BLACKMAILED BY THE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter 4: Breaking Free, One Laugh at a Time

The atmosphere in my apartment shifted palpably when Lisa walked in, her indignation over Harry's actions palpable. "I swear, Bella, that man is a walking nightmare dressed in Armani. You're telling me he just barged in here and demanded you return to work like you're his personal robot?"

"Pretty much," I sighed, flopping down on the couch beside her. "He's like a tornado; you can't predict his path, and you definitely can't control him."

Lisa's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Okay, but imagine his face if we graffiti 'World's Biggest Asshole' right on his shiny front door. Priceless!"

I couldn't help but laugh, despite the gravity of the situation. "As tempting as that is, I think I'll pass on a criminal record. His security team probably trains with the Secret Service."

She chuckled, her laughter easing the tension that had built up within me. "So, what's the game plan? Are you going back to the lion's den tomorrow?"

I let out a long breath, my mind made up. "Yeah, I'll go back. Hand in my two weeks' notice to HR and then start job hunting. A normal 9 to 5 sounds like a dream right now."

As the evening wore on, we found solace in our conversation, poking fun at Harry and his over-the-top alpha male persona. "You know, I bet his ego has its own zip code," Lisa quipped, and I couldn't help but join in her laughter.

"Probably. And a dedicated team of people just to polish it," I added, feeling lighter with each shared joke.

The topic eventually shifted to lighter subjects, and we made plans for the upcoming weekend. "I can't wait to actually spend time together without you being on call. It's been ages since we had a proper girls' night out."

Lisa's expression suddenly turned sly. "Oh, and speaking of nights out, I might have given your number to Sam from the club. He seemed really into you. Any mysterious calls or texts yet?"

A flush crept up my cheeks at the mention of Sam. "No, nothing yet. But, uh, thanks for playing cupid," I said, unable to shake the memory of just how attractive Sam was.

"Well, if you change your mind about graffiti-ing Harry's house, just give me a shout. I've got some serious skills with spray paint, and I'll create a masterpiece he'll never forget," Lisa said with a wink, and we both burst into laughter.

The night turned into a much-needed session of laughter and planning, a reminder that life existed outside of Harry's demanding world. As Lisa left and I crawled into bed, I felt a mixture of apprehension and excitement. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long time, it was mine to navigate.

-----

The next morning, I woke up to a battle raging within me, a storm of anxiety and resolve clashing in my mind. Ditching my usual routine of stopping by Harry's penthouse, I headed straight to the office. The thought of facing him, of confronting his cold, domineering gaze, sent waves of nausea crashing through me.

The moment I stepped into the office, the air felt charged, heavy with whispered speculations and anxious glances. Harry's arrival was like a cold front sweeping through the building. His presence commanded attention, his stride exuding a confidence that bordered on arrogance. Employees visibly tensed as he passed, his reputation as the unyielding, fearsome boss preceding him.

When his icy gaze landed on me , my heart lurched. "My office, now," he commanded, his voice a frozen blade.

Gathering my wits, I followed him, each step feeling like a march toward an inevitable clash. His office was a fortress of sleek design, reflecting his persona - efficient, intimidating, untouchable. The door closed with a definitive click, and I was left alone with him, facing the tempest head-on. Harry stood with his back to me, gazing out the large windows at the city skyline. The tension in the room was thick, charged with unspoken anger and expectation.

"Sit," he finally said, without turning to face me. His tone was an icy command, not a request

I took a seat, my hands clenched tightly in my lap, preparing myself for the impending storm. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned and sat in his chair, his expression a mask of restrained fury.

"Why did you skip coming to my place this morning?" he began, his tone dangerously calm.

"I submitted my notice to HR," I replied, my voice a mix of defiance and apprehension. "I'm not your property, Harry. I'm an employee, and I'm entitled to my own life."

A sardonic smile twisted his lips. "You think you can just walk away? You're integral to my operations, Bella. You don't get to leave just because you've suddenly found your voice."

I met his stare unflinchingly. "I'm not an asset you own, Harry. My contract doesn't bind me to a lifetime of serving you."

He leaned forward, his gaze penetrating. "You seem to have forgotten the contract you signed five years ago, Bella. Allow me to refresh your memory." With a solemn gesture, he handed me a folder. As I opened it, my heart sank. There it was - the contract I had signed, binding me for ten years.

"I didn't realize... Ten years?" I stammered, my thoughts racing. "Surely, that can't be legal."

Harry's smile cut through me like a blade, cold and victorious. "This contract is ironclad, Bella. For the next five years, you're under my control. Unless, of course, you feel like taking on my legal team," he remarked, his voice dripping with ominous certainty.

As disbelief flooded over me, I couldn't help but think, how did I not see this coming? Feeling trapped, anger surged within me like a tidal wave. "You're a monstrous, Harry," I spat, rising abruptly from my seat. "I'll find a way out of this. I refuse to be your puppet."

His smile widened, a chilling display of confidence. "I'd advise against challenging my lawyers, Bella. They aren't as 'merciful' as I am," he taunted, malice gleaming in his eyes.

I scoffed at his notion of mercy. "You call this mercy? You're truly delusional," I retorted, my voice thick with contempt.

In an instant, Harry's demeanor shifted, the atmosphere turning frosty. He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. "Believe me, Bella, this is me showing leniency. You don't want to see what happens when you truly anger me. Mind your tone. Now, get out of my office and fetch me my coffee. Time is ticking," he commanded, his words sharp and final.

With every fiber of my being shaking with rage, I stormed out of his office, my mind racing with thoughts of rebellion. After fetching his coffee - more out of habit than submission - I left it on his desk without a word and headed straight to seek advice from a coworker, Mark, who had some legal insight.

Mark's office was a small sanctuary amid the corporate chaos. He listened intently as I poured out my frustrations and fears, his expression growing grimmer with every detail.

"Bella, going against Harry's legal team is like walking into a minefield blindfolded," he cautioned, his voice low. "They're sharks, and they'll use every dirty trick in the book to not only keep you in line but to break you if you resist. Be careful."

I nodded, a sense of despair settling over me. "I feel so stupid for not reading the contract thoroughly. I was so eager to start this job, to work for Harry Style. And now, I'm trapped."

Mark placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We'll think of something, Bella. Just lay low for now and let me do some digging. Maybe there's a way we can work around this."

Leaving Mark's office, I felt a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil. But it was a faint light in the darkness that was Harry Styles's world - a world where I was now a prisoner, bound by a contract I'd signed without understanding the full consequences.

As I made my way back to my desk, a steely determination settled within me. The struggle for my freedom had only just commenced. While Harry may have the advantage for now, I refused to surrender without a fight. I was Bella Thompson, and I would unearth a path to liberation, no matter the obstacles in my way.