CHAPTER 2: STUPID CHOICES
1207 Words
KAIA COULDN’T BELIEVE what just happened. Her face was so red, like ripped tomatoes, as she grabbed her top and used it to cover her boobs. Nikko did not even attempt to leave.
After closing the door of her office, he found a comfortable spot on her sofa with a smug look on his face.
It was like hell to be that close to him after what Kaia had just done.
She knew it wasn’t right. It was freaking against company policy to do such a thing. She swears it was something she couldn’t try to defend no matter how she wanted to. She got caught. Not just by anyone, but this smug devil.
“Get dressed. Or you might want to continue with the show?”
Kaia sighed and turned her back against him.
“No need for that, I already saw what’s needed to be seen.”
“Asshole.”
“Asshole for disrupting your little session, hmm?”
“Stop.” Kaia retorted. She was now dressed and ready to argue with him, even if she had to be illogical just so she could.
Silence filled the room. Nikko’s expression turned darker; that smug look on his face was replaced with tightening jaws as he captured her gaze with intensity.
“If you continue to talk to me like that, I’d have no choice but to escalate this to the head of HR and have you—”
“Gosh, please no!”
As soon as Kaia showed a sense of panic, Nikko’s smug face returned, and there was a little smirk on his lip, too.
“What do you need from me?” Kaia mumbled, resigned to the fact that Nikko holds more power this time, unlike the young man who fell hard for her years ago.
“It’s been weeks since I have been running this company, and there is a huge disruption to the operations of your team. The outputs given weren’t on par with the expectations I had, especially from you.”
Kaia wanted to raise her eyebrow and mumbled, ‘then?’ But those words actually crushed something inside her. Was it her ego? Because all she ever wanted to do was write, and to be ridiculed for something that she so treasures is truly painful.
She felt like she was failing.
“And to think that you are struggling to come up with worthy content to deliver to our audience, you had the guts to do that under the company’s premises? It’s a disgrace. I invested millions in this company, and I, Kaia—don’t even get me started with the work I had to do just to have this company—”
“Why?”
Nikko paused, not expecting Kaia to interrupt him.
“Why this company, Nikko?”
“Why not?” His voice was stern, challenging her imposing question.
“Do you think my life ended when you left years ago, Kaia? And that I should bury my interests just because it would likely make me cross paths with you again? You’re mistaken. I’m here for my money. I invested in this company, and I need to f*****g get results.”
Those words echoed in Kaia’s ears with magnitude. It felt like knives stabbing her repeatedly on the same wound.
He was right. She did leave him years ago. Because she was a b***h. She got scared when he showed her what love was like.
It was intense, unknown, all-consuming. And Kaia, at seventeen, wasn’t ready for anything serious.
All she wanted to do was hook up. Nikko was the nerdy type and the school’s scholar, apart from being the captain of the basketball team. He was only two years older than her, but he already knew better.
Now… 10 years later, they met again as adults.
Kaia still doesn’t think she knows better now, but the fact that she currently works for him is already a huge mess.
“You have to set aside your emotions. I expect your team to come up with a new spread of entertainment news by the end of the week. Get your ass moving and do real work, and not your little strip tease show inside your office.”
With that, Nikko stormed out of her office.
Kaia felt her knees weakening. She heaved a deep breath, but it wasn’t enough to contain the tears that fell onto her cheeks.
Nikko spoke like it was just nothing. Like the words did not mean anything at all to him more than just reprimanding an employee, which in this case was her.
Fueled by the embarrassment she felt a while ago, and now those words that cut deep, Kaia let out her emotions as she cried silently.
She wanted this job more than anything in the world. Even if she had to endure hell with Nikko’s new leadership, she would. Cause she’s not gonna run when she is sure of something. And writing news that entertains the people is already part of who she is in the present.
She can’t let a single man overshadow her passion and goals.
Kaia straightened her back and inhaled a deep breath, ready to take on the challenge. She wiped her tears and practiced a smile.
But Nikko, despite how he denies that he wasn't bringing past conflicts into the present, he seemed to be having fun seeing Kaia suffer.
“Extend your working hours if you have to. I need this tonight.”
“Polish this ASAP. This must be published today on the website.”
“Get this done this afternoon, Kaia.”
“Kaia.”
“Kaia.”
“Kaia.”
“Get me and the team some coffee, Kaia.”
Her head was about to burst, and tonight was the last straw. So, instead of going back to the office after leaving to get coffee, she called Nikko.
“G-good evening, sir.” Kaia covered her mouth and attempted a dry cough. Nikko didn’t speak on the other line, but she could feel his steady breathing.
“Apologies, I couldn’t come back to the office, I am currently feeling nauseous and could even barely walk without falling off balance.”
Kaia spoke slowly, making sure that pain and struggle could be heard in her voice.
There were a few seconds of silence before Nikko spoke on the other line.
“You may take a leave,” he simply said. Though it was cold, the fact that he did not question her was enough to know he cared—she meant, understood,
“Thank you, sir. Have a great week ahead. Happy Holidays in advance.” Then she ended the call.
God… Kaia slumped back on her bed and called the very reason why she had to go in that length just so she could take a leave.
Because Craig, her boyfriend of 2 months, had invited her for a vacation in a cabin by the woods. And she is already exhausted from work! This is a must needed rest.
Kaia’s phone beeped again and Nikko’s phone number flashed on the screen. But she was already too focused in packing her clothes to notice it.
You missed a call from Mr. Roberts.
- Writer
