Wrath's Genesis

Chapter Thirty Seven

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"I think its so incredibly romantic that you guys decided to elope! He must be such an incredible guy!"

Lara, my secretary, exclaimed, her dreamy smile and excitement not registering with me until I could process her words and remind myself of the lie that I had fed her and everyone who asked about the massive diamond on my finger.

Fucking hell...I knew I should have taken it off before I came to work. Now I'm stuck in this ridiculous lie where I have to make the devil himself look like a saint.

"Yeah...he's great."

I shrugged non-commitally, my fake smile seemingly passing for excitement as Lara gave me an even larger grin if that was possible.

"Well, I can't wait to meet him at the Gala next month!"

She declared, thanking me for signing the requisite documents before heading off to pack her things, leaving me in stunned silence that I broke with a scoff at her words.

"Yeah, he'd come to one of those when pigs f*****g fly."

The very thought made me chuckle as I packed my own things, winding down for the day. My first day back at the office was not as shitty as I imagined it would be. It felt good to be back into the normal routine I had before everything went to s**t. I felt a little more normal, not the wife of one of the most dangerous man out there.

Releasing a small, frustrated sigh at the very thought of facing off with Soren after my anger-filled m******e of his favorite car, I made my way out of my office and towards the elevators despite the urge tto run the other way. I had gotten glimpses into his anger, nothing like what he was famous for.

I certainly don't want to be on the other end of that but I guess its gonna be unavoidable, huh?...

The urge to down an entire bottle of wine and prepare myself for what was to come was the motivation I needed to exit the elevator and head out into the lobby where I was sure Ace and Clover would be waiting. The two men had refused to budge, choosing to stay and wait despite my threats and statements to try and get them to leave.

They must have been so bored, waiting for me for an entire day and going as far as to order and have food sent up to me. I mean, that part was certainly appreciated but this is cruel. f*****g Soren and his obsessive need to have control over my every move, damn him!

I ran a hand through my hair in frustration, releasing a long winded breath as I awaited my two shadows to appear and take me to indulge in at least two bottles of wine.

"I didn't want to believe it when I heard but that rock is big enough that you can't miss it. He is a very lucky man. Congratulations on your wedding, Emmy."

I groaned inwardly at the sound of Brad Vaughn's voice as he came to stand beside me. I had been avoiding the Account Executive the entire day. He was certainly not the positive part of coming back to work. Apart from being the asshole who took my promotion unfairly, he also happened to be a massive pervert who had no concept of personal space or the word 'No'.

You really are pushing my buttons today, Universe...

"Thank you, Brad. If you'll excuse me, I must be heading out."

I stated, holding back my glare at the close proximity he was to me even now, his eyes straying down to places he certainly shouldn't be looking considering out train of conversation. The man had no concept of shame, his disgusting actions blatant. The fact that all the s****l harassment cases against him had borne no fruits just came to show just how f*****g corrupt the misyoginistic bastards at the top positions in Brand&Beyond really were.

Fucking assholes...

"Hey...why are you in such a rush? Unless your husband has you on some kind of curfew or leash..."

His disgusting little chuckle died on his lips at the sight of my glare directed right at the hand that was holding onto my wrist. He had always stayed in his lane when it came to our interactions. Maybe its because we were on the same level profession wise? Or because I never entertained his s**t or allowed him to mess with me?

He was getting a little too comfortable with me and that, in itself, pissed me the hell off as I lifted my gaze to him right after he quickly let go of my hand. Choosing not to answer his stupid and intrusive question, I turned to gaze out at the moving traffic, my entire body bristling with the need to have my two shadows emerge into the light.

Fucking hell...Just when I need them the most, they freaking disappear?!

"I mean, I was a little hurt that you didn't invite us to the wedding, let alone tell us that you were seeing anyone. I thought we were closer than that."

He continued despite my clear disinterest in any further conversation. I rolled my eyes at his ridiculous words before turning to full face him. It was clear that ignoring him would only encourage him to keep speaking to me.

