Chapter 2 - What did you see?
1414 Words
The next morning, I was twenty minutes early.
I couldn’t sleep properly last night. I kept replaying what I saw. What he saw. That stare. The way the door closed in my face. Like I was the one who did something wrong.
I tried to tell myself it wasn’t a big deal. I didn’t really see anything. Just two adults talking. Too close. Too… whatever.
Still, my stomach had been in knots since I woke up.
But I know I am more worried if I will suddenly get kick out or something. I badly need a job right now to pay off the debt we had. From my father’s debt and my mom’s hospital bills that were supposed to be…
I sighed.
I fixed my blouse for the fourth time while sitting at my desk, checking and rechecking the calendar Anna asked me to edit. My hands kept fidgeting with the mouse, then the keyboard, then back to the mouse.
Don’t think about it.
Don’t think about him.
Just do your job, Atasha.
The floor was quiet again. A few people walked in, chatting softly. I tried to look busy, eyes glued to my screen.
Then I felt it.
That weird shift in the air again.
I didn’t even look up. I didn’t want to risk it.
A few moments passed. Nothing happened. I relaxed just a little.
Until—
“Miss Valerio.”
Shit.
I turned.
He was standing right there.
Maximus Emerson. Dark suit again and he's wearing his sharp expression and same unreadable face. He wasn’t yelling or anything, but his tone made my spine straighten.
I saw Anna glancing at me, her eyes asking what stupidity I did today and why the boss calls for me.
“Can I speak with you?” he asked.
He didn’t wait for me to respond. He just turned and walked toward the meeting room.
Everyone on the floor turned into statues. I could feel eyes on me as I stood up and followed him.
The door shut behind us with a soft click.
He stood by the window, hands in his pockets. I stood awkwardly by the table, still holding my pen like an i***t.
He turned to face me.
“What did you see last night?”
Straight to the point, huh? Is there any break first or something?
Will he now announced that I'll be fired from this job?
Seriously? On my second day?
I tried to stay calm. “I… I didn’t mean to look. I was just dropping off the documents. The door was a little open and—”
“What did you see?” he asked again, more firm this time.
I swallowed. “Nothing, sir. I just heard a voice, glanced by accident, and walked away. That’s all.”
He watched me closely, like he was trying to figure out if I was lying.
I kept my voice steady. “I didn’t see anything important. I didn’t hear anything either.”
Liar, Atasha!
Then he stepped forward just a little. Not threatening but just closer.
“If you value your job here, Miss Valerio, you’ll forget last night completely. Understood?”
My throat went dry. “Yes, sir. I understand.”
He nodded once. “Good. Now leave.”
He walked past me, opened the door, and left.
I stood there for a few seconds, heart thudding in my chest.
Wow. What was that?
When I got back to my desk, Anna gave me a questioning look.
“What did he want?”
I forced a smile. “Just asked something about a file I dropped off yesterday.”
She seemed to accept that. “Oh. Okay. I thought something bad happened…”
Not just something bad, Anna! I almost f*****g lost my job!
“Well… you’re still alive, so I guess it went well.”
I let out a small laugh, even if I didn’t feel like laughing and my heart was thumping so hard.
The rest of the day dragged on. My focus was all over the place. I kept rechecking emails, rereading notes, and typing the wrong dates on reports.
I didn’t dare look in Mr. Emerson’s direction. But I could feel when he walked past again later that afternoon.
He didn’t say anything this time.
Didn’t even glance at me. And I thanked the heavens for that!
But somehow, I still felt that strange energy. Like he was aware of me. Like I was some bug he was waiting to see crawl under pressure.
I hated that feeling.
At the end of the day, I packed up my things as quickly as I could. I wanted to go home, eat something warm, and pretend I had a normal job with a normal boss and no weird hallway stare-downs.
But the universe, of course, had other plans.
I was already outside the building, standing near the waiting shed, when my phone started buzzing again.
Jared:
Where the hell are you?
Jared:
I’m outside your office.
What?
I looked up, and there he was. Leaning against a motorbike with that smudged look on his face. Still in his worn-out hoodie and jeans. Arms crossed and his face sour.
I walked over, already tired.
“Jared, what are you doing here?”
“You’re not answering my messages.”
“I was at work.”
“You can’t even text a ‘hi’? Not even once?”
His voice was sharp now, not loud, but sharp enough to make people nearby glance.
“Lower your voice,” I said quietly.
“What? Embarrassed of me now?”
I closed my eyes. “This isn’t the time or place.”
But of course, he didn’t care.
“I’ve been patient with you, Atasha,” he continued. “But this…this f*****g job is already changing you. You think you’re better than me now? Is that it?”
“No,” I said firmly. “But you can’t just show up here and act like this. It’s not okay.”
“I’m your boyfriend. Or have you forgotten?”
“I didn’t forget,” I whispered. “But maybe we need to talk. Properly and privately, please.”
He laughed under his breath. “Talk? About what? About how you want to break up with me?”
I didn’t answer.
That was enough of an answer.
He stepped closer. “So that’s it, huh? A few days in a shiny office and you’re ready to throw us away?”
I stepped back. “Jared, go home. You're just tired, please.”
“Maybe you're thinking all mighty now, Atasha. Maybe you forgot, you're not in your position now if not because of me, you b***h!”
I felt my face heated, especially now I can see some people looking at us.
And then, another voice.
“Is there a problem here?”
I turned.
Maximus Emerson was standing a few feet away.
Seriously? Why him? Of all people?
His tone was calm, but cold. But he's looking straight towards Jared who's also looking at him, then back at me.
“Your new guy, huh?”
I didn’t answer.
“Dude, that girl is a liar! Don't get fooled to that innocent b***h–”
“Jared, please. Just go home–” I pleaded but he cut me off.
“Why? Are you embarrassed right now?” he said while moving closer to me but then Mr. Emerson blocked him.
“What the f**k, dude! Stop f*****g meddling here!”
Maximus looked at me. “Is everything alright?”
I opened my mouth, unsure of what to say.
“I…I am… I’m fine,” I said with a bit of panic.
He stepped forward, looked at Jared, and said, “Leave. Now.”
The command in his voice wasn’t loud, but it was firm. No emotion. Just authority.
Jared scoffed. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”
Maximus didn’t flinch. “I can. This is my building. You’re making a scene. Leave. Or I’ll have security escort you.”
And for once, Jared backed off.
He muttered something under his breath, shot me one last glare, and walked away.
I stood frozen.
Maximus looked at me one last time.
“Next time, Miss Valerio, choose a better company.”
Then he walked back into the building.
And I just stood there — feeling angry, embarrassed, and… something else I couldn’t explain.
- Writer
