At the Russo’s company, Rachael stood at the front of the building, tapping her pointed heels on the ground in annoyance as she waited patiently for Damien. She had called him a few hours ago regarding his business appointment and had received a positive response, even though his voice was a bit indifferent. She was fully aware that he had gone to see the poisonous snake in the form of a woman and she had intentionally delayed him. An earful was waiting for him.
The horning sound of a car filled her ears as Damien Russo’s car zoomed into the building. On sighting his silhouette alighting from the car, she hurriedly walked over to him ready to give him a piece of her mind. But, the dissatisfaction she felt died down instantly when he walked past her like a kite moving steadily through the air.
“Did he just ignore me? .. or maybe I’m mistaken” she mumbled to herself with a confused expression on her face. “Damien…..”
“It’s sir to you now, Rachael” he interrupted her with a sharp gaze that gave a warning sign. ” I’m your boss, you should get rid of any form of informalities between us”
Rachael was shaken to the core. She pinched herself to be sure she wasn’t dreaming. With tears-filled eyes, she ran clumsily after him. Ever since he betrayed their relationship, he had never spoken so coldly to her in that manner. She needed to be sure she had heard right.
She abruptly pulled the almost closed door to the elevator Damien had walked in only to pour another bucket of cold water. ” How incompetent you are. As my secretary, you should be the one to do this thing for me” Russo ruthlessly said.” I can see you’re slacking, do you want a demotion or are you tired of your job?”
Rachael swallowed a huge lump of saliva as she remained speechless. Their relationship had already deteriorated to this stage and she didn’t notice. She felt like tearing him into pieces as her pulse raced heavily due to anger, but he was still her boss. She had to accord him with respect.
“I’m sorry, Dam… I mean Mr. Russo” she bowed apologetically.” It won’t happen again”
“Good..” Damien remarked “Or you would have to bear the consequences… So, what are my appointments for today?”
“Um.. you have a meeting at twelve with the China investors” she replied as she tightened her eyelids to hinder the tears that were threatening to fall. Such temerity! After what she had done for him regardless of the backlash she had faced. The crimes she had committed for him, not minding the dangers. And here he was standing right with his back glaring at her, talking about consequences. She was going to make him pay dearly for hurting her so deeply. Even if it meant going down together, she would gladly have her revenge.
“Bitch…” She cursed silently as the image of Gina flashed through her thoughts. The strain between their relationship was Gina’s fault and now she was making him ditch her. How could have so much control over him when she still trying to get him to notice her? She was going to confront Damien after the meeting. His response would determine the next step she was going to take.
“Don’t let me get to the meeting before you” he barked, jolting Rachael who sprained her ankles in surprise. Damien had heard the whimpering sound from her as a result of the cracking of her joints but he pretentiously turned away, ignoring the ripples in his heart.
For the very first time in years, Damien refused to offer Rachael a seat like he always did during each meeting.
“You have to stand if you want your work to be effective” he stated with an indifferent tone hindering Rachael from taking a seat.
“Tch….” She snorted silently as she gritted her teeth, trying hard to hide the pain she was going through from her sprained ankle.
A constant, nagging discomfort made the standing unbearable. She couldn’t ignore the throbbing no matter how hard she tried. The man she loved for many years had subjected her to both physical and emotional pain. The more the pain in her legs hurt, the more the one in her heart festered.
“That’s all for today’s meeting”were the last words that Rachael heard before succumbing to the darkness that loomed over her. She caught a glimpse of the guilty expression on Damien’s face as he watched her slump to the ground without offering a helping hand. That was the last string of love she had for him snapped that very instant.
***
As Rachael slowly opened her eyes, the harsh glow from the fluorescent light fixated on the ceiling, pierced through her consciousness. Groggily, she tried to lift her leg, but a sharp pain shot through her ankles. She winced in pain, her gaze fluttering around the unfamiliar room. Fragmented pieces of what had occurred before she blacked out form a single large image in her head. At that moment, she recalled the event that made her heart throb in pain.
“Hello dear” a concerned yet gloating voice greeted her”How was your beauty sleep?” She asked sarcastically.
“Gina…” Rachael seethed her teeth. She would never mistake the voice of her worst nemesis for another.” What do you want?”
“Why the rude attitude?” Gina asked with a pretentious voice that seemed hurt. ” Well… I heard from our beloved Damien that you passed out, so I came in his stead”
“What?” Rachael’s lips pouted in shock. Damien couldn’t come himself and had to send his bitch to spite her. Telling her he hated her to her face was more lenient than this.
“You can leave” She gritted her teeth as she turned her back to face the other side, ignoring the twitching pain in her ankles.
“Alright dear” Gina replied with a dismissive wave of her hand as she stood to leave before mumbling words incoherently” It’s not my fault he prefers you over me”
“What did you say?” Rachael yelled as she turned towards her direction but she was already gone. “I’ll be the one to plunge you to the ground, you won’t see it coming” she swore to herself, almost biting her tongue.