Don't Tempt The Boss

CHAPTER ONE

LENA.

My head hit the wall—bang. 

I bit down on my lip so I would not cry out. Uncle Adrian stormed closer, his breath reeking of whiskey. “You think you can just waltz in at midnight? This is my house!”

“I had to stay longer at the lab.” I gasped, struggling to get away from his anger. “Professor Hale wanted me to look at samples. I—”

“I don’t give a f**k about your lab.” His hand slammed beside my head, “You live under my roof, you follow my rules. Maybe I should just kick you out, let you see how far you can actually get without me.”

He was bluffing, just like he always did. He needed the government checks that he got from being Abel’s legal guardian. But I kept my mouth shut just as I learned to.

He sneered once more for good measure before striding away, leaving me sprawled there among the remnants of his dinner and the broken plate.

I sat there for a long time, staring at the glass shards on the floor and letting my mind run wild. As soon as I had enough for a new place, I was going to take Abel and leave this house. 

I waited until I was sure he’d left the house before I pushed myself to my feet. I could taste blood in my mouth, and I spat it out into the kitchen sink, watching as it rolled into the drain. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I hurriedly fished it out. “Hello?” I croaked.

“Miss. Lena Moreau? This is Dr. Sanchez, from St. Peter’s…”

I gasped; it was the hospital where my brother was being treated. “Yes? Is there something wrong with Abel?” Panic seized me. Was Abel dying? Oh God…

“Miss Moreau, we need you to come in. Abel has been taken into surgery for lymphatic shock. We need you at the hospital, urgently.”

I didn’t wait for another minute before I rushed out of the house and sped my car to the hospital. Abel and I were twins, and it’d been only the two of us ever since our parents died. We’d both been teenagers, so we’d been forced to go live with Uncle Adrian. He’d never let us forget his kindness. 

Abel was supposed to go to medical school to become a neurosurgeon, but after the first wave of cancer hit, he had to give up his shot. So I went instead, swearing to become a doctor and save his life, as well as every other person in his shoes. 

But cancer treatments were expensive. 

Eventually, I’d have to choose between him and my tuition fees.

Dr. Sanchez was waiting for me in the lobby when I stormed in. He frowned at the bruise on my face, but said nothing. “Where is he?” I gasped, fear making my chest tight. “Where’s my brother?”

“Miss. Moreau, you have to calm down.” He took me and directed me to a seat. “Abel is currently in surgery. But we have other things to talk about.”

I ran my hand through my hair, pulling it out of its messy bun. “Is this about the surgery fees?”

“Your insurance can cover those. Lena, I’m talking about your brother’s chemotherapy.” He was looking at me with the kindest look he could offer, but I didn’t know how to tell him I didn’t even have enough money to get gas back home. “It’s been two years since he regressed. I think it’s time to reconsider chemo, it’s his only chance of survival.” 

“Chemo is so expensive, doctor. I’m a student, where am I meant to find the money?” 

Before, Uncle Adrian covered the costs of home living, and groceries, so I had spare change to save, but now, he hardly even remembered to pay the light and water bill. I was all on my own. 

Dr. Sanchez said something else, but I couldn’t hear him. A moment later, I was all alone. I stood on shaky feet and approached a nurse at the desk.

“Will I be able to see my brother tonight?”

The nurse shook her head, “I’m sorry, you can’t. Maybe if you come back tomorrow morning.” 

I nodded, too tired to argue. My head pounded from where I’d hit it earlier, and the taste of blood in my mouth was only getting stronger. 

My phone buzzed in my hand, a reminder from my school that I was two semesters behind on tuition payment. One more reminder, and I’d be asked to forfeit my admission. Tears gathered in my eyes, hopelessness overwhelmed me. 

My phone buzzed again; this time, it was a call from one of my professors from school. “Lena!” His voice boomed from the speaker, “Boy, do I have amazing news for you.”

I pushed back my tears, “Yes professor?”

“Well, remember how I said I could pull some strings and help you out with your, eh…financial situation. I pulled some strings and got you an elite internship with Vale Biotech.” I gasped. Vale Biotech was the largest pharmaceutical in the world. “You’ll be working directly under Sèbastien Vale himself. The CEO, he’s a brilliant man, but I’ve heard he’s a bit…difficult.”

“Difficult how?” 

“Just a little eccentric, nothing to worry about. He’s tough, and rumor has it he doesn’t come in for any meetings until the sun goes down. He hardly sleeps as far as anyone’s concerned, but I’m sure you can handle him, you’re my brightest student. And if you impress him, your future is set.”

“I don’t know how to thank you, Professor.” 

“You don’t have to thank me, just make sure to go over there and show Sèbastien Vale why you’re my most prized student.” 

After Professor Hale hung up and I made sure Abel was okay, I stepped into my car and drove home, praying that Adrian was either out or passed out cold. 

I drove over a bridge, and in the distance, I caught the familiar gleam of Vale Biotech’s giant 700-foot building, a monstrosity of glass and metal. The lights on the top two floors were on, and I saw shadows moving beyond, wondering if any of them belonged to Sèbastien Vale.

I didn’t care if the rumours were true; if this man was as difficult as they said he was, I would do whatever it takes. If this Sèbastien Vale can save Abel and secure my med school, then I’ll work for the devil himself.