I jolted awake with a sharp gasp, my body jerking forward as if I had been pulled from the edge of a cliff.
My heart was racing, my chest tight, my clothes damp with sweat. For a moment, I couldn't tell where I was. The sound of the bus engine hummed beneath me, grounding me slowly back into reality.
"It was just a dream," I whispered to myself.
My voice trembled as I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my hands shaking uncontrollably. The images clung to me stubbornly, refusing to fade. Blood. Darkness. His voice. I shifted in my seat, trying to calm myself, but the entire ride to work felt nerve-racking, every second stretched tight with anxiety.
When the bus finally came to a stop, I practically bolted off it, desperate for fresh air, desperate to put distance between myself and whatever nightmare my mind had created.
The moment I stepped into the building, someone grabbed my arm.
I jumped, my breath catching painfully in my throat.
"Roux!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
I turned sharply, my pulse still racing, only to find Danny staring at me with concern etched all over her face. She was one of the interns too and, unfortunately for my introverted self, the only real friend I had made at work so far.
"Why are you so scared?" she asked softly.
"It's nothing," I replied quickly, forcing a smile that felt brittle and fake. "Just a bit stressed."
Danny didn't look convinced.
"Are you okay?" she asked again, her grip loosening but her eyes searching my face.
I wanted to tell her. God, I really did. I wanted to spill everything, the blood, the man, the feeling of being hunted. But fear sealed my lips. The thought of him finding out, of what he might do if I spoke, made my stomach churn violently.
I didn't want to lose my head. Literally.
"Well, what news do you have for me today?" I asked, forcing a smirk and deliberately shifting the topic.
Danny gasped dramatically, covering her face with her palms. "Oh, Roux."
"Well…" she dragged out.
"You will not believe who our new CEO is."
I frowned slightly. "What?"
"They said he's from the richest family in the world," she continued excitedly, practically bouncing on her feet. "He just bought our company. And on top of that, he's insanely good-looking."
She leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "And he comes with an extra, his friend maybe, or he could be his brother."
I blinked at her, my mind struggling to process her words. They sounded distant, distorted, like I was underwater.
I smiled anyway, nodding as if I was following along. "Wow," I murmured.
"I need to use the bathroom," I said suddenly, desperate to escape. "I'll meet you at the office, okay?"
Danny nodded happily and walked off, still buzzing with excitement. I turned and headed in the opposite direction, my steps quick and unsteady.
In the bathroom, I splashed cold water on my face repeatedly, gripping the edge of the sink as I stared at my reflection. My eyes looked haunted. Pale. Like someone who hadn't slept in days.
Get it together.
I straightened up and stepped out, my phone vibrating in my hand. Distracted, I walked straight into someone.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said quickly, barely looking up as I stepped aside.
I took a few steps forward, then froze.
Why did that feel… familiar?
A chill crept up my spine. Slowly, I turned back, my eyes scanning the hallway.
He was gone.
The space was empty, as if no one had been there at all.
Shaking my head, I forced myself to move on, convincing myself I was imagining things, and headed toward the office.
⸻
Meanwhile, Morven sat comfortably in his newly acquired office, the faint hum of the city filtering through the tinted windows.
Bray stood near the doorway, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
"Wasn't that the girl from this morning?" Bray asked, his tone sharp.
"Yes, it is," Morven replied calmly, not bothering to look up from the papers in his hands.
Bray scoffed. "Wait. Don't tell me that's why you bought this company."
Morven didn't answer. His lips curved into a subtle smile as he continued reading.
"I really can't believe you," Bray muttered, shaking his head as he turned to walk away.
"Don't you want to know why I bought the company anymore?" Morven asked casually.
Bray stopped. Slowly, he turned back, folding his arms and gesturing for him to continue.
"Well, sit down," Morven said. "Do you have to stand?"
Bray stared at him, clearly losing patience, before finally sitting.
"But I have to ask you something first," Morven continued.
Bray sighed. "What now?"
"Why do you call me sir when people are around, but treat me like this when it's just us?" Morven asked, genuinely amused.
Bray snorted. "Because your father would behead me if I spoke to you like this in public."
"But you still do," Morven pointed out.
"Because we're alone," Bray replied. "And because I enjoy it."
Morven chuckled softly.
"So," Bray continued, leaning forward, "about the girl and this company."
Morven smiled slowly, then lifted the papers again. "Forget it. I've changed my mind."
Bray groaned. "I'm going to kill you one day." He said standing up.
Morven didn't respond, he just smiled. Then Bray left.
Moments later, his phone rang. He set the papers aside and answered.
"Yes?"
"I got the files you asked for, sir. I'll send them now," the voice said.
Morven's smile deepened. "Good."
He ended the call, his eyes darkening with satisfaction.
"I finally have you in the palm of my hands now," Morven murmured to himself, a low, devilish laugh escaping his lips.