Found Love in a Hopeless Way

Chapter 3

Derek casually remarked, 'You drive,' leaving Leslie taken aback by the unexpected request. In a state of surprise, she quickly responded, 'I can call your driver.' Leslie's attempt to avoid complying with Derek's statement was evident as she retorted, 'I don't have a driver, and this is entirely your fault,' accompanied by a feigned sense of pain in Derek's voice.

As guilt began to wash over Leslie, she couldn't help but acknowledge the truth in Derek's words. Reluctantly, she agreed to take on the responsibility of driving him home. With a mix of curiosity and resignation, Leslie settled into the driver's seat and inquired, 'Alright, where do you live then?'

Derek, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor, simply replied, 'Just follow the directions on the screen.' Trusting the guidance provided, Leslie embarked on the journey, her focus divided between the road ahead and stolen glances at Derek. Unbeknownst to her, Derek reciprocated the glances, finding himself captivated by the way she skillfully maneuvered the vehicle.

Caught off guard by Derek's persistent gaze, Leslie couldn't help but question, 'Why are you looking at me like that?' A soft smile spread across Derek's face as he unabashedly confessed, 'You're gorgeous.' Leslie couldn't help but find Derek's behavior peculiar, yet she graciously accepted the compliment, replying, 'Well, I'm glad that you're okay, and thank you!'

Finally, the car arrived at Derek's residence, and Leslie was left in awe at the sheer magnitude of the house before her. However, just as she was about to step out of the vehicle, Derek surprised her with an unexpected kiss on the lips, leaving her momentarily stunned and unsure of how to react.

Leslie's surprise quickly turned into shock and anger as Derek's unexpected advance caught her off guard. Reacting instinctively, she pushed him away with force, her anger fueling her actions. "What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief and outrage.

Without wasting a moment, Leslie swiftly exited the car, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and a need to distance herself from the uncomfortable situation. She began walking briskly away from Derek's house, determined to escape his presence. However, Derek, driven by his own desires and a disregard for boundaries, ran after her, his voice filled with entitlement as he called out, "Leslie! Wait!"

Leslie's steps quickened, her determination to get away from him intensifying. But Derek, fueled by his own arrogance, caught up to her and reached out to grab her arm, attempting to stop her. In that moment, Leslie's anger boiled over, and she reacted without hesitation. She pulled her arm away from his grasp and delivered another powerful slap across his face.

The sound of the slap echoed in the air as Derek recoiled from the force of the blow. His expression shifted from surprise to anger, his entitlement fueling his response. "You think you can just walk away from me?" he retorted, his voice laced with arrogance and a complete lack of remorse.

Leslie's eyes narrowed, her own anger matching his. "You have no right to touch me or think you can control me," she shot back, her voice filled with defiance. She took a step back, creating distance between them, determined to assert her independence and protect herself from further harm.

Derek's anger flared, and he forcefully grabbed Leslie's arm, his grip tightening with an intimidating force. "You work for me, which means you do as I say!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of anger and entitlement. Leslie's eagerness to free herself from his grasp and her growing fear made her attempts to pull away futile.

Summoning her courage, Leslie replied, her voice trembling but determined, "Last time I checked, this situation is not within the scope of my job description!" Her words were a reminder to both herself and Derek that his actions were crossing a line.

Derek, consumed by his anger, pulled Leslie even closer, his face inches away from hers. He sneered as he spoke, his voice dripping with malice, "I've heard things, Leslie. I know about your mother being in the hospital. What will happen if I fire you and ensure that no other company will hire you?" He used this knowledge as a weapon, attempting to exert control and instill fear in Leslie.

Curiosity mingled with Leslie's fear as she pondered how Derek had come to know about her mother's situation. The realization that he possessed such personal information sent a chill down her spine, intensifying her apprehension. Losing her job was a terrifying prospect, as it would jeopardize her ability to provide for her mother's medical expenses, which weighed heavily on her.

The uncertainty of her circumstances deepened Leslie's sense of vulnerability. She couldn't help but question how Derek had obtained this knowledge and whether he would follow through on his threat. The weight of the situation pressed upon her, leaving her feeling trapped and desperate.

With a surge of determination, Leslie forcefully detached her arm from Derek's grip, her eyes narrowing with defiance. "What do you want?" she demanded, her voice laced with a mix of anger and curiosity.

Derek's lips curled into a smirk as he looked at her. "Come inside the house," he replied, his tone filled with a sense of authority that left Leslie with little choice but to comply. Reluctantly, she followed him, her mind racing with a mix of apprehension and confusion.

As they entered the house, Leslie couldn't help but be taken aback by its grandeur. The spaciousness and opulence of the surroundings were in stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that had enveloped them moments ago. The maids, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, approached them to take their belongings, their efficiency and professionalism a stark contrast to Derek's earlier behavior.

