Stay

[4] The Devil's Wrath

Zara

The next day was much better. I became familiar with the office and some of the colleagues helped me with the customer service essentials. I was learning the ropes and finally starting to get the hang of the job. It was definitely more hectic than I had imagined.

My last meeting of the day was scheduled for 4.30 pm to discuss the budgeting system. The meeting started bang on time but got extended till late. It was 7pm by the time the work was finally finished. But in the early days, this was how it was.

I returned to my office from the conference room. I sat down and inserted the USB drive into the system in order to transfer some important files to my desktop. After I had successfully copied everything, I put away the USB safely to return it tomorrow to my coworker. Since it was already dark out, I decided to go through the documents today itself. Another hour later, I was almost done when I heard a voice in the doorway.

"What are you doing here so late?"

I jumped a little in shock but recovered quickly, only to be surprised again at the sight of Luciano Beneventi looming in the doorway to my office.

"What are you doing here?" I blurted out, a trifle bewildered. I cringed when I realized I'd stupidly asked him the same question. I hastily added, trying to show some respect,

"I mean, it's your office, sir, I didn't mean to be rude."

He looked at me for a second and then fixed his silver-grey eyes on the room instead.

"Who the hell assigned you this room?" He asked in a cold tone. But I was too astonished at having this 6 ft 4 giant in my work space to reply. When I didn't respond, he fixed his glare at me instead and I immediately started stuttering, "Umm...this is the manager's office? Like I'm pretty sure everyone else before me was here-"

He cut me off,

"You're not staying here. Tomorrow your stuff will be shifted upstairs. Now, why are you here so late?"

"I'm just going through some documents from today's meeting. Almost done." I said, trying to hide the elation in my voice. As I looked around the room that was eerily reminiscent of my childhood fears, the idea of having better quarters tomorrow nearly had me doing a mini victory dance. Some memories had better remain buried. Sure, I was strong enough to not let such pointless feelings affect me, but strength could be saved for another time. Right now, I was glad to get this luxury.

"And how are you getting home?" I looked up at him, having almost forgotten about his presence. And that is saying something, because he was very hard to ignore.

"Oh, I'm walking" I said simply. As soon as the words left my mouth, his eyes hardened and I couldn't help feeling like I had said something horribly wrong.

"Alone? At night?" He asked in a cold clipped tone. He had a dangerous glint in his eye, almost as if daring me to answer in the affirmative.

"Umm, yeah?" I said again, I was known for taking risks.

"Gather your stuff, you're coming with me" He turned around abruptly and was almost out the door when my stupid mouth opened yet again.

"But I am not done with work yet!" He halted in his tracks and slowly turned around. "Sir" I squeaked out the last part.

"Would you mind repeating that?" He stalked over to me and stood on the opposite side of the desk, staring down at me from his position. His hands were tucked in his pockets and his silver orbs were staring right through my soul. I wisely kept my mouth shut.

"You always do as I say Zara. Now pack your stuff and follow me." Despite the warning tone he had used, I could only concentrate on how he had addressed me. Never in my life had my name sounded so right on someone's tongue.