I kissed Jess on the cheek.
She flinched slightly from the surprise, then smiled — quietly, warmly, the way people smile when it suddenly becomes easier to breathe.
“Dear, are you ready?”
She nodded, brushing her hair back.
“You’re an angel.”
We were already heading out. I reached for my bag, mentally figuring out where we’d go first — the little boutique on the corner or straight to the shopping gallery.
“Dear…”
I slowly rolled my eyes.
“Don’t start.”
Caleb raised his hands like he’d just been caught at the scene of a crime.
“I just wanted to ask where you’re going.”
I shot him an annoyed look.
“Shopping. We’re planning to buy something for your mother.”
He nodded as if thinking it over.
“I see… can I come with you?”
And immediately made that puppy-dog face.
“No.”
Jess froze beside me.
“Fuck…”
I slowly exhaled.
For a couple of seconds I just looked at him, figuring out just how much he was about to complicate our lives.
“Fine.”
Caleb instantly lit up and headed off to get dressed.
“Hold it.”
He froze mid-step, like someone had just hit pause on him.
I stepped closer. Slowly. Calmly.
And poked him in the chest.
“Caleb. If you start again…”
“Darling,” he cut in softly, “I’ll be a good boy.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Caleb smiled.
Too calm. Too confident.
“Do you believe him?” Aide asked quietly.
“Not for a second.”
I sighed and, despite myself, softened a little.
Jess would probably be pleased if her son came with us.
I spread my hands.
“Fine.”
Then I looked back at Caleb.
“But if anything happens — I’ll hit you right there.”

The store
I sat down on a small couch.
Caleb sat beside me.
His leg was bouncing like crazy.
I understood immediately — his jaw was tightening uncontrollably. It kept working like he was holding himself back with everything he had.
I hissed:
“Caleb!”
He immediately raised his hands.
“Alright, alright. I give up, I give up.”
He stood up.
“I’ll go get coffee.”
“Uh-huh.”
I buried myself in my phone and started typing.
Messages, notes — I don’t even remember what. I just needed something to keep my hands busy.
Finally Jess came back.
She was holding a dress, looking a little embarrassed.
“I picked something… what do you think of it?”
I shrugged.
“Me? What difference does it make. The only thing that matters is that you like it.”
She looked taken aback.
I understood immediately — this was already too bold for her.
She was one of those women who were used to asking, checking, being careful.
“I’m sorry,” I said more gently. “How about you try it on, and then we’ll decide. Does that work for you?”
She smiled.
“Alright.”
And went into the fitting room.
I watched her walk away.
And suddenly I thought…
She must have been really pretty when she was young.
Sweet. Sensitive.
Kind to Caleb.
She probably forgave him everything.
Spoiled him. Protected him.
Looked at him like he was the most precious thing in the world.
And suddenly I felt sad.
And then guys go around saying that all women are mercenary.
That they’re all whores.
That all they want is money.
Bullshit.
There she is.
Such an angel. Such a bright, gentle woman.
And she ended up in the hands of a piece of shit like Caleb’s father.
And look what it did to her life.
That’s how men are.
Don’t keep them on a leash —
and they start doing God knows what.
Damn…
Suddenly tears ran down my face.
I quickly wiped them away with my palm.
And thought:
If I hadn’t been this strong…
if I had met Caleb earlier…
he might have ruined my life as well.
Damn.
Bastard.
“Come on, he’s trying to change,” Hades encouraged me.
“Yeah… I guess so.”
Alright.
I waved my hand. What can you do — that’s how the world works.
Angels need to watch out for the devil.
And the devil is damn cunning.
Just then Caleb came back.
Jess was just stepping out of the fitting room.
I lit up immediately.
“Wow.”
The dress fit her really well.
She looked a little embarrassed, but there was hope in her eyes — like someone who can’t quite believe they might actually look beautiful.
Caleb, on the other hand, got straight to work.
Sour expression.
Back to being the boss.
He looked her up and down and said dryly:
“That doesn’t suit you at all. Take it off.”
I clenched my jaw and slowly stood up.
Walked over to Caleb.
Then calmly turned to Jess.
“Jess, can we see what else you picked?”
“Thank you.”
She went back into the fitting room to change.
I watched her go.
Then I stepped closer and slowly lifted my foot.
And drove the stiletto heel straight into Caleb’s boot with all my strength.
“Shit! Ow! Ow!”
He started hopping in place, trying to shake off the pain.