Derek's demeanor shifted as he turned to Leslie. "I'm hungry. Let's eat first," he declared, his words catching her off guard. Leslie couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief. After his earlier threats and manipulative behavior, she found it difficult to reconcile this sudden change in his demeanor.

Leslie's lack of hunger was evident as she spoke up, saying, "I'm not hungry. Please just tell me what do you want?" Derek's eyes locked onto her, his tone dripping with authority as he retorted, "Sit down." The weight of his words hung in the air as Leslie reluctantly followed his command, lowering herself into a seat with a heavy heart. The tension between them was palpable, leaving a lingering unease in the atmosphere.

It appears that Derek's mindset has shifted, and he now believes that he has successfully won over Leslie in just a day. He sees this as a personal triumph, having emerged victorious from the challenges they faced. After their lunch earlier, Derek's thoughts turned to ways in which he could exert control over Leslie. Utilizing his power and influence, he made the decision to hire individuals to investigate Leslie's background.

Through this investigation, Derek's hired team uncovered information about Leslie's mom, which he saw as an opportunity to gain leverage and manipulate her. Armed with this newfound knowledge, Derek began using it as a means to control Leslie, exploiting her emotions and actions to suit his desires.

Derek winced as he held his face, the spot where Leslie's slap had landed. Despite the stinging pain, a smug smile slowly spread across his lips. With a self-assured tone, he couldn't help but remark, "I have to say, that slap was worth it."

Leslie's face hardened, her features contorting into a serious expression. She wanted to convey a sense of fearlessness, but beneath the facade, her true emotions were evident. The fear in her eyes betrayed her, as she grappled with the unsettling power dynamics that had emerged between her and Derek.

In response to Derek's smug comment, Leslie maintained her composure and calmly retorted, "You deserved it!" Despite her calm tone, there was a hint of conviction in her voice, as she stood her ground.

Derek's smile widened slightly, seemingly amused by Leslie's fierce response. He couldn't help but acknowledge her strength, remarking, "Fierce. I am liking you more and more." His words carried a mix of admiration and intrigue, as he found himself drawn to Leslie's resilience and assertiveness.

Leslie, on the other hand, couldn't quite believe how her lack of fear and her strong demeanor seemed to pique Derek's interest even further. She rolled the thought around in her mind, grappling with the unsettling realization that her defiance seemed to fuel his fascination.

Leslie was taken aback when Derek casually mentioned the recent hospital bill of her mother, asking, "You need 200,000 dollars, right?" Her surprise quickly turned to bewilderment as she wondered how he could possibly know about her family's financial situation. "How did you know that?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.

Derek's lips curled into a smirk as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a check worth 200,000 dollars. With a confident tone, he declared, "You're mine." Leslie's mind raced with conflicting emotions. On one hand, the sheer amount of money would be an immense relief for her mother's medical expenses. It was an opportunity she couldn't easily dismiss, especially considering the difficulties of earning such a substantial sum through her own work.

However, a sense of caution crept over Leslie as she contemplated Derek's motives. Why was he so willing to part with such a significant amount of money? What did he expect in return? The weight of the decision pressed upon her, knowing that accepting the check could potentially entangle her in a complicated web of obligations and consequences.

Leslie's voice trembled with a mix of anger and determination as she firmly stated, "I am not a thing that you can just buy! I may need the money, but I will not sell myself to you." Her fearless response sent a powerful message, asserting her independence and refusing to be manipulated.

Undeterred by Leslie's defiance, Derek's smile faltered, replaced by a look of disbelief. He attempted to strike a nerve, questioning, "Would you really let your mother die because of your pride?" His words were meant to prey on Leslie's emotions, to make her doubt her decision.

But Leslie stood her ground, unwavering in her resolve. With a steely gaze, she responded, "I will find another way." Her words carried a sense of determination, a belief that there had to be an alternative solution, even if it wasn't immediately clear.

Derek, taken aback by Leslie's unwavering spirit, retorted, "And how?" His question was laced with skepticism, as if challenging Leslie to come up with a viable plan.

A mischievous smirk formed on Leslie's face as she replied, "It's none of your business." Her response conveyed a sense of confidence, hinting that she had a plan in mind, but she wasn't about to reveal it to someone like Derek.

As Derek's anger simmered in his eyes, he took a deep breath and uttered his final words, "You'll come back crawling to me." Leslie, undeterred by his threat, maintained her confident smirk, refusing to let his words shake her resolve.

Collecting her belongings, Leslie turned away from Derek, no longer willing to entertain his manipulative tactics. With determined steps, she walked away, leaving him behind. Luckily, a taxi happened to be nearby, and she quickly hailed it, eager to distance herself from the unsettling encounter.

Inside the taxi, Leslie leaned back, feeling a mix of relief and empowerment. She had stood up for herself and her principles, refusing to compromise her dignity for the sake of money. As the taxi carried her towards home, she couldn't help but feel a sense of liberation, knowing that she had chosen the path of integrity and independence.