56

[ARTEMY]
My eyes widened in alarm, and I swiftly rose to my feet, causing Bernadette to lose her balance and stumble backward. “What happened?” I demanded, a sense of panic creeping into my voice.
Lynda took a deep breath, briefly glancing at Bernadette before responding. “She twisted her ankle badly and can’t walk. She’s in her room.”
I uttered a curse under my breath, hastily leaving my office behind. Making my way to Rebecca’s room, I discovered that the door was already ajar. Without hesitation, I stepped inside.
“Rebecca?” I called out, and her form shifted on the bed, sitting up as soon as she recognized my voice. Despite her attempt to appear composed, a flicker of discomfort crossed her face, evident in the crease on her forehead.
Hurrying to her side, I halted in front of her. “Are you alright?” I asked, my concern evident in my tone.
“I’m fine,” she reassured me, but I could sense a trace of pain in her words.
My gaze lowered to her reddened ankle, and I knelt down in front of her, refraining from touching her, afraid that my actions might inadvertently cause her more pain. As she instinctively drew her feet closer to the bed, attempting to distance herself from me, I gently placed a hand on her knee, preventing her from moving any further. “Don’t move,” I urged softly. Carefully cradling her injured foot in my hand, I examined it. “Does it hurt when you try to move it?”
“A little,” she admitted, her voice tinged with discomfort.
I gazed up at Rebecca, finding her bewildered gaze fixed on me. Determined, I rose to my feet and leaned forward, carefully enveloping her in my arms. One arm slid behind her back while the other supported her knees, cradling her against my chest.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice filled with confusion.
“I’m taking you to Wyatt. He’ll be able to assess if you’re alright,” I replied, leading her out of her room and down the stairs towards Wyatt’s bedroom.
Rebecca remained silent as I held her close. As we approached our destination, I caught the sound of her sigh. “How did you know I was injured?” she inquired.
“Lynda informed me that you twisted your ankle and couldn’t walk,” I explained.
“Oh.” A faint, fleeting smile graced her lips, barely noticeable but definitely present.
Coming to a stop outside Wyatt’s room, Rebecca leaned forward to knock on the door. Within moments, it swung open, revealing Wyatt’s surprised expression. He promptly stepped back, gesturing for us to enter.
“What happened?” he questioned.
I carefully placed Rebecca on Wyatt’s bed and stood by her side. “She twisted her ankle,” I informed him.
Wyatt crouched down in front of Rebecca, examining her injured ankle. His lips formed a pensive expression as he asked her a series of questions, while I anxiously hovered nearby. The thought of her being in pain didn’t sit well with me; an unfamiliar protectiveness had taken hold. It was a primal instinct to keep her safe and content. With each passing day, this sentiment grew stronger until she became my sole priority.
“It’s not too serious. Nothing to worry about. Just a minor sprain that won’t bother you after a couple of days,” Wyatt reassured, glancing up and offering a kind smile to Rebecca. His brown eyes crinkled at the corners, radiating warmth. “I’ll give you some pain-relieving cream. Simply apply it to your ankle twice a day until the pain subsides.”
Rebecca nodded, her cheeks tinged with a shy blush. When she noticed my gaze fixed on her, she hastily averted her eyes, nervously fidgeting.
Returning with a small tube in hand, Wyatt approached us. “Here you go. This should alleviate the pain. Gently rub it onto the affected area, and it should do the trick.”
“Thank you,” Rebecca murmured, expressing her gratitude.
Lynda entered the room with purpose, her eyes fixed on Rebecca. Without wasting any time, she approached her, eager to hear what had transpired.
Rebecca, caught off guard by Lynda’s sudden presence, wore a perplexed expression. She shook her head slightly and mustered a response, albeit in a mumbled tone. “I’m okay,” she muttered under her breath.
As Rebecca rose to her feet, her balance seemed compromised, causing me to instinctively reach out and encircle her waist with my arm. I pulled her closer to me, providing support and stability.
