ANNA’S POV
If there was one sound that could make my heart drop to my stomach, it was the shrill ring of the intercom.
And right now, it blared like an alarm signaling doom.
I jumped in my seat, the pen slipping from my fingers.
My stomach knotted immediately when I recognized the caller ID—Joseph Kosturos, my boss.
With a shaky breath, I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt, pushing the thick file I was working on to the side. Maybe it wasn’t bad news. Maybe he just needed to check on the latest draft. Maybe…
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stood up. No point delaying the inevitable.
I picked up the call with shaky hands and his voice boomed in. “In my office now!”
Quickly, I dropped the intercom and walked out.
The walk to his office felt longer than usual, every step heavy and reluctant.
When I finally reached his door, it was slightly ajar. I could see him pacing back and forth inside like a caged lion.
"Come in!" he barked, without even looking at me.
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me with a soft click. My palms were damp against the fabric of my skirt.
"You called for me, Mr. Kosturos?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
The moment his eyes landed on me, his entire face twisted in fury. His jaw clenched so tight the veins in his neck bulged.
His hands balled into tight fists at his sides, his knuckles bleaching white as the rage rolled off him in suffocating waes.
"You idiot!" he roared, his voice echoing off the office walls.
Before I could even blink, he lunged at me, his movements jerky with anger. His hand closed around my arm in a bruising grip, yanking me forward so violently I almost crashed into his chest.
I gasped, my free hand shooting out to catch myself against his suit jacket, feeling the tense, rigid muscles underneath.
"I trusted you with that presentation!" he spat, his face so close I could feel the hot gusts of his sour breath. Coffee, anger, and something bitter and rotten.
My stomach twisted painfully.
"You know what you cost me?!" he hissed, the veins in his forehead throbbing. "Damien Domingo rejected the offer because of you! Because of your nonsense!"
His words hit me like a slap. My ears rang. For a moment, all I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heart, loud and unsteady.
“What?!” I gasped, shaking my head in disbelief.
I stumbled over my words, panic rising in my chest. I thought Damien Domingo had been impressed with the pitch.
He had asked me so many questions—thoughtful, sharp questions. He nodded along, even smiled once. I was so sure so sure it went well.
And now—rejected?
Because of me?
"I—I did everything you asked," I stammered, struggling to pull my arm from his iron grip. "The numbers were accurate, the projections—"
"Don't you dare argue with me!" he roared, tightening his hold until my skin burned under his fingers. I winced, biting down a cry.
"You're just a pretty face!" he spat, his eyes wild with fury. "You think you're smart, huh? Think again."
With a harsh shove, he forced me backward. I stumbled, my heels slipping slightly on the smooth, polished floor.
My back slammed against the edge of the adjacent meeting room door. Pain jolted up my spine, stealing my breath.
"Let me go!" I cried, pushing against him with both hands, desperate to get free. But he was stronger. Meaner. He didn't budge.
"You owe me!" Joseph hissed, his voice dropping into a low, venomous growl. His face was so close I could see every pore, every drop of sweat on his forehead. "I gave you this job. You'd be nothing without me. I can take it all away unless you show me some gratitude."
My blood turned to ice.
Gratitude. I knew exactly what he meant.
"No—please—stop!" I choked out, terror seizing my throat.
I thrashed, twisting my body to break free, but his grip only tightened. His other hand shot out, fumbling with the meeting room door behind me, trying to shove me inside.
Panic exploded inside me. I kicked out blindly, my hands shoving at his chest, his shoulders, anything I could reach.
His fingers dug deeper into my arm, sharp and punishing, and I felt the beginning of bruises blooming beneath his touch.
"Come on, don't be stupid," he sneered, breathing heavily. "It’s just a little favor."
The metallic taste of fear coated my tongue. Tears stung at the back of my eyes, but I blinked them away furiously.
Still, a terrifying thought clawed at the back of my mind—what if no one came?
What if no one heard me?
I screamed, loud and raw, and yanked my arm back with everything I had, feeling the skin tear under his fingers.
His expression twisted in rage, and for one horrifying second, I thought he might strike me.
My body was trembling, adrenaline coursing through every inch of me, but I planted my feet firmly, refusing to be dragged any further.
"Let me go!" I screamed again, louder this time, my voice echoing down the empty hallway outside.
Joseph’s grip faltered just slightly, his face paling as he realized someone might hear.
For the first time, uncertainty flickered across his face. He hesitated, and in that split second, I tore myself free, stumbling backward, breathing hard.
His shadow loomed closer again, and my heart hammered against my ribs like it wanted to escape my chest.
Then, the door burst open with a loud bang.
Both Joseph and I froze.
Standing there, in the doorway, was Damien Domingo. His tall frame filled the space, his eyes ablaze with fury.