“You asshole…” I hissed through my teeth.
Then he stared at me.
“What did I say?”
I slowly raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, really?”
Caleb froze instantly.
His face changed.
“No… darling… I didn’t mean it. Please.”
I looked at him coldly.
“Not this time, bastard.”
I knocked on the fitting room door.
“Jess… please forgive us. Especially me. I promised I’d stay with you, but I need to step out for a second.”
She nodded meekly.
“Of course.”
I kissed her on the cheek and winked.
“I’ll call Michael. He’ll be here in no time.”
She immediately lit up.
I stepped out and sat down on the small couch to wait.
Caleb was pacing nearby, rubbing his forehead, clearly trying to get a grip.


She nodded right away.
“Of course.”
I smiled.
“Darling, please…”
I raised my hand to make him stop.
My leg was bouncing like crazy.
I could feel the anger boiling inside me.
I checked the time.
Damn.
If the Audi was in sport mode, Michael could get here in about eight minutes.
Where the hell is he taking so long…
And then — right on cue.
Michael.
I stood up immediately and kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you for coming.”
At that moment Caleb was standing nearby again, angry as hell.
God, he’s so damn jealous.
“You almost strangled that woman when she looked at him,” Hades muttered.
“That’s different.”
“Sure it is.”
I shook my head.
And stepped on Caleb’s boot again.
He grimaced, but didn’t say a word.
Caleb reluctantly held out his hand to him.
“What an honor,” Mushu snorted.
“Tell me about it,” I said.
I turned to Michael.
“Dear, please stay with Jess.”
And winked at him.
Mike lowered his eyes and gave a short nod.
I grabbed Caleb, who was practically hissing, by the sleeve and led him toward the exit.
“Put a muzzle on him or he’ll bite someone,” Mushu grumbled.
I laughed.
We stepped out onto the parking lot, got into the car, and drove off.
Caleb sat beside me, tense as a bowstring.
Office
“Darling… why are we here?”
I looked at him and shrugged.
“Oh, for no reason at all.”
At first I had really thought we’d just stop by the store with Caleb and rein him in a little.
But then it became clear:
he’d get over that.
For him, it’s just a show.
But a blow to his power.
To his authority.
That’s playing his game.
We pulled up to the office.
I got out of the car and walked inside confidently.
Caleb walked beside me.
We entered the conference room.
Everyone jumped to their feet instantly.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The poor employees went pale when they saw Caleb.
Some of them were literally shaking.
“We’ll remember this and deal with the revenge later,” Hades muttered, quickly writing something down in his little notebook.
I nodded.
In agreement.
“What an asshole…”
“S-s-sir…” one of his clerks stammered, trembling.
My jaw clenched.
He must scream at them like a madman.
Otherwise people don’t recoil like that.
I looked around the office.
Almost all guys.
I see.
So women don’t fit here.
That bastard simply doesn’t hire them.
Discriminates.
Fiiine.
Even though everything was already at the limit.
I calmly sat down at the table.
“Excuse me, what’s your name?”
The guy flinched.
“K… Kevin.”
I smiled.
Beside me Caleb clenched his fists.
“Guess smiling is illegal now,” Hades muttered.
I pretended nothing was happening.
“Kevin, could you please tell me what meeting we’re having right now? What are we discussing?”
He immediately looked at Caleb.
Caleb instantly tried to grab the wheel.
“Darling…”
“Stay,” I hissed through my teeth.
Caleb went pale with rage.
I turned to Kevin and gave him my most devious smile.
“Kevin, please continue.”
“S-s-sir…” he glanced at Caleb again.
Then got confused. “I mean… um… miss…”
Now he was looking at me instead.
“Today we’re discussing asset allocation.”
“Wow!”
I brightened and clapped my hands.
“So I arrived just in time.”
Caleb let out a low growl.
“Darling…”
He grabbed me by the elbow.
I immediately put on a polite smile.
“Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”
And I had to follow him.
Corridor
“What are you doing?!”
“Don’t you dare speak to me like that.”
Caleb stopped abruptly.
Collected himself.
Rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Sorry.”
Then he looked at me again, his expression hard.
“What are you doing, darling? This isn’t a joke. I work with these people.”
“Really?!”
I opened my eyes wide.
“And here I was, such a silly little woman, completely failing to realize these are your colleagues.”
Caleb started getting angry.
“Darling, this isn’t funny. You’re ruining my authority.”
