Page 25 of Forbidden Deception

The fourth floor happens to be a mess, and Rafael hates it. He stands at the front of the open—floor office space, not moving, not talking, nothing.

His jaw tics, and he watches everyone like a hawk, his eyes sharply following their every move.

A guy has his feet up on the desk while he types with his laptop on his lap, a woman next to him has three packets of crisps on her desk, another man is retying his tie. It may not seem like a big deal, but they all look out of order. As soon as they notice Rafael, they will scramble to fix themselves.

“Camilla Clarson, Dave Brown, Celina Alton, Asher Kinston, you are all fired.” Then he turns and leaves.

I look over my shoulder while following Rafael and see the exact people I noticed are the ones who have been fired. Then I remember the company representation clause in the contract about dressing smart and neatly.

Without a second chance, without a second thought. Out. Just like that.

We spend the whole day walking around the building. By the end of it, Rafael has fired thirty people. Rafael truly is harsh when it comes to the image of his company. His strict dress code and his work ethic is what he expects in his staff too.

Once the day comes to end, I am buzzing with excitement and rush out towards the elevator.

The doors close, and once they open back up on the ground floor, I spot a figure waiting for me.

I don’t run in my excitement—can’t let everyone see just how excited I am—but seeing Danyi there, waiting for me with her bag in hand, makes me so giddy that I could literally skip towards her.

I won’t. But I want to.

She looks away from the sliding front doors to the back where the elevators are and spots me.

I wave at her with a smile, and she waves back. Once I am closer to her, she does the unthinkable. Danyi wraps her arms around me. In a hug.

I blink.

“Don’t be too stunned. I promise I’m not mean.” She leans back and grabs my wrist, then pulls me with her.

“I’ll explain at the café.”

Shaking myself out of the trance, I keep up with her pace, glancing at her every now and then in silence, because what is going on? I thought she was quiet and kept to herself? Maybe even a little bit mean, with her cold shoulders, but right now, outside of the office and that hug, it seems all too different.

She’s a whole different person. She even points to the animal shelter I saw on my first day.

“Come on. Stop looking at me like that. I promise I will explain it.” She looks to the side at me, and I just laugh, shaking my head.

“Oh, I want to hear this, for sure.”

Danyi stops suddenly and walks into the cafe on the left. The cold wind is instantly cut off once we are inside. The smell of coffee penetrates my senses and is enough to make my mouth water. The display case before me is filled with delicious pastries and doughnuts.

What catches my eyes catch, though, is the sunflower theme of the cafe. To the right is an arch leading to extra seating space with dark chairs and flooring. Clear vases with bouquets of sunflowers decorate the place, arched windows face the busy street, and warm lighting invites customers to stay in here and enjoy the relaxed vibes.

“This is beautiful. I haven’t walked this far on the street to notice it,” I comment, looking above me at the chandeliers.

“Told you it will be pretty. What do you want to get?” Danyi asks, turning to the cashier.

“I would like a lemonade and a pistachio croissant, and she will have…” She trails off, looking at me.

“Peach iced tea and a maple roll please.”

The blond cashier nods with a small smile, her blue eyes flitting over the screen in front of her.

“That would be fourteen pounds, please.” She looks up.

Danyi has paid before I can even blink. She looks down at me and gives me a stiff smile. “It’s the least I can do after treating you like I did.”

We choose a table and sit, but I am still so wary of her. She looks more carefree, more relaxed, and more comfortable around me than she was before.

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