Free Web NovelChapter 34: Goosebumps
Corrine doesn’t tolerate three things.
Being used, mocked or ignored.
Though, it was a different case with her boyfriend, Henry—she loves him and sometimes finds herself overlooking a few things just so she could secure a future with him. Hell, Corrine would be lying if she says she was totally over him after his humiliation and betrayal.
Every night, she cried herself to sleep and soaked her pillow with tears blaming herself for not doing better to keep the first man who made her feel like she belonged to someone as a woman. Something she had suffered and struggled to achieve. She still keeps that picture of him on her phone and hopes for a future possibility of him apologizing and doing better than he currently was.
Maybe there could still be a future possibility of them being together again. Hell, she was still open to taking anything she can from this relationship as there wasn’t much time left for her.
She has gone through so much to end up dying without belonging to someone.
And he was right about something, there isn’t really anybody out there that can love or tolerate a woman like her than him.
Corrine’s lips parted when those eyes moved to lock with hers. There was always something about those eyes that made her feel uneasy every time. It was something she could hardly explain.
If finding love and a partner that can tolerate and accept her regardless of her many imperfections and the ugliness that came with the relationship was the only thing she will be able to achieve in life, then so be it.
There was no time waiting for someone perfect and even if there was time, she has always believed Henry was the only person in this world that can give her the romance of her dreams. Even if it was a slightly less terrible and painful version of it.
Corrine’s frown deepened when all he did was give her this soft, innocent and disbelieving look.
Who does he even think he is?
She boiled within her.
I may not be your type but I am no pushover or that easy to be toyed with.
Her eyes flickered to the nearest digital wall clock in the room and said, ’’You have an hour and fifty minutes to complete your task. Feel free to pack your things and leave once you realize you aren’t really needed here and competent for the job.’’
Berry and Lin’s lips parted and started not recognizing their Boss anymore.
What happened to the kind-hearted, easy going and all-loving Boss?
This imposter standing before them looked to be in the mood to completely destroy someone. And they wondered exactly why their Boss couldn’t find it within herself to love and accept Grim?
It baffled them in so many ways. She wasn’t even trying to hide her dislike for him and Berry wondered if it was because of Grim’s current status. Maybe it reminded her so much of her past and days of being so rich and carefree she felt mocked to have someone of that caliber fighting to secure a place here to work and learn.
They found it suspicious but her employees were far more open–minded about it. Especially after knowing who Grim truly was and he seemed genuinely interested in helping them and their hot-blooded Boss.
But they just couldn’t understand why their boss behaved like this to him.
It saddened Berry so much when their Boss turned on her heels to return to her office. She left behind a depressive mood, weighing down on everyone, ruining their appetite. freёwebnovel.com
’’Don’t worry, Grim, Stylie and I will help you with it,’’ Berry said quickly when Grim appeared equally frustrated by her behavior. He could have chosen any human that might be willing to put in more effort in breaking his curse. Hell, there are a lot of them outside ready to give him a chance without even doing this much.
Corrine paused just when she was about to step inside her office, hearing Berry’s offer to help and it made her look like some monster taking advantage of a weak and innocent ant.
’’Anyone that helps you just further proves how incompetent you are and like I said before, to be a member here, you have to prove that you are worthy of the position and can contribute meaningfully to tasks and show efficiency even without anyone’s aid. You are still welcome to give up now and return to your privilege life.’’
You don’t need to work this hard to gain my favor just to remain here and be a romantic distraction to the ones that already work under me.
She was this close to saying it, it was until she heard a disbelieving gasp behind her she realized how loud those thoughts were.
It made the devil seated before her to give her a strange look that made her uncomfortable in many ways. She suddenly grew tired of standing this long in heels and ignored the horrified looks her employees gave her before returning to settle down confidently behind her desk.
There.
She said it. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
She was jealous. Not that she holds any ridiculous romantic feelings for the one that literally stalked her entire history down to her middle name, but because it bothered her so much...
The weight of his stares on her made her even more uncomfortable and it felt really hard to breathe when the buttons of her dress were tight around her waist like a fucking corset.
