"I.... Went for my break." I replied shaking lightly.
"And you decided to do that without informing me?" He cuts in furiously
"I…. I didn't think i had to. Margaret said it was break time and you weren't here so i…" he cuts in again
"I don't care if i was in the building or not. You're my assistant, that means you inform me before leaving, regardless of who gives you permission."
"I called for you twice.... You were no where to be found….. no note, no text message, you left without notice and came back late." He whisper yelled.
"I ran into my friend.... It wasn't intentional. I didn't realize how long…."he cut me off
"And you think this company or I have time to wait on your lack of discipline?"
"No" I whispered quietly
"You're here to assist me not disappear and chat with friends."
"I'm sorry, it won't happen again." I replied calmly
"You're right….. it won't. You're not allowed to leave this office again without my explicit permission, not even for a glass of water. And you're not leaving today untill those files are completed. Every last page."he added with a final clipped tone.
"Yes….."
The exhaustion hit me like a wave but I nodded, keeping my voice steady. I turned toward the door, shoulder heavy, already burnt out from the yelling.
.....
I slumped back in the chair, fingers trembling slightly as I placed the final paper on the bottom of the sorted stack.
"Finally!" I whispered
I glanced at the time on the small desk clock.
10:46 pm
My stomach twisted, legs ached. I tried standing but my knees buckled slightly and I had to grip the desk to steady myself.
Axel hadn't stopped at coffee, Every hour brought a new task….. a document... a file... an email... then another. I rubbed my temples eyes stinging.
I peered into his office, dark, empty, of course he was gone... just like that.
Not a word, not a goodbye, not even an "oh you've done enough for the day"
My chest throbbed with something like grief and anger wrapped into one. Not just at him but at everything.
At my parents who sold me into this mess and hadn't even called to check on me once since I got married. Who made me marry a man that clearly despised me.
With a tired sigh I grabbed my bag and forced myself to walk toward the elevator.
...….
Outside the city buzzed.....cars.....lights..... horns.... That's when it hit me. I had no ride back, no driver, no cab, I was alone.
My heart started to panic but I held it together, standing awkwardly on the pavement outside the building, trying to look calm while internally spiraling.
I pulled out my phone scrolling through Jada's number.
But how do I explain I live with Axel Knight? That I'm married to him.
Before I could think it I swiped up to him name.
My fingers hesitated just as I was about to press call.....
An unfamiliar sleek car pulled up fast and stopped in front of me.
I jumped back clutching my bag to my chest, pulse sky high.
The window rolled down slowly.
Axel...
His eyes locked onto mine and dropped to the bag clutched in my hand like a weapon.
He looked furious.
"Get in." His voice calm a clear opposite to his demeanor.
I stared a second too long, already dreading the storm that would come the moment I sit in that passenger seat. But I had no choice... i slid in carefully.
He pulled into the street so fast I had to grab onto the door handle, the engine growling under me as the car tore into the night.
I pressed my back into the seat, praying for him to stay silent, my brain couldn't take any more of his lectures.