CHAPTER ELEVEN
576 Words
MICHAEL
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly as I leaned back in my office chair. The past twenty-four hours had been… a lot.
Scarlett.
I was thrown off guard when she suddenly screamed and collapsed into my arms. One minute she was beside me, ready to take on this Job, the next minute she was screaming in pain.
I had barely managed to catch her in time.
Even now, I can’t shake off how I felt seeing her crumble like that, this was no ordinary exhaustion, she just started working together. This was something else.
And the way she had instinctively clutched her stomach…
I drummed my fingers against the desk, frowning.
Something about her didn’t add up.
I knew hiring her was not really a good choice, and honestly I didn’t because Jenny had thrown her at me. There was something different about her. The look in her eyes was that of determination and I admired those things.
And if there was one thing I respected, it was resilience.
Still, breaking down on the first day is a bit too much.
A knock at the door pulled me from his thoughts.
“Come in,” he called.
The door opened, and Jenny stepped inside.
“You look tired,” she remarked, eyeing me as she folded her arms.
I let out a short laugh. “I could say the same about you.”
Jenny shook her head, dropping into the chair across from me. “I stayed with her last night. She’s… been through a lot.”
My jaw tensed. I had figured as much, but I didn’t push.
“She’ll be back at work tomorrow,” Jenny added.
Michael arched an eyebrow. “So soon?”
“Yes, she’s stubborn she wouldn’t even take some days off if I had suggested”
“But still, it’s too early, with the way she looked so pale, she needs that rest”
Jenny scoffed. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, she can be hard as a nail”
No, I didn’t. Not yet.
But I was starting to realize there was more to her than what she let on.
I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “Now, why don’t you tell me what I want to hear, what happened to her”
Jenny hesitated. “That’s not my story to tell.”
I had expected that response, but it only deepened my curiosity.
After a moment, I nodded. “Fine. I won’t press.”
Jenny studied him, her gaze sharp. “She’s different I promise you”
I smirked. “Oh? And what exactly does that mean?”
Jenny rolled her eyes. “You know exactly what it means. You hire people based on how good their resumes look. To be honest, I was quite surprised to agreed immediately without hesitation, that’s unlike you”
I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I tapped a pen against the desk, considering her words.
“She has potential,” I finally said.
Jenny gave him a knowing look but didn’t push further.
As she stood to leave, she paused by the door. “Just be kinder to her, and don’t pry too much into her life”
I leaned back in my chair, watching as she walked out.
Harder for her?
No. That wasn’t my intention.
But I have a feeling, she will shake me in ways I do not expect.
- Writer
