Chapter 45
Chapter 45
“How is it possible that you'll get dismissed just for being late?” Michael furrowed his brows and looked at me quizzically.
I lowered my head and mumbled, “Well, I might turn out to be the first one to get sack because of that since I offended my supervisor previously. Ever since then, he has been holding a grudge against me. Not to mention, everyone in my department is also against me at the moment. So who knows, I might actually get dismissed at any time due to the slightest mistake made.”
I did not feel like going to the office lately as I could sense that all my colleagues were ostracizing me. Moreover, Conrad was even unleashing his wrath on me by torturing me at work after I rejected him previously. He pressurized me by assigning me endless tasks not only from my department but also from the other department.
“But why?” Michael's frown deepened into a scowl as he stared at me curiously.
Initially, I never thought of pouring out to him how Conrad tried to hit on me previously. However, the inexplicable grievance in my heart was suffocating me. Almost everyone misunderstood me for seducing Conrad in order to enhance my career advancement. In their eyes, I was nothing but a shameless and scheming woman who intended to go from rags to riches. In the end, I blurted out the disgruntling incident to him.
The moment I finished my story, Michael's face fell. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of the abrupt change in his expression. I glanced at him apprehensively. D*mn... Would he see me as someone who had taken advantage of the fact that we have slept together just so I could snitch to him about my superiors? What if he really thinks that way of me?
“So he groped your breast?” he asked coldly when I was cracking my head on how I should explain it to him. I could not tell what he was thinking about as he gazed at me with his obsidian eyes.
“Yeah...” I murmured in bewilderment, intimidated by his grim look.
“I'll handle this matter. Listen to me, Anna. I need you to get one thing straight. As long as we have this relationship going on between us, I will not tolerate another man laying their hands on any parts of your body. Do you get me?” His tone was laced with a hint of warning.
I gazed at him, feeling helpless. What does he want me to do then? I'm the one that's being harassed by Conrad here. I, too, was repulsed by how the unsightly pervert touched me! Yet, he is hinting that I was the one who let others lay their hands on me!
“I understand. I'll be more alert next time.” Suppressing the irritation in my heart, I nodded obediently so as not to infuriate him.
Upon hearing my reply, he threw an indifferent glance at me without uttering any words before taking a sip from his cup of coffee elegantly. As silence ensued in the living room, it was as if he had forgotten about my existence. Anxiety welled up from within me gradually as I glanced at my watch. Even if I rush out now, I might still be late the moment I reach the office!
After a while, Michael put down his cup of coffee and switched his attention to the newspaper he was holding, flipping through them. Mustering my courage, I asked tactfully, “Michael, do you have any women's clothing here that you can lend to me?”
He raised his brows and turned to look at me. “Do I look like a man who will easily bring any woman
home?” His voice had gone up an octave and his tone had turned cold.
Well, I'm not wrong, am I? After all, you brought me home last night, didn't you? I was mocking him inwardly, yet on the surface, my expression was impassive as ever.
Even though I had only known the man for a short span of time, I could somehow sense that his temper was unpredictable. If I dared to go against his will, I would surely enrage him.
“Can't you just tell me do you or do you not have it? You can't expect me to stay naked, right?” I could not hold back any longer and ask again.
I lowered my head and looked at my embarrassing state. Wrapped with a blanket, I was completely naked beneath. Feeling awkward at how the maids were staring at me, I could not help but bury my face in my hands.
“No issue on that. In fact, it'll be more convenient if you remain naked. Since I have an appointment in the afternoon, I'm not going to the office this morning. We can grab time for another round of intimate sessions!” he teased me.
I was rendered speechless and even felt that my temples started to throb. Is he going against me deliberately? He's the boss! Nobody would dare to question him if he does not turn up at the office. On the other hand, I'm just a low-ranking employee. What if I am fired for being late?
“Michael, can you please be more considerate and put yourself in my shoes? Even though we're in a mutually beneficial relationship, it doesn't mean that I have to listen to your every request! What if I lose my job because of this?” I tried to hold back my temper and talk him into changing his mind.
“Don't worry. You won't get fired. After all, I'm the owner of the company. So far, we have never sacked anyone just because they were late for work. We would only dock the employee's salary as a warning at most. Anyway, you don't have to be worried even if your salary is docked. I will compensate you ten times more than the docked amount.” He convinced me.
What? Ten times! What a sum! Even though I disliked people who were insolent by thinking that money was everything, his offer was simply irresistible for me. Dad's treatment still requires a large sum of money, and I can't really afford it with just my current salary. This is a golden opportunity for me to gain and save more money for Dad!
“I hope you keep your promise and compensate me accordingly then. I'd better make a call to apply for leave today before it's too late. Otherwise, I won't know what to do if I'm really really fired for being late.”
I took my handbag from the desk and whipped out my phone to call Conrad. Even though I was reluctant to have a conversation with the disgusting man, he was still my superior. I was worried that he would take this matter and use it to threaten me.
Michael leaned against the couch with his legs crossed as he took a sip of his coffee casually.
When the call got through, Conrad's bellow of rage sounded before I could even utter any words. “Anna Garcia, what's the matter with you? Why the hell are you not in the office yet at this hour? Do you want me to dismiss you?”
I knew very well that ever since I offended Conrad previously, he never stopped finding fault in everything I did. I had been extra careful not to make any mistakes and work diligently, so he would not have any excuses to punish me. Since I was late for work this round, I was certain that he would grab
at the chance to give me a hellish time.
“Mr. Skeete, I'm sorry, but I need to apply for leave today to settle something...” Tamping down the rage that I was feeling, I tried to explain to him patiently.
“Do you have any respect for the company? How can you apply for leave as you like? Do you really think you can apply for leave with just a phone call?” he fumed. He was obviously trying to pick fault with me, yet I could only stifle my frustration.
“I really have something on today. Can you please approve my leave application?” I gritted and forced myself to softened my tone. Deep down, however, I felt like venting my anger by bombarding him with a slew of curse words.
“Well, if you really wish that I can approve your leave application, you need to show that you're sincere with your request...” He suddenly softened and lowered his voice.
My face lit up and I thanked him at once, “Thank you so much, Mr. Skeete...”
“Don't thank me first. I haven't finished my words yet,” he cut me off.