Chaoter 8: Trouble in Paradise

As Dalma tentatively approached Mr. Jaden's office door, a sense of trepidation, gripped her like a vice. Each step felt like a cautious tiptoe through a minefield of uncertainty, knowing full well that she was about to confront the repercussions of last night's embarrassment. Beads of sweat formed on her brow, betraying the anxious turmoil swirling within her as she reached for the doorknob.

With trembling hands, she pushed the door open and entered, her gaze fixed on the figure seated behind the desk. Mr. Jaden's back was turned to her, his silhouette a looming presence in the subdued light of the office.

"Good morning, Sir," Dalma greeted, her voice barely above a whisper, her head bowed in deference.

At the sound of her voice, Mr. Jaden spun around in his chair, his expression a tumultuous storm of anger. The intensity in his eyes sent a surge of apprehension coursing through Dalma's veins as he rose to his feet, looming over her like an ominous spectre.

"You still have the audacity to show your face in this company, Miss Millie," he seethed, his voice dripping with disdain as he closed the distance between them.

Dalma's retreat was slow and measured, each step a desperate attempt to put some distance between herself and the brewing storm that was Mr. Jaden. Her heart raced in her chest, its frantic rhythm echoing the tumult of her thoughts as she plotted her escape. She prayed silently that he wouldn't catch up with her before she reached the safety of the door. With a plan forming in her mind, she prepared herself for the inevitable confrontation.

But her hopes were dashed as Mr. Jaden finally closed in on her, his presence casting a shadow over her. Dalma's throat constricted with fear as she braced herself for the onslaught of his anger.

"Dalma, Dalma, Dalma," he began, his voice a chilling blend of mockery and disregard. "Do you fancy yourself clever? First, you meddle in my affairs publicly, you've warmed your way into a position in my company," he sneered, his laughter dripping with disdain. "And now my brother!"

His words crashed over her like a wave, each accusation a blow to her already fragile composure. She felt the weight of his scorn bearing down on her, suffocating her beneath its relentless force.

"Are you that desperate for wealth? Is that your game, Dalma?" Mr. Jaden's voice rose to a crescendo as he slammed his hand against the wall again, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap.

Dalma stood rooted to the spot, her head bowed in submission. She felt powerless to defend herself against Mr. Jaden's onslaught, knowing that any attempt to reason with him would fall on deaf ears. In that moment of helplessness, she found herself longing for a way to escape the suffocating grip of his accusations and reclaim her dignity in the face of adversity.

"You've suddenly become deaf? You seemed to have a lot to say last night!" Mr. Jaden's voice boomed as he firmly grabbed her pony tail. "Answer me! Who sent you, and what's your purpose in coming into my life and now my family's?" he yelled, echoing through the room with palpable intensity.

"I, I......I don't know what you're insinuating, Mr. Jaden," Dalma stammered, her voice trembling as she endured the pain he caused her.

Mr. Jaden chuckled darkly, a predatory gleam in his eyes as he reached out to forcefully brush a stray lock of hair from Dalma's face, his touch sending a shiver down her spine.

"Oh, acting clueless now, I see," he taunted. "But why my brother, huh? You obviously want to get fucked by a wealthy man, get pregnant, and demand compensation. Is that it?"

Dalma recoiled at the accusation, her eyes flashing with indignation. Before she could respond, Mr. Jaden's grip tightened around her arm, his fingers digging into her flesh like steel claws.

"Do you take me for a fool, little miss ponytail?" he sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "If you want a dick, I can give you one, a good one," he teased, rubbing his finger at her nipple. "I can make your life a living hell if I so choose. You would do well to remember that."

In the face of Mr. Jaden's menacing threats, Dalma felt a surge of defiance rise within her. Despite the fear coursing through her veins, she refused to be intimidated. She would not allow herself to be silenced or bullied into submission, not by Mr. Jaden or anyone else.

Dalma winced as Mr. Jaden's fingers dug into her flesh, leaving angry red marks in their wake. Yet, even as pain radiated through her body, she refused to cower in submission. She knew that she had to confront Mr. Jaden's bullying head-on, for he had unjustly tarnished her reputation and insulted her true character.

Summoning every ounce of inner strength, Dalma wrenched herself free from Mr. Jaden's grasp, her eyes ablaze with a fiery resolve. "I refuse to be intimidated by you, Mr. Jaden," she declared, her voice resounding with unwavering determination.

"You're unwilling to listen, blinded by your own arrogance. If that's the case, you might as well terminate my employment right now," she shouted defiantly. "In fact, I quit! I refuse to subject myself to your unjust treatment any longer. I have enough challenges in my life without your added hostility. You'll never see me set foot in this office again."

As she turned to leave, Mr. Jaden's voice sliced through the air like a sharpened blade, his threat dripping with malice. "Take another step, and that's the end of your career," he warned. "You underestimate the power I wield."

