Page 30 of Darkest Deception

The tension in my shoulders and the shaking intensifies as I try to focus on my breathing. I concentrate on the feeling of sitting on my yoga mat as raindrops fall outside on my balcony. The cool air wrapping around me. The curtains softly flapping against the doors. The faint hum of wind flowing through the leaves outside.

My breathing finally slows, and my heart calms.

“I thank God every day that I have a secure job. Some people’s arrogance gets the better of them, and when they are forced to their knees, it’s a satisfying thing to see.”

My eyes snap open and find the marketing intern, Naya Fash. She started working here just a year ago. I remember I rejected her designs. They were ugly, and I didn’t sugarcoat my words.

She’s talking to another intern, Selena Mell. A perfect match to her. They are both the same. Wouldn’t be a surprise if they turned out to be sisters.

“Right? Everyone should stay humble. Ego can be bad for you, especially when your downfall follows right after,” she says tartly, looking at me from the corner of her eye.

I don’t respond. My head is swimming with thoughts about Aurora, but they don’t let my mind stay quiet.

“I hope you are safe from the torments of people in this company. You can talk to me any time.” Selena places a hand on Naya’s shoulder.

Naya smiles. “Of course. It’s quite hard, but I am glad that the management has changed, or I would have looked for a new job.”

“Would have done us all a favour,” I mutter, rolling my eyes.

Naya’s black hair flicks over her shoulder as she turns to me, and Selena, whose red hair is up in a ponytail, also narrows her eyes at me as if I am the one talking shit about them.

“Excuse me?” Naya turns to me.

“You heard what I said. The changes in management don’t mean that I have no power. I am still the second highest shareholder in the company.?”

Naya’s face burns, the red hue spreading over her face and chest.

“But it doesn’t mean you get to threaten to fire me,” she spits back.

I chuckle at her words, and that makes them both straighten. I never intended to bully anyone anymore, and I won’t, but they need to know to not overstep their boundaries.

“Sure, you can believe that if you like. It’s not like I don’t know every single employee in here and every single dirty thing they’ve done,” I say, my eyebrow raised.

Selena opens her mouth. My attention snaps to her, and she shuts it under my harsh gaze.

“Let’s go. There is no point in arguing with such entitled people.” Selena all but drags Naya away.

I head back upstairs soon after, not wanting another encounter like this. It’s part of the reason I rarely even leave my floor. I can feel the eyes of the managers on this floor follow me, a soft continuous murmur between them.

“She’s beautiful and really kind. I wish she’d taken over Glamorous.”

That one whisper sticks to me as I knock on Helia’s door.

Dread settles deep in my stomach.

“Come in.”

I do, only to find Helia on his way out. Aurora is still there, sitting on the chair in front of his desk.

His emerald eyes capture my own hostage as he leans down, his breath fanning my ear, burning it from the heat as he hoarsely whispers, “Take care of my guest, will you?”

A faint whisper of a touch lights the side of my neck on fire when he leaves, and a hot shiver runs up my spine as if he dragged his finger down my throat, but it was so faint I could have imagined it.

The door clicks shut, and silence takes over.

I can hear myself breathing as Aurora looks outside towards the gloomy London skyline.

Twisting pain hits me when I realise she is purposely not looking at me. She doesn’t want to see my face.

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