“Ahhh…”
I pretended like I had finally understood.
“So that’s what it is.”
I even lightly tapped my forehead.
“Sorry, darling. I just thought of something, you know…”
I paused.
“I suddenly realized that for every person it’s important to keep their own opinion… their own authority.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“You know what I mean…”
He clenched his teeth.
I understood immediately — that was it. No more fun.
So I went straight to the point.
“You’re an asshole.”
I jabbed my finger at him.
“For some reason you decided your shitty world is more important than your mother’s world.”
“Darling, but that’s clothes. That’s not business.”
“Ahhh, of course, of course.”
I nodded.
“Building a huge business — that’s important. Making money — that’s important. That’s serious.”
I looked at him sharply.
“But being the mother of this asshole she raised — that’s not impressive, right?”
“Darling…”
“Shut up, I’m talking.”
I wasn’t holding back anymore.
“I get it, I get it, Caleb. Her world is too small. Clothes, flowers, exhibitions… how could it compare to our great ruler of the world.”
I stepped closer.
“You fucking bastard.”
“She gave birth to you.”
“She carried you.”
“She did everything so you, you piece of shit, could grow up in love.”
I jabbed my finger at his chest.
“And you, asshole, think you’re more important than everyone else.”
“Go to hell, you asshole!”
“Darling, please…”
I yanked my hand away.
“Go to hell, you bastard.”
“You measure people by money. Who has what and how much.”
I was almost hissing.
“But honor, you fucking bastard… and dignity — you don’t give a damn.”
“You don’t give a damn!”
I looked at him with hatred.
“Only money, you piece of shit.”
In Jess’s world, flowers matter.
Her outfits.
Her little exhibitions.
And her son.
That asshole is very important to her too.
That’s her world.
And you, asshole, humiliated her right there in the store.
Who the hell do you think you are?
His damn hierarchy infuriated me.
Caleb’s logic.
Who’s more important.
Who’s higher.
Who’s stronger.
She is higher.
She is stronger.
Because she is a mother.
Even if you, asshole, are 31.
43.
50.
She is still your mother, you bastard.

At any age.
You fucking asshole.
You didn’t give birth to her or carry her.
She raised you, you asshole.
Not the other way around.
And you, asshole, will respect that.
Whether you like it or not.
Pig.
I spat in his face.
“You piece of shit.”
And turning around, I went back into the conference room where the meeting was still going on.
A second later Caleb stormed in after me.
Angry as hell.
The veins in his neck were bulging with rage.
“EVERYONE OUT!” he roared like a beast.
I flushed.
I was so angry.
I was ready to kill that bastard.
Everyone hurriedly started gathering their things.
Chairs scraped.
Papers rustled.
Someone almost dropped a laptop.
But one woman was still sitting.
She was trying to stand up.
And couldn’t.
Oh God…
Tears started running down my face.
She’s pregnant.
Her belly is already showing.
Sixth… maybe seventh month.
And not one of the men even moved.
Not one of those bastards helped her get up.
While she slowly got to her feet, holding onto the table…
two idiots even made a joke at her expense.
My knuckles had already turned white with anger.
Finally the door closed.
I turned to Caleb.
He stood there like some great victim of all this drama.
Hand on the bridge of his nose.
Face like he had been pushed to his absolute limit.
Like — how exhausting all of this was for him.
I started crying.
“Look at me!”
Caleb shook his head.
“Bastard. Have the decency to look at me.”
He slowly raised his eyes.
There was a haze in them.
“Don’t you dare act like the victim! Go on, cry for me some more, you asshole!”
Tears were running down my cheeks.
“Look at me, you asshole!”
Big brown eyes filled with tears.
Full lips trembling with hurt and rage.
Thick curls framing her face.
His beloved is crying.
She’s in pain.
“Darling…”
“No!”
I slapped his hand away.
“Don’t you dare touch me, you bastard!”
I was almost choking.
“It could have been me!”
“Seven months pregnant, forced to work for an asshole who screams like a lunatic and thinks only about himself!”
“Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!”
In a rage I grabbed the bottle of water from the table and threw it at him.
Then the pencils went flying.
“You piece of shit!”
“Are you blind?!”
“Bastard! Did you see the way she walks?! She needs rest, you asshole! She’s going to be a mother! That’s not your fucking paperwork, you piece of shit!”
“Millions!”
“Bastard!”
I was almost shouting now.
“She’s going to have a baby!”
