I finally got some free time after attending three meetings at a stretch.

First the meeting with Mr. Drake, the second meeting with other executives to compile this month's budget, and the last and the longest one with the technical department to assess what improvements could be brought to our weapons.

I was exhausted and ready to slump on my bed and sleep for hours without any disturbance. But I wish!

My stupid boss gave me overtime for dozing off at work.

I didn't get why, though. I finished all the work, and yet, he punished me. Maybe he was a sadist who enjoyed other people's suffering. That must be it. That cruel devil!

No matter how much I curse him internally, I had to suck it up and obey his orders. I decided to complete some of my work for tomorrow in advance so that I could take it easy tomorrow.

However, after two hours, when the office building was entirely empty, I started dozing off again. I jerked my head and sat upright. What if Elian caught me again and gave me overtime for the entire month? God, no, that's a nightmare!

I stood up and went to my coffee machine, but then I had a thought. This morning, Elian offered me coffee. It was a nice gesture. It was only fair if I did the same.

I knew he was still in the office as he said he would drop me home. Oh, I also needed to tell him that I didn't need a ride home. He must have forgotten that I got my company car after the promotion, so I would be able to drive home on my own.

I prepared two cups of coffee and made my way to the floor above mine. I knocked on his door and waited till he told me to come in.

"Hello, Mr. Storm," I greeted, and Elian glanced up from his laptop.

"Hello, Ms. Fleur. How can I help?" he asked, folding his hands on the table.

I raised up the cups and suggested, "How about a break? I'm sure you're also pretty tired from working at a stretch for hours."

"You can just leave the cup here." He motioned to his desk.

I grinned mischievously and placed both cups on the coffee table. I made myself comfortable on the couch where I had sat in the morning.

Elian stared at me, and I stared back, neither of us willing to look away at first, but eventually, he gave up and sighed. He closed his laptop and walked up to me. This time, he didn't sit on the single couch, but rather beside me.

I picked up my cup and took a sip. "Do you usually work so late, Mr. Storm?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Sometimes," he answered curtly.

I nodded. "By the way, you don't need to drop me tonight."

He arched an eyebrow and said, "What, you don't want me to know your address?"

I chuckled and said, "If you wanted to know, you could just ask someone from HR to look it up."

"Then, do you prefer to go home alone so late at night when the streets are full of bad people?"

"Whose fault is it that I'm working so late?" I taunted, but he didn't bother replying and just sipped his coffee. I sighed and explained, "If you haven't forgotten, the company gave me my own car after my promotion, so I can just drive home on my own."

"I haven't forgotten, Ms. Fleur. I still think it's not safe. Because unfortunately, our state is very lacking in safety for women," he reasoned.

"Even if it's not safe, why do you care?" I asked, looking him straight in the eye.

He held my gaze for a few seconds before looking away and replying, "As your boss, shouldn't I?"

"Well, I don't see you dropping home every female employee in our company," I pointed out.

"They can just ask at the reception ahead of time and they can have access to the company car. We have that facility, if you weren't aware, Ms. Fleur," he retorted.

I had to concede that. "Fine, you win," I grumbled and rolled my eyes. I started to look around the nicely decorated office and commented, "You know, I really like the decoration of your office. But it doesn't seem like your taste, though. Did someone else help you decorate it?" Maybe getting to know him more would help me understand why he was the way he was.

Instead of answering my question, Elian asked, "Ms. Fleur, why are you trying to make small talk with me?"

"Huh, can't I?" I looked back at him.

"No. Why would you?"

"Because we should be friends, right? I mean, yeah, you are my boss, but we are both in charge of guiding this company. We should try to have an understanding between us so that we can—"

"Forget it. I don't care about your reasons. Just don't try to be friends with me," he sharply said and got up from the couch as he was done with his coffee.

I bit my lips hard, trying to maintain my smile. Why were his words hurting me so bad?

"Yes, sorry, Mr. Storm. I forget my limits, sometimes." I hadn't finished my coffee yet, but I still stood up and walked to the door. "Goodnight, Mr. Storm."

I made my way back to my cabin and sat back on my chair. I didn't know why his words affected me so much. I have had people tell me those words before, but his ones hurt the most.

From day one at this company, there was something about Elian that made me feel strange. I wanted to get closer to him, but he would always push me away.

Whenever we passed by each other in the corridor, I would give him a polite smile which he would never reciprocate. Plus, ever since I got promoted, I got on the same private elevator as him, whenever I tried to talk to him, he would shut me out. Why did he act like that with me?

Yes, he was mean to everyone else as well, but towards me, it felt more forceful. What did I do to earn his hatred? God knows!

I shook my head and decided not to waste my time thinking about that jerk. From now on, I would be completely professional with him. I would never ask him anything personal, let alone try to be his friend.

After deciding that, I gave my full attention to work, otherwise, he would find another excuse to punish his most hated employee.

I was so engrossed in compiling the weekly financial report, I hadn't realized the time until I got a call from my best friend, Abigail Patrick.

"What the hell are you still doing at the office? Go home, Al!" she scolded me over the phone.

Abigail lived in Georgia—my hometown where I was born and raised until high school and also the place where my parents still lived. I moved to California for university six years ago and continued to live here for my dream job. My mom would occasionally indirectly suggest that I should get a job back home, but I would always turn it down. This was my home now and I loved everything here—maybe my boss not so much, but everything else? It was perfect.

"Yes, yes, I'm packing my things now," I replied, hurriedly cleaning up my desk.

"I can't believe it's almost twelve and you are still working. This is against labor laws! I'm going to report about your boss. Is he a monster or what?" Abigail exclaimed in fury.

I chuckled and said, "He probably is, but no. This is not his fault. I was supposed to leave an hour ago. I just lost track of time."

"Is your work that interesting or something else on your mind, huh?" she inquired.

I sighed and let out, "My boss hates me."

"Doesn't everyone's boss hate them?"

I laughed and said, "Maybe." My voice saddened as I added, "But his hatred just feels more personal. I wonder why. I don't think I ever did anything to step on his toes."

"You were probably his ex-wife in the previous life," she joked.

"Yeah, right. As if that's possible." I shook my head at her ridiculous suggestion.

"You should watch more supernatural shows to know what can or can't be possible."

"But they are still shows, not reality. So, you enjoy them by yourself, and please keep me out of it. I'm already too busy, thanks to my annoying nit-picky boss," I sulked, and she only laughed at my misery. "You're annoying."

"I know," she playfully said, and I could just picture her clicking her tongue at me, so I frowned.

"Anyway, I have packed my things. I'm leaving right now."

"Okay, drive safely and text me when you get home," Abigail instructed.

"Thanks, bye." With that, I hung up the call and locked my cabin before taking the elevator to the basement-2.

Basement-2 was the parking lot for the executives only, so there were barely any cars there since everyone else had left.

However, I could see Elian's car was still there. When I got closer to it, I saw something I wish I hadn't.

Elian was standing in front of his car, and there were a few men in black standing around him. And... Elian had a gun in his hand, and so did the other men.

A man was being forcefully pressed on the car hood by two of the other men. Elian had his gun's muzzle placed on the captive's forehead as he asked in a deadly resonating voice, "I won't ask you again. Who the fuck sent you here?"

Whatever the man whispered, it made Elian angry. The very next second, he didn't even flinch as he pressed the trigger.

Meanwhile, I stood there frozen as my boss killed a man in front of my eyes.