FATE - can a person in one lifetime fall in love with the same person twice?

Chapter 11

The office was nearly empty, almost everyone was gone, Rose made me understand that Mr. Miller was strict before leaving, there were now only few people present in the office now. I thought I would check that apartment today but, I think I couldn't do it today, so I concentrated on my work.

"Need any help?" A familiar voice interrupted my concentration, I knew who it was.

"Thanks David but, I'm fine." I replied without glancing up, engrossed in my tasks.

"Don't hesitate, I can assist," he offered again.

"Mr. Walker," someone called before I could say something. "I believe your work here is done. You must head home."

This time I looked up from my computer, Eden Miller was standing outside his office and in front of my desk, both hands in his pocket "Or you need some extra work?" he finished; from his serious tone he doesn't seem to be joking.

"N...No sir!" David finally said "I was just going..." Without wasting a single second, he ran off.

Now, Mr. Miller's gaze fixed on me. He was looking at me with that serious look, like I was the one who asked David to help me.

"Come to my office," he commanded, retreating into his workspace.

I was standing in his office while he was reviewing my work, pondering his thoughts.
'What is he thinking?'

"Still not perfect," he remarked, still focused on the documents.

"Should I redo it?" I asked with a serious tone. It was no big deal I don't easily give up.

"No need," he replied, finally meeting my gaze. "You can go home."

Finally, I can go home now, I sighed.
Relief flooded over me as I nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good night, Miss Azalea," he bid farewell, handing back the reports.

"Good night, Mr. Eden..." I hesitated, correcting myself, "I mean, Mr. Miller."

Before he could say anything I grabbed my file and made my way out of his office. Gathering my belongings from my desk, I made my way down the building swiftly, booking a cab. Glancing at the time, 7:30 p.m., I decided to visit the apartment on my way home.

I gave a phone call to the owner of that apartment and she agreed to show it to me so when my cab arrived, I asked the driver to take me to that address.

I was at home, totally exhausted, I had my dinner and was on my bed. It was barely ten in the night but I was too tired to do anything after taking my meds.

The apartment I saw was pretty good with one room, kitchen, small living room with beautiful balcony, small study area and laundry area, although the price was a little high, but I can afford it. It was only 10 min away from my working area and was much better than my current apartment. I'd be moving there this weekend although my things will be shifting starting tomorrow. I can finally sleep now...

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It's been a week since I started working, my cold was completely gone, and I had moved to my new apartment yesterday. It's not been a single day when I was able to head home on time this team leader of mine always made me work overtime, but I never took a leave during my cold that was something which I am proud of.

"Bye, Azalea," David bid farewell. "See you tomorrow."

"Goodbye," I responded with a smile, as I had grown accustomed to working alone.

Today also I was working alone the clock was already ticking past seven and I was still here. After I completed my task, I made my way to Mr. Miller's office to present my work.

"Do it again," he commanded, meeting my gaze sternly. “I advise you stop flirting with your colleagues and concentrate on work.”

"I already did it twice," I retorted, looking everywhere but in his eyes “And I don’t flirt around with people.”

"Do it again," he repeated firmly, unmoved by my protest.

"It's already 7:30," I attempted to reason.

"I don't care. Do it again," he insisted stubbornly.

It's too much I can't take it now.
Frustrated, I confronted him directly.
"Is your vendetta not satisfied yet?" I asked finally.

He raised a brow.

"Your revenge is still not over?"

"What?" he asked coolly.

"On the day of the interview I bumped into you and almost picked a fight, that's the reason you hired me here and making me do this load of work just to take your revenge. Are you still seeking revenge by burdening me with excessive work?" I accused.

"Oh," he smirked. "So you remember."

"Of course," I replied, attempting to maintain composure.

"I'm not that immature to do such things" he was staring at me so hard I thought it would make a hole in my face.

I was silent.

"And I'm not so petty as to engage in such tactics," he asserted, his gaze piercing.

Avoiding his intense stare, I looked away now I was staring at the floor.
'I shouldn't have brought this topic up.'
I focused on the floor, regretting bringing up the topic.

"You don't work properly and don't concentrate on your work, you lack focus and deliver subpar work that's why I make you do it again and again I want everything to be perfect, but you do everything imperfectly - I aim for perfection, unlike your imperfect efforts," he criticized. "And you think that I'm taking my revenge on you but let me tell you I don't have time to do these immature things and this is office, not a battlefield."

I'm speechless and I'm too embarrassed to look up I can feel the tension in my throat. Speechless and humiliated, I struggled to maintain my composure. No one had ever belittled me to such an extent.

"You believe you're flawless, but you're not," he continued. "Look at me I'm talking to you. During the interview, you made perfect eye contact. Why can't you do the same now? Was it merely an act to secure this position?"

I want to answer him so badly, but the words were stuck in my throat, after some second, I gathered some courage to speak but I was so angry that my tears would fall out if I looked him in his eyes, so I continued looking on the floor.

Struggling to hold back tears which was threatening to spill, I couldn't bear to meet his eyes. "You're insulting me. How can I look you in the eye?" My voice was cracking but I managed to say it somehow.

I don't have anything to say now, and I think neither does he. With no further words, I retrieved my files without looking at him and exited his office. I started working, my vision was blurry due to the tears that were trying to fall off my eyes, 'I'd not let it fall not here.' I determined not to break down.

I threw myself into my work, my vision still blurred by unshed tears.