“The baby will be just as small and helpless as you once were, you piece of shit!”
“She’s pregnant!”
I started crying again.
“How can you be such a fucking asshole, Caleb?!”
He almost pleaded.
“Darling…”
“Shut your mouth!”
I was shaking with rage.
“And what about those assholes, Caleb?!”
“Did you hear what they said?!”
“They’re laughing at her!”
“Those bastards allow themselves that kind of shit!”
I stepped closer to him.
“I don’t care whether she has a husband or not!”
“You, asshole, are supposed to protect her!”
“Darling…”
“You’re supposed to, you bastard!”
“Don’t you dare look me in the eyes, you piece of shit! You’re not worthy of looking at me, you bastard!”
I jabbed my finger at him.
“How did you allow something like this to happen?!”
“If there’s no one to protect her — then you will, you bastard!”
“THIS IS YOUR WORLD!”
“You’re the one in charge here!”
“If you, you bastard, are a man — then you will protect women!”
“Do you understand me?!”
He muttered something.
I understood immediately — he was getting angry.
“Don’t you dare dump your anger on me, you bastard!”
“Coward and a spineless bastard!”
“Bastard!”
And I started crying again.
Suddenly I thought about people.
About men and women.
About those who kiss their children in the morning before sending them off to kindergarten or school.
How they crouch down in front of those tiny jackets and hats, straighten a scarf, zip up a coat, quickly kiss a forehead and say:
“Run along.”
About mothers who then stand by the door for a few seconds, watching them walk away.
About men who drive to work still feeling the small hand of their child in their palm.
I remembered those two men in the conference room.
One tall and thin, with a grayish face.
He kept coughing into his fist, trying to do it quietly so he wouldn’t draw attention.
The other one heavyset, with a red nose and watery eyes.
He kept rubbing the bridge of his nose, like he had a fever.
Both of them sat straight.
Carefully.
Staring at their papers.
Pretending everything was normal.
But I’m not blind.
They’re sick.
And they still came in.
Which means they can’t afford to take sick leave.
Which means they need the money.
They have families to feed.
Apartments to pay for.
Their kids’ daycare.
Medicine.
What a nightmare.
Caleb is a real tyrant.
A bastard.
Yes, maybe they’re not perfect.
Maybe one of them forgot some report yesterday.
Maybe the other one screwed up some numbers somewhere.
But they’re trying.
They really are trying.
They come in every day.
They get up early.
They sit down in those chairs.
They work for this bastard so his business keeps growing.
So his accounts keep getting fatter.
So he can have his millions.
Damn it.
They’re trying.
They work.
And this asshole screams at them like a lunatic.
What a piece of shit.
He doesn’t know how to value people.
Not even the people close to him.
Hell, not anyone at all.
“Deal with this!” I shouted, crying with anger and hurt.
“If you, you piece of shit, don’t solve this, I’ll take that woman to the estate and I’ll provide for her myself!”
“If you’re not capable of being a man, you bastard!”
I was already losing it.
I was so angry with him.
So angry.
“Rebuild everything here, you bastard!”
“Buy the damn pads yourself if you have to!”
“Make sure women have everything they need!”
Caleb turned crimson.
The veins in his neck bulged.
His jaw was twitching.
He slammed his fist on the table.
“Darling,” he hissed through his teeth, “don’t forget yourself.”
I nearly choked.
“You bastard!”
“So that’s how it is?!”
“Don’t forget myself?!”
I stepped toward him.
“Who the hell am I to you, you piece of shit?!”
Caleb realized he had gone too far.
“Nick!”
He immediately burst into the office.
Big.
Short haircut.
Back like a wardrobe.
“Call the bulls.”
A second later five more rushed in.
Heavy steps.
Massive shoulders.
“Nick.”
“Miss.”
He handed me a baton.
Click.
The telescopic baton snapped open in my hand.
“Get this bastard on his knees.”
“I’m going to beat this bastard until he understands.”
Caleb clenched his teeth.
I stepped closer.
“You think you’re all-powerful, you bastard?”
“I’ll hammer it into your head if you don’t get it the normal way!”
I swung, aiming for his jaw.
And at that moment the door burst open.
His secretary rushed into the office.
Pale.
Hair disheveled.
I cursed.
“Guys.”
All six of them stepped out immediately.

Taxi
On the way I texted Michael:
Heading home. But I’ll stop by your place on the way.
I didn’t want to barge in and catch them in some awkward moment.
