Page 35 of His Dark Pull
A knot of tightens in my stomach. Is it because I broke up with Tyler? How would they know?
Cole greets me with a scowl and a curt reminder of my tardiness. As I try to hurry past him towards the sanctuary of my office, his voice stops me. “A client is waiting for you,”he says, his tone emotionless.
My heart skips a beat. Alexander?
But as I push open the door to my office, my hopes are dashed against the rocks of reality. The bald figure seated at my desk is not Alexander.
It’s Kovacs.
He turns. His eyes are cold and calculating, like chips of ice, and a cruel smile plays at the corners of his lips. His shaved head reveals a harsh, angular face etched with the lines of a life lived on the edge. A predator in a tailored suit, and I feel my breath catch in my throat, my body recoiling from his presence.
“Ava,”he drawls. It’s time you put aside your questions and stayed away from Alexander.”
I freeze in place as my muscles tense. Despite my best efforts to maintain composure, my facade crumbles like brittle ice, my voice quivering.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,”he sneers, his voice dripping. “Alexander is in deep, and you need to stay away from him before you both get dragged down.”
A flicker sparks within me, a desperate attempt to reclaim some semblance of control. “I won’t abandon Alexander,”I retort, my voice shaky but firm.
His laughter, humorless and sharp, echoes in the confines of my office. Terror grips me. “You’ll regret it if you don’t,”he warns, his words hanging in the air like a threat.
He rises from his chair, his towering presence making the room feel even smaller, and strides towards the door. As he turns to leave, his eyes meet mine one last time, a chilling promise in their depths.
“Who let you in here?”I demand, my voice shaking.
Kovacs pauses at the door, his lips curling into a sardonic smile. “Let’s just say I have my ways,”he replies.
With a final, chilling glance, he turns and disappears into the bustling hallway. My legs tremble as I rise from my chair. I stumble towards the bathroom, the familiar coolness of the tiles a welcome contrast to the feverish heat that has taken hold of my body.
As I splash water on my face, I gaze at the poster taped to the mirror. It’s an advertisement for the company’s annual work party tonight, a vibrant collage of images showcasing past events – colleagues laughing, glasses clinking, and the promise of a night of revelry and connection.
Shit, I forgot about that.
I know I should attend that it’s important for networking and building relationships within the company. Still, the thought of facing my colleagues, of pretending everything is normal while my life is spiraling out of control, fills me with dread.
Taking a deep breath, I straighten my posture, forcing my trembling hands to stillness. I can’t let Kovacs’s threats dictate my actions. I have to put on a brave face to find a way to navigate this path.
I will go to the party.With a final, steadying breath, I turn and leave the bathroom, stepping back into the whirlwind of the office, ready to face whatever awaits me.
Chapter 11
The Party
I step into the grand ballroom, instantly swept away by the sensory whirlwind of the company party.
Spectrum has gone all in on this, wow.
The air buzzes with energy, a heady mix of laughter, lively chatter, and the rhythmic pulse of the music that thrums through my body. Twinkling lights glow warmly on the festive surroundings, reflecting off the intricate golden details that adorn the walls and the glittering chandeliers that hang like crystallized stars from the high ceiling. The scent of expensive perfumes and alcoholic beverages hangs in the air.
I smooth down the fabric of my emerald green dress, its silky texture cool against my skin. The dress fits me perfectly; it was my mother’s, we’re the same size. My shoulders sag for a moment at the thought of my mother. Would she be disappointed seeing me like this?
I feel like I’m falling apart.
Sarah, by my side, clinks her champagne flute against mine, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.
“I’m so glad you came out tonight,”she says. “You need this. To clear your mind.”
“Yes, because nothing says ‘clear mind’like a room full of drunk coworkers and loud music,”I say, shaking my head.