My Devil In A Suit

CHAPTER 6

I scanned my access card at the glass turnstile and stepped into the sleek corporate elevator, keeping my head low and my palms sweating against my purse strap.

I hadn't slept more than two hours last night after Damien finally let me leave his office past nine. Every muscle in my body was tense. I was terrified of what he might do to me today.

I walked down the quiet hallway toward the breakroom to grab a cup of water, trying my best to stay invisible.

"Hey, Hailee," a voice called out.

I jumped slightly, turning around to see Stormi and Natalie standing near the coffee machine.

"Hi, girls," I whispered, offering a small, timid smile as I clutched my paper cup.

"Hope you're fine?" Stormi asked softly, searching my anxious face. "You look so pale."

"Yes, I am," I murmured, wringing my hands together. "I'm just a little tired."

Natalie stepped closer, lowering her voice. "Care to share what happened with you and Damien yesterday? Everyone saw you leaving his office way past closing hours."

"Oh... it was just a misunderstanding," I stammered, feeling heat rise up my neck. "I made a mistake on my report.”

"Spill it, girl," Natalie urged gently. "You know he told everyone you're on indefinite probation?"

"Yes, of course," I said, my voice cracking slightly. "So I went to submit the report he told me to do, only for him to reject it and tell me to redo it right there."

"Oh no," Stormi gasped, covering her mouth.

"I've always known Damien to be cold, but not this mean," Natalie said, shaking her head. "This is too ruthless."

"I wonder what might have caused him to start acting this way," Stormi pondered aloud. "Who knows... maybe that Vanessa girl went and told him something bad about you.”

My heart instantly sank to my stomach. Did Vanessa say something to him? Is that why he hates me so much?

Before I could even process the thought, a sharp voice echoed from the doorway.

"I heard my name."

Vanessa stood there in a bright red dress, her eyes cold as she looked right at us.

A wave of pure panic rushed through me. My knees felt weak, and I instinctively took a step back. Stormi and Natalie stiffened next to me.

Without saying another word, the three of us quickly scattered out of the coffee room, my heart hammering against my ribs as I practically sprinted back to my desk.

Four long hours passed.

Damien still hadn't summoned me to his office.

I sat glued to my chair, unable to focus on a single file. I kept checking my phone every two minutes, then nervously glancing up at his heavy office door, waiting for it to open. My stomach was tied in tight knots, convincing myself that every second of silence meant he was preparing to fire me.

At 1:00 PM, my phone buzzed loudly on the desk.

My hands trembled violently as I looked at the screen.

Damien: Come to my office.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat, wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt, and stood up with shaking legs to face him.