The taxi rolled softly through the evening streets.
Some calm melody was playing quietly in the car.
Outside the window the city stretched slowly with the lights of shop windows and a few scattered pedestrians.
“Take the long way,” I told the driver. “I need a little time.”
He nodded.
The car turned onto a longer route.
I needed to catch my breath.
I was furious with that bastard.
My thoughts went back again to Caleb’s mother.
What right does that asshole even have to tell her —
that suits you… that doesn’t suit you.
He himself, that piece of shit, can’t stand being told off.
You can’t say a word to him.
He always knows everything.
He’s always right.
What a bastard.
I looked angrily out the window.
So what now — he’s a tyrant instead of his father?
Took over the vacant position?
It made me shudder.
I felt so sorry for her.
Suddenly I thought about my own children.
Damn it.
I’d strangle them if any of them ever dared not to respect me.
For several more minutes the car drove on in silence.
Only the steady hum of the engine and my thoughts.
Finally the taxi stopped in front of the boutique.
Through the window I saw Jess.
She was standing by the mirror.
She saw me — and immediately smiled.
“Hi. How are you?”
She showed me several outfits she had chosen.
I beamed.
“Jess, Michael has the day off today.”
Michael, who was standing nearby, looked at me in surprise.
I spread my arms.
“I’m the boss, aren’t I?”
Michael immediately brightened.
I turned to Jess.
“Jess, Michael has some questions about the exhibition.
You like art, don’t you? Could you advise him?”
She blushed.
“Of course.”
I smiled.
“Excuse us.”
And gently pulled Michael aside.
My face immediately turned serious.
“Caleb’s father is a psycho. I don’t know what to expect from him.”
Michael looked at me carefully.
“Stay alert.”
“Take the guys with you.”
“Don’t let them leave her side for a second.”
“Miss, I can handle it myself.”
“Michael.”
I looked straight at him.
“I said — take the guys.”
“You understand me?”
He nodded immediately.
“Don’t leave her side for a second.”
“Even to the restroom they follow her.”
“Understood?”
“Yes, miss.”
I nodded.
Then I left the store.
And decided to walk a little along the street.
The evening air was cool.
My head was buzzing.
Damn that Caleb.

12:38
The next day
I decided to stop by Caleb’s office.
To check how he was handling my little tasks.
And to make sure everything was in order.
Because he hadn’t come home that night.
I walked down the hallway, my heels clicking.
A light mini dress, loose hair, cold face.
Secretaries and clerks followed me with their eyes.
Some immediately buried themselves in their monitors, pretending to be terribly busy.
I had already grabbed the handle of his office door.
But suddenly I stopped.
Let go of the handle.
“Hello, miss.”
I turned around.
“Hi.”
I froze for a second.
The secretary.
The girl was sitting at her desk.
Neat. Blonde hair tied back in a ponytail.
A slender neck, a simple white blouse, small inexpensive earrings.
“What’s your name?”
“Daphne.”
I held out my hand.
She looked a little confused, but shook it.
“Daphne, how long have you been working here?”
“Almost three years, miss.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Wow. That’s a long time.”
She smiled.
That same smile people give when they try to look calm around their boss.
I stepped closer.
And instead of going into Caleb’s office…
I sat down next to her desk.
Daphne tensed a little.
“Daphne…”
I looked at her calmly.
“In those three years, has Caleb ever invited you into his office?”
She blushed instantly.
Her cheeks flushed.
Her eyes dropped.
The answer was already clear.
“I see…” I said quietly.
She began nervously sorting through the papers on her desk.
“Miss, I…”
I raised my hand.
“I’m not going to judge you.”
I looked at her carefully.
“I just need to know.”
She swallowed.
And said quietly:
“It was only once, miss.”
I clenched my teeth.
Only once.
But it still happened.
What a bastard.
“Daphne, do you have children?”
She suddenly lit up.
The way women smile when the conversation turns to the most precious thing in their lives.
“Yes, miss. My daughter. She’s almost eight.”
“Wow.”
She immediately reached for her phone.
“Here.”
She showed me a photo.
I took the phone.
The girl looked out from the photo with big eyes.
Dark hair tied into two ponytails, a neat little smile.
She was wearing a bright dress, and behind her was a school playground.
“She’s beautiful…”
And she really was.
“Thank you, miss.”
“And where is her father?”
I immediately caught myself.
I’m sorry.

