The Billionaire's ex-secretary

5. Stop hiding behind mask.

Eva's POV

As much as I desired Adam's presence near me, I felt hostility toward myself. How could I do this with me? Did I forget what kind of behavior he showed me after that night? No, I didn't. Then why do I want him to come to me and say that it is okay to be not okay? Why is my heart pounding merely thinking about him?

Just why do I want him to come and take my foot in his lap and rub slowly like he did when I slipped from the stairs?

Back then, he took my foot in his hand and caressed my ankle saying that Eva, you got a sprain, so let me take you to the doctor.

That day, I refused to remind him about his meeting. Still, he carried me in his arms and took me saying you are not only my assistant whom I need in meetings or the cabin for arranging my files or schedule but you are also a friend whom I need in my life to learn.

Tears that I successfully controlled again went out of control and began to flow.

Today, I wish that he would come to me and again take me in his arms and this time I am not going to be naive. Maybe, I would take some steps like I did when he was drunk.

Due to being engrossed in my thoughts, I couldn't realize when someone came into the storeroom until the flashlight fell on my eyes, I covered my eyes yelling, “What is this? Light pricking in my eyes.”

“Miss Brown, it seems you love darkness now,” an unfamiliar voice, yet it seemed a familiar that went in my ears. I removed my hand and attempted to see his face but couldn't do it because of tears which made my vision uncleared.

“If you are saying that light is hurting you, I am closing the flashlight,” saying that, he knelt before me.

“Why are you sitting like this?” He asked.

“Why are you here?” I immediately wiped my tears and closed my eyes though darkness prevailed there, no one could see how miserable I was. Further, I don't want this man who might be my acquaintance to get to see how broken I am.

“I was passing from here and then heard your scream, so came to see,” he said. I hummed but why does it sound that he was outside the room from that moment itself when I entered here? Wasn't that my hallucination? Or am I hallucinating at this moment?

“Did you get hurt?” He asked.

“No, I came to take some files but then a power cut happened," my self-respect didn't allow me to blurt anything in front of him. Moreover, I am not sure whether he is a friend or an enemy.

“You girls and their darn attitude. It's not wrong to take someone's help when you are in pain,” he sternly said.

“Let me take you to the physician,” he further said. I could feel that he was coming closer to me. My heart pounded against my chest and my ribs felt cracking.

It's the same feeling that I get with Adam.

“Miss Brown, would you give me your hand? Or I should switch on the flashlight, but then you have to hold my mobile for me,” he further said.

“Who are you?” My voice shivered as much as my body trembled, and I began to look for my purse. In an attempt to search, I hit my hand at some surface and hissed in the pain.

“What are you doing? Stay like a statue,” his voice seemed furious. I attempted to speak but he took my hand in his hand and caressed it. Feeling something different, I jerked his hand and endeavored to stand but couldn't do it because of the sprain and again hissed.

“Didn't I say to stay still,” he scolded me and caged me between his arms. I inhaled his intoxicating aroma. Even his scent seemed similar for some unknown reason.

“Who are you? Stay away from me,” I screamed and rubbed my forehead. First, I couldn't understand how he is seeing me despite the darkness, and the second thing, his touch is giving me goosebumps. No, they are not giving me negative vibes, but it is something that I can't express in words. Also, I crave this.

“What is this tone? Are you thinking something dirty about me?” He said.

“Just tell me who you are?” I stiffened but masked my face with boldness.

“Is it necessary for me to tell you my name again? Did you forget my voice?” His voice seemed to hurt.

Listening to his tone, I felt a sudden warmth around me just like I used to feel in the past when Adam used to be around me. Also, I couldn't answer him as I feared I would disappoint him as well as myself.

“Would you mind if I carry you?” He said. Again a fear ran in my spine. My forehead dripped in sweat.

“No! I would manage,” I stammered and clutched my dress.

“Then tell me whom I can call for your help?” He sighed, and I could feel he took some steps away from me.

