A Game Of Revenge

Episode 17 The Visit

It had been a while since that intimidating action of his which always startled me whenever I think about it.

After that, I kept my distance, I avoided talking too much and standing close to Mr. Layne.

‘I shouldn’t have overlooked our differences. But, his brother should have stayed away too! Why do I get berated only?!’

Whenever he was near, my heart pounded in dread, drowning in unexplainable urge of distance.

‘Also I never thought my first scolding at the office won’t be about work but about a flirty matter,’

And by all means, I needed this job, I couldn’t get fired over some attraction. My career was more important than Lucien.

Amid those messy thoughts, I suddenly remembered that I promised Eri that I shall pay a visit.

“Oh, s**t,”

I quickly finished my file and went to Mr. Layne's office to get a short leave.

I knocked and his voice came, "Come in,"

When I entered, he was engrossed in his work. I walked closer and put the files on the table.

"I have checked all these files, apart from the lack of payment from Hydra Club, everything else was fine." I said slowly to get a glimpse of his expressions to know whether I should ask him or not.

"Then stop aiding them, if they can't pay for their share, they can't expect anything from us." He said without looking up, even scoffing to hear this, mumbling a curse under his breath.

"Yes, Sir."

I took another step back and called him hesitantly, praying he wouldn't scold me.

"Mr. Layne." He hummed in response, motioning me to continue.

"I need to leave on short leave." I said nervously.

And once again, upon hearing things related to me, he stopped his work and looked at me with a perfectly raised eyebrow.

"Why?"

"I need to go to the orphanage to meet my sister." I replied, moving my hands at my back due to nervousness.

He put his pen down and looked at me giving me his full unwanted attention, enhancing my worry.

"Ms. Beth, I am sorry you can't leave."

"But why, Sir?" I asked, desperate to meet Eri once.

"We need to go to the resort construction site to see how much work is left before the opening." He explained with a smirk.

Leaning back, clearly the atrocity was coated in his aura, indulging in my hopelessness.

Using small means as usual to piss me off since I had signed the contract.

‘Sometimes I think he is giving me slow torture in the form of revenge,’

"But, Sir, I promised her. Please."

I tried to reason, praying he might shred some mercy.

"Well, that is not my concern. Let's get this done quickly so you can leave early."

But to no avail because my promise was none of his concern because by schedule, I wasn’t required on the visit. He was supposed to go alone.

"Okay."

I mumbled with a frown, lowering my gaze sadly, left with no choice but to go along. He stood up and buttoned his coat.

"I am waiting in the lobby. Get your things." He said coldly, checking his watch and left.

I sighed and went back to my cabin and grabbed my bag and file and went to the lobby.

Erica would be heartbroken if I didn't come to meet her. I guess I have to make up for it on Sunday now.

I pouted and went with him. It was 12pm and the visit time will end at 6 in the evening. I hope I can finish the stupid visit as soon as possible.

I was about to take the office car to go to the site as it wasn’t casual like the photoshoot at Lucien’s but he opened the door of his Aston Martin for me.

He didn’t open the door when we used to visit Lucien’s studio.

"Is there something Ms. Beth?" He asked, irritated at my lack of action.

"N-No. Thank you." Stammering, I tugged my hair behind and sat.

My heart began to pound roughly, my throat dried as I kept looking down.

Not moving my gaze as the last time rushed where he gave me the bag with medicine, coffee and those delicious biscuits.

‘He could be nice if he wanted to yet choose to be an asshole.’

Scolding me depending on his mood, giving me work right before the clock out and warning me to complete it there.

Forcing me to sit next to him and staring at me with those questionable eyes as if seeing me exasperated was his indulgence.

Maybe it was.

"Are you okay, Ms. Beth?" He asked, noticing me losing in my thoughts.

"Yes, Sir. I just.. can we finish it soon?" I asked, hopefully, unable to hold my head high.

"We will see." He smirked.

I bit my cheeks and kept looking down, unsure how to react or what to say.

That was definitely deliberate.

Thankfully, the devilish ride ended because I was sweating due to nervousness, his car, his scent, his presence, all of it intimidated me this time- all because of what happened in his office.

The second we stopped, I hastily got out and gained as much distance as possible from him which he also noticed but didn’t comment on.

"The opening will be in four months. Everything is almost completed." Mr. Layne told me, gesturing with his index finger to follow him.

I kept walking behind him, taking a look around the lavish beach resort.

A smile crept upon my lips when I looked at it. It was so beautiful, its charm showed that it was made only for the rich.

I would have been interested in taking my time looking at it but right now I was getting anxious by passing time.

We finished our tour yet he decided to stay longer.

“Huff,”

Irritated, I stopped at the rooftop which had a great setting for the people to relax as the view of the beach made me feel immensely calm.

The breeze embraced me, I inhaled deeply, having nothing else to do at this point.

"Beautiful, isn't it."

I heard a voice behind me and turned to see a guy smiling at me. I quickly took a step back.

"Y-Yeah." I stuttered.

Hoping Mr. Layne wouldn't see me talking to anyone or else it will give him a reason to mock me, like always.

"I'm Zackery Jackson, The architect of this resort and the interior designer."

I passed him a smile and said, "It's beautiful, you are extremely talented, can’t wait to see the final look."

He chuckled and replied sweetly, "Thanks. By the way, what's your name? I am seeing you here for the first time."

I opened my mouth to reply but the devil called me, "Ms. Beth." Was I not allowed to make two minute normal talk?

I immediately turned to him, "Aren't you dying to go home? And now wanting to talk?" He mocked, certainly displeased that I interacted with another human being.

‘What the hell is your problem?!’

His taunts boil my blood, I hate it how he talked so low of me just because I hadn't pushed any guy other than him away.

Although his demeanor was making me ‘not’ regret my decision.

I gave him a fake smile and retorted in a sweet voice, "Because there's nothing else to do. Since I have broken my promise because of the visit, why not enjoy and greet the great mind behind this exquisite place, right?”

My response pissed him off immensely, he could taunt me all he wanted but I was not allowed to do that.

“Oh, don’t flatter me this much.” That guy chuckled.

“I am glad I got to see you,”

I deliberately grinned at him and it made Mr. Layne’s jaw clenched, wiping my smile instantly, scaring me for a second.

"We are leaving." He ordered dominantly, taking off his shades.

“Bye.” I whispered.

Waving at the guy whose name I couldn't be able to remember and followed Mr. Layne's tracks like a little kid, going back after this unwanted visit.

‘He warned me because Lucien is his brother. Why would he bother now, right?’