[REBECCA]
Entering the kitchen, I spotted Lynda clutching a tray. As her eyes met mine, her face brightened, and she greeted me with an exuberant smile. “Oh my goodness, you’re an absolute lifesaver!”
Confused, I loosened my apron from around my waist and inquired, “What do you mean?”
Instead of answering, she pressed the tray into my hands, placing a glass filled with a white substance on top. “This is protein for Artemy. I need you to give it to him,” she explained.
“What?” I hesitated. I didn’t want to encounter him, let alone be in the same room. His presence was overwhelming, and I preferred to keep my distance.
“Please, do this for me,” Lynda pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.
Shaking my head, I questioned, “Lynda, why can’t you do it yourself?”
“Because…” She nervously bit her lip, searching for the right words. “You know…”
“Lynda?” I raised an eyebrow, prompting her to elaborate.
Just as she was about to speak, her attention shifted towards Milandro passing by.
“Becca!” Lynda whined. When I remained unmoved, she shot me an irritated glare and leaned closer, whispering in my ear. “He wants a quickie.”
I gasped, utterly taken aback, but refrained from saying anything.
“Now you understand,” Lynda insisted. “Come on, I can’t deny him anything. Besides, we haven’t had a chance for days. I’m sexually frustrated, Becca.”
I couldn’t believe I was engaged in such a conversation.
“Close your mouth, Becca.”
I nodded reluctantly, but then a wave of resistance washed over me. “Lynda, there’s no way I’m going to Artemy,” I declared.
“Why? You were supposed to see him anyway. You need to give him his jacket back, right?”
I was on the verge of refusing once again, but Lynda clasped her hands together, pressing them beneath her chin, and gazed at me with pleading eyes. “Please?”
I couldn’t bring myself to refuse when she wore that expression. “Fine.”
Lynda leaped up with excitement, blowing me a quick kiss before darting out of the kitchen. I sighed heavily and glanced down at the tray. God, I really didn’t want to do this.
With the tray balanced in one hand, I held Artemy’s suit jacket in the other and began my journey out of the kitchen. Artemy’s office was located in the left wing of the house, and its appearance matched the rest of the lavish estate.
I walked down the lengthy corridor leading to his office, admiring the magnificent landscape paintings adorning the walls. They exuded beauty and tranquility, a stark contrast to the inhabitants of this household. As I approached the ornate wooden double doors, I noticed Avim standing outside. His hands were clasped behind his back, his feet planted shoulder-width apart, his back rigid as he stared straight ahead. His eyes followed my every step, fixated on me.
“I’m here to deliver Arte… I mean, Mr. Loskutov his drink.”
Without uttering a word, Avim reached beside him and opened the door. Swallowing hard, battling the lump in my throat, I forced a tight smile and walked in on shaky legs. The office boasted expansive windows overlooking the rear garden.
The room was bathed in bright light. A large desk sat in front of the windows, and Artemy occupied the chair, pushed back as he faced the door. But then my gaze fell upon a head of blonde hair resting on his lap.
Wait-what?
Oh my God.
My heart skipped a beat when I noticed her head bobbing up and down. Artemy’s hand was tangled in her hair, directing her movements while he leaned back in his chair, groaning with pleasure.
And then I heard a loud moan.
I froze in my tracks, and he glanced in my direction, our eyes locking. Surprise flashed across his face, yet he remained unmoved. His lips curled into a slight smirk, a sight that ignited my loathing.
He showed no signs of embarrassment. Instead, he held my gaze until he reached climax. I was left utterly speechless, my entire body trembling as I realized the tray in my hands was shaking uncontrollably.
“We’re done here,” he declared in a cold, commanding tone that startled me. He displayed no traces of the recent encounter.
Releasing his grip on the woman’s hair, he urged her to rise. “Leave,” he ordered as he zipped up his pants and straightened his shirt.
She moved away from him, her handbag in hand, and strolled past me with a self-assured stride. It seemed as though she couldn’t care less about being caught in that compromising position. The malicious glare she shot in my direction conveyed everything I needed to know. She was furious at the interruption.
As the door closed behind her, I remained frozen in place. “What are you doing here?” Artemy asked, his voice calm and collected.
My heart pounded in my chest, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. While I was practically hyperventilating, he remained completely composed, his eyes scanning my body.
“Well?” he prompted.
His voice sent shivers down my spine, and I nervously licked my lips. When I saw his gaze following the movement, I hastily retracted my tongue and pressed my lips tightly together. “Lynda… I…” I stumbled over my words, then took a step forward and set the tray on the coffee table. “Your protein,” I muttered, my focus fixed on the tray. I couldn’t bear to look at him, not after what I had just witnessed.
I heard his chair squeak, and from the corner of my eye, I saw him rise to his feet. After adjusting his suit, he circled his desk and approached me.
Panic surged through my body, and I scrambled backward. Discarding his jacket onto the couch, I kept my head down and rushed out, blurting, “And here’s your jacket. I forgot to return it yesterday.”
“It’s-” he began to reply, but before he had a chance to say anything, I sprinted out of his office.
Closing the door behind me, I leaned against it, my ears ringing with the sound of rushing blood and my heart pounding in my chest.
“Sorry about that. I had no idea the boss had her in there,” a deep voice said.
Startled, I moved away in fear.
“Whoa, it’s just me,” the man reassured.
I turned around to find Avim standing there, his hands raised in a mock surrender. There was no way he hadn’t been aware of what Artemy was up to.
“Look, I’m sorry. I genuinely didn’t know,” he said, with a touch of sympathy.
I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, but decided against it. I didn’t want to provoke a viper. Shaking my head, I walked away without sparing him or the door another glance.
I was fed up with infuriating men.
He’s an absolute pig.
But a good-looking pig. The irritating voice chimed in again.
A repulsive pig.
I had an overwhelming urge to smash my head into a wall.