Page 40 of Darkest Deception

I can’t have a repeat of two nights ago, no matter that I’ve seen him outside my window the past two days. My stalker is the first ever person I’ve admitted how much I hate my body. The reason I cover my legs, the reason I wear long sleeves, a jacket, or even black tights.

Going into work the following Monday, I knew I could just ignore everything and focus on my work, on my goal of getting my company back, and stupidly enough, I wanted to face Helia just so I could argue with him and let myself be free. To feel something other than my troubles that I always tuck away before walking outside of my home.

The mansion feels lonely and scary. It’s an empty house that once housed monsters and has turned me into one. Mom has never felt the need to stay home often, I barely see her around.

I hate my father for making me who I am. For wanting me to do so well that I lost myself and destroyed so many lives.

I fired people, insulted them in front of everyone, and humiliated them far more than anyone can handle just to display the power I hold. I held the wrong, weaker people accountable just to show I could do it and manipulated everyone around me. That all resulted in resentment from others, including my sister. Now I didn’t even know who I was anymore.

The day Dad died, it’s like everything shut down and there was finally silence inside my head. It let me think about what I did and the day I made the biggest mistake of my life last year. Aurora’s current state, trauma, and paranoia were heightened because of my mistake. I knew the road from then onwards was going to be rough, but it was one I needed to take.

I needed to make things right.

So I have been trying to locate the families, to ask and beg for forgiveness from them, getting on my knees, offering money in exchange for the losses they suffered. I am far from perfect. I still have a long list to go, but I have to start somewhere.

But still, even after trying to be better, Helia’s words always keep reminding me of who I was. He brings out the past version of me that loved showing people I can do everything. I truly show what I feel for him clearly. I am truthful in what I say, but I know I can be a little harsh.

It’s the way I am, after all.

“Ambrose, get these photocopied, and also, since it’s almost lunch, can you get me a quick meal?”

I get up from my chair and head towards Helia, who is scrolling on his phone while holding a stack of papers. I grab them and wait for him to step aside since he is blocking the whole doorway.

Today, his white dress shirt is accompanied by green dice cufflinks that peak out. His sleeves are rolled to his elbows, showcasing the veins decorating his thick arms that hold enough strength and muscle to put many men to shame. His black slacks fit him perfectly and complement his jet-black hair. He looks every part the CEO today.

Something I realised over the past couple of weeks is that I notice Helia’s arms a lot. Every. Single Time. It’s like some kind of stupid fetish that makes me want to run my hands along his arms, to feel every vein under my fingertips, to know if that buzzing around us would explode into flames or if he will wrap them around me, suffocating me.

His cologne wraps around me like a shadow. I know if I were any closer to him, it would be stronger, and I would be unable to stop myself from wanting to curl around him and placing my face in the crook of his neck to smell him.

He would take the chance to wrap me so tightly, surrounding my body until I am left gasping for air as he sucks the life out of me. His sharp eyes would watch me suffocate. Exactly as a deadly python would.

“Am I supposed to walk through you?” The sarcasm in my voice has him looking up, and I will never fail to feel my heart pound the minute those emerald eyes connect with mine.

They are so deep, swimming with such depth and darkness around the rims that it makes me want to take a picture or a video just so I could watch the colours blend so perfectly on repeat. The few locks of hair falling into his eyes accentuate the scar on his eye, but I rarely ever look at it. Not because it disgusts me but rather because it’s not something that ever puts me off. It makes me curious as to how he got it more than anything.

“Funny,” he muses with a deadpan look. He steps to the side and lets me walk through. Everyone has already gone for their lunch, so the floor is empty. I can feel his eyes on me, the intensity of them a slow torture my body recognises when he looks at me, even if I am not directly facing him.

“Did you run up the stairs today?” I hear him call out, humour in the words.

“Was your coffee to your liking today?” I counter, knowing I made it extra sweet when he prefers it plain with no added sugar. I get the photocopies and his lunch from the canteen, since he didn’t specify where to get it from, and head back up.

I am about to knock on his door when I catch the faint sound of Helio’s voice. I stop and press my ear against the door.

“The new finance team is ready and rolling. Two years will pass easily for me and then I will be out of your hair, Remo. Don’t worry.”

There is a pause.

“She’s working well. Tell Aurora not to worry. I didn’t hurt her sister. I promised, didn’t I?”

I bite my lip, heat expanding in my chest at hearing this.

Aurora asked him to be nice to me? He will leave after two years?

For the first time, happiness expands in my chest and there is a bounce in my step when I knock on the door and walk inside. He puts his phone away but keeps his eyes on me while I place the papers and his lunch on his desk.

“I need to eat, too, so I’ll be heading out.” I turn around, letting a smile stretch on my face once my back is to him and quickening my steps.

“Not so fast.”

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