Daphne lowered her eyes slightly.
“We’re divorced, miss.”
“I see.”
I nodded.
A single mother.
Working here for almost three years.
Working like a slave here.
And when the hell is she supposed to be a mother?
When is she supposed to pick up her daughter from school?
When is she supposed to talk to her in the evening?
If that bastard keeps her here until night like some convict.
I quietly patted her palm.
Then immediately pulled my hand back.
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s nothing, miss.”
She smiled.
“Thank you.”
I nodded.
And walked into the office.
“Little mouse…”
Aide had already started to say something sarcastic, but immediately fell silent.
Caleb was sitting at the desk.
He lit up when he saw me.
But my face…
my face was ready for war.
I was ready to strangle that bastard.
“You bastard.”
I walked up and slapped him across the face.
“Darling, darling…”
He immediately raised his hands.
In surrender.
I walked past him to the wall.
And started looking around for something heavy.
“Little mouse…”
I took a deep breath.
“Come on, Nazokat. You can handle this bastard.”
I grabbed the vase from the table.
And smashed it against the floor with all my strength.
Crash.
Glass scattered across the carpet.
“Fuuuuh…”
I exhaled.
Some of the tension left me.
I calmly walked up to Caleb.
Sat down next to him.
A fake little smile on my face.
“Where’s the button?”
“Which one, darling?”
I looked at him.
“You bastard.”
“Where’s the button to call the secretary.”
I leaned slightly closer to him.
“And then ask her to stay late.”
Caleb turned red.
He understood.
I tried to breathe.
Calmly.
“Caleb…”
My jaw clenched so hard it almost cracked from the anger.
“Where…
— is…
— the…
— button.”
He slowly pointed his finger at the panel on the desk.
I pressed it.
“Daphne, darling, could you come in, please.”
A minute later the door opened.
Daphne walked in.
So neat.
Fresh.
Hair tied back, a folder in her hands.
I smiled.
“Hi again.”
“Hello, miss.”
“Caleb…”
I slowly turned to him.
With that look of a person who hasn’t eaten meat in a long time.
He tensed immediately.
I turned back to Daphne.
“Daphne, darling… tell me something, please. Is your salary enough?”
Daphne lowered her eyes.
“Yes, miss.”
“So Caleb pays you well?”
“Yes, miss.”
I nodded thoughtfully.
Pretended to think.
“You know, Daphne… you don’t look stupid.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“I’m sure you had better plans than becoming a secretary.”
She answered quietly:
“Yes, miss.”
“Maybe you have some kind of idea?
Do you want your own business?”
Daphne blushed.
I smiled.
“What kind of business?
Something for children?”
She threw a quick glance at Caleb.
My teeth clenched.
“Oh… don’t worry about Caleb.”
I waved my hand calmly.
“If he tries anything, the bulls are standing in the hallway.”
“They’ll straighten him out quickly.”
She swallowed.
I nodded to her gently.
“Go on.”
“Yes, miss…”
She gathered a little courage.
“I would really like a business.”
“Children’s mattresses.”
She brightened a little.
“My daughter has trouble sleeping… and it’s very hard to find the right mattress.”
She smiled.
“And I really love flowers.”
“I would like a small flower shop.”
“What the hell is this — is he Santa Claus or something, that everyone’s dumping their wishes on him?” Hades muttered.
“Shut up.”
I slowly turned to Caleb.
“You heard that?”
He was sitting there, fiddling with a pen.
Like a child.
But his jaw was tight with rage.
I could feel everything boiling inside me.
My teeth were grinding.
I was ready to strangle him.
I looked at Daphne again.
“Daphne, you have wonderful dreams.”
“But are you doing anything to make them happen?”
She shook her head.
I understood everything.
And I didn’t force her to say it out loud.
Of course she would start her own business.
If that bastard didn’t keep her here around the clock.
But like all rich bastards…
he only thinks about himself.
“Daphne.”
She raised her eyes.
“You know Caleb has a yacht.”
“His favorite one.”
“Black Mamba.”
“Yes, miss.”
“And he also owns property.”
“Very valuable real estate.”
She nodded.
“And also…”
I shrugged.
“Well, you understand.”
“To earn that much, this bastard must understand business very well.”
She blushed.
And glanced briefly at Caleb.
My jaw clenched again.
“Daphne.”
I swallowed.
“Please… could you not look at Caleb.”
She blinked in surprise.
I continued calmly:
“Forgive me for behaving like this.”
