Chapter 2 Chapter 02

Even as Averie was rushing to meet up with her boss’s schedule, she couldn’t hide her confusion mixed with lots of gratitude. The feel of the hot bath, and her palpitating heart convinced her that she’s truly alive.

Fully dressed, Averie held her bag to her chest as she rushed out of her room. Her speed though, was blocked by her father’s imposing figure. Averie faltered to a stop, her eyes bulging with adrenaline as she tried to catch her breath.

“Good morning F… father” she let out a breathy reply.

“We’ve been waiting. Come along” He said with a brooding expression.

Averie lowered her bag, following obediently

They arrived at the sitting room where her mother and sister awaited. Carefully, she scanned their faces with mixed emotions. They were all involved in her death.

Her elder sister, Sabrina was busy painting her face in heavy makeup with messy hair.

“The party is in 10 hours though…” she shook her head.

“Take a seat my dear” She heard her mother say.

“Oh mother, I’ll be sure to pay you back everytime” she said in her mind before sitting.

“I’ll be brief and direct. Tonight, I want you to focus on other things and allow your sister to accompany Mr. Graham,” she said.

Averie glanced at her father who immediately looked away. On that spot, Averie could see flashes of what happened next in her past life. How she created space for her sister to be with her boss all night only to wake up the next morning with news of their engagement. Her boss’s sudden change in behavior, two years of hell that followed after she got fired, and then the surrogacy agreement.

She felt constricted “So this is it…”

“Did you say something?” Sabrina asked loudly, her tone mean and dominant. It has always been like that.

“No. I’ll try my best”

Mrs.Quinn proceeded “Also, your father has to continue his treatment this month and we are low on funds. That’ll require half of your salary” She said with no hesitation.

Averie had a doubt she heard her wrong but then she realized that it was exactly like that in the past. She started working at the age of seventeen, just to afford some textbooks they failed to get her and even still they would take half of the money on ridiculous demands.

These people own a company that brings in decent amounts of money but ever since Sabrina took over, they’ve been on the brink of bankruptcy. Even though she had helped them secure a deal with her boss to save the family, that didn’t stop them from taking from her every month.

In the past, she was quiet and obedient; she simply agreed without a fight.

“Are you listening?” her father asked, staring hard at her.

“The recently concluded deal brought in a lot for the family, with extra to spare for father’s medical bill. Also, I have plans for my bonus this month” She responded with a straight face.

Sabrina paused in utmost surprise, her makeup brush fell. Her parents exchanged confusing glances and it was quiet for a while.

“My boss keeps calling. I have to go” Averie stood up, picked up her bag, and walked out the door without looking back.

AT WORK

Averie got to work late. With her boss’s strict personality, she knows not to face him yet but to finish the tasks assigned to her. An hour later, she entered his office to submit the paperwork. Seeing him majestically seated in his seat, she’s reminded of their ill-fated relationship… she was once pregnant with this man’s baby. She felt a strong feeling of hatred and anger.

She hadn’t taken many steps when she heard him say “Redo”

Her jaw dropped “I haven’t even…”

Her boss, Darian Graham removed his transparent glasses and gave her an unreadable yet ominous look. “Mrs. Owen’s place is an hour's drive away. Get her soft copy and bring it here for signing”

Averie’s legs turned Jelly instantly. She knew this man would make her suffer for the whole day.

“And you’ll return it today as well, so if you’re lucky to make it back to the party” he concluded.

“What?!” Averie didn’t know when she expressed herself openly.

“Are you tired of your work Miss Quinn?”

“Uh? No” She faked a laugh, waving the paperwork in the air. She turned and her smile disappeared “Petty moody devil!” she muttered on her way out.

By nighttime, Averie was so tired from traveling and working all day. She had never been late before but her boss has always been about perfection. As soon as she arrived from the two-hour drive, she headed straight to the party in her work outfit.

Averie saw her boss standing by the first table in the hall, glancing at the door subsequently.

She wonders why her sister would be so obsessed with such an emotionally detached man and would marry him.