He should probably leave. She will never feel comfortable working with him—hell, he wasn’t even qualified for this position!
He should leave her alone. Get out of her life. Stop making everything so difficult.
Corrine didn’t know how hard she slammed on the keys of her laptop. If the device had consciousness, it would probably be cursing her out now for taking out her anger on it.
Corrine wondered what next he was going to do.
Realize she wasn’t worth whatever his real intentions were and leave or...
She finally turned and locked eyes with him and immediately regretted it, feeling she had just pushed him to being less friendly and polite with her anymore.
Those golden–brown eyes remained fixed on her possessively. Daring her to look anywhere else and Corrine was genuinely frightened. Each time feeling as though she had no idea who she was dealing with.
Then he smiled.
It was a slow and dangerous one. It revealed his dimples and sent goosebumps racing across her skin. His eyes sparkling with mischievous amusement.
Corrine couldn’t even look away as there was one thing he communicated through that smile.
You will have to do better than this to get rid of me.
☆
Night came quickly, Corrine looked up from reviewing the last pages of the grey-colored folder and realized how quiet her office was. It was already several minutes past eleven, and she felt bad. Her favourite people left without even greeting her goodbye. They were probably mad at her for being a bully to their favourite new intern.
Corrine sighed, rolling her eyes as she sat straighter.
There must be a better way than this to repay that creep for getting her this document that will be mutually agreeable and more professional.
She closed the folder and thought of packing up and returning home as well. She will continue working when she is well-rested at home. So far, she has been developing a good story that fits the exact requirement of what these people were looking for. Following the outlines and details provided by the grey folder.
She only prayed the document was a legit one and the mystery behind how that creep was able to get it—she wouldn’t let it slide that easily without knowing how it happened and why he even bothered going through the stress of it.
Corrine paused as she turned off her system and gathered her things one after the other inside her bag.
Not to talk of the possibility that this creep could have murdered the owner to get this...
Corrine shook her head not wanting to think much of it until nothing was certain yet.
She turned off her table lamp, her heels clicking against the floor as she turned off the main lights and stepped out of her inner office to the main one. She stared at the three empty seats of her favourite people and thought of how to make them understand why she was doing this.
She wouldn’t be surprised if that annoying creep had worked his devilish charms to buy their sympathy and erase all reasonable thoughts from them.
Corrine sighed, making a mental note to have a private meeting with them first thing tomorrow morning and make them understand that the one they were siding with might be using them and wasn’t reliable enough to be loved and trusted this much.
Corrine flinched, almost having a heart attack at the figure resting in a corner before turning off the main lights.
He had his head bowed on the table and looked too still enough to be considered conscious.
What the fuck...?
She froze where she stood, keeping her distance. Her heart racing in uneven thumps as she blinked and stared at him in mild alarm.
The room and probably the entire building were empty! It was already way past the closing period and Berry and the rest of his friends had probably left hours ago.
What was he still doing here?
Corrine considered pretending she ever saw him and took a mad dash down the stairs and left him here to do whatever he wanted.
But...
The part of her that gets her mostly into trouble urged her toward his table. The table lamps were still on and reduced to a dull glow. She stared down at his still form and wondered if he was alright.
Should she inform security about this or...
’’Hey...’’ She nudged the table gently, not feeling so confident about this. Not that she was afraid of him doing anything to her—-well, that was the main reason she was afraid but also worried about something happening to him as well. Hell, she would hate to spend the rest of her one year on earth in jail because something bad happened to her stalker.
’’Hey!’’ She whispered, knocking the table to get his attention, scared of making direct contact. But when he remained the same way, she tried to touch him but froze the moment he stirred enough to look at her. She didn’t know why she stepped back—but her brain told her it was the wise thing to do.
She blinked when his golden–brown gaze appeared drained, almost exhausted. His blinks were slow as he moved his eyes towards her direction. Her eyes widening a bit, preparing herself for anything.
’’Do you usually work this late?’’ he asked in a sleepy voice, staring at her in concern.
Corrine blinked, her eyes searching for how to respond to that.
