Page 56 of Hawthorne

Standing, I answer, bold and just as aggressive as he was, “I was cleaning the results of your nasty temper.”

My hand is hidden behind my back as I look straight into his eyes in defiance.

“I didn’t call someone to clean it, and I sure as hell didn’t say you could come in!”

What an ungrateful...

If this is the kind of person he transforms into whenever he’s off his trolley, I sure as hell won’t put up with it.

“Fine,” I huff.

Tightening my fists, I bend to grab the dustbin and push it forcefully to his chest.

“Then keep being an arsehole alone, but please, clean after yourself,” I grumble, letting go of it as soon as he grabs it.

“What’s that?” he questions, frowning at the dustbin.

My eyes follow their direction and widen when I notice the red stain on the white plastic surrounding the grey metal.

Ignoring him, I sidestep him, hoping to walk to the doorway, but he grabs my arm, preventing me from going any further. Looking over my shoulder but keeping my eyes on his hand, I grit out, “It’s late, and I’d like to retreat to my chambers.”

“Did you cut yourself?” He frowns, placing the bin on his desk but never letting go of my arm.

“No,” I answer, trying to free myself of his hold, but to no avail.

“Are you lying to me?” He quirks an eyebrow before proceeding to inspect my arm and hand - the unscathed side.

I’ve had enough!

“I’m fucking fine,” I blurt out.

His mouth opens in surprise, and I take advantage of that to free myself of his hold and finally reach the door.

Just as I twist the doorknob to open it, he slams it shut, startling me.

“Who do you think you’re talking to?” He narrows his eyes, his bulky body bent over mine in an intimidating way.

“Who doyouthink you’re talking to?” I snap.

On any other day, I wouldn’t have done this, but this is ridiculous. He can be angry for whatever reason he wants, but that does not give him the right to treat other people like they’re a nuisance in his shoe.

“Your shitty mood does not give you the right to treat me this way!”

“May I remind you that you entered my office uninvited? Outside working hours?” Vincent brings his face closer to mine again, even though his stance is no longer as intimidating as it was moments ago.

“Oh, we’re respecting working hours now,Your Grace?You didn’t seem to remember that when you barged into my bedroom just a few nights ago!”

“Camilla,” he warns, getting annoyed again. I swear this man has mood swings faster than Obikwelo. “If I didn’t answer the damn door when you knocked, that meant something.”

“And why is that? Huh?” I poke him in the chest harshly. “What happened in these last two days to cross you to the point you’re inside these four walls all the time, not to mention, going around destroying everything around you?”

There’s a fire burning in his chocolate orbs, and the way his jaw clicks lets me know I am pressing the wound. Hopefully, he’ll let me know what’s bothering him. But just when I think he will give in and open up, he turns around, giving his back to me.

“Leave,” he orders.

The tension that was building until now deflates, and my body does, too. This is pointless.

“I knew this was a mistake,” I start. “Blurring the lines the way we did will only make life harder for us. If you’re going to treat me this badly every time you’re angry about god knows what, then you don’t know the type of woman I am at all. I don’t put up with this.”

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