God, he is like a f*****g fly, just buzzing around all over me...

"Well, Brad, you thought wrong. I don't owe you or anyone else any kind of explanation about my personal life. That's my business. We are work colleagues which means the only things we can talk about are work related so if there's nothing you need on that front, I will be leaving now."

It was a little mean but I honestly couldn't care anymore. Gone were the days where I would consider his emotions. That Emilia is dead and gone. Life had been cruel, offering up many other things to worry about than a pathetic man's ego-workmate or not. He was not worth my time or courtesy.

I am going to flag down a damn Taxi if those two stalkers don't drive up in the next five seconds...

The urge to get drunk was growing with every single moment I was stuck beside Brad Vaughn who was quiet now, a reprieve from the usual despite the fact that he was still standing beside me.

"Look, I'm sorry for prying. I just feel like there is some sort of bad energy between us because of the Executive's decision to have me head the Campaign department. I was hoping we could clear the air. It would do wonders for the department and morale since we shall be working together closer than before. How about a drink, huh? We could discuss the Kingsmay Campaign, keep the conversation completely work related. I do, however, have some great marriage advice too in the event you want to talk about that line too. I am a great listener. So, what do you say?"

I rolled my eyes at his last statements, knowing full well that I would rather receive marriage advice from my mother and her multiple failed marriages and her craziness than the man standing beside me who was still subtly staring at my ass, his eyes shining with the unsettling perversions that always lurked beneath.

It's like he's unable to just stop being a f*****g jackass, huh? Its been ingrained in him to be a bastard...

He was closer now, his eyes roving all over my body in that disgusting way he always did that I tried to ignore before. Now, I wanted to rip his eyes out and make him eat them.

"I suggest you step away from her or you will be treated as a credible threat and put down."

Ace's voice was hard, devoid of any kind of emotion. His dark orbs seemed to grow even darker as he glared at a taken aback Brad who was quick to take a step away from me at the hard and threatening looks he was receiving from my two shadows. I smiled at the sight of them, feeling relieved for the first time to have them with me.

Now I don't have to make a scene and probably get my ass arrested.

"Hey...I wasn't doing anything illegal or untoward. We're work colleagues and were simply talking. Right, Emmy?"

Brad seemed genuinely perturbed and somewhat irked by the appearance of my bodyguards, his eyes taking them both in with equal parts annoyance and fear. The latter emotion grew all the more as Clover took a step forward, his eyes hard as he looked at the cowardly bastard before softening once they landed on me.

"Mrs. Alexander. We apologize for being late. We were handling a matter that took longer than anticipated. Shall we take you home?"

I nodded, not once glancing back to look at Brad who was still facing off with Ace as Clover opened the back door of the sleek, black SUV for me to get in.

"We can discipline him for daring to come so close to you, Mrs. Alexander. All you have to do is give the order and it shall be done."

Clover muttered lowly, careful to ensure that Brad didn't catch onto the talks of possibly ending him for his inablity to respect personal space. I shook my head in response, glancing at the man in question before looking away once his gaze turned to me.

"No need. Thank you, Clover. He seems already sufficienly petrified. Looks like he's about to s**t his pants."

I chuckled at the very thought, earning a small smile from Clover which was a sight that somewhat made me happy. The two men were clearly not the kind to show their emotions. I felt part of a very rare, privileged moment as I watched him shake his head in what seemed to be amusement before he took a step back.

"Understood, Mrs. Alexander."

He closed my door, nodding to Ace who said something I couldn't hear to an already petrified Brad before the two men got into the car. The urge to ask what he said was strong but the answer was written all over Brad's fear riddled expression.

"Would you like to make any stop overs?"

Ace inquired, his gaze meeting mine through the viewing mirror. I shook my head, relaxing into the comfort of the sleek car and the newfound addition to my usual routine. I hated it-detested the very thought of it-this morning but now...well, now it didn't seem bad at all.

"No. Let's go home, boys. I have a dinner date with at least three bottles of red wine and my infuriated husband."

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