Mated to a werewolf

Chapter 12

Upon arriving at the office, Bella took a deep breath to steady her nerves before knocking on Richard's door. "Come in," his voice called out from inside.

Entering cautiously, Bella found Richard seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable. "You wanted to see me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Richard looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of relief and apprehension. "Bella, I... I reinstated you because..." he trailed off, struggling to find the right words.

Bella's heart raced as she waited for him to continue, her mind racing with a thousand possibilities.

"Because I trust you," Richard finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I trust you to keep my secret safe, to help me when I need it most."

Tears welled up in Bella's eyes at his confession, a flood of emotions washing over her. Relief, gratitude, and a newfound sense of purpose surged through her veins as she realized the depth of Richard's trust in her.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I won't let you down."

With a small nod, Richard offered her a reassuring smile, a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, Bella knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, bound by a bond forged in trust and shared secrets.

As Richard hastily retreated to his office after his conversation with Bella, his heart raced with a mix of emotions. Relief flooded through him knowing he had finally mustered the courage to speak to her honestly, yet a lingering sense of vulnerability lingered beneath the surface. Despite his newfound boldness, he still struggled with finding the right words.

Leaning against the door, Richard took a moment to collect himself, his thoughts interrupted by the distant sound of his father's voice, tinged with disapproval. With a sinking feeling in his chest, he knew his father's nagging would only worsen his already frazzled state.

Thinking quickly, Richard darted back into his office, his hand reaching out to grasp Bella's arm, guiding her inside with a sense of urgency. He closed the door softly behind them, shielding her from his father's prying eyes.

He took and hid her inside of the rooms in the office, being seen by his father would complicate issues.

Bella stumbled slightly, caught off guard by Richard's sudden movements. "What's going on?" she whispered, confusion evident in her voice.

Richard pressed a finger to his lips, urging her to silence as he cautiously approached the window, peering through the blinds to ensure they were safe from his father's scrutiny. Outside, the hallway remained empty, save for the faint echo of his father's footsteps growing more distant with each passing second.

"He's been relentless today," Richard muttered, his frustration palpable. "I can't risk him seeing you here."

Bella nodded understandingly, her empathy for Richard's predicament evident in her expression. Without hesitation, she moved to stand beside him, offering silent solidarity as they waited for the coast to clear.

When the hallway fell silent once more, Richard breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing as the tension drained from his body. "Thank you," he murmured, turning to meet Bella's gaze with gratitude shining in his eyes.

Bella offered him a reassuring smile, a silent promise of unwavering support. "Anytime," she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.

In that moment, as they stood together in the sanctuary of Richard's office, they knew that no matter what challenges they faced, they would always find solace in each other's company. For in the tumultuous sea of uncertainty, their friendship remained a steadfast anchor, guiding them through the storm.

In the room, there were Richard, his dad, his stepmom, and Marco, standing quiet. Richard felt uneasy, like there was a storm brewing inside him. His heart pounded hard, like it wanted to escape his chest.

Before Richard could talk, his dad's hand came flying, smacking him hard on the cheek. It hurt, and Richard felt stunned. His dad's voice was angry, asking about a girl. He thought Richard made a dumb move hiring her, saying she'd ruin everything.

"Where is the girl?" his father demanded, his voice a low growl filled with anger and accusation. "Why would you hire someone who wants to ruin the company and your name? Are you dumb?" His words lashed out like barbed whips, cutting deep into Richard's already wounded pride.

His stepmom, trying to calm things down, told his dad to chill. But his dad wouldn't calm down. He kept yelling at Richard, calling him names and saying he's acting dumb.

But his father's temper knew no bounds, his fury unabated as he turned his ire towards Richard once more. "Why would I take it easy with him?" he spat, his eyes blazing with indignation. "He's acting like a fool!”

Richard's stepmom told him to apologize, but he stayed quiet, feeling stubborn. Then, his dad dropped a bomb: Marco would take over Richard's job as CEO. Richard felt like his world crashed.

Marco didn't say anything, just looked shocked. Then, his dad gave Richard an ultimatum: prove himself in another department or get kicked out of the company. His stepmom pretended to be supportive, but Richard could see through it.