Chapter 22
In confusion
Elena
I felt the walls closing in on me as I walked through the hallways, a few files in hand. I was so disconcerted I nearly tripped over my feet.
Damien was the CEO? The revelation crashed into me like a novelty and I felt my mind bubbling as shock coursed through me.
What kind of shitty luck was this? I wondered, out of all the companies I ended up working for. I just had to pick Damien's company.
Thoughts and questions filled my mind and I could feel a headache coming on as I tried to think of what to do next.
What was I going to do? My mind was blank as I tried to piece my thoughts together. Damien was the CEO and he'd seen me, I didn't think he would just ignore me after he'd seen me.
What if he told Albert? My heart stopped and I broke out into a cold sweat.
I had to leave. Now! The thought spurred me into action and I quickened my pace and I headed back to my desk space.
I couldn't think about Project Houston or whatever, I thought and a feeling of regret filled me as I stared at the papers in my hand.
I'd grown invested in the project in recent weeks, too bad.
I couldn't stay here any longer, it was only a matter of time before Damien sought me out, and if he'd told Father… I shook my head, trying to stay calm.
I didn't dare imagine the consequences.
"Mr. Conor," someone's shadow covered me as I was quickly packing up my stuff. I was surprised when I looked up and realized it was Conor. My heart sank when I saw his dark troubled look.
"You're already packing your things," Conor mumbled, his eyes becoming cold. "You knew," his gaze sharpened.
"I knew?" I repeated, not quite sure what he was getting at. 'What was he talking about?' I wondered.
"Damn you," Conor snapped, his voice raised. "I helped you get into the project and this is how you repay me?" Conor glared at me with dark cold eyes, his loud voice had attracted a lot of attention.
"What are you talking about?" I stammered, my heart in my throat. What had I done? I couldn't understand why Conor was acting this way.
"He sent you, didn't he?" Conor glared at me, not minding the stares from other employees. "All this while you were acting like a newbie," Conor's voice lowered for a few beats. "You were nothing but the CEO's pawn."
"I…" I was trying to defend myself but my eyes widened when Conor's words sank in. "What!" I couldn't understand anything that was going on. How had I become Damien's pawn?
I just wanted to tell him I was resigning, what had caused all of this?
"What did you do to get his attention huh?" Conor demanded suddenly. He gave me a look-over, his eyes filled with disdain.
He turned on his heel and walked away before I could say another word.
What did I do? I wondered as I watched him leave, and frustration bubbled up within me. I really had a good impression of Conor. I'd just wanted to tell him I was leaving, but now… I sighed, perhaps he was pissed about something.
I quickly packed up my things, which wasn't much, I'd been here for just about a month. I kept getting weird looks and stares as I cleared up my office space, everything fitted into a little carton.
When that was done I quickly penned down a resignation letter, I could already imagine Olivia's gleeful face by the time I submitted this.
She would get a kick out of this.
I held the carton under my shoulder and the letter in one hand as I walked out of the office, I tried hard to ignore the stares and little whispers from the other employees. I hadn't stayed long enough to make friends, so I didn't have to notify anyone.
I felt a sense of loss as I walked through the now familiar hallways, heading to the HR.
Knock! I knocked on the door before I opened it and stepped in, ready to hand over my resignation. But the sight before me stopped me in my tracks.
Olivia sat behind her desk but she wasn't her usual cold composed self. Her eyes were red and swollen and her frame shook as she sobbed softly.
"You!" Her head jerked up and her angry expression made me flinch. "What are you doing here?" She snapped, standing up in one swift angry motion.
"I…" I froze, the sight of Olivia, usually so composed, now so messy surprised me. Olivia looked… rattled. Like someone had just pulled the rug out from under her.
First Conor, now Olivia. What was going on?
"You came here to gloat didn't you?" Olivia hissed. "Get out!" She yelled so loudly her voice could've shaken the walls.
"I…" I hesitated, unsure of what was going on. "This is my resignation letter," I said slowly, dropping the letter on the desk. I didn't wait for her to speak before I turned to go.
"What are you talking about?" Olivia's voice shook and she looked at me with disbelief.
"I'm leaving," I turned to stare at her. She looked so pitiful I thought, staring at her. Her cheeks were stained and her makeup washed away with tears, giving her a strange look.
"Goodbye Olivia," I didn't pay attention to her and I turned to leave, however, I bumped into something. Someone.
"Sorry," I apologized, not seeing who it was and I instinctively moved to circle around the person. But a hand reached out and caught my arm.
"Where do you think you're going, Elena?"
I felt my blood run cold as Damien's voice filled my ears, the smell of his cologne wafted into my nostrils, it was mild and musky.
"You said you were resigning Elena," Damien continued, not letting go of my arm. "Is it because of me?" His eyes fixed on me, digging deep, trying to uncover my secrets.
"I…" I opened my mouth to speak and my mind raced to pick an answer but even as I stood there, I knew I was in trouble.
Big trouble.