Chapter 4
785 Words
Emma couldn’t wait for the day to end.
From the moment she got to work, everything felt off. Her mind wasn’t settled, her focus was weak, and worst of all—she was constantly aware of him.
Every movement.
Every step.
Every presence.
It was exhausting.
The second closing time came, she packed her things faster than usual and practically rushed out of the office.
At home, she dropped her bag on the couch and sank into it.
Lilly jumped onto her lap, purring softly.
“I’m tired,” Emma whispered, stroking her fur.
“So tired…”
Her mind replayed everything.
His cold voice.
His warning.
The way he looked at her like she was nothing.
She exhaled deeply.
“Okay… enough.”
Sitting up, she shook her head.
“I don’t know what I thought I saw that night… but clearly, I was wrong.”
She paused.
“Or maybe I just imagined everything.”
Another sigh.
“Either way… I need this job.”
Her expression hardened slightly.
“So from tomorrow—no more looking at him.
No more thinking about him. Strictly work.”
Lilly meowed softly.
“Yes, even if he looks like a Greek god,” Emma added dryly.
That night, she made a decision—
To let it go.
Two Weeks Later
Emma kept her promise.
No staring.
No unnecessary interaction.
No distractions.
She came to work, did her tasks, and left.
Simple.
Clean.
Professional.
If he noticed her before… now, it was like she didn’t exist.
And honestly?
That was better.
At least, that’s what she told herself.
****************
Monday morning—
The office felt different.
More serious than usual.
People were whispering.
Moving quickly.
Something was up.
“Emma,” Esty called. “Conference room. Now.”
Emma stood up immediately and followed.
Inside, everyone was already seated.
A large screen displayed something… big.
Then—
He walked in.
The room went silent instantly.
Emma kept her eyes down.
She didn’t want to risk anything.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice calm but commanding.
“Good morning, sir,” everyone chorused.
He nodded once.
“We’ve just secured a major project,” he announced. “A high-value client. Tight deadline. No room for errors.”
A few people exchanged excited glances.
Emma’s heart picked up slightly.
This was big.
“You will all be divided into groups,” he continued. “Each group will handle different aspects of the design and development.”
He paused, scanning the room.
“I will be supervising all groups.”
A small wave of tension spread.
Of course he would.
“There will be no excuses,” he added.
“Performance will determine your place in this company.”
Emma swallowed.
No pressure at all…
“A w******p platform has been created,” he continued. “You will be added.”
Emma blinked slightly.
WhatsApp?
“For easy communication and updates,” he said
Then his tone hardened.
“Each of you will be assigned specific tasks.
You will work on your design individually…”
A pause.
“…and send it directly to me.”
A few heads lifted.
Directly?
“To me,” he repeated. “Personally.”
The room went quiet again.
“And if you fail to meet expectations…”
He didn’t raise his voice.
But somehow, it felt heavier.
“…you will be replaced.”
Emma’s fingers tightened slightly.
Replaced?
“Dismissed, if necessary.”
A chill ran through the room.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
“Your group assignments will be sent shortly,” he concluded. “Get to work.”
And just like that, he walked out.
The room buzzed immediately.
“Did he just say dismissed?”
“This man no dey play o…”
“Direct submission to him? God abeg…”
Emma stayed quiet.
Her mind was already racing.
Two weeks of peace…
Gone.
Now she had to interact with him again.
Directly.
Personally.
“No…” she whispered under her breath.
Her phone buzzed.
A notification.
You’ve been added to “R&H Project Team”
Another message dropped almost instantly.
Boss: Tasks will be assigned shortly. Deadlines are strict. No delays.
Emma stared at the screen.
Then another message—
Boss: Failure is not an option.
She swallowed.
“This man wants to kill us,” someone muttered nearby.
Emma leaned back slowly.
Avoid him?
That plan just died.
Later that day, another message popped up.
Boss: Check your private messages for your individual task.
Emma’s heart skipped.
Slowly… she opened her chat.
There it was.
A message from him.
Her fingers hesitated over the screen.
“This is it…” she whispered.
Then she clicked.
- Writer