“Sarah,” I meekly said.

“Call, Sarah Morgan. She is my friend,” I added.

“Fine! Stay still. I will call her,” he said.

I could listen to his steps which were becoming hazy.

“Ms Brown, stop hiding behind a mask and open your eyes, power is back,” he said.

I couldn't understand what he meant, nor I asked him to be clear with me. Taking a deep breath, I calmed my heart and leaned my body at the wall and opened my eyes. I didn't even realize that my eyes were closed. Was it because of fear or was it because of some different reason? Maybe I am losing my sanity because of work and turmoil. I need a vacation and some kinship. Mom is right, I should go to her and rest in her embrace.

I am a sorry mom, I have hurt you so much in these 3 years. You always cried for me but here I was trying to build a shell for myself. Why even am I sounding like I am on my deathbed? Whatever, the truth can't be changed that I hurt my mother because of crowdedness.

“Eva, what happened?” Sarah came to me and worriedly cupped my chin and wiped my tears.

“I got a sprain and then the light went off and I got afraid,” I stammered and began to look for that man who was with me in darkness.

“Why the hell did you even come here?” She scolded me and took my foot in her hand and sighed. “It is swollen. Would you manage to walk?”

I hummed, but my concentration was still around myself.

“Where is he?” I held her hand and attempted to stand but couldn't because of the injury.

“What are you doing? Help me,” she yelled and looked towards a manly figure who was at the door. It took some time to identify him, but eventually, I recalled he was Mr. Diaz with whom I collided in the pathway.

“This lady denied taking my help,” Mr. Diaz said in a quirky tone.

“Were you here?” I asked with suspicion. I haven't seen his face, but I heard a different voice. It wasn't raw, but it had some different emotions which I failed to understand.

“Did he call you?” I looked towards Sarah. She hummed saying, “I came out of the auditorium and looked for you, but I couldn't locate you then this gentleman approached me.”

“Did you expect someone else? Like your past friend or a lover or crush?” Mr. Diaz sarcastically said and gave his hand.

“Why do I feel that I have offended you?” I kept one hand in his hand and another in Sarah's hand.

“Did something happen?” Sarah said.

Without saying anything, I stood. They carried me to the infirmary. Sarah excused herself saying she should bring my heels and purse.

“Mr. Diaz, be honest with me. Did I offend you? Why are you giving me a cold shoulder?” I asked.

He chuckled and passed a tube and turned his shoes saying, “Doctor is coming. By the way, Miss Brown, you caused a mess in my life.”

“So you weren't there,” I shook my head and looked towards the entrance, a shadow could be seen there. It was easy to guess that someone was hiding from me.

“I didn't say it. Well, congratulations, Ms Brown you are promoted,” he said and passed a wicked smile and left from there.

What did he say? Promoted? How can I? Just before a year I got a promotion, then how soon did I get another promotion?

“Am I promoted? Who is the new boss? What happened at the conference? Who is Mr. Diaz?” I threw so many questions at Sarah as soon as I saw her enter.

“Where is the sorry in between so many questions? Well, congratulations, yes you are promoted. Nothing big happened at the conference, a boring speech which went over my ear and Mr. Diaz is from our boss's team. He only ate my ears. Anything else?” She answered in a single breath.

She said so many things which seemed like gibberish, but my attention caught when she mentioned Mr. Diaz was at a conference, and he is from our new boss's team. Why did he lie to me? And who was with me in the storeroom?

“Hey, if you don't want to say sorry then it is okay, but you don't lose somewhere,” Sarah said.

“Who is the new boss?” I held my breath. "And did you mean Mr. Diaz gave the speech?"

She looked at me and touched my forehead saying, “You don't have a fever then why are you behaving unusually?”

“This is not my answer,” I shoved her hand and again looked towards the door.

“f**k you!” She yelled and turned her head.

“Your ex shy boss,” saying this, she went from there.

To be continued.