OBSESSIVE LUST

CHAPTER 9

As I walked through the hallway toward the exit, my steps felt heavier with every second. My chest was tight, and my hands were cold with nervousness. Fear crawled up my spine. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I didn’t even know where I was going. I just knew I had to leave. But what hurt the most was how he let me go just like that. He didn’t say a word. He didn’t stop me. He didn’t look at me or even try to explain anything. It was like he had turned into someone else. Like I didn’t matter. As if he forgot that he was the one who pulled me into this mess. And now, I was walking straight into the fire.

I might lose my job. I don't even know what Camille would feel after knowing this. Disappointed... or worse, mad and disgusted.

I feel like I'm hanging by a thread. Like I'm floating and couldn't count how many steps I took. I feel disgusted with my self. I lose control....all that for lust that I thought can turn into a real one...love. But look at me now, no one's here to witness what I'm feeling right now.

When I reached the meeting room, I froze. Everyone was there. All eyes turned toward me. Their stares were sharp, judging, full of disgust. I wanted to disappear. Then I heard them.

“So, the flirt finally decided to show up.”

“Mistress.”

“She probably needed money. That’s why she went after a married man.”

Their voices weren’t loud, but they didn’t need to be. Every word stabbed me like a knife. I kept my head down, trying to hold back the tears. I wanted to speak, to defend myself but I couldn’t find my voice. I looked at Camille but she's not in here.....maybe she can't face the humiliation of being a friend of a lustful person.

No one's here to defend me. No Camille. No Mr. Windham. Just me. But my tongue is locked and couldn't speak. Then one of the higher staff, the one who always acted important, stepped forward with a fake smile....Ms. Fernando. Her voice was filled with sarcasm.

"Where's Camille?"

"Oh, maybe she hide from you. No one can afford to stand with their flirty friend, right? I'm sure she's embarrass, or.... disgusted?" A staff said that made then laugh.

"But, who sent me a message? "

Ms. Fernando raise her hand, holding Camille's phone. "Me. "

"You....tricked me? "

“Ms. Valerie,” she said loudly, so everyone could hear, “we help her from people like.... you. But.....do you care to explain why you were in Sir’s room? Are you his mistress? Do you even know he’s married? If you were struggling for money, you could’ve just told me. I could’ve helped you. I would’ve made you one of Papa Jirami’s girls. You didn’t need to throw yourself at someone else’s husband.” Then the room was filled with laughter.

"Look, how old are you? 20? Clearly, you're the youngest employee in here but you defeated us when it comes to being a lustful-flirt-dirty-rascal plus mistress.

" I-I came here to apply for resignation." I mumbled.

"Resignation? No need, because we already prepared one."

"D-did the owner know this?" I asked.

"No need. I'm sure he'll be really happy that We, I get rid of this, " she pointed at me. "flirt."

They all burst in laughter. But before I could even open my mouth to speak, a voice spoke from the side. It was calm, deep, and serious.

“And who said she’s a flirt?”

Everyone turned their heads toward the voice........including me. It was him.

“S-Sir Klein?” someone said in shock.

I felt my whole body freeze. Klein? He’s… the owner of the hotel? My eyes widened. I could hardly believe it.

He stepped forward slowly, his expression unreadable. He looked at everyone in the room, then his eyes landed on me.

“She doesn’t need to flirt with me,” he said clearly, loud enough for all of them to hear. “Because the woman I’ve been calling my wife… is Valerie.”

The room went completely silent. No one dared to speak. All the whispers stopped.

All I could do was stare at him, speechless. Did he just say… I’m his wife?

I could still feel the sting of their words. Flirt. Mistress. Desperate. But now… they looked shocked. Worried. And Klein wasn’t done. He took another step forward, his face calm but cold, his voice sharp like a blade.

“You all think you can speak about her like that and get away with it?” he said, looking around the room. “Do you think this is a joke?”

No one answered.

“False accusations. Public shaming. Disrespect toward a staff member,” he continued. “All of this... in my hotel.”

Some people started to shift uncomfortably. Others looked down, suddenly quiet. Then he looked at the senior staff, the man who called me a mistress and offered to "help" me in the worst way.

“You,” Klein said, pointing at Mrs. Fernando. “You will be suspended."

Mrs. Fernando's face turned pale. “S-sir, I didn’t mean—”

“You insulted her. You humiliated her in front of everyone. That’s harassment, and it won’t be ignored.”

He looked around the room again. “Anyone who joined in the rumors, the name-calling, or tried to shame her, you’ll all be held responsible. I won’t let this slide.”

People gasped quietly.

"That's my brother! " someone behind me, shouted cheerfully.

Brother??????

"Yes. You heard it right. I'm his older sister. And Valerie? she's my sister-in-law. I intentionally left my phone for you guys. But I was gone not because I'm disgusted of the humiliation Val did. I just called Klein.....her husband." she announced touching my back saying 'it's okay, I'm here. '

"All of you, who was part of it, you're salary will be suspended in a month. "

"Sir."

"You heard it right. "

"But I'm not part of it, sir. The baby in my tummy needs it." another staff speaks up.

Daphne, she's one of the employees in here that treat me like her own sister......

"Yes. Daphne is a good person. I guarantee you that......honey."

"Wait!" Mrs. Fernando called out that caught out attention.

"If she's really your wife, kiss her. Then we'll believe it. "

"Nonsense—'

I cut my tongue when he kissed me. Enough to caught me off guard, again.