a stack of files toward her, wanting to provoke her.
“When do you need these transcribed?” she asked, her tone calm. His smugness faded as he realized the fiery Emma of hours ago had vanished, replaced by quiet, obedient efficiency.
“Within a week or two. No hurry,” he said, defeated.
“Okay, sir,” she replied, gathering the files.
“Can I go, sir?” she asked cautiously. He nodded, and she hurried out.
At the cafeteria, she found the guys waiting.
“Sorry I got held up,” she apologized. Jake got up to grab another chair for her.
“Yeah, I bet with the devil for a boss. I’m surprised he even lets you eat,” Connor muttered.
“You wanted to talk about something?” Rory asked.
Emma hesitated, then began explaining everything about Andrea, from the incident to her plan.
“Will you guys help us bring that asshole down?” she asked at the end.
“I’ll help Andrea any way I can,” Rory said first. Emma smiled at her, then looked to Connor and Jake.
Connor shook his head. “It’s risky, but I’m not letting you do it alone.”
Jake sighed. “What can I do to help?”
Emma grinned, her confidence returning. “Then we’re all in.”
A week passed. Emma kept her head down, completing every task Sebastian assigned. She avoided him, ignored his glances, and kept her secret about Yang close.
One day, she passed Mrs. Ochoa struggling with a box of belongings.
“Are you alright, Mrs. Ochoa?” Emma asked.
“I’m fine, child, just under the weather,” the old woman replied.
Emma helped her to a chair. “I’m so sorry about losing your job today.”
Mrs. Ochoa shook her head, tears welling. “No, child. Sebastian took care of everything. My retirement package is more than enough to live comfortably. He indulged me, even when he did most of his own work. That boy has a heart of gold… he just doesn’t show it.”
Emma looked toward Sebastian’s office, confused. How could one man be so cruel and yet so kind at the same time?
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