Alpha East: Contrition (Unedited Version)

Chapter 2: Cold Weather

Antonia

She had missed MJ so much. Her life felt so incomplete with her.

After their weekend of shopping and movie marathons, a week later, she announced she decided to take a gap year and would be touring Europe. MJ said there was nothing she could do since her parents insisted on it.

Antonia couldn't believe it. She knew her friend. Something must have happened for MJ to make such a life-altering decision in her life. But she didn't prod. Not her style. The princess would tell her when the time was right. She respected her best friend.

Four weeks had passed and she still heard nothing from her. The pressure from her new job was wearing her down, she just wished she could talk to someone other than her five other female co-workers. They took her under their wings, made her life easier, and taught her all she needed to know in her new environment.

Tomorrow would be a tough challenge for her. The whole finance department had to convene at the CEO's conference room for the monthly report and she was tasked by Mr. Thompson to be the main speaker. She had been doing re-runs for the past few days and she was a nervous wreck. He'd be there. Plus, she was the only female in the group and would be surrounded by hot corporate men in an enclosed space. Everyone towering over her 5'4" frame.

At Cage Delight, it was not a big deal if she was in the presence of the rowdy crowd of randy men. Antonia would close her eyes, feel the music, take off her clothes, and imagine she was alone in her bedroom, studying for exams the next day. Or solve complicated Math problems. Despite the hungry gazes of customers devouring every inch of her naked body, none penetrated her senses. She had her escape. Her safe room. No one could touch her there.

But when she presented her case tomorrow at the meeting, she wanted the men to listen and take her seriously and earn their respect because she was brilliant at what she did best. She studied and sacrificed for four years and she would be damn if such a simple financial report would affect her.

With a heavy sigh, she pressed her thumbs on her temple, trying to massage her headache away. It was past 10 PM.

She was only human! There was only so much she could do. Sighing heavily, she closed her tired eyes for a moment.

Resigning to the inevitable. She had to go home. Eat, sleep then prepare for the big day. Closing her laptop, her documents secured on her filing cabinet, she stretched her stiff muscles and got up, bidding her workaholic colleagues goodbye, she collected her things.

Antonia was waiting for the elevator to go down from the top floor while she thought about ordering Chinese take-out. Hot meat buns sounded nice plus sweet and sour chicken. Yum. Her stomach growled, and she chuckled lowly.

"Coming in? I don't have all night to wait for you," said an irritated voice, startling her. It's him!

Her tired eyes collided with his and she felt like melting on the floor. "I...ah...I will take the next one, sir."

"Suits you." Why was he so rude?

"Logan," his companion warned while holding the door open for her. "It's okay, Ms. Leighton. The next one will take a while and it's already late."

She nodded her thanks, joining them. But she made sure she occupied the back of the elevator car. Her heart was thudding so loudly from the thick tension inside the small space and she was looking anywhere but them. 5 4 3 2...ground floor. Ding!

Mr. East's companion held the door open for her again. Murmuring her thanks, she escaped from the angry CEO's presence as fast as her legs could carry her.