“Even though you’re definitely made for each other, I won’t allow you all to dictate my life anymore. I’ll make you pay by all means” she muttered.

Before approaching him, Averie regulated her heavy breaths, used a body spray to hide her sweaty smell then put on a blank smile.

“I made it in time I guess” she offered a warm smile to her boss.

Darian Graham’s face turned sour looking at Averie, his brows creased and he said “Tacky”

“Uh?”

He didn’t say anything more as he walked away. Averie followed quietly, inspecting herself.

Sabrina and her mother appeared from nowhere with a tray of wine in hand. Approaching Darian with a broad smile, they chirped “Mr.Graham”

Darian released a sigh before waiting.

Mrs.Quinn pulled Averie to the side and pushed Sabrina towards Darian “Offer him a drink as a fellow CEO” She lifted a cup and then handed the tray over to Averie.

Averie rolled her eyes, ready to leave but suddenly she felt restrained. She looked down to see her boss' strong hold on her wrist “Stay”

Sabrina eyed her sister, seething. Eventually, she offered Darian a glass of red wine which he took hesitantly.

“Thank you.” he walked away with long strides.

“What have you been doing?! Find a way to allow your sister to talk to him” Her mother yelled.

Immediately, Averie ran after her boss. When she saw him talking to a friend, she quietly stood behind him.

“Drink this. I’ll be driving later” he commanded.

Averie looked around for traces of her mother or Sabrina before gulping the wine down in a go oblivious to the content of the drink.

It didn’t take long before she started feeling hot and uncomfortable.

Darian, even though he was conversing with friends, noticed her pale face. At first, he thought it was because she had to work all day and so he ignored her.

“Boss… I have to visit the restroom” Averie struggled to say. She was getting drowsy at this point that her body was tilting.

“Averie!” A man’s voice sounded amidst the loud chatter. It sounded cheerful and lovely.

Turning around, she saw her secret boyfriend— also a workmate. Tyler Graham.

“Tyler!” Her face brightened up at once.

Tyler is Darian’s stepbrother who happens to work for him due to some family rules. Averie and Tyler have been dating since College but they had to hide it due to Darian’s rules against workplace romance.

“I thought I told you not to come,” Darian said.

“It’s a company party brother, grandfather asked…”

“It’s BOSS during working hours” he corrected.

Averie licked her dry lips and squeezed her fingers. The only time Darian talks much is when talking with his brother and business partners. But to her, he was always brief and precise.

“There are three foreign partners in this party and I’ll be too busy to attend to them. Start working” He gestured at Averie to leave with him.

“I’ll text you” Averie whispered.

In the next minutes, they arrived in one of the VIP rooms.

“You can rest here,” he said.

“Thank you” She was too weak to be surprised.

Darian poured himself a few glasses of alcohol. He seemed to be weighed down by something heavy in his mind.

“Mr.Graham… I’m feeling funny” Averie sighed heavily as she sat up. She started fanning herself.

Darian placed his cup on the table; he moved closer to feel Averie’s temperature “You’re burning up”

As soon as Averie got a whiff of his sweet, masculine scent, she reacted lustfully. Then she realized that the wine was spiked.

“So this was their plan. Mr.Graham was drugged last time” she thought.

“Mr.Graham, you smell so good” She wrapped her hands around his neck, trapping him in. Somehow she ended up being dragged into her family’s hideous plan.

“Are you tired of your job, Miss Quinn?” he grabbed his hands trying to break free but he was near to being drunk as well so he couldn’t overpower her.

“Do you think I want to get involved with a moody guy like you?!”

Taken aback, Darian scoffed “Are you drunk? Is the wine laced with ridiculous confidence?”

“Whatever! Averie pinned her boss down, trying hard to take control of her treacherous body.

“Don’t start what you can’t finish Averie” he whispered.

“You actually know my name…”

Darian’s grip on Averie tightened. Within seconds, he turned her around and came on top of her.

“I saw this coming” he scoffed.

“Your sister failed but you managed to get me. I’ll do just that” He parted Averie’s suit and unbuttoned her shirt. He pressed his lips softly to her neck, eliciting a moan from her.