Fired by the CEO, Forced to Serve Him

One

Kai's POV

“Let's break up, Kai.”

The glass in my hands slipped and crashed to the ground, dragging me out of my confused state as I glanced at Adrian for an explanation.

“What are you talking about? Break up? All of a sudden?” I asked in despair, taking a step forward when I felt a glass shard pierce the sole of my foot.

I stepped backwards immediately in pain, and concern flashed through Adrian's face as he grabbed my shoes. He then threw them at my feet, the concern wiping away immediately as he stared at me indifferently.

“You heard me right. Let's break up.”

“Why? We were happy. We're in love, why would you suddenly make such a decision?”

My leg was bleeding but I barely felt it as my heart squeezed harshly in my chest. This couldn't be happening.

“Happy? Were we actually happy? Was I ever important to you?” Adrian asked bitterly and I finally pulled out the shard, groaning as pain coursed through me.

“You're probably drunk again, aren't you? Let's sit and talk this out. You don't have to make such a decision—”

“There's nothing to talk about, I'm sober as ever. And I'm not changing my mind.” He said plainly and I let out a scoff in disbelief.

“At least tell me why!” I yelled, my eyes welling up with tears as I straightened up. “Whatever it is, I'll fix it. I'll work on myself for us. Just… don't do this Adrian. Please.”

“Fine. You want to fix this? Then quit modeling.” He said with a cross of his hands and I froze. “Leave the fashion industry. Then I'll stay with you.”

“What are you even saying?” I muttered with a humourless laugh, struggling to stand as my leg was throbbing. “We're both models. You know modeling is my only dream. We've been in this for seven years—”

“Then why are you thriving and I'm not!?” He snapped, making me flinch. “We both started the same way. But you're the one in the top companies. Why do I have to be in your shadow? Why are you better than me!?”

My head throbbed as he yelled, his voice growing higher with every word. I stared at him in disbelief, unable to believe that he was actually saying this.

“Adrian… I don't… You know it's not true. I'm not better than you.” I whispered, trying to ignore the pain and my bleeding leg and he suddenly scoffed.

“That's right. You're not better than me. I'm sure you've been sleeping your way into getting job offers, am I right?” He hissed as he walked over to me, his boots crushing the tiny shards of glass on the floor. “You've been a boy prostitute just to get the world to see you, right?”

Even though he grabbed my chin as he spoke, it didn't stop me from slapping him hard. His head tilted to the side as he held his jaw in shock.

“I don't care what you might say about me. But I worked my life out to get to where I am. You will not compare my talent to something so vulgar.” I muttered firmly, my chest heaving up and down. “Leave. We're over, alright.”

My hands trembled and I had to clench them into fists as he glared at me. I thought he was going to hit me. But he simply dropped his hands to the side and walked to the door.

“Your downfall will be the thrill of many.” He said and the next second, he was gone.

I slid down the wall and glanced at my bleeding foot, then at the shattered glass on the floor. This was probably what my life looked like now.

After wallowing in self-pity, I finally bandaged my injury, cleaned the mess I created and then headed for the place I always went to whenever I was depressed. The bar.

A little drink wouldn't hurt. That was my mantra even though it would end up with me getting drunk out of my senses and my friend dragging my sorry ass back home.

This night was no different.

I pushed through bodies crowding the place and then slid to the stool on the bar, tapping on the counter.

“You again.” Ethan hissed as soon as he saw me and I rolled my eyes. “Don't you have a shoot tomorrow? Why are you here?”

“Because I'm heartbroken and you, my best pal, are obliged to take care of me tonight.” I muttered with a groan as I placed my head on the table. “Give me your strongest drink.”

“No can do, sir.” He replied with a sigh. “Remember, I am your photographer and there's no way I'll let you get drunk until you can't make it to the studio tomorrow.”

I almost tsked in annoyance. He couldn't even ask me why I was heartbroken.

“I still don't get why you work here. Aurelius Luxe pays you well as their photographer, don't they?” I asked as I snatched a glass from him and downed it immediately, wincing at the bitter taste.

“You— you better not cause me trouble tomorrow.” Ethan complained, and I let out a sigh as I took another shot. Then another. And then another until the lights became blurry and the ground looked like it was eleven feet deep.

“s**t, I'm drunk.” I complained, turning to the counter to see that Ethan wasn't there anymore. I clicked my tongue in annoyance as I managed to get my feet on the floor.

I hissed as soon as my leg came in contact with the ground and I remembered that I actually hurt myself earlier because of Adrian.

That asshole.

As I limped forward and made my way to what seemed like the bathroom, I bumped right into someone who spilled their drinks on me, making me see red in anger.

“You f*****g i***t. Don't you have eyes!?” I snapped, pushing the person backwards, and I could have sworn that the music stopped. But my ears were ringing so I didn't care.

“You bumped into me. Shouldn't you apologize?” His gruffy voice had me snapping my head up and my heart sank when I recognized him.

He was a gangster. A well-renowned gangster who killed people just for breathing.

Shit.

“I-I was wrong, I'll just be on my way.” I muttered hurriedly and tried to move past him but he grabbed me by my hair, making me wince in pain.

My vision was getting blurry and I could barely see well anymore but I recognized his hand rising, ready to hit my face.

There goes my face and my career.

I flinched, waiting for the punch but when I got nothing, I blinked to see that someone had stopped him. I could barely hear what they said, but there was a strange exchange that went on and the gangster finally let go of my hair.

My savior probably paid him to let me go. That was so close.

I stumbled backwards as soon as he let go, but someone grabbed me by my waist, holding me back up. I could barely make out his face but he looked sophisticated, his black suit and bronze tie standing out in the red light.

“Who are you…?” I asked in confusion mixed with curiosity and he suddenly let go of me, grabbing me by my hand.

He pulled me with him, making me stumble in pain as I tried to keep up because obviously, the ground was so far from my legs and I was still hurt.

And then I got shoved into a car.

I remembered throwing up. I remembered yelling at someone vaguely. I remembered taking off my clothes.

And then…

Nothing.