Chapter 2 All Too Well
634 Words
"Which one?" Lizzy stared at the check, barely registering the barking coming out of Eric’s mouth anymore.
Eric tightened his grip on her neck and said, "Lizzy, I hate it when smart people play dumb."
Realizing her slip, Lizzy quickly grabbed Eric's muscular arm and pleaded, "Mr. Austen, it was just a small contract from five years ago. You've compensated me fully for it. I'll comply with any request to dissolve that contract whenever you wish."
"Good."
'Almost there, just one last piece to the puzzle,' she thought.
She casually asked, "Mr. Austen, you fired me. Does that void the long-term contract I signed with Austen Group?"
That was the only part of the contract that benefited her—any dismissal nullifies all agreements with Austen Group.
"You want that, huh..." Eric felt a twinge of suspicion, but Lizzy had been his most satisfactory secretary and plaything. She even helped him handle his bothersome older sister.
Five years ago, they struck a deal deeper than any contract, binding her to him until he declared it over, preventing her from starting anew.
'That silly girl wouldn't outsmart me; I'm probably overthinking it,' mused Eric.
"Alright, but don't stray far, my little toy."
Once she got the nod, Lizzy left the office, The moment the door closed behind her, the corners of her lips immediately curled up.
She slid the signed and stamped document across to Lisa and said in a calm tone, "I've been fired."
"Good news! The filthy woman is finally kicked out."
Lizzy cut Lisa off with a smile. "Lisa, you know, I'm more than thrilled. No more having to see your zombie face every day. Enjoy your work, and goodbye."
She hoped Lisa, accustomed to clocking out on time, would enjoy the intensity of being Eric's secretary.
Before Lisa could respond, Lizzy was already striding out of the building.
Downstairs, she breathed in the free air, a smile spreading across her face.She took out her phone, eager to share the good news with Christie.
Just then, her phone buzzed—it was her landlord.
"You wanna increase the rent again?" Lizzy frowned. It had just gone up three months ago.
"Just 300 bucks more. That's chump change for a city gal like you."
'Chump change? The apartment that nearly swallows half my paycheck every month is chump change?' she screamed inwardly.
For eight grueling years, she'd scrimped and saved, putting up with Eric's daily insults and the landlord's constant gouging, all to buy a shred of freedom. What had she done to deserve this?
Today, it’s all over!
Lizzy put her phone down, bringing the microphone close to her mouth, and yelled at the top of her lungs in a volume she had never used before: "You know what? I won’t be renewing,asshole! So you can find another generous tenant to stuff your stinky butthole!"
The landlord's curses blared from the phone, yet she hung up without hesitation.
Fuck the landlord, f**k Eric, she was free!
"Hey, I think you might need to rent a new apartment?" A deep, magnetic voice suddenly rang out from behind her.
Just then, a shadow fell over her like a towering wall blocking out the sun.
Lizzy spun around and almost bumped into a solid figure.
The person's strong arms steadied her, and her hands brushed against a metal badge.
She looked up to see a man in a crisp national guard uniform. His slightly loose uniform couldn't hide his broad shoulders and sturdy chest.
He was so tall that she had to crane her neck to see his face clearly.
His black hair had the sheen of ebony, his face chiseled with sharp angles, and freckles sprinkled across his high nose—there was an undeniable air of mystery about him.
He was incredibly handsome!
- Writer
