CH- 3

Amelia's POV

I opened the car door and stepped out, feeling like I was floating—or maybe drowning.

What had just happened?

Had someone really offered me a chance to hurt Nathan Delanza, my boss? My mind raced as I tried to make sense of it all.

Was this some kind of twisted joke? Or was it real? The weight of their words pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.

Before I realized it, I was already at the office. And there he was—Nathan—arriving at the same time. A long time ago, I’d been obsessed with him.

Back then, I thought he was everything: smart, successful, untouchable. But after nine years of working under him, it was safe to say he gave me nightmares instead of dreams.

He barely noticed me unless it was to criticize or belittle me.

The sun peeked over the horizon, promising another scorching day. I squeezed my fingers nervously, counting to ten. Was I having a panic attack? No, this wasn’t anxiety—it was fear.

Fear of what those strangers might do if I refused them. Fear of what Nathan would think if he ever found out.

“Morning, sir,” I mumbled, keeping my voice low. Even to my own ears, it sounded small and shaky—weak, like I was already backing down before the fight had even begun.

I hated that about myself—the way I let him intimidate me without so much as a raised eyebrow or a sharp word. The way my hands trembled slightly around the strap of my bag, betraying the storm brewing inside me.

He didn’t look up from whatever file he was reading, his pen moving in sharp, deliberate strokes across the paper.

“I wonder what would happen to the other workers if my recruiting team arrived thirty minutes late.”

His jab hit its mark, stinging more than I cared to admit. My jaw tightened instinctively, but I forced myself to keep my tone even, respectful.

Barely. “I apologize,” I said quickly, hating how thin my voice sounded. “I had some unanticipated events.”

Unanticipated events. What a pathetic excuse. It wasn’t even a lie—it was true—but saying it out loud made me feel smaller somehow, like I was groveling for scraps of approval I knew he’d never give.

We stepped into the elevator together, the silence between us thick enough to choke on.

The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, casting an unforgiving glow over everything, highlighting every wrinkle on his face and every bead of sweat forming at my hairline.

Then came his cutting remark, delivered with all the subtlety of a knife to the ribs: “Cut the crap. Quit making excuses. We have a crisis on our hands, so you can leave every excuse outside this building.

This attitude is why we keep having setbacks in this company.”

Every word felt like a slap, sharp and stinging, leaving invisible welts across my skin. How dare he act like I was the problem?

In nine years, I’d only been late twice. Twice! And here he was, treating me like I didn’t matter, like I was nothing more than a cog in his machine—a replaceable one at that.

My throat tightened, tears threatening to spill over, but I swallowed them back fiercely. This was why I hated working for him.

This constant erosion of my confidence, my self-worth, until I started believing maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn’t good enough. But no—I couldn’t let myself think that way. Not today. Not now.

“I need you to send out an application immediately,” he continued, his tone sharp and dismissive, as though issuing orders was second nature to him—which, of course, it was.

He glanced at me briefly, his cold eyes sliding over me like I was furniture, something to be used and ignored. “For a new position. Someone reliable this time.”

I stopped short, blinking rapidly as his words sank in.

“Are we hiring someone, sir?” I asked cautiously, trying to mask the confusion bubbling beneath the surface. “I didn’t get the memo.”

His expression darkened instantly, irritation flashing across his features like lightning before a storm.

“This is my damn company, and I don’t need to send a memo before I can employ someone. Do I?” His voice rose slightly, each syllable clipped and venomous.

“And you’d actually be useful if you just did what you’re told instead of questioning everything.”

His words sliced through me, leaving me raw and exposed, like he’d peeled back layers of my carefully constructed armor and found the messy, fragile thing underneath.

Without waiting for a response—or perhaps because he knew there wouldn’t be one—he turned away, stepping out of the elevator with the same commanding presence he always carried, disappearing into his office like a king retreating to his throne room.

Thankfully, we reached my floor. I practically ran out of the elevator before he could see the tears gathering in my eyes, blinking furiously to hold them back. But he wasn’t done yet.

Just as the doors closed behind me, his voice followed, sharp and unrelenting: “Make sure you get it done in an hour. Report back to me in my office by then.”

I stood there for a moment, frozen. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them back.

No way was I letting him see me cry. Not again. Quickly, I retreated to my desk, grateful for the distance between us.

====

Later, Lucas found me. Of course, he did. Unlike Nathan, Lucas always seemed kind, approachable.

Sometimes I wondered how two such different men could be friends.

“Hey, Amelia, how are you doing?” he asked, flashing his easy smile. It almost made me forget how angry I was—at Nathan, at myself, at the whole messed-up situation I’d gotten tangled in.

“I’m fine, Lucas. How are the girls?” I forced a small smile, hoping it looked genuine.

His daughters were sweet, innocent.

They deserved better than growing up in a world full of sharks like their father’s business partners—or enemies.

“They’re great. They keep asking about you, you know. You should grab ice cream with them one of these days.”

Before I could respond, Nathan’s voice cut across the room. “Go back to your office, Amelia. I don’t pay you to chitchat.”

Lucas shot him a disapproving look. “Don’t treat her that way, Nathan. She’s one of your most loyal employees.”

“Unfortunately, I can’t see past that horrible bleached shirt,” Nathan muttered under his breath, loud enough for me to hear.

For the second time that morning, I wished those strangers who’d approached me would call sooner.

At least then I’d have a plan.

A way out of this suffocating place by all means.

Nathan I am so coming for you....