“But I’m terribly jealous.”
I smiled slightly.
“I wouldn’t want you to look at him like that.”
She immediately lowered her head.
“I’m sorry, miss.”
“Thank you.”
I blushed.
“Daphne, once again, forgive me.”
She waved it off gently.
“So…”
I thoughtfully clasped my fingers together.
“Here’s what I’m thinking… Caleb understands business very well.”
I looked at Daphne.
“You have dreams.”
I pretended as if I had suddenly had an idea.
“What if… Caleb helped you build your business?”
I slowly turned to him.
“And freed you from this slavery.”
Caleb jumped to his feet.
“That’s not happening!”
“Sit down, you bastard!”
He immediately sat back down.
His jaw twitching.
Eyes burning.
“So screwing after work is perfectly fine…”
I leaned toward him.
“But when it comes to helping — you, you damn bastard, suddenly back out?”
I jabbed my finger into his chest.
“No, you bastard.”
“You’re going to build her business.”
“And not just one.”
“You’re going to set up her structure.”
“You’ll put everything in place.”
Caleb tried to stand up again.
I turned sharply.
“And don’t you dare say a word to me, you bastard.”
He froze.
Daphne blushed all over.
And slowly began turning toward the door.
“Stop!”
She froze.
I softened my voice.
“Daphne.”
She looked at me again.
“Tomorrow prepare everything.”
“Ideas. Pictures. Sketches.”
“Organize it however you want.”
“Not exactly a business plan…”
“But enough so we can understand how you see it.”
She blushed and glanced quickly at Caleb again.
I said calmly:
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll have security outside.”
“He won’t touch you.”
Daphne grew even more embarrassed.
I softened.
“Darling, don’t worry.”
“And don’t be shy.”
“He’ll survive.”
I smiled slightly.
“You still have a daughter to raise.”
“Let Caleb put in some effort.”
“He won’t die.”
She smiled.
Blushed again.
“May I hug you?”
I lit up.
“Of course.”
“Come here.”
She hugged me carefully.
Then she walked out.
The door closed.
Caleb jumped to his feet.
His face red with rage.
He grabbed me by the elbow.
“Darling, you can’t do that! What do you think you’re doing?!”
I yanked my arm free.
“Shut up.”
“And sit down.”
He actually recoiled.
“You damn bastard, you promised me you’d behave.”
I looked at him coldly.
“So you’re going to do exactly what I tell you.”
“But darling…”
I leaned closer to him.
“S. H. U. T. U. P.”
He exhaled.
Then suddenly softened.
“Darling…”
“What?” I snapped irritably.
He looked at me almost calmly.
“My angel.”
I stared at him, not believing my eyes.
“Oh my God…”
And suddenly burst out laughing.
“You’re sick… you sick bastard.”
I shook my head.
“Does it turn you on when I’m the one in charge?”
He shrugged.
Calmly.
“Damn… you’re just sick.”
I waved it off.
“That’s it. I’m leaving.”
“Wait.”
I froze.
Not because of the order.
Because of the game between us.
I slowly turned around.
“What do you want?”
Caleb stepped closer.
Too close.
“You know, darling…”
He leaned in and kissed me softly.
I let my hands fall.
“Caleb, stop it! I have things to do.”
He looked taken aback.
“What things?”
“None of your business.”
He started turning red again.
That familiar rage flashed in his eyes.
“Well, bye,” I said and headed for the door.
Caleb stopped me again.
“Well, my little angel…”
I rolled my eyes.
He stepped closer and touched his lips to my neck.
“My gentle little mouse…”
His hand slowly slid down to my waist.
His other hand on my butt.
He began pressing me against the wall.
I laughed.
“Idiot…”
I looked at him.
Caleb was standing very close.
Handsome, damn him.
With that power of his.
With that confidence.
Oh my God…
Without meaning to, I looked at his hands.
Strong.
Rough fingers.
Then at his lips.
Then lower.
At his zipper.
Damn…
He’s so hot.
Caleb caught my gaze.
He raised his eyes.
“I love you.”
I instantly slapped him.
A sharp slap.
He didn’t even flinch.
He just smiled.
That crazy smirk of his.
“How damn confident you are, you bastard.”
I leaned in for a kiss.
He immediately grabbed me by the jaw.
And kissed me.
Hard.
Hungry.
Rough.
My bag fell to the floor.
“God…”
I breathed into his lips.
“Bastard…”