Page 11 of Off-Limits Bad Boy Protector

I swallowed hard. I knew Lisa meant well, but she couldn't fully grasp the depth of my resistance. It wasn't her who had felt the pain of those heart-wrenching words three years ago. She didn't know how his touch still affected me, how it stirred up emotions I thought I'd buried.

My brows furrowed. Fear, hurt, and unresolved emotions tangled within me. They clouded my judgment. "I... I guess I'm afraid of history repeating itself again, Lisa," I confessed. "I felt things when his hands grabbed my wrist. I'm afraid of getting hurt all over again and being vulnerable in his presence. I just don't trust myself to handle it," I sighed, feeling the weight of my words.

Lisa nodded. “I get your fear, but it’s understandable,” she brought the eggs to the whisk and powered it on. “You’re not the same person you were back then. You’ve grown, and you’ve learned. Give yourself a chance to prove that you can handle this with strength and resilience.”

Lisa's gentle voice caused my tensed shoulders to relax slightly. I knew it made sense to confront my fears, and I had probably grown as Lisa said. I knew I couldn’t spend my life running. It was probably crazy to abandon my dreams just because Leo showed up. But honestly, I really didn't want that job. I was crossing my fingers that I wouldn't get it. I was determined to figure out a different way to make ends meet, no matter what.

I groaned as I slowly opened my eyes. They felt heavy, as if I had coated my lashes with lead. They bore the weight of a restless night. Even with my eyes wide open, I could still recall the dreams vividly. My night had been haunted by thoughts and images of Leo Woodrow and our painful history.

Blinking twice, I heard my stomach growl and sat up. I squeezed my eyes shut, realizing my head was throbbing, and I still felt utterly exhausted. Dragging myself out of bed, I trudged towards my small kitchen.

I walked towards the fridge and swung open the door. A bitter laugh escaped my lips as I was greeted by bare shelves and a few lonely condiment jars. What was that thing my mother used to say? Oh yeah, "Beggars can't be choosers."

Well, maybe I needed to listen.

I let out a defeated sigh and shut the fridge. What had I been expecting? A miracle? I reached for the bag of bread on the countertop that I had bought on credit a few days back. It was no gourmet breakfast, but it would have to do for now. After eating a few slices to ease the hunger, I returned to my bed and flopped down with a heavy thud.

I nibbled on the piece of bread in my fingers and reached for my phone. The device had barely unlocked when the screen lit up with a notification. It was an email. My heart skipped a beat as I read the subject line: Job Offer: SoundEase

The realization that I had indeed gotten the job caused my heart to sink. Tears welled up in my eyes, but they weren’t tears of joy. They flowed from a place of disappointment. Here it was, the confirmation that I had been accepted for a job I was so reluctant to take.

I still can't believe I got in. I didn't do a thing - no interview, nothing. If Leo pulled some strings to make this happen, I'm in trouble.

My grip tightened around the phone, emotions swirling within me. Part of me wanted to celebrate the victory. This was what I had wanted for several years. It was my dream. I had waited patiently to work at SoundEase, and now that it was here all I felt was overwhelmed. I pressed my face against my palms with sobs racking through me for some reason. Now, I would be stepping into a world that only reminded me of painful memories. I had worked hard to forget them but never did.

Chapter 9

I stood before the mirror in my room, fixing my white shirt's collar. I grinned at my reflection, feeling thrilled it wasn't ruined by the laundry staff this time. I almost fired them all after this mishap, but Nehemy urged me to stay calm.

As expected, today is my first day on the job. It wasn't excitement that I felt. Instead, I felt ready for the challenge. I gazed into the mirror, straightening my belt. Over the past three years, thoughts of Cassie had occupied my mind more times than I cared to admit. Her presence had left an indelible mark on my thoughts, and now, here she was in the flesh.

My golden curls fell into place. They framed my jawline and added magnetism to my features. I smiled once again at my reflection. I already knew my appearance was alluring, but it was my presence and the way I held my head that truly set me apart.

I reached for my polished leather shoes and slipped my feet into them. My mind buzzed with a numb sense of anticipation. What were the odds that Cassie would find her way to my company hunting for a job?

However, if I were honest, SoundEase was by far the biggest broadcasting company in California. It was every broadcaster's dream place to work.

With a final glance in the mirror, I straightened my posture and strode out of my bedroom. I gave a couple of instructions to my house staff. Then, I headed outside. I couldn't deny there was more to this fascination with Cassie. Another aspect of Cassandra Evans that I wasn't willing to admit.

I shoved my hands into my pocket and headed towards the black Mercedes that my driver had brought out. “Nothing beats that dance of power and vulnerability.” A small smirk made its way to his lips.

“Good morning, Mr. Woodrow,” my driver greeted me with a slight bow. I nodded at him and slid into the open backseat. Today was going to be a great day. Somewhere on the other side of town, I had woken up much earlier for two reasons. Firstly, I had to start work early. Secondly, I needed to avoid my landlady. Dealing with one more argument would drive me crazy.

My eyes once again felt like lead. Perhaps it was the weight from a restless night struggling to battle my reluctance to take on the job. I sluggishly rolled out of bed. My body ached. Morning sunlight streamed through the partly drawn curtains. It cast a soft glow on my chaotic and worn-out bedroom.

Letting out a yawn, I stretched in an attempt to shake off the remnants of the previous night. I hopped into the shower, quickly rinsed off, and brushed my teeth. I wasn’t even excited enough to primp myself. I grabbed a pair of faded blue jeans. They openly showed their well-worn and frayed edges. I also took a loose-fitting, slightly oversized sweater in a muted shade of gray. I considered hunting for a top with a brighter color but dismissed the thought.

Turning towards the mirror, I lazily brushed my dark locks, opting for a quick ponytail to keep them out of my face. My eyes fell on the reflection of my own brown eyes, and frustration rolled through me.

"Dammit!”

They were still puffy from all the crying I had done yesterday, staring back at me blankly. I hissed and dragged my feet through the cramped apartment to grab my handbag. Before leaving, I took a deep breath and stood in front of the mirror.

This won't work unless I set boundaries to protect myself. They are needed for the emotional whirlwind. It could come with any interaction with Leo Woodrow," I whispered. "Stay professional, Cassie. Keep it strictly business. Ignore everything else."

I let words echo in my mind as I made my way through the door, repeating the mantra like a protective shield. I trudged through city streets. I quickly blended in with the crowd of busy commuters.

I boarded the crowded subway train. I made my way to my favorite window seat. I gazed absentmindedly at the passing scenery. I hated how my mind drifted. It replayed memories from college and brought back those horrible words.

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