Page 7 of Forbidden Deception
His intense, unwavering gaze feels uncomfortable, like he is waiting for me to spill my darkest secrets to him just so he can toy with me and ruin my life. Rafael currently looks like the definition of destruction. The intensity with which he is looking at me with makes my skin crawl, an unpleasant feeling gnawing deep in my stomach. I don’t dare to move.
“Why have you applied for this role, Ms Campbell?” He leans back in his chair and rests his ankle on his knee.
I clear my throat. “I wanted to experience working—”
He tuts, and I snap my mouth shut.
“None of that. What is your goal here? Are you struggling financially? Do you want a boost in your career? Need a good reference? Want to work with Gustav Industry?” His nonchalanttone is deceiving. Like he’s making me think I am safe to share my personal struggles but just that one glimpse of his predatory look, a look that promises chaos, it would keep me from uttering anything at al.
“I asked a question.” His voice vibrates through the office, punching me in the gut, and yet the ring of authority in his words leaves a trail of goosebumps on my body.
“Oh, it’s because I wanted more experience under my belt. Money and financial difficulty have nothing to do with it.”
“If I told you to walk out the door right now and never look back, would you do it?” A small smirk plays on his lips.
What exactly is he implying?
“No. I went through multiple rounds of interviews and got the job due to my hard work and previous experience, and I won’t let such a good opportunity slip from my hands.”
I feel a little breathless under his attention, and he hasn’t looked away, not once.
Rafael Gustav is more than a decade older than me, ruthless in his industry, and certainly very problematic within his social circle. Of course, he won’t be a walk in the park to work with. He is carefully constructing his questions, pushing me to mess up. His words a false sense of security.
Jutting my chin out, I take a deep breath. “You can put me through trials yourself and see if I fit. If I don’t, I will take leave myself.”
Rafael leans forward, his brows lifting just a tiny fraction. I know about his history of leaving many of his employees in tears, and Remo’s warnings ring loudly in my mind.
What am I doing?
“I will give you a month to prove yourself, Miss Campbell.” He flicks a hand out to me, effectively dismissing me.
The way he talks, moves his hands, and looks at me has me mesmerised.
But his silent personality speaks volumes about his destructive thoughts that Remo told me about. He will lure me in, push me under the water making me gasp for air, make me beg and humiliate myself and then he will pull me out just to do it all over again. All for his ugly need of entertainment. It steers me away from his handsome face. For someone in his prime, with sharp, strong features and neatly tamed hair, Rafael’s beauty is wasted with his personality.
“You are good to go.”
I blink.
What?
“Go…?” I blink a couple of more times.
“You are here to work? Yes?” He raises a single brow.
My mouth opens and closes like a damn fish. What am I doing? Embarrassing myself already?
“Right, of course! What else am I here for? I’ll be right out.” I rise from my chair and turn to the door, but then I pause and look back at Rafael.
“Mr Gustav?”
He doesn’t look up from his phone.
“When is lunch?”
His head snaps up, and he narrows his eyes at me like I just asked for his first-born child.
“Lunch? Are you already hungry this early in the day, Miss Campbell?” His voice is harsh.