Chapter Thirty-Two; Lavender Roses
I didn’t want to believe I had just lost my job, didn’t want to accept my aspirations had been drawn to an end so abruptly, snatched from me so easily.
I was in denial, and I knew it.
I waited, waited for the CEO to contact me and tell me everything was just a ruse to provoke me into submissions.
I waited and waited.
But the call never came.
I had also tried to reach him through the number he saved on my phone, but it never worked. I gave up on the twentieth attempt.
Four days passed, four long excruciating days.
I didn’t cry. I was too stunned to express any other emotion. Even as I cleared my desk and submitted my company ID to Mrs Juniper, I didn’t cry.
I didn’t cry when Caspian continued to apologize, holding me close as he struggled to stop himself from crying from guilt.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
He kept saying it was his fault, and that he would find a way to fix it.
Thinking back on his words now, maybe he’d just said that to make me feel better because I didn’t know how he possibly planned to fix it. Caspian wasn’t the CEO, and I doubt anyone could change his mind, let alone Caspian.
I’m sure Luke had clearly established that he hated his guts.
It was surreal. Hadn’t I signed a contract last week? Was that still valid? If it was, then why would he fire me out of the blue?
I admit I had stepped out of line, but surely it wasn’t enough to warrant losing my job right? I didn’t even get fired when the sex bucket list got leaked.
I sighed a long sigh, wishing to disappear into the soft mattress of my bed as I absentmindedly stared at the ceiling.
“I’m unemployed,” I said to the empty room. Realization sinking and spreading through me like a virus. Wasn’t I the Sam woman who received an honorary award weeks ago? But now I am jobless.
I wish I could cry, it would’ve been better than this numb feeling swelling in my chest, weighing heavy on my heart and mind.
The sound of my doorbell snaps me back to reality, and I lazily drag myself out of bed. Chelsea was hot on my tail, she always got excited every time the doorbell rang for some reason.
Her excitement was cute, and a fond smile spread across my face as I watched her.
The smile faded as I opened the door.
“Delivery for Miss Ravenwood.”
A delivery man stood before me, wearing a polite smile as he offered me a wrapped box and a bouquet of lavender roses.
My brows furrowed. “For me?” I pointed to myself, and he nodded in response, his smile never shifting. “Oh.. okay.” I hesitated before taking the parcels from him, putting my signature on the small file I handed me next.
“Have a good day, miss.” And with that, he left. I returned inside, staring at the box and flowers like they were bombs.
Who would have sent these?
I set the box on the table in the living room, flopping on the couch as I brought the flowers to my nose. My eyes fluttered close as I sniffed.
I stiffened. It didn’t smell like roses. Instead, it smelt like a man. A man I knew all too well, the familiar scent causing me to straighten up in my seat.
Were these from the CEO?
My heart raced with anticipation at the thought, and as I opened my eyes, I noticed a small note tucked in between the rose petals.
Placing the bouquet beside the box, I unconsciously held my breath as I hurriedly peeled the note open, my eyes rounding as I read its contents.
‘Dear Aurelia, I hope you’re doing well. Did you think of me? You probably did. I’ll go straight to the point. You are to return to work tomorrow, not as a designer, but as my new personal assistant. I’ve also provided you with a unique set of clothes you will be required to wear to work from now on.
Your Dearest,
Luke.’
I read it again, and again. After the fifth read, I still struggled to understand the message.
What twisted game was he playing now? His personal assistant? Is that why he fired me so ruthlessly? Only to hire me again as his assistant?
My gaze shifts to the box, and I move to open it, revealing neatly folded office dresses. They were moderate and strangely normal. I had expected something a little more outrageous, but as I picked up the dresses, it made way for the set of panties that was tucked underneath them.
Heat burst in my cheeks. What the hell was this? Did he also expect me to wear these as well?
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I examined the panties, and the color of my cheeks deepened. They were exactly my size.
This was beyond crazy. Thanks to that damned contract, I couldn’t refuse. I couldn’t risk getting a lawsuit. An employee against the CEO? It was a clear loss for me. I had neither the money nor the power to go against him.
I cursed under my breath, frantically running my hands through my hair as I slumped against the couch.
I can understand the dresses, but why the underwear? I couldn’t help but think there was a hidden agenda to it. He wouldn’t know if I didn’t wear them right?
Just then, the memory of him bending me over his desk flashed in my mind, the sound of his hands coming in contact with my ass ringing in my ears. I winced.
Fuck. He would know. And if I refused him, he would punish me.
A buzz of excitement shot through my core, and I squeezed my thighs together, chewing on my bottom as more memories of his ruthless dominance flooded my mind, my breathing heavy as arousal pooled between my legs.
Oh, I was so fucked.
To crave him like this, after everything he’d done. I had lost all understanding of my body, it worked against my will, or rather towards my deepest desires, desires I had tried to suppress.
Yes. I was fucked.
Now I could only wonder how tomorrow would turn out.