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Chapter 07: On the Edge

ANNE

I had completely forgotten about this trip. Maybe because it had been scheduled in advance, about a month ago. It could only mean one thing: I was losing focus and forgetting what was really important.

I couldn't just forget something like this; it's my job to remember such things. Not to forget, it also ensured that I had time to prepare my mind, as I would have to endure two days alone with Mr. Forbes. Torture was the word.

"Get everything ready; we'll be back on Friday morning."

I nodded as he ran his thumb along his jawline. With that damned model-like face, it was really hard to concentrate on work.

"Anything for Friday?" he asked.

"No, sir."

"Alright. Anything else you want to discuss before we conclude?"

I shook my head, closing my planner after jotting down a few notes for the trip.

"Do you need anything else, sir?"

He fell silent, making me look up at his face again.

He stared off into space before finally deciding to speak.

"What have you decided about Luke?"

"What? Are you serious?"

He had to be joking. Why was he insisting on this issue?

"Don't forget you work for me, Starling."

"My personal life is none of your business."

"Both of you work in this company, so it's not just about your personal life."

"Don't worry; I know very well how to keep things separate."

"I want to know what decision you've made, so I can take the necessary steps."

"Wait... Is this a threat? Are you using this to fire me? Go ahead."

My patience had run out.

"It's not personal, Starling, but don't think I'm going to feel sorry for you. You're an adult, so you can certainly deal with the consequences of your choices. I can't let you tarnish the company's image by making headlines as the secretary having an affair with the boss. That goes for Luke too."

"It's not personal?" I laughed sarcastically. "Are you sure about that? Because it seems like all you've been doing for the past year is trying to find faults in everything I do, even though I'm the one constantly saving your ass."

"Watch your words..."

"Screw that!" I stood up. "I'm tired of this, of having to put up with a jerk like you. All your arrogance, you can take it and shove it..."

"Starling..." He warned.

But anger had already overwhelmed me.

"All I've been doing is giving my best for this company, and you simply can't admit it. I've tried, and trying is all I've been doing since the day you set foot here. But no matter how hard I try, you've decided on your own that I'm not good enough. The truth is, you've simply chosen to hate me for no reason!"

"Enough! Poor Anneliese... so defenseless. Don't be a hypocrite. Do you want to talk about arrogance? Just you, always flaunting that ass of yours, with your nose in the air, because you know you're untouchable, thanks to my father."

"Fuck you! Unlike some, I've earned everything I have through my own efforts." I growled through my teeth.

"There it is... finally showing your claws. The perfect Anneliese Starling, always so composed and intelligent... but you're about to throw it all away for a fuck with my brother."

Son of a bitch, he had no right to speak to me like that.

"I'll say it again, this is none of your business! What do you think? That I plan to go around telling everyone about this? You're such an idiot... Just like men, women can have fun and pretend it never happened." I said, feeling my hands start to tremble.

I wanted to jump on him, especially because I couldn't stand his fake calmness.

"Is that what you intend to do? Hide your affair?"

"Do as you please, Forbes. But before you try to fire me, you'll need to prove something. I won't give you that satisfaction. Or do you think you're the only one here who can mix business and pleasure?"

"What are you talking about?" He arched an eyebrow, confused.

"Who's being hypocritical now?"

"If you're talking about yesterday..."

"No, you know very well what I'm talking about. You may not have realized it, but I was there, watching everything. In all the trips, meetings... One or another executive."

"The difference is they don't work for me."

"The difference is you think you can do whatever you want because you're the boss and a big arrogant bastard."

"You're to blame for all of this!" He growled, exploding and surprising me.

Standing up, he walked around the desk, causing me to instinctively take a step back as I watched him approach. No, I wouldn't run. I forced my body to take a step toward him.

"Oh, now it's my fault? For what? For being an arrogant son of a bitch, or for fucking those women?" I continued, feeling my blood boil in my veins.

Now he was standing right in front of me, just a step away.

"For everything," he said, through gritted teeth, seeming out of control. "It's all your fault. Do you think it's easy to resist your provocations? Every damn day of my life, living on the edge, having to endure being by your side, fighting to keep my hands off you."

What? What was he saying?

Taking another step, he ended the distance between us. His chest rose and fell uncontrollably, making me realize we were both breathless.

I swallowed hard and blinked, trying to understand what he was trying to say.

"Resisting that ass and that mouth... Fuck it!" he growled, and a second later, he lunged toward me.

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