Chapter 23
Holding On To Her Nerve
Elena
My heart felt stuck in my chest as I looked up into Damien's cold eyes and my breath caught in my throat. It took all of my willpower not to stare at him with knowing eyes.
Instead, I remained cold, staring at him with dark eyes and a neutral expression.
"What's going on?" Damien pressed, he sidestepped me, picking up my letter on the desk. He was silent for some moments before he turned back to me.
"You want to resign?" Damien's tone was soft as he stared at me. "Why?"
"I…" I swallowed, hesitating, I could vaguely see a small flash of suspicion in his eyes.
He was testing me, I realized. Testing to see if I still recognized him, he probably thought I was resigning because of him. And he was right. My action of trying to resign suddenly felt like a dumb move.
"I can't continue in your company any more sir," I said, staring at him coldly.
"But why?" With two wide strides, Damien appeared beside me, his presence overpowering me.
"Her," I nodded towards Olivia who looked dumbstruck. "She's overstepped her professional boundaries, tried to make things difficult time and time again. And…" I moved closer to Damien.
My heart was pounding even as I held a cold expression on my face, "I did not appreciate what you did earlier sir," I was secretly satisfied to see Damien's expression waver for a moment.
"Elena," Damien's eyes held mine, searching. "Don't you recognize me?" He brought a hand to cup my face but I evaded him, moving away.
Don't push your luck.
"I don't know you," I hissed, immediately turning on my heel to leave.
"Wait," Damien's voice stopped me just as I reached the door. He fiddled with the letter in his hand as he stared at me.
"What if I did something," Damien began. "Something to resolve this, so you don't have to resign?"
'What was he talking about?' I tensed up, and a guarded expression appeared on my face. I didn't say a word, silently waiting to hear his next words.
"I've fired her," Damien suddenly pointed at Olivia. "She unlawfully tampered with your interview and employment records and I've sacked her."
What! I felt shocked to my bones and my mouth was wide open in surprise. I glanced at Olivia who'd resumed packing her things, she hadn't refuted Damien's words.
So it was true.
Was that why she'd been so emotional earlier? I suddenly wondered and my shock deepened.
Why would Damien do that? I couldn't understand.
"Yo—you didn't have to," I managed to speak after a while, my voice was low. My pulse suddenly quickened and I recalled Conor's strange behavior earlier. Had Damien also sacked him?
The thought sent a pang of guilt flooding into me, Conor had been the one who'd stopped Olivia from having her way. I couldn't imagine how to feel about him being sacked.
"Of course, I had to," Damien broke the silence as he stared solemnly at me. "I'm taking over Project Houston," he announced suddenly. "And you, you will assist me."
I thought I misheard, "What!" My eyeballs nearly fell to the ground. Me? What was he thinking?
I caught Olivia's resentful gaze directed towards me out of the corner of my eye, but it was gone in a split second. She lowered her head and continued packing her things.
"You're the best person for the job," Damien's words surprised me. "You're the one who did the figures and proposal right?"
I nodded unconsciously, still feeling shell-shocked. For a split second there I felt seen, like really seen. Maybe he really appreciated my skills, maybe this wasn't a game of his.
"Nice," Damien's lips curved into a smile.
"I thought as much," he flicked his wrists and the tearing sounds of paper filled the room as he tore my resignation letter to bits.
"Come with me," Damien's expression didn't even flicker. He strode out of the office without waiting for a response.
"I…" for a moment I couldn't react but then I rushed out after him. "I've already resigned sir," I muttered, catching up with him in the hallway.
"And no one's signed it," Damien raised an eyebrow, not pausing in his steps. "You've not resigned. I need you," his words made my breath catch in my throat.
Damien needed me?
"I can't," I whispered, my voice shook a bit but I remained firm. Remaining close to Damien was a very bad idea.
We reached an elevator and Damien pressed a button.
"I'll pay you five times what you're currently earning," Damien dropped a bombshell.
I thought I felt the ground give way beneath me for a moment and I trembled uncontrollably. Was Damien nuts?
Despite myself, I found myself doing the maths, if I was paid that amount, I could settle the money for Lily's therapy, get her new things, I'd be able to pay part of the rent as well.
"Think about it Elena," Damien pressed, "you'll be able to take care of your daughter with that money," his words sounded convincing.
Unconsciously I found myself nodding. I suddenly paused and my eyes narrowed.
"How do you know about my daughter sir?" I questioned, filling my voice was anger. Damn him! I hissed internally, another trick of his.
If I'd answered any other way, Damien would've been sure I was lying about my lost memory.
Indeed.
Damien's expression wavered for a moment as he stared at me, he looked like he was battling with something within.
"I made an inquiry about you," he said cooly, "I have to know the person working with me on this project," he lied without a gleam of panic or hesitation.
A lump formed in my throat and I shook my head. He was smart, if I hadn't noticed his trick… I shuddered. I had little doubt his present smiles could flip like a switch and turn into cold-blooded rage.
"Make your decision, Elena," Damien handed me a business card. "I'll see you tomorrow," he didn't wait for me to speak before he stepped into the elevator.
My pulse was racing as I held the business card between my two fingers. I had to make a choice.
To stay, or leave.