Chapter 9

Lauren

Do you ever feel like killing someone?

Only the thought of spending the rest of my life in prison stopped me from killing him right now.

I'm currently sitting at my desk killing Ethan for the hundredth time in my mind.

It has been quite some time since the meeting we had before.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed my nerves.

My stomach growled and I glanced at the watch to see it is noon.

I looked at the files that I have to work on and sighed.

It will definitely take a lot of time to complete.

I was working on the files when I heard a voice.

"Hey, hi." I looked up to see it is Sarah.

"Sarah. Hi." I greeted back.

"Lauren. do you want to grab lunch with us?"

Usually, I'm very bad at socializing.

Having a meal with someone you just knew will take a lot of extroverted energy.

The introvert urge to reject her and eat alone kicked off.

But I didn't want to come out as a mean person as she was good to me.

"Sure." Getting up from my seat, I walked toward her.

Soon we started walking towards Cafeteria.

"How is work? Is it too much to handle?" she started the conversation.

We entered the elevator and pressed the cafeteria button.

"No. It's pretty good." I smiled at her and she nodded.

"Of course, sir would go easy on you. After all, you are his wife" I frowned at her.

Please.

If only you know.

We found an empty table and ordered some food.

We were chatting casually when Leah came toward us.

Leah, the receptionist.

"Mrs. Kingston, I'm so sorry for my behavior in the morning."

Is she seriously going to apologize to me forever?

"It's Ok Leah. You can let it go now. And just call me Lauren" I smiled at her and she sat on the vacant chair.

"What did you do this time?" Sarah narrowed her eyes at Leah.

" Um... well. You know I was busy doing some work and I might have talked to Lauren rudely." She muttered weakly.

"I have told you a million times to check your attitude, Leah." Sarah scolded her like a mother scolding her teenage daughter.

"I don't understand how Betty keeps up with you," Sarah added.

"Oh, she loves me too much." Leah shrugged seeming proud.

"Betty is my wife's name." Leah addressed turning towards me.

I nodded my head.

"How long are you two married?" I asked her, eating fries.

"About a year now." Leah smiled at me.

"What about you Sarah?" I turned towards Sarah.

"Oh. She is not yet married but she does have a prince charming in the office." Leah wriggled her eyebrows looking at Sarah.

"Shut up, Leah." Sarah scolded hitting Leah on the shoulder.

I raised my eyebrow at Sarah's flushed face.

Oooh...

"But, I have to say that they are still in the 'giving each other looks' phase." Leah sighed and I turned towards Sarah before looking back.

"So, are they not dating?" I asked her.

"No. and let me tell you something." She whispered silently.

What?" I asked.

Sarah exhaled slumping back into her chair as I and Leah both were ignoring her.

"They are in the phase of 'giving looks' for almost one and half year. Both like each other, but will not make a move. I was tired of seeing that soap opera for almost two years now." Shaking her head, Leah laughed.

I grinned at her.

"Can you stop talking about me like I'm not here at all?" Sarah glared at Leah.

We both shrugged our shoulders at the same time.

Leah is one of those people who can literally talk for the whole day and still will not be tired.

"So, how long have you been friends?" I asked them.

"Well, for four years or something like that." Sarah answered me.

"So, Lauren, if you don't mind, can I ask you a question?" Leah asked out of nowhere pretty excited.

I nodded at her to continue.

"Why did you marry our sir?"

I choked on my food and coughed out.

"Why would you ask me that?"

"Because sir is rude, cold, and whatnot. And you are exactly the opposite of him. I don't understand what you liked about him except the fact that he is handsome." She said in a quick breath.

I blinked my eyes twice contemplating how to answer it.

"Oh wait, I'm getting late Leah. I have to meet your sir in five minutes for work. Bye" I said getting up from the chair.

I quickly left without looking back.

That was pretty close. I sighed.

***

I was back from lunch and was sitting at my desk when the intercom buzzed.

I entered his office after knocking on his door.

"Did you finish the report on the marketing department?" he asked me looking up from his laptop.

Marketing report?

Done

"yes Mr. Kingston." I answered him.

"scheduling my next meetings?" he asked me.

Meetings?

Yes.

"Done," I answered again.

"what about proofreading the document?"

Proofreading?

Not yet.

"Um. No Mr. Kingston but i-" he cut me off.

"What about any emails that need my attention?"

Emails?

Nope.

"No. Mr. Kingston," I spoke.

"You do know that you have still other than these tasks to complete by the end of the day right?" he smirked at me.

"I know," I answered.

"Finish them by evening. You can go" he dismissed.

I muttered a yes before walking back to my desk.

I have a lot of work to finish by evening.

***

I dragged my feet back to my seat from his office.

It's the millionth time that he called me to his office.

Sometimes to bring him files or sometimes for his coffee.

But this time he called me for picking up the pen which he threw from his desk.

He couldn't pick up his pen, so he called me.

This is absolute torture and I know this special treatment is reserved only for me.

How am I going to complete all the work if he is going to disturb me every five minutes?

After quite some time I got a call from Leah.

"Lauren, Mr. Romano is here for his meeting. Do you want me to send him up?"

"Yes. Leah." She muttered an ok and ended the call.

