My teeth rather tightly clenched, just hard enough to stir a slightly throbbing migraine. Out of habit, I closed my windows of sight and shook my head, my neck stiff. In the driver's seat of my Range Rover parked at the Wellington and Pauls staff parking lot in the space I had self claimed as only mine since the very first week of my employment. Eyes still unopened, I rested desperately my lightly aching head on the leathered headrest as mentally I composed myself, much like I had done since the beginning of the week.

Since the day after the meeting with Se-- your boss really.

It had become a religious routine. One I often considered a type of therapy, of some sort.

Though out loud, never would I confess this even not to my self, again working in the same company as Sebastian Monteiro immensely affected me, it was almost becoming bothersome.

With the speed of Barry Allen The Flash my hatred for the man had multiplied over the past 5 days.

How much longer could I keep up this front? The professional stone faced facade? As if the fact that my superior who had been only a few short steps away from my office had absolutely not a single effect on myself. After all, he was the man who I detested most in this life.

In my head, from my minds lips I repeated those words that had become like my philosophy, almost.

I would be damned if I allowed this measly alteration to cause me any disturbance.

But the brutal truth was, it already had.

+

"Good morning Amy" I heralded the girl, my voice warm, welcoming.

The receptionist, instead of uttering a verbal greeting, briefly lifted her head from the computer and offered a small smile.

Since served with the written warning four days prior, there had been a massive if not miraculous change in the young woman's behavior. Now, she was more reserved, quiet. Often times, unless it was essential, the girl did not speak rather she smiled more and made her work her first priority. It was peculiar her sudden change. It was as if she were intimidated, maybe even shy, the look in her eyes each time I spoke to her.

She was served with a written warning Britondii. She knows it means trouble if her loose behavior continues. Why do you over think so?

Either way, whatever had propelled the change it was immensely appreciated, welcomed. As mentioned previously, Amy was an excellent employee an asset to this business and I would be saddened if I were to fire her but if it came to that, I would not hesitate to do so.

Hence, I prayed the new Amy was permanently.

*

I tightly closed my eyes and and leaned forward, my upper body heavily resting on the desk almost with an unattractive slump. The pounding headache from earlier had returned with a force ten times stronger.

There had probably been some Advils in one of the desk drawers. However at present I could not bring myself to search as the terrible pain in my head had left me with a sudden disability. Physical impairment. As if the pain had willed all of my limbs asleep.

Almost reminiscent of Sleeping Beauty. Don't you think? But now we need a prince who will come in and save you. Hmm.

"Take these. They will help with the pain." My brain awakened and registered the deep velvety low growl. I almost gasped in startle, almost, when my weak eyes fluttered open and drunk in the sight before me.

Instantly, the pace of the headache heightened but so did my anger.

What did this man think of himself? That he had the audacity to behave as such with me? As if we were cool? Had I appeared as a damsel in dire need of help?

You do not. The question however is, how did he know of the headache?

Ignoring the bottle of water he had placed on the desk along with a packet of Panadol,

The prince has arrived.

I stared at my boss, quite certain he could witness the hatred in my blue eyes. But instead of reacting as such, I bit back my anger and spoke politely. My voice too sweet, syrupy. He was my boss after all. Respect was due.

"Is there something you need sir? "

"Yes" he replied, an encrypted look in his green eyes. One I could not decipher.

Not that you wanted to. No.

Without another word, he turned to leave.

***

As I slaved over, after hours, the paper work on my desk, I almost did not hear the soft click of the door signalling a body had entered and locked it.

"You look stressed miss Luca, I brought you coffee"my boss spoke, his voice raw, husky. I shook my head clearing all thoughts.

What was this nonsense and what had this man aspired to accomplish by behaving as such?

We were not friends. The charade was highly unnecessary.

Ignoring his words but also the steaming cup beverage he had in his hands, irritated, I inquired.

"Is there something you need sir? "

I had not even stressed the fact he entered without knocking. God knows, I did not want him here longer than necessary. I wanted the man gone from my sight.

"Hmm" he hummed his response, the sound low, alluring. "The question is, are you willing to give me what it is that I need? "

With a speed quicker than a flash of lightening, I rose from my chair.

What did this man think of himself? What had he meant by that? And the intimate tone he used as he voiced his question had not gone unnoticed either.

"Excuse me? "

An amused rumble that seemed to shake the room left his chest and escaped from his lips.

",Good evening miss Luca"

I paced aimlessly, the floors of my office aiming to quell the maddening rampage of thoughts but also the speed of the organ that pumped blood over my body raced, it was almost painful.

"Damn it" a beastly growl tore from my throat as I opened the bottle of water and downed it heavily as would a dehydrated man.

Opening the laptop, longingly, predatory, i stared at miss Luca and chuckled dryly at my line of thought. I wondered what her reaction would be if she had come to know, i had recently a hidden camera installed in the room.

My spitfire would have probably at a torturously slow pace ripped the skin from my skeleton after a vicious verbal lashing.

*

I watched as she removed the still sealed cup I had brought her and dropped it into the bin whilst she prepared to leave.

Clenching my teeth tightly, I swore.

The race is not for the swift but who can endure.

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