Bound By Obsession

Chapter4

This job means a lot to me. I was shattered because I don’t know what will come out next of Mr. Davis’s mouth. Is he going to pardon me or just get me sacked? Or is it angry and jealous that I didn’t give in to him and now using my lateness as an excuse to quench the rejection he got from me?

Something in me keeps whispering all of this into my ear.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t overlook this, Mr. Davis said. We need people who are serious, who can show a level of responsibility and commitment to this company.

Pack up your things, Angela. You’re done here.”

I held my breath, praying for a miracle, as I stood in front of Mr. Davis’s desk, pleading for forgiveness. "Please, Mr. Davis," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "It was a silly mistake, and it won’t happen again. I was just distracted, but I’m committed to this job. Please give me another chance."

He looked at me, unimpressed. "Who is he?" he asked.

Confused, I shook my head. "What do you mean?"

He leaned back in his chair as his expression hardened. "The man. The one who made you forget about the report you were supposed to submit. Who is he?”

"With all due respect, Mr. Davis, that’s personal."

I knew he was angry and jealous of me, but I kept my head down, begging him to show me mercy as the pitiful condition of my mother kept striking my mind. “This is the only job I can use to keep her treatment going and make her get better.

He smirked as he shook his head slowly. "Bold of you to use that tone, given your position." His words were laced with condescension, reminding me which of us was the superior one. "But I’ll remind you, Angela, I’m not your father. I’m your boss. And I don’t appreciate you jeopardising my trust."

I took a deep breath. "Understood. I’ll have your report ready first thing tomorrow."

“I’ll let you off the hook this time, but one more slip up and you’re done.”

I turned to leave, but I remembered something I had to tell him, and I hesitated. "By the way," I began, hoping it would at least partially redeem me, "the deal you’re trying to make with Andorra Holdings—it won’t work. We are drowning in debt from their failed overseas expansions, and it’s not the kind we can overlook. We are in over $45 million debt."

Davis’s brow arched, but he brushed it off with a wave. "Noted, but I’m not concerned. My financial secretary is handling it, and he’ll cover up any potential issues. All you need to worry about, Ms. Mendes, is delivering my report tomorrow morning."

“Mr. Davis, with all due respect, this is dangerous for all of us. You’re putting our jobs at risk—”

"Enough," he cut me off, his tone final. "Unless you’d like to be fired twice in one day, I’d advise you to take your leave now."

He leaned back with his fingers steepled together as he eyed me with a mixture of irritation and amusement. “And tomorrow, wear something more appropriate. You’ll be in the meeting with Andorra Holdings, and I expect you not to mess it up."

I swallowed hard as my pride shredded to pieces. I gave him a sharp nod, turned and walked out.

After the days work, I got back to my apartment tired and frustrated. I unlocked the door and stepped inside, only to freeze. There, sitting on my armchair as if he belonged there, was Michael, casually scrolling through his phone.

"How—how did you get in here?" I demanded, tired and shocked to mask my irritation.

He gave me a lazy smile, as though this was perfectly normal. “I told you, Angela. I’m not going to lose you again.”

I exhaled heavily, setting my bag down. "Michael, please. Leave me alone. I had a nightmare of a day, thanks to you making me show up at work looking like a bottle girl, and I still have a report to finish before dawn."

Ignoring my plea, he moved behind me as his hands found my shoulders. He started massaging the knots in my muscles; his touch was surprisingly soothing despite my frustration. "Angy baby, talk to me," he murmured calmly.

I shrugged off his hands, turning to face him. "You’re a distraction, Michael," I muttered. "One I can’t afford right now."

He chuckled softly, unfazed, and tried again. "Then let me be useful. Talk to me."

For reasons I couldn’t quite fathom, I gave in. "Fine. My boss—Mr. Davis—is putting our entire department at risk with this reckless deal with Andorra Holdings. We are drowning in debts from failed expansions, but he thinks his financial team can just cover it up."

Michael’s face changed—was it surprise? Shock? He quickly composed himself, masking whatever reaction had crossed his mind.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "With my mom’s health deteriorating, I can’t afford to lose this job. But Davis is convinced he knows what he’s doing, so... here I am.”

Michael placed his hands on my shoulders again. My beautiful Angela, if your boss says he knows what he’s doing, trust him.”

“Alright, Michael.” I said as I let out a heavy sigh.

The next morning, I arrived early, report in hand, dressed in a professional navy blouse and a skirt that I prayed would meet Mr. Davis’s expectations. My nerves were on edge, but I was determined to prove myself.

Mr. Davis looked over the report with a brief nod, apparently satisfied. “Don’t mess this meeting up for me,” he said, fixing me with a warning glance.

I straightened, nodding confidently. "Understood."

Just then, the doors to the conference room opened, and the team from Andorra Holdings filed in. My heart skipped a beat as I saw the tall figure at the front, a man who couldn’t be mistaken for anyone else.

Michael Hastings.

I felt the blood drain from my face; my stomach twisted as he locked eyes with me. He grinned at me, looking like he’d just won a game of chess I hadn’t even known we were playing.

I was shocked to the bone. How could I have been so naive? I’d told him everything—about the debts, the cover-up, the risks. And now he was standing in our conference room, armed with all the knowledge I’d foolishly confided in him.

I forced myself to stay composed, gripping my pen tightly as Michael approached the table. His gaze lingered on me for a moment too long, but he kept his expression professionally neutral.

Mr. Davis, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me, greeted him warmly. “Mr. Hastings, it’s an honour to have you here. We’re excited to finalise the details.”

Michael’s eyes flicked to mine as he returned the greeting, that slight smirk hinting that he knew exactly what he was doing. “Likewise, Mr. Davis. I’m confident we’ll reach an agreement that might benefit both parties.”

Trying to maintain my composure and not getting carried away. He brought a file from his suit.

What’s this file all about, thinking to myself.