Page 288 of Savage Bosses

"Well, you're my assistant too. Party or not, I need your opinion on something.”

Ayana bites her lip as if to keep in a retort. Finally, she turns to her friend and says, "I won't be long." She stands and follows me out of the room.

I lead her to a balcony through a set of double doors. The night is pleasant. Autumn leaves crunch under our feet as we walk into the cool night and the edge of the balcony. The balcony is dimly lit, but the cloudless starry night adds additional light. Even in the dimness of the cloudless, starry night, I can see the displeasure on Ayana's face. I hate to upset her more, but I want her so badly at this point, I’ll do anything necessary to make her mine.

"What do you want to talk to me about?" Ayana asks in a breathy voice.

I delight in how her full lips part. I'm fucked. I want Ayana, and I need her to like me enough to quit. But instead, she watches me with a mixture of anger and disdain.

The desire for her rushes through my veins, and my heart rate increases. She must be mine one way or the other. My plan has to work.

"I want to show you something."

She tilts her head and squints at me. "What do you want to show me?"

I reach inside my front suit pocket and retrieve a small flat box. Ayana's gaze follows my movement as I flip the box open.

"Do you like it?" I ask, showing her the glittering symmetrical pattern of diamonds and gemstones of the bracelet connected by a thin white gold chain.

She gasps and glances back up to me. "Of course, I like it." Her fingers trace along the precious diamonds. "It's beautiful! What woman wouldn't like it?"

“That's great to know. I'm presenting it to Lux tonight for a job well done." I snap the box close and replace it in my suit pocket.

The smile that was blossoming on Ayana's mouth slips away. Disappointment settles in her stare.

Then, she turns without one word, and I watch the sight of the woman I've fallen in love with walk away. I feel like a total ass, but I am confident she will be mine. Sooner rather than later, I will do anything to make things right.

CHAPTER 14

Ayana

I

storm into my office, seething with anger and frustration. Sterling, my demanding boss, has once again pushed me to my limit. I can’t believe how I allow this man to get under my skin like this. A man who treats me like this – who treats me like I’m an expendable pawn in his little power game.

I try to be the best at my job, always striving for perfection, but I need more than that for him. His ego is so inflated that he can’t see beyond his egotistical reflection in the mirror. I’m tired of being belittled and undermined just because I don’t fit into his narrow vision of success.

Today was the last straw. He publicly humiliated me during the staff meeting, dismissing my ideas as insignificant. The way he looks down at me with disdain makes my blood boil. I can’t take it anymore.

I sit down at my desk and log on to the company computer. I’ve always been careful not to use it for anything personal, but I don’t care today. I need an outlet for my frustration, a way to release all the pent-up emotions. I once again find solace in the anonymity of the online forums.

I start typing furiously, venting to my online friendsBBW69andTestyTesty. They’re the only ones who I see are already online. I’m so glad I found others who understand what I’m going through. As I type, my words pour out like a torrential rainstorm, each keystroke a release of the anger and hurt I’ve been holding in for so long.

BlacqQueen333:I can’t believe how arrogant and heartless he is; I type, my fingers flying over the keyboard. “No matter how hard I try, he never appreciates my efforts. It’s like he enjoys making me suffer. Why did I have to fall for someone so cruel?”

BBW69responds almost immediately, offering words of support and understanding. “Girl, I feel you. Some people are just toxic and don’t deserve our loyalty or devotion. You deserve a boss who appreciates and cherishes you for who you are.”

TestyTestysays, “Yeah, don’t let him destroy your self-esteem. You are so much more than what he sees in you. Remember that.”

Their words give me a momentary respite from the rage inside me. It’s comforting to know that some people care about me, even if they are strangers on the internet. But the pain lingers, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’m stuck in this toxic cycle.

As I continue typing, I start to feel a sense of relief. It’s as if each word typed is a step towards reclaiming my power and breaking free from chain manipulation. For a brief moment, I imagine life without him, without the constant pressure to please him at all costs.

But just as I’m about to find some semblance of peace, I hear a knock on my office door. My heart races as I quickly minimize the chat window and try to compose myself. “Come in,” I say, my voice trembling with anxiety.

To my horror, it’s Sterling, standing there with that infuriating smirk on his face.

“Ayana, I need those reports on my desk by the end of the day,” he says dismissively, not even acknowledging the tears that threaten to spill from my eyes.

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