CHAPTER5
802 Words
EMILY'S POV:
The house was quiet when I got home.
I opened the door Carefully and Stepped in.
My mother was asleep on the couch. The TV was still on low volume, flickering light across her tired face.
My younger Sister was Curled up on the Small mattress beside her, one arm hugging a Pillow like it was the only thing keeping her Safe in her dreams..
For a moment, I just Stood there watching them breathe Slowly.
This is why I Can't stop… This is why I won't bend to Ryan.
Even if he Slowly crush me into Something unrecognizable, I won't quit..
Not because I don't want to, but because I don't have any other Choice.
I moved quietly Past them.
I reached my room and Closed the door gently behind me.
Then I leaned against it just for a Second.
My body felt heavier than it Should have.
I dropped my bag and Sat on the bed.
I laid on the bed, eyes wide open, Staring at nothing.
And eventually Sleep took me anyway.
THE NEXT DAY
I woke up before my alarm.
My body ached immediately, but I still Stood up.
Because I had already made my decision the night before.
I was not quitting..
Kingston Group was already alive when I arrived.
I was earlier than most employees.
Earlier than even the Cleaners in Some sections.
I Sat down immediately and Started working.
By mid-morning, Jason-Ryan's Personal assistant approached my desk.
He looked Concerned.
“Hi,” he Said quietly.
I glanced up briefly. “Good morning sir.”
He hesitated before Speaking again.
“You’re working too hard for a new recruit.”
“I don’t have choice, Mr. Ryan gave me tons of work yesterday,” I replied.
He Studied me carefully. Then lowered his voice.
“Did you Say anything bad to him?”
My fingers Slowed Slightly.
I looked up fully now. “No.”
I lied.
“There must be a reason he's doing this. This is not the type of work a new recruit Should be doing.”
He Said and he walked away leaving me with Something uncomfortable Sitting in my Chest.
Later that day, Sophia found me.
She always appeared like She was drawn to Pressure…
She leaned lightly against my desk, Smiling.
But her eyes weren’t Smiling…
“I heard you Stayed late yesterday which was your first day here”, she said Softly.
I didn’t respond immediately…
She looked at my Screen, then my face.
And She smiled wider.
“You know, I got here yesterday too and I can tell that the CEO already hates you”.
I ignored her and I kept typing.
That made her Pause…
Then she laughed Softly.
“That’s cute,” she said.
I finally looked at her.
“What do you want, Sophia?”
Her expression Shifted.
“Nothing.”
She said and left Sassily…
By evening, everything escalated.
Files stacked higher and one assignment Came in that Changed everything.
It required me to Stay overnight in the office.
My Stomach dropped when I saw it…
I had barely finished the Current workload.
Now this…
Hours Passed and the office emptied again.
Employees went home and it remains only me.
I didn’t notice..
I was too deep in numbers, Charts, and exhaustion…
At Some Point, my vision blurred, at another Point, I stopped feeling my Shoulders Properly..
I Stood up with a Stack of files too heavy for one person.
My knees wobbled Slightly but I ignored it.
I took a Step and the world tilted.
My grip loosened. The files Shifted and it was too late before I realized I was already falling.
But before I hit the floor, a hand Caught me.
I gasped as I was Pulled upright.
The files were taken from my hands before they dropped.
My heart Pounded and I looked up to See Ryan in front of me.
He was Standing too Close holding me s
Steady.
Neither of us Spoke immediately.
The Silence between us felt… different.
“Go home.”
He Said finally and left.
I didn't even wait for a second, I Carried my bag and rushed home immediately.
RYAN's POV
That night, I Sat alone in my office when my Phone rang.
I answered without looking at the Screen.
My father’s voice Came through immediately.
“You Still remember the Condition,” he said.
I didn’t respond.
“You must bring a girlfriend to my birthday next month or I arrange another blind date for you.”
I looked toward the direction of Emily’s desk.
And for the first time, I didn't think of immediate rejection…
A new idea formed in my head.
“…I might already have one,” I Said quietly and ended the Call.
- Writer
