Chapter Six

Absentmindedly, I positioned my apartment key on the door hole, but it dropped out of my trembling hands again. Everything that happened yesterday still felt like a nightmare to me. I witnessed a murder take place, almost got killed and discovered the face behind the most feared criminal organization in the united states. The notorious Garza Wolf. A sick feeling rose to my throat just thinking about it.

When the key finally unlocked the door, I pushed it open and ran towards the bathroom. After emptying all the remaining food in my stomach, I collapsed on my bathroom floor, still in a daze. My whole body shook as I replayed the scene from yesterday. I couldn't count the number of times a gun was positioned on my head, or in Julian's case, between my breasts.

Every time. Every time that happened, I felt my soul leave my body.

What if the trigger accidentally went off and blew me to a thousand pieces?

At the thought, I looked at what I wore in disgust. God, I never wanted to see it again. It was like a reminder of yesterday.

I needed it off!

I needed it off my body!

Oh, god. It was tightening around my skin, as if trying to swallow me whole.
Hoping off the bathroom floor, I ran into my room ripping the thick fabric to shreds. First my red skirt, then my stupid polka-dot shirt. But it wasn't enough. No, I still felt suffocated.

Walking towards my full length mirror, I wiped my tears, finally clearing my hazy vision. My eyes immediately connected with my reflections green ones, then slowly scanned it's body. Something else needed to come off.

Like Christmas lights my stupid bite-the-pussycat panties glowed brightly. I scrutinized it for a bit then turned my attention to my stupid bra. Ugh, it was tainted with Julian's touch.  It was as if they mocked me. My bra and panties, I mean. So, I ripped them both off not wanting it to touch my skin or any part of me. In fact, I didn't want anything I wore yesterday on my body. What else? What else?

Oh yeah! My hair tie. I yanked it off too. Since there was no hell for me to throw my clothes in, I grabbed everything off the floor and opened my bedroom window.

Ignoring the chill as the cold Hampton air hit my naked body, I threw everything out then stood there, staring at the outside world. The naive people who had no idea of the twisted world we lived in. I used to be like them; thinking everything was sunshine and rainbows. I knew for a fact it wasn't true. It was stupid of me to believe such bullshit when the universe repeatedly proved me wrong.

"Phew, phew," I heard someone whistle, the sharp sound dragging me from my thoughts. God, no. It was Patrick, the pervert that lived in the building opposite mine. "Holy mother of god! How lucky am I?" he sang.

"After I call the cops and report your little marijuana bush, we'll see how lucky you are," I answered sweetly. His eyes widened, as if I just slapped him across the face. "Yes, Patrick I know about it! Drawing a smiley face on each leaf doesn't make it look inanimate, you stupid fool."

After flipping him the bird, I slammed the window so hard, my own ears vibrated. I couldn't even process the fact the Patrick the Pervert just saw me completely naked. The man used binoculars to spy on me every night. Slyness wasn't a trait of his; all he wore was a cloth over his head. Now, however, I had given him exactly what he wanted ever since I moved into the building. However, that was far from my mind. Anger. Anger was all I felt at the moment.

I was angry at Mr. Alexander for being "Wolf." I looked up to him and so did a lot of people. How could someone who did so much good, be so bad?

And I was angry at Julian for preying on my weakness. I could never forget the stench of scotch on his breath. There was noway I could I survive if he went on to do more. I would have preferred to be shot immediately.

And Alfred! Short, bald Alfred. Why the hell did he have to choose me? Couldn't he have chosen someone else to sentence to death?

I walked back into my en-suite bathroom, entered the shower and let the warm water massage my aching body. God, I tried. I tried so hard to close my eyes, but I couldn't. The fear of what I might see was too great.

Did what I witnessed yesterday make me an accomplice to murder?

How the hell was I supposed to live with such a heavy secret?

After twenty minutes of continuous scrubbing and shampooing, I heard my phone ring. Grabbing my aquamarine towel from the rack, I wrapped it around myself before exiting the shower.

Riley? I stared at her cheerful face on my IPhone, as it vibrated on the dresser. When did she save her number or take that picture?

"Hello?" I answered finally.

"Eliya! Where are you? It's eleven O' clock. You're late. Like three hours late!" she squeaked.

"Yeah, I don't think I would be coming today Riley. I'm sorry."

"What? It's your second day. Our second day!"

"I know,"  I replied sadly, trapping the phone between my ear and shoulder, to lazily towel-dry my hair.

"Eliya you have to come. Alfred's going to summarize last years finance to the board. You know, the one we worked our asses off to complete yesterday. You have to be here."

I sighed and shook my head, even though I knew she couldn't see me. "Riley I-"

"I have been covering for you for three hours!" she whined. "I told Alfred you were on your mensis and currently taking a rest at the lounge. If you don't come he'll know I was lying. Pleaseee."

Riley talked a hundred miles per hour but I understood what she said. I loved that she covered for me and sighed knowing that I couldn't let her get in trouble for it. I wasn't even sure I wanted to work at Rome Tech anymore. All I could do was hope the incident yesterday meant Mr Alexan- You know what no. No! After yesterday, I think I should call him by his first name. I've seen too much. -Meant Roman wouldn't be at work.

"Okay... I'll be there in twenty."

After I hung up with Riley, I headed toward my closet and took out a simple thigh-length dress. After finishing off the outfit with a black blazer and black flats, I touched up a little make up to cover my tear-stained eyes and tied my hair in a high ponytail.

**************************************************************

I reached the office in exactly twenty minutes, as I promised Riley. The door of the finance conference room was already closed so I knew they had already started. I stood their breathing in and out to calm my nerves, before turning the door numb and walking in.

