“I should be the one asking you that, Elaine,” he bristled, his eyes glazing over as he observed my dressing critically. “What are you doing here?”
My heart lurched at his cruel tone. “Don’t look at me that way. You know why I’m here. For my interview. To work. I can’t take your absurd requests seriously.”
“You were ready to honor my ‘absurd’ requests last week,” he pointed out with a scoff.
I rolled my eyes, equally folding my arms over my chest. “That was because you fooled me that you were in love with me. That I could count on you no matter what.”
“What the hell are you driving at, Elaine? Of course, everything I felt was true, and you know that. You’re the one who deceived me. You played on my affections for you and I’m so fucking pissed.”
“So you figured that the best option next for you is to control me? To keep me at home, sitting pretty on the couch, lonely and desolate while I pine and feel regretful over our scarred relationship? If you want to act like a selfish, inconsiderate dick then do so without cutting corners,” I yelled, exasperated.
He watched me calmly, his face impassive, expressionless as though I’d just said nothing of valuable importance. I was tired, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Drained to the bone by his thoughtless mind games with me. Where was the compassionate man I fell in love with? Why was he treating me like this… like a circus animal who had to stay in line – a wild woman who was nothing but the mother of his child to him? Fuck, I thought we had something. I’d felt it the week before. It wasn’t possible that he just turned off the switch to his feelings for me.
Trying to work up the courage to brush past him was hard, but I was determined to make it work. I just needed a sign. I needed a word. Some confirmation that he was still very much in love with me and I wouldn’t hesitate to kiss this goddamn interview goodbye and go home with him.
I lifted my face, searching his eyes. He stepped back, farther away from me and it felt like a stone was dropped in my stomach.
“Go home, Elaine. I’m not in the mood to do… this with you. Just do as I say.”
“Is that it?” I shrieked, tilting my head to the side. “That’s all you’ve got to say?”
His glare was unwavering. “We’ve discussed everything that’s needed to be said, Elaine. If you love me as you claim, you’ll do as I say and go back home.”
“I can’t…” I trailed off, hot tears trickling down my cheeks. “I can’t stay idle, Max. I’ve worked my arse off, all my life… it’s hard to stop now. I know you’re filthy rich and can provide everything Finn ever needs, but I want to contribute something tangible to his life. I want to provide for him too.”
“I never said you couldn’t provide for him,” he muttered coldly. “But that would be unnecessary. You’ve taken care of him since birth. It’s not easy on you, and you know it. Right now, the only contribution that’ll be fine with me is if you go back home and devote all your time and affection to taking care of him. That’s all I ask.”
“I’m not a weak woman, Max,” I roared. “I was never one. And I would never start to be one at this point in time. I’ve told you I can multitask, and that’s all I can offer.”
He raised his chin. “Is that so? You’ve made up your mind?”
“What does it look like to you?” I sneered. “Of course I have! Since you’ve decided to be unreasonable.”
“If you don’t leave this building with me in the next ten minutes, Elaine, then I can’t promise to do something horrible. I’m not joking.”
“What the hell does that mean, Max? Are you threatening me right now? Is that what this has come to?” I pushed him back, tears making my vision blurry. I didn’t care. My anger had taken control.
“You’ve left me with no options,” he shrugged, stashing his hands in his pants pockets, and crossing his legs at the ankle in front of him together.
“You’re forgetting that you have absolutely no right to do that!”
“Yes I do,” he squared his jaw. “You’re the mother of my son. It’s only logical that you perform your duties to him with no form of distraction whatsoever.”
“Fuck you!” I threw my hands up in exasperation. “Get out of here. Go fuck one of your whores or bore yourself to death in your office. You’re not meant to be here. Leave me alone!”
He watched me calmly, his lips curled up in a smug smile. Shaking my head, I walked past him, further down the end of the corridor. The glass doors slid open and I waddled through, keeping my eyes down as I tried to wipe away the tears that had pooled, bumping into a brick wall in the process, the impact startling me back. Big, brawny arms held onto my sides for support and when I glanced up at the face I recognized all too well, I wanted to disappear.
Oh, no. No, no, no.
Sky Walker.
Shit.
What a cruel coincidence that he worked here as well.
“Hey,” I blurted awkwardly, moving rather too slowly, away from his grasp. He latches onto my wrist and pulled me forward, flush against his body, his eyes shimmering with mischief. “Let me go, you freak.”
“I never thought I would see you again, sweetheart,” he whispered annoyingly, his accent a slight sexy drawl that would’ve sounded melodious if only it belonged to someone else, not him. “Seems like fate is playing a fast one on us.”
I struggled against his chest. “Unhand me at once,” I barked.
“There’s no one here,” he laughed evilly, taking my earlobe into his mouth. “Just us, baby. Let’s do all those things we talked about in our chats. We won’t take long, and I can make an excuse so you can still take your interview…”
“I don’t want to have anything to do with you,” I growled. “Go away. I don’t want to see your face.”
“She told you to leave her alone,” a deep baritone voice thrummed, making Sky freeze. Using the distraction as an advantage, I elbowed him hard on his stomach, and he doubled down with a groan, enabling me to peel myself away from him. Whipping my hair back, I gasped when Max dealt him a harsh kick on his side, then sat on top of him and began raining blows down on his face.
“What the hell… Max!” I hurried over, trying to pull him away. “It’s okay, I’m fine. You’ll hurt him.”
“Let me go,” he growled, shoving me away. I fell back on my butt, the items in my bag clattering noisily on the floor. Before I knew what was happening, the corridor was crowded, with people trying to separate Max from mauling Sky to death. Mrs. Sue Benson, the CEO, and owner of the company helped me stand, and while dusting off my skirt, demanded to know what the hell had transpired.
“It’s a long story, Sue,” I sniffled solemnly, still tongue-tied by the sudden turn of events. “But Sky started it. He wouldn’t leave me alone, and I’ve told him off severally.”
Unfortunately, the injuries Max had dealt him were too severe, and the company had no option but to have Sky rushed down to the hospital. Someone had contacted the police and Max would have to be detained.
“Please,” I grabbed Sue’s arm as Max was pushed out by the policeman. “Don’t let them take him away. He was fighting for my sake.”
“I’m sorry, Elaine, but I have no control over the matter. Mr. Sturm shouldn’t have resolved to violence. As for your interview, I don’t think our company will be a great home for you. You’re still welcome to try, but my mind has been made up at this point. My apologies, once again.”
She shoved me away, sprinting off to catch up with the policeman while I stood still at a spot, rigid while helplessly watching them take Max away from me, my heart breaking into a million smithereens.
“What…” I blinked, lips wobbling. “… what have I just done?”