CHAPTER TWO
892 Words
Ana unbuckled her heels, letting them drop to the floor as her trembling legs gave way. She braced herself, fingers pressing into the ground for balance. Rising slowly, she shifted her weight to her uninjured leg, inhaling deeply. Mascara streaked her cheeks like war paint, but her resolve burned fiercely in her chest.
“I’m tired, Mr. Dexter,” she said, her voice steady despite her pounding heart. He didn’t move.
“I’m done,” she declared, her fear battling with defiance as the words hung in the air. Meeting his glare, she didn’t flinch. “You have no power over me anymore.”
His scoff was low, barely audible, as she stepped past him to gather her things. But before she could reach them, he grabbed her arm, his grip like iron.
“You’ll regret this, Candy,” he hissed.
She furrowed her brows, wrenching her arm free. “Don’t come back here begging,” he spat.
Grabbing her bag and umbrella, she straightened, meeting his gaze with a calm she barely felt. “Maybe I will,” she said evenly. Her voice wavered but didn’t break. “But no regret will outweigh the relief of leaving someone who rules through fear. If I regret anything, it’s not leaving sooner. Goodbye, Mr. Dexter.”
She turned for the door, but before her hand reached the knob, it swung open.
A tall, commanding figure filled the doorway, his frustration palpable as he entered, a phone pressed to his ear. Ana froze, emotions crashing over her. It was Jack Brown—the billionaire. She had admired him from afar, never imagining she’d be standing face-to-face with him.
She stepped aside instinctively, but as she tried to leave, Jack ended his call and gently pulled her back.
“What’s going on here?” His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.
“I… nothing,” Ana stammered, clutching her bag. “I was just leaving.”
Dexter, suddenly flustered, stepped forward. “Sir! I didn’t expect to see you backstage. I’m the manager.” He extended his hand awkwardly, but Jack ignored it, his expression cold.
“I called about the disaster I witnessed on stage,” Jack said, his tone dark. “Explain.”
Dexter faltered. “W-well, sir, I was handling a situation. She didn’t deliver, so I—”
“Maybe if you treated people with respect, they’d perform better!” Ana interjected, her voice trembling with anger. Her bruised cheek burned as Jack’s gaze flicked to her briefly.
“Not my concern,” he said coldly. “I came for a show, not excuses.”
Ana’s throat tightened, but she straightened her spine. “I made a mistake,” she admitted, her voice firm despite the tears threatening to spill. “But it’s over. I quit.”
Dexter bristled, torn between his fear of Jack and his pride. “Fine. Leave, Candy. I’m in the middle of a serious discussion.”
Jack’s gaze shifted back to Ana. “Candy, or whatever your name is, my bodyguards will take you to my car. Wait there.” His tone left no room for argument.
Ana hesitated but eventually hurried down the hallway. The echo of her footsteps bounced off the tiled floor. Anxiety twisted in her stomach. How would she even find his car? And why was she agreeing to this?
“Madam.” A deep voice called out, stopping her. Two imposing men approached.
“Please, follow us,” one of them said.
“Wait, who are you?” Ana demanded, clutching her bag tighter.
“Our boss, Mr. Jack Brown, instructed us to take you to his car,” the other explained, his tone firm yet respectful.
After a moment’s hesitation, she allowed them to escort her to a sleek Bentley in the parking lot. One opened the door while the other placed her belongings inside.
“Why am I doing this?” she muttered to herself, sliding into the plush seat.
The driver, an older man with a kind face, glanced at her in the rearview mirror but said nothing. Her phone buzzed in her bag. She fished it out and stared at the screen. A notification from her former employer’s account—a direct deposit. Her eyes widened.
A full year’s salary.
Her breath caught. This couldn’t be Dexter. She glanced around, as if expecting someone to explain.
Before she could process it, Jack appeared, striding toward the car with purpose. He slid into the seat beside her, his presence overwhelming in the confined space.
“I fired him,” he said simply, his voice firm. “And he’s been instructed to send you a year’s salary as compensation. If he doesn’t, I’ll ruin him.”
Ana’s mouth opened, but no words came. Jack didn’t wait for her response. Instead, he turned to his phone, dismissing the matter as if it were already resolved.
Another notification lit up her screen, confirming the deposit. She stared at it, her disbelief turning to cautious relief.
“Don’t look so surprised,” Jack said, his tone almost amused. “People like him deserve consequences. And you deserve better.”
Her cheeks flushed, but she managed a nod as the car smoothly pulled onto the road.
“Where do you live?” he asked, his gaze flicking toward her.
- Writer