Attempting to regain control of the situation, Rebecca placed her hand on my chest, trying to create distance between us. However, my grip tightened around her, preventing her from moving away. Sensing her resistance, I spoke softly, concerned for her well-being. “You shouldn’t exert too much pressure on your ankle.”
Rebecca glanced over at Lynda, suggesting that she could assist her. “She can help me. I’m sure you have other matters to attend to,” she remarked, directing a pointed look at me.
“Right. I’ll lend a hand. Wouldn’t want to interrupt your work,” Lynda interjected, her tone laced with irritation, aimed at me.
Before I could respond, Lynda took hold of Rebecca and started leading her away, forcing me to release my embrace. As Rebecca moved out of my grasp, an emptiness enveloped me, and I already yearned for the comforting presence of her petite frame against mine.
Once they disappeared from view, I nodded to Wyatt, acknowledging his presence, and ascended the staircase. At the top, I noticed Bernadette, standing with a radiant smile, her eyes gleaming.
“Artemy,” she whispered, her voice filled with longing.
“You have to leave,” I commanded, my words dripping with firmness and finality.
“What?” she stammered, her eyes widening in surprise.
“I mean exactly what I said. Leave. I no longer want you here,” I stated resolutely. While Bernadette was competent in her role and a valuable asset, I had no further need for her, except for her field work.
“But Arte-”
“I’ve already informed you that your services are no longer required,” I interjected, my teeth clenched, emphasizing each word to ensure she comprehended my meaning.
Her mouth hung open in shock. “Are you saying…?”
“You heard him. He’s no longer interested in sleeping with you. So disappear,” Lynda’s voice cut through the tension, causing me to close my eyes in frustration and pinch the bridge of my nose. Taking a few deep breaths, I reopened my eyes, only to find her glaring at both Bernadette and me.
Bernadette’s countenance transformed into a tempest, her lips contorted with anger as she turned her gaze towards me, her eyes filled with anticipation. In response, I shot her an icy glare, crossing my arms defiantly and raising an eyebrow inquisitively.
“I’m leaving,” she snapped, her expression as cold as ice as she maneuvered her way around me. Bernadette was known for her heartless demeanor, reveling in her callousness. Lynda had to tread carefully, lest she find herself in trouble.
“Goodbye, Bernie,” Lynda called out, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
As I ascended the staircase, Lynda intercepted me, obstructing my path.
“I swear to God… if you’re playing Bernadette,” she warned, anger sparkling in her eyes.
“Why on earth would you think that?” I growled, stepping forward, completely outraged by her accusation.
She motioned towards the spot where Bernadette had stood just moments ago. Realization dawned upon me, and anger dissipated, replaced by a pang of remorse.
“Nothing was going to happen,” I asserted.
Lynda regarded me suspiciously. “Bernadette saw you entering the office with her. She believed… she was utterly heartbroken, Artemy.”
Guilt surged through me, and I muttered a curse under my breath.
“Imagine how you would feel if you saw Bernadette with another man,” Lynda added.
The thought ignited a raging fire within me. My hands clenched into fists, my knuckles aching. I gritted my teeth in frustration.
She arched an eyebrow. “Exactly,” she muttered, before making her way back towards Rebecca’s room.
I stared at her retreating figure and leaned against the banister, my mind consumed by perilous thoughts.
When I first laid eyes on Rebecca and offered her a position under my employ, this wasn’t what I had envisioned.
My initial intent was for her to work for me, to keep her close because I desired her physically. That was my motive. But it was no longer solely about lust. It transcended mere carnal desires.
It was something deeper, something I struggled to comprehend. A feeling that eluded my grasp.
Yet, I no longer resisted it. I allowed myself to immerse in this unfamiliar emotion, eagerly anticipating where it would lead, fervently hoping it wouldn’t bring ruin upon either of us.
Letting out a sigh, I ran my hand through my hair. I believed I was the only one experiencing the intensity of our connection. However, Rebecca felt it too, and I had wounded her.
It was a profound bond, simultaneously beautiful and haunting, profound and treacherous. Amidst the pain, it granted us solace.