Evan's POV

Somewhere, I felt a bit bad for treating her like that. I knew she felt humiliated as it was a blow to her self respect but I couldn't control my temper around her. Whenever she is in sight, I remember everything she did to me.

I fisted my hands and took deep breaths to control the anger rising in me.

I will make you pay Braelyn Taylor.

……………

I was about to enter her cabin when I heard her speaking over the phone.

" I know, don't worry Bri." I instantly remembered Brielle, Brae's sister. According to my calculations she most probably was in her college.

".... yeah, I am looking for a job elsewhere." I raised my eyebrows at that. Poor soul , she thought she could resign and get a job somewhere else? Uh huh.

" I am sure I will find something, Bri." I didn't wait for her to finish the conversation as I barged in without knocking.

" Are you sure Ms. Taylor?" She looked startled by my sudden interruption. She kept her phone down before looking at me.

" Mr. Lewis, you should have knocked on the door." I raised a brow at her to which she huffed and looked away.

" So Ms. Taylor, as I was asking, are you sure you are going to get a job somewhere else?" Her forehead creased in confusion.

" What do you mean ?"

" You can't leave this job." She looked pissed at my statement.

" You can't decide that, Mr. Lewis." She was trying hard to control her anger.

" We'll go ahead and resign . Just know that one call from me and you won't get a job in any respectable firm. " She gasped at my words.

" I am sure you have to support your expenses and not to forget your sister is dependent on you. Wonder how she will continue with her college if you don't have a job!" Her face hung open with shock.

" You wouldn't." She spoke like she was reassuring herself.

" Try me." I spoke with a challenging look on my face. She was seething, drawing in deep breaths.

" Well, Ms. Taylor, here are some files. I want you to go through them and prepare a report ." I roughly placed them on her desk.

" But I am already working on one project. I am yet to complete -" I cut her off.

" You're no longer doing it. It has been transferred to someone else." Her eyes widened in shock.

" I had worked so hard on that project. You can't do that." She tried sounding firm while I crossed my arms against my chest.

" Are you challenging me, Ms. Taylor?" She seemed beyond frustrated. Shutting her eyes tightly, she looked away and sighed , exasperated.

" Now , as I was saying. I want this report to be ready by today itself." I wondered how many times she was going to give me that shocked expression in a single day.

" There is so much work. How can I-" I again cut her off for the third time in a day.

" How does it concern me , Ms. Taylor? You can decide how you're going to finish it but it should be on my desk before you leave or you are fired." Saying that I walked out of her room.

…………

I was frustrated with my luck. He won't let me resign because he wants to torture me. I too didn't have another option. My job supported us . This was my fate. Be constantly in the presence of the man I have never gotten over and receive all the insults and tortured he inflicts upon me.

Cursing my luck , I opened the files and got started with the humongous amount of work that he had assigned me with. I was very careful with the report because I knew he would throw it out of the window if he finds so much as a single fault.

I couldn't get up even for a few minutes, much less a lunch break. I was surviving on a cup of coffee I had in the morning.

At nearly eight , I was done with the report. Organizing everything, I finally got up . My back was aching and my feet felt numb. The exhaustion due to starving was kicking in.

I knocked on the door to his cabin when I heard a gruff 'come in'.

" Why are you still in the office Ms. Taylor?" He got up from his seat,looking genuinely confused as if he hadn't demanded for the report to be completed by today. I mentally rolled my eyes.

" The report." I kept the files on his desk and walked back but before I could take more than two steps, I was unsteady on my feet. Immediately one hand wrapped around my waist steadying me and another held my shoulder firmly.

" Are you not well , Ms. Taylor?" His voice sounded concerned but I didn't want my hopes to get high. I closed my eyes for a longer second before opening them.

" Just a bit dizzy." When I turned my face, his face was inches away from mine. I was getting lost in his grey eyes that were piercing through mine. A shiver passed through me at our proximity. His cologne was making me feel intoxicated. What I found scary was that even after so many years only he was the only one who could make me feel like this. I moved out of his hold before I could lose my senses.

" Should we see a doctor?" I looked at him strangely. How was he all of a sudden acting concerned?

" No , I will eat something and I will be fine." I said in a dismissive tone.

" What does that mean? Did you skip your lunch ?" Irritation filled me at his words.

" How does it concern you ?" I used the same tone that he had used earlier. He gritted his teeth in annoyance.

" Why did you skip your lunch?" This time I was pissed. He was acting as if he really didn't know.

" This report. That's why. I had to complete it by today, right ? I couldn't afford to not complete it and get fired , could I ?" If I wasn't hallucinating, I saw guilt flash in his eyes before he composed himself.

" Right. Now come with me, I will drop you off." He went back to his desk to take his belongings.

" That won't be required, Mr. Lewis. I'll manage."

" Are you going to drive in this state?" He mockingly asked.

" I will get a cab." I started walking out of his cabin. I heard his footsteps behind me. I couldn't bear being alone in the car with him. Just then, I saw Austin leaving the building.

" Austin.." He looked back , surprised to see me here .

" Brae? What are you doing here this late?" It was my first time that I had stayed till eight.

" Had to complete some work. Can you drop me off at my place? " I asked him.

" Yeah sure, but you never ask for a drop. Are you fine?" He placed a hand on my arm .

" Yes I am fine, just a bit tired." I smiled at him and we settled down in his car. As I turned to fix the seat belt , I saw Evan standing there , his jaw clenched , his eyes staring directly into mine.

Maybe it was a foolish move to refuse his offer. He looked angry but why? He wouldn't want me to be in the same car as him right ? I kept looking at him when Austin drove out of the car park.