LYRIC
My head spun.
“What the hell is your problem?” I snapped at her. “Why are you so bothered by me? I mean, I’m not the reason you work here as his assistant instead of being the mate you clearly wish you were.”
She glowered at me and opened her mouth to say something, but I held my finger up, halting her.
“Don’t worry, I’ll just call your boss to come get me himself.” I retrieved my phone from my bag, trying all I could to stop my fingers from quaking from rage.
“Like he’d care,” she huffed. “I’m sure Alpha Jaris would ask you to leave when he learns you’re here.”
I ignored her as I made the call.
It was a good thing the rest of the staff were not in the same space with us to hear the exchange. It’d be beyond embarrassing.
Fortunately, Jaris picked up.
“Lyric.”
“Hi, Jaris. Would you mind stepping out of your office, please? I’m right here, but your bittered assistant wouldn’t let me in.” I kept my eyes on the said lady.
Jaris hesitated. He must be shocked that I was there and surprised that I addressed him by his name alone.
Well, I was desperate to prove to the lady that I had some sort of relationship with him.
I noticed her confidence slip when the door opened behind her. She rose to her feet immediately, turning around to face Jaris who was already stepping out of the office.
His astonished eyes locked onto mine, soaking in my every nuance with curiosity.
“Lyric?” He furrowed his brows, like he wasn’t sure I was actually standing in front of him.
He was still wearing the turtleneck. While he looked every bit of the Jaris we all knew, I couldn’t help but notice he appeared more bossy. Something that had to do with him being the king of the place.
“Hi.” I smiled at him before glaring at the assistant who appeared really stunned. What was she thinking? That Jaris would really throw me out?
“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” he broke the brief silence.
“I was hoping I’d surprise you. But in the meantime, could you lecture your assistant on how to deal with people? She was very rude to me. Very very rude.” I glared harder at her. “As a matter of fact, she threatened to throw me out.”
The lady looked like she had swallowed a ball of acid.
“I–I- actually, sir, I w–was only trying to know if she had an appointment.”
Jaris nodded. “I’m sure she didn’t know who you were.”
“Actually, she did. And she told me to my face that she didn’t care. She even told me there was nothing special about me.”
Now, this brought out a different reaction in Jaris. His face grew stiffened, his silver eyes holding surprise.
Anyway, I was done with her.
I started toward him so we could go into his office, but he didn’t even look at me.
“Did you do that?”
I stopped, realizing he was talking to the assistant.
“I’m–I’m sorry, sir. It wasn’t what I meant. I just-”
“Get Joyce to replace you. I don’t want you here the next time I come out.” He turned around, reaching for the door. “No! Sir, please! I’m sorry. It’s not what you think!” The lady ran toward him, but he was already in his office, closing the door behind him. She must know she wasn’t supposed to go into his office because she didn’t try to.
My jaw dropped in disbelief. Was he… firing her? That wasn’t even my intention when I told him.
Her face covered with tears, she turned to me.
Successfully unlocked! Help me talk to him. Please, I beg you.”
She was whimpering like a child. I couldn’t believe this was the same girl that had been so sharp–mouthed.
I didn’t even know what to say to her and just went into the office.
I was instantly struck by the beauty of the place.
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Towering bookshelves lined the walls, with panoramic windows that bathed the room in warm golden light.
Jaris was really a king wherever he controlled.
He was already in his seat, going through some files, his muscles tense. Was he angry?
“You don’t have to fire her.” I kept my voice low and soft. “I know she was kind of rude but, I didn’t mean for her to get hurt. when I told you. I thought you were only going to scold her or something.”
“You don’t tell me how to treat my staff, Lyric. Take a seat if you’re here to see me,” he snapped, his words like iced daggers, making me flinch.
Why was he so short–tempered?
As if sensing he was harsh, he took a deep breath as he looked up at me.
“Why are you here?” He sounded more relaxed.
“I was… bored.”
He lifted a brow skeptically, making it evident he found the situation laughable. “Really, Lyric? You came here to see me?”
My eyes were settled on his turtleneck, wishing I could see what was beneath it.
“There are a million other things you could’ve done if you were really bored,” Jaris said, dragging me out of my imaginary
strip attempt.
An idea clicked in my head. It was a crazy one and I didn’t think I could do it.
“Why can’t seeing you be one of those things?” I found myself moving forward, anyway.
His eyes trained on me as I kept going forward, rounded his table until I was only inches away from him.
This was stupid. Jaris might yell at me right now and call me names, and I’ll get hurt and cry. Did I really want to take the
risk?
But I was desperate and didn’t have a choice.
I moved to stand behind him. He cocked his head but didn’t fully look at me. “What’re you doing?”
I tried to say something, but my tongue wasn’t as brave as my limbs. My fingers shook lightly from what I was about to do.
“Lyric?” He called when I remained silent.
Taking a deep breath, I laid my hands on his shoulders, treating him to an affectionate, soft massage.
I noticed him go rigid. My insides screamed in both joy and protest. It was the first time I was consciously touching him like this, and while I was so nervous, I couldn’t deny that he felt so right in my hands.
“You must be tired.” My tone was light. “This should help.”
What followed was a silence steeped in nervous tension. But I found it astonishing that he still hadn’t asked me to stop.
I gulped dryly as I went on with the process. After a while, I did what I had to. I slightly pulled the neck of his shirt, revealing the skin behind it.
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