His Weakness

"No, no, no, I'm sorry," I pleaded, tears streaming down my face. My hair hung in tangled strands around my shoulders, sticking to my damp skin. I stumbled backward, my legs trembling. I could barely stand upright. Every muscle in me was tense as he moved towards me, slow and deliberate, like a lion about to pounce on its prey. "Please," I whispered, my voice barely audible. A bitter smile stretched across his face. The sight of it made my stomach twist with dread. My heart pounded against my ribs as the distance between us disappeared. He stepped closer and closer, grabbing the case on the counter. My pulse thundered. I could barely hear anything else. "Please don't do this," I begged. He didn't answer, he didn't even blink. The room seemed to shrink as panic closed in. He raised his hand holding the vase as I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself— "No!!" I screamed. I shot upright in bed with a gasp. My chest heaved as I struggled to catch my breath. Sweat clung to my skin, and goosebumps were all over my body. My heart pounded as though it was about to burst out of my chest. Darkness surrounded me. My room. It was only a dream Yet the fear lingered. It felt so real. It felt like I was drowning. I pressed my trembling hand against my chest and forced myself to breathe. In Out In Out "Avery! Ave, hey look at me," Anna's voice cut through the haze, and that's when I noticed I wasn't alone. She placed her hand on my shoulder, grounding me and pulling me back to reality. "It was just a nightmare," she said calmly. "It's okay, you're okay." My vision was still blurry as I tried to calm my nerves. That felt real. Too real. Like I was trapped in a box, an endless void, screaming and begging for help while no one came. I tried to speak, but no words came out. My throat burned. Noticing this, Anna quickly handed me a cup of water. I took a few sips of water, looking up at her. There was worry written all over her face. "Avery, this is the fourth time this week," she said quietly. "They are becoming more frequent." "I'll be fine, don't worry about it," I said, forcing a small smile. She's just a child; she shouldn't have to worry about her older sister. It should be the other way around. "Fine? Avery, you just woke up screaming!" She exclaimed. "I think you need to go to therapy," she added, her expression serious. I sighed. Not this again. This isn't the first time she's brought it up, and therapy isn't covered by insurance. I have better things to spend money on. "Okay, I'll think about it," I said, putting an end to the conversation. "Anyway, get up, you're starting your new job today, and by the time you're done, breakfast will be ready." "Thanks, Anna." "Sure," she said, leaving my room. Even though Anna was just seventeen, she often acted older than her age. She was meant to be having sleepovers with friends, going out to parties or to the movies, not worrying about her 24-year-old sister. Sometimes it feels like the roles had quietly swapped without anyone asking. I didn't exactly have the luxury of a normal childhood. My dad died years ago after everything at home fell apart; it's been Anna and me ever since. Now it's just us, a tiny apartment, and bills that never stop multiplying. That's why I need this job, not for ambition but for her survival. For her. Enough of the sob story I got out of bed and got ready for work. I stood in front of a huge building with "STERLING ENTERPRISES' written on it. The glass doors looked like a portal to an entirely new world — too clean, too perfect. I took a deep breath, fixed my shirt, and walked in, hoping I didn't look as nervous as I felt. Cold air engulfed me immediately, with a sharp mix of perfume and shiny glass. The reception lobby was lustrous, all marble floors and gold accents. This place screamed money, while I probably stuck out like a sore thumb. Taking a deep breath to calm my nerves, I walked up to the reception desk. A woman sat there on a phone call while filing her nails. She barely spared me a glance, as if I were part of the furniture. "Hi! I'm Avery Gaile. Mr. Sterling's new assistant," She raised a finger at me. Wait. I did When she finally hung up, she turned slowly. "Lost your way?" "Excuse me... what?" I blinked "The local coffee shop is that way." She looked me up and down like I was at the wrong address, then went back to filing her nails. Dumbfounded. I just stood there for a second. Right, so this is how my day is starting. Yay me "I actually need -" I tried again. She didn't even look up. At this point, my patience was already on life support. "Lacy, answer the poor girl and stop being so rude." A warm voice cut in I turned. A guy stood there in a black suit, sleeves slightly rolled up. Easy expression, calm posture. He looked calm, too calm for a place like this. The kind of calm that makes you feel like you're the only one overthinking everything. The receptionist, whom I'm guessing is Lacy, just huffed and walked off like we were all inconveniencing her existence. "I don't know what crawled up her ass and died," I muttered before I could stop myself. I froze when I heard a soft chuckle. He was still here. "Don't mind Lacy," he said, "She guards that desk like it's her life." I let out a breathy laugh, "Noted." "I'm Kyle." "Avery," I smiled. "Come on. I'll take you." I followed him, genuinely grateful someone in this building had basic human decency. "Thanks. First days are hard enough without a witch of a receptionist." He laughed. "This place has a reputation....but not everyone is like her. Trust me." I gave him a small, doubtful smile. "I'll hold on to that hope." We reached a private elevator. Kyle hit the button "Top floor. Big black door. Has CEO written on it." "Of course it does." "You'll be fine." I let out a small breath. "You're a lifesaver." The elevator doors slid shut, and just like that, I was heading straight into the lion's den.