Mr. Jaden's face contorted with fury as he realized he was losing his grip on her. "Who gave you the right to resign?" he bellowed, his voice echoing off the walls of the office. "You belong to the Worthington Enterprise. You belong to me!”

Dalma stood her ground, her eyes flashing with defiance as she faced Mr. Jaden's wrath. "I beg your pardon, Mr. Jaden," she retorted, her voice steady despite the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. "I am not some property you claim possession of. I am a human being, and you don't own me. I simply work for you."

A dark chuckle rumbled from Mr. Jaden's throat as he regarded Dalma with a mixture of amusement and contempt. "Well, well, things are finally getting interesting," he remarked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You've got some guts, huh? But let me make one thing clear, you don't leave until I tell you to. Now, get out of my office."

Despite the command ringing in her ears, Dalma felt rooted to the spot, her feet refusing to obey. In that moment, a whirlwind of emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Anger, frustration, and defiance clashed with an undercurrent of fear, leaving her torn between standing her ground and succumbing to the weight of Mr. Jaden's authority.

Dalma approached her office with a heavy heart, the weight of shame bearing down on her shoulders as she felt the weight of her colleagues' gazes upon her. With each passing glance, she couldn't help but wonder what they must be thinking of her now.

Fighting the urge to retreat, she changed course and made her way to Kira's workspace, seeking solace in the comforting presence of her newfound confidante. "I feel like disappearing into thin air," she confessed, her voice muffled by her palm.

Kira offered a reassuring smile, her words infused with empathy. "Don't worry, it's just a phase. That's just how the boss is. You'll get used to it with time," she reassured Dalma, her voice a beacon of encouragement amidst the storm of uncertainty.

Encouraged by Kira's support, Dalma felt a glimmer of hope begin to stir within her. "Thanks, Kay. You're right. I won't let this little misunderstanding ruin my day," she affirmed, her resolve strengthened by her friend's unwavering support.

Just as Dalma approached her work cubicle to begin sorting out files, she heard her colleagues greeting in harmony “Good morning, Sir.”

Anderson strode confidently through the bustling office, his presence commanding attention as he made his way towards Dalma's desk. The rhythmic hum of the office seemed to quiet in his wake, all eyes drawn to the enigmatic figure weaving through the maze of cubicles.

With a smirk dancing on his lips, Anderson finally reached Dalma's workstation, his magnetic gaze fixed firmly on her. "Dalma," he greeted, his voice laced with an irresistible charm as he leaned casually against her desk. "I've been trying to reach you since the last time."

Dalma looked up from her work, a knot of apprehension tightening in her stomach as she met Anderson's intense gaze. She had blocked his number to save herself more embarassment, besides it was against company policy to be in a romantic relationship with employers.

With a wary glance around the office, Dalma weighed her options, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. She longed to confront Anderson, to assert her boundaries and protect herself from further embarrassment. Yet, she also knew the risks of challenging his advances, the potential consequences for her career hanging ominously in the balance.

As the tension between them crackled in the air, Dalma made a silent vow to tread carefully. For in the heart of the corporate jungle, survival often depended on mastering the delicate art of diplomacy and discretion.

"Good morning, Mr. Anderson," Dalma whispered, her voice tinged with unease as she addressed him. "I misplaced my phone, sorry. And I'll really appreciate it if we keep things professional and act like nothing happened."

But Anderson brushed off her protests, his gaze smouldering with desire as he reached out to caress her cheek with an unsettling sense of entitlement. "I don't care about the rules," he declared, his voice dripping with arrogance and disregard for boundaries. "I have as much power over this company as my brother, so those rules don't apply to me. Besides, we're to get married."

Dalma's heart raced with panic as Anderson's touch sent a chill down her knee. She knew she had to assert herself and put an end to this inappropriate behaviour before it escalated any further. However, she felt paralyzed by fear and uncertainty, unsure of how to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining her professionalism and standing up for herself against someone with such authority.

"Please, Anderson," Dalma pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes pleading for understanding. "We can't do this. Not here, not now."

But Anderson's laughter cut through the air, harsh and mocking, echoing off the walls of the crowded office. "Oh, come on, Dalma," he scoffed, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Don't tell me you'll let my brother's drama ruin everything."

Dalma felt her resolve waver at his dismissive words, her heart heavy with the weight of his expectations. "You barely know me," she protested, her voice tinged with desperation. "We only met once, and it was a disaster. Isn't that a sign that our marriage wasn't meant to be?"

Anderson's expression softened momentarily, his eyes locking with hers in a silent challenge. "We are getting to know each other," he countered, his voice soft but firm. "So stop with the act of fear. I'm the one you're spending eternity with, not him."

Before Dalma could gather her thoughts to respond, Anderson leaned in closer, his lips dangerously close to hers as he moved to kiss her. But just as their lips were about to meet, a voice rang out from across the room, freezing them both in their tracks

"What do you think you're doing?