I walked toward his office to inform Ethan about his meeting.

"Mr. Kingston, Mr. Romano is here for your meeting." He gave me a robotic nod before getting up.

"Take him to the meeting hall. I'll be there." I nodded at him and walked out.

After greeting Mr. Romano, who is in his early fifties with a lot of attitude, we both made our way toward the meeting hall.

Soon Ethan entered and I walked out to bring them some coffee.

I placed the cups on the tray and walked toward the hall.

I carefully walked towards the table watching my steps because I know I'm somewhat clumsy.

When I am almost near the desk placing the coffee, I didn't see Mr. Romano's foot and stepped on it stumbling on my steps.

Holy shi-

I lifted my head to see the coffee spilled all over the papers on the table.

I quickly got up and saw Ethan fuming at me.

No no no

I turned toward Mr. Romano and started apologizing. Even he is looking at me disgusted.

"Mr. Romano, I apologize. Can we schedule this meeting any other time?" Ethan said getting up from his chair.

Mr. Romano nodded at him and he started walking out.

I tried apologizing to Mr. Romano once again but he glared at me.

"An advice Mr. Kingston, fire her immediately." He said before walking out.

I dared take a glance at Ethan and my heartbeat quickened when I saw his stormy red eyes.

I'm dead.

"I- I'm sorry i-" I stuttered.

He stormed toward me and slammed me into the large glass window.

I hissed at the slight pain.

"Do you know how important that deal is for me? I have worked weeks for that deal and you messed it up in a second, Lauren." he yelled at me.

"i-"

"Shut up," he snapped.

Now our faces are practically inches apart.

I gulped when I saw his murderous expression.

"You had one job. Can't you at least do that right? Of course, you can't. What did I expect? How would a spoiled rich princess will know anything about work."

I frowned at his words but remained silent.

"You know what you are Lauren? Let me give you a reality check. you are nothing if not for your father. You are just a useless incapable silly dumb girl who doesn't have any knowledge of what she does. There are a lot of talented people who would do anything to get a job like you." He screamed in my face.

I looked down and bit my lip hard not to cry in front of him.

"Let me tell you why I wanted to give this job to you?" he placed his hands on my arms and pulled me towards him harshly and continued,

"Because I wanted to prove how unworthy you are. How undeserving you are. You couldn't even pull your first day off. And you know what, you proved me right that you are incapable of this job." He spat, digging his fingers into my arms.

I closed my eyes as I processed his words.

Fat tears rolled down my cheeks and this time I couldn't stop them.

"You know what-" he started and I looked up with my eyes filled with water.

He stopped talking abruptly and his eyes changed into an unreadable expression when he saw my tears.

His eyes softened for a second and he stepped back leaving me.

He was about to say something but thought otherwise and stormed out of the office.

I stood there in the middle of the office with no other sound except my silent sobs.

He was right. Isn't he?

I couldn't even pull off a day without messing up anything.

Am I seriously not worthy without my father's name?

He made me feel useless with just a few words.

I know, I shouldn't let other opinions define me. but you know sometimes I can't help it. I've had my fair share of insecurities in the past.

I have always tried my best to be perfect, but in the end, my efforts don't matter at all.

Does he hate me that much?

I gulped and closed my eyes.

I brought my right hand up and rubbed my left arm trying to find some comfort.

I wiped the tears that were streaming down my face.

I took a deep breath and walked out of his office.

I cleaned any traces of tears on my face and took my purse walking out.

***

I looked out of the cab when it stopped. I paid the driver and got down the car.

His words are still running in my head.

I tried so hard not to think about him and his words anymore.

I looked up and saw my favorite spot.

It's a dog daycare center.

I always used to come here whenever my mother showed me how imperfect I am. Or whenever my father was disappointed in me, though he never showed it.

This was my only comfort place in this whole world.

I entered the building and soon I saw Cami.

When Cami, one of the staff members saw me, she waved at me and came toward me.

"Lauren, how are you?" I tried giving her a small smile.

"I'm good, Cami. How are they?" I asked.

"They must have missed you a lot. Go and meet them." I nodded at her and walked inside towards a gate.

Once I opened the gate, just within a few seconds I was engulfed by the dogs. A huge smile broke on my face when they gave me smooches on my face and arms.

I petted them all on their head and they rubbed their faces on my hand.

"All right. Sit down, Sit down." I said and they all obeyed.

Cami came with dog treats and I laughed when they all wiggled their tails all excited.

Dogs are literally angels.

My mood instantly lifted when I saw all these happy puppies and dogs.

I gave them all treats and they all wiggled their tails looking at the food making me laugh.

I spent some more time playing with them before I decided to call it a day.

I petted them all before walking out.

Bidding my farewell to Cami, I walked out.

And I am somewhat feeling better as I'm not having depressing thoughts anymore.

***

Once I reached the penthouse, I walked in and went straight to my room.

After taking a shower, I got dressed in my pajamas and got on the bed.

Tomorrow is another day.

A new day

A new beginning.

I will not let his words get to me.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.

Though I didn't instantly fall asleep, after a few tossing and turnings, I finally drifted to sleep with the determination to prove Ethan wrong of his assumptions about me.

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