Chapter 4

"The boss said you can go back to your duty when you're done," Ethan Grayson said as he pushed his way into the room, staring at Everly with her mouth full of food and particles of the chicken she was munching on sticking to the corners of her lips.

"I'm done," she whispered almost inaudibly, picking up the perfectly folded white napkin and wiping her mouth and hands with it.

"I'll show you out," Ethan responded as she stood up and stepped away from the door.

Ethan followed her through the outer space until they arrived at the elevator. Everly felt a tinge of butterflies in her stomach as Ethan entered her destination in the elevator, taking one last good look at the magnificent place; it was her first visit here since starting work on the Babel Microfinance Tower, and she hadn't imagined it to be this way.

Everly got into the elevator as it opened, and Ethan watched the door close behind her and the elevator descend before turning around and walking back to Leo's office.

"What was the meaning of that?" As he badged into Leo's office, Ethan asked aggressively.

Leo, who had his back to the door before, spun his office chair, facing Ethan. "The meaning of what?" Leo responded with a query, dropping the pen he had been playing with on the table.

"The meaning of what happened earlier, the warehouse drama", Ethan replied,

A faint mischievous grin flickered on Leo's lips. "That was me just giving a helping hand to a drowning girl", Leo blurted out.

"Why didn't you just call the police and turn her in?" Why did you choose to get involved in an issue that doesn't affect you?" Ethan inquired further.

"Because calling the cops and turning her in isn't going to be profitable for me" he said.

"What do you mean by turning her in to the police wouldn't be profitable to you?"

"You're asking too many questions, Ethan," Leo pointed out.

"That's because I'm perplexed and stunned by your actions," Ethan explained.

Leo smiled again as he picked up the pen he had dropped before. He softly tapped the pen on the table, nodding along with it, before speaking up again. "That young lady has a lot of potential, I could see it burning brightly in her eyes and that is the kind of lady I need around me and my empire."

"You didn't even stop to think for a moment before taking such a decision, you didn't even bother to ask about what transpired earlier on that led to such a messy situation," he answered.

"That isn't necessary; all I care about is her drive. She could be the force I've been yearning for to propel my empire to an unrivaled level."

"What if you are mistaken, Leo?"

"Then we toss her away."

"You are forgetting not everybody can be toiled, and a girl like her gives nothing but a dangerous aura" he said.

"That is the more reason why I want to delve into her world", Leo stated. 'Have you cleared the scene and removed any traces of evidence?" he inquired.

"Yes, that is completely done," Ethan replied.

"Good, I want you to also dig into her past so we can know more about that" he said.

"I will do that right away."

"Good!" Leo exclaimed, flashing another bright smile as he spun his chair around in a childish manner.

"But, Leo, I'd like you to reconsider your decision," Ethan replied calmly.

"The decision has already been made. You can trust me on this, Ethan."

"If you say say so" Ethan said, standing up, "I'd like to get the details of her profile right now," he added as he walked out.

POV EVERLY'S OFFICE

Everly paced restlessly as her mind kept returning to what had happened earlier today, she strolled up to her office's small office fridge and pulled out a can of soda after staring at the contents of the fridge for a while. She snapped it open and took a long gulp before taking it out of her mouth. "He didn't even tell me what he meant by his statement," she thought to herself.

"Why did he send me out like that without having a word or two with me, and why hasn't he called me up till this moment?" Everly continued as she returned to her chair. "Or has he already forgotten about me?" She said, dropping the can of drink on the table.

"That can't be possible after what happened," she went on. "I hope the warehouse has been properly taken care of like he instructed?" She mused to herself before taking another sip from her drink. "Why don't I go check it out for myself?" "No, no," she responded, shaking frantically, "I should be seen around the warehouse for the time being," she concluded, resting her head on her desk, one hand still holding onto her drink.

"Everly!" Someone exclaimed. Stepping into the office, Everly raised her head to check who it was; it was her coworker Cleo, who shares the same office space with her.

"What have you been up to?" "I've been trying to call you," Cleo said.

"Girl, you look wasted and tired, what have you been up to?" Cleo observed the tiredness written all over Everly.

Everly shrugged before answering, "I was just around the corner of the office, receiving some fresh air"' she lied.

"Don't tell me that sweetie, rumors are going around the office, talking about how they saw you going up to CEO Leo's office with him in his private elevator", Cleo stated as she moved closer to her.

"That is a long story. Why don't I tell you about it some other time."

"That is fine, I hope our sleepover is still holding?" Cleo inquired, her smile seductive. "Sure," Everly said.

"We can start heading over to your place now," Everly said as she stood up.

"Give me a few minutes to pack up my bag." Cleo responded enthusiastically.