Office Affair

Dominic's fury

Dominic

It was only due to sheer, stubborn will that Dominic didn't fall apart throughout his time alone with Anya, while assessing her emotional state and making sure that she was at least a bit better and felt more secure. However, the moment that she disappeared from his sight, the veins in his neck started pulsating, and his fists clenched, making his knuckles turn a pale white. He didn't remember the last time he wanted to punch someone so hard, so mercilessly. It consumed him. He tried to focus on anything that could help him stabilize his breath, and he didn't have to search long in his mind before he found it. It was Anya, of course, and that thought both terrified him and excited him. He massaged his neck and took a few deep breaths. Different emotions were bubbling up inside of his chest. On the one hand it was the relaxation that she was alright for now. Well, at least seemingly, as he was sure that she was trying to hide the real extent of her stress, and he was wondering if there was something more that he could do for her. He was worried that she might crack under the pressure once she is left alone, but he will have to trust her that she will take care of herself because there was absolutely nothing that he could do.

The other thing was the absolute feeling of powerlessness and consuming anger at himself. He could have done more to protect her. So much more, and not just her. He should have protected every other woman that worked for him, and he should have done that much, much earlier. He should have been a better boss, the one who pushed for other employees to open up to him. He should have been more attentive to the rumors and whispers in the office hallway and half-closed doo, instead of spending so much time in his own room and with clients. He should have been more alarmed when he heard the way that Duncan spoke whenever he opened his mouth. He failed to do that, and he felt an incredible amount of guilt. Then, on top of everything else, he had a very aggressive, burning desire to remove the skin off Duncan's bones with surgical precision, and he felt no guilt about it. He went back to the office and was ready to confront him, when he was stopped by Michelle, who stood up and started following him.

„He took a break."

„How convenient. The fucker must have heard my slamming doors." Dominic grunted. That made him even angrier, even though he was the one who gave them the free reigns to take a break at any time as they need, as long as their work performance doesn't suffer. „Very well. I am going to kill him when he gets back."

„Perhaps that's not a good idea, even though I wouldn't judge you. You need to remain calm. You can't let him get to you like that." Michelle ran after him and whispered under her breath. He opened his mouth to confront her, but she raised her finger to her lips as she locked the door of his room. It's needless to say that Dominic tolerated that type of behavior only from her, but only barely. „You're treading a very thin line, Michelle. This is not the time..."

„Oh this is a perfect time. Listen, Dominic, I can see how smitten you are with Anya, and I get it. She's amazing and adorable and kind...but my point is, if you so much as try to physically confront Duncan now, everyone will think that no other woman is worthy of your protection in such a way."

Well, if anything, Michelle just confirmed his own thoughts. His stomach clenched.

„I can't..."

„You can and you must. You have got to calm down. I, for one, would love to see you beat him to a pulp, but violence is not the solution, at least not this time. Clear your head. Also, off the record and entirely inappropriate for this situation but I can't keep my mouth shut about this, I think she would be very good for you."

Dominic blinked.

„Michelle, are you really suggesting that I seduce Anya? Is that the kind of person you see me as?"