As soon as I closed the door, all eyes turned toward me. My face heated up instantly at the unwanted attention. All the trainees were seated on chairs, backed up on opposite walls while the board members sat surrounding a huge oval table placed at the center. The only person on their feet - apart from me - was Alfred, who stood at the front of the room with the remote of the projector in his hand.

As I scanned the room nervously my eyes instantly locked with Roman's. All my nervous fidgeting stopped. I couldn't move, speak or hear anything. It was as if only him and I were in the room. He had a confused look on his face and another expression that I couldn't quite place. My eyes were fixed on him and he too the same. Unlike the black sweatpants and grey polo shirt he wore this morning, he had on an expensive suit that looked to be fitted by Armani himself. Who was I kidding? It probably was.

What was he doing here after yesterday?

You know what? That was a dumb question. Who knew how many times he murdered a human being then sat at meetings like the sociopath he was.

"Sexy sociopath," the annoying voice in my head reminded me. 

"Ms. Holland you're late," Alfred voice snapped me out of our staring contest.

"Yes, I-I-I'm sorry. I didn't feel well," I said to the ground.

"You're here now. So take a seat."

I felt Roman's eyes following me but I didn't dare look up from the floor. Instead, I walked towards the seat Riley placed her bag on; probably so no one would take it. God, what would I do without her?

**************************************************************

After an hour, the presentation was over. I was soon surrounded by my co-workers, all four of them asking if I was okay. I loved that they cared and reassured them that I was just fine.

"And did you meet Mr. Alexander yesterday?" Kate asked, winking slyly. I felt the blood drain from my face at her idiotic question.

Did I meet Mr. Alexander yesterday? Did I meet Mr. Alexander yesterday?
Hmm...

"What kind of stupid question is that?" I wanted to snap. But instead, I just nodded and smiled. Before they could ask another question, someone else spoke.

"Ms. Holland, my office." I stared at Roman as he stood there, waiting for me to move. My co-workers and Alfred were shocked beyond believe. How could I tell? Well the room fell silent instantly.

Did that make Roman avert his intense gaze from me?

No.

What happened to everything going back to normal? I refuse to be in the same room with him again.

"Yes, sir. What about it?" I asked dumbly.

Glaring. He was glaring at me.

And glaring at me.

And glaring at me. 

Without a word, I shamefully  docked my head and followed him. 

What did he need me for? Was he re-thinking letting me go?

I bit my lip to gather strength, as I dragged my legs into the elevator he held open.

"Sir, should I press the top floor for you?" A redhead woman asked him. He nodded.

Seconds? Minutes? Hours? Days? How long was this damn elevator ride?

I could feel it. His eyes, I mean. They were on me through out the ride. Staring at the interesting ground, I fidgeted uncomfortably and wrapped my arms around myself.

Ding!

Finally we reached! I could breathe.

He opened the door to his office and ushered me to walk in."Sit," he commanded.

As I walked towards the leather seat, my feet sunk into his furry red velvet carpet. I wonder if walking on it with my shoes would ruin it somehow. I hoped so.

His long fingers unhooked the single button of his suit before he sat on the edge of the desk. "What---" he started.

"You can't rethink letting me go, sir," I cut him off. "No takesies backsies. This is my life."

His thick eyebrows closed together. "Takesies what?"

"Meaning. You can't let me go then want to kill me again. I know you psychopaths have a hard time letting go of your victims. However, you already did."

When I followed his gaze, I realized it was fixed on my finger. Oh, god. Was I poking his thigh this entire time?

Yep, yep I was.

After his eyes lifted from spot I repeatedly assaulted, he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I work here," I chuckled, bemused. Wasn't that obvious already?

"Don't be smart. Go home, you look horrible. Take a rest and come back in a two days after you've digested that little incident.

Little incident? That was little to him? I ignored his rude comment about my horribleness and sat upright. "No. I'm fine, thank you."

"That was not a suggestion. Go home," he repeated more sternly.

"No."

"No?"

"Yes, no. You told me to come to work. Infact, you said I should be on time. Why do you want me to go home? Do you think I'm a puppet you can control?"

"If that's what you need to be in order to do whatever the fuck I want, then yes, you're a fucking puppet. Now, go home! I won't tell you again."

I stared at him, trying hard to cover my irritation but my mouth got the best of me. "Why are you here? You killed three people in cold blood yesterday. You should rest your soul," I boldly blurted out.

Roman narrowed his eyes and shot me a look that put my fear of reptiles to shame. How can he not say anything yet intimidate me to my core? I cleared my throat, bit my lip nervously then hugged myself. Roman stood up, strode to the other side and picked up his desk phone. "Alfred," he said, looking straight at me, as if daring me to say one more word. I didn't. Any sane human being wouldn't. I recovered my hanging jaw then looked away.

"I don't need to hear that. Ms. Holland will not be working for a while. Yes, Eliyanna Holland. No Alfred with pay. Send her a pay check for the two weeks she's off."

Two weeks! He said two days!

"Alfred when I say no work that includes everything," he snapped. "Don't waste my time with small talk." I heard Alfred's small voice apologizing on the other end. Poor Alfred. "If I see her engaged in any task, for that amount of time, I'll fire you."

*Pause*

"Are you deaf? Yes, that's what I said. If she works, you're fired." He banged the phone and pointed towards the door, "Out."

A/N

This chapter and surprise update is dedicated to Autumn_touched . Thank you so much for believing in my story and supporting it. It means so much to me. If you haven't read her book: Married to Mr. Nightmare, you're seriously missing a lot. :) Check it out, you won't regret it.

How did you guys feel about this chapter? And what was the sudden change in Roman's thinking? First he asked Eliyanna to go to work, then asked her to go home for TWO WEEKS! Hmm... This man is so full of mystery, isn't he?

Please don't forget to vote and comment. I love you guys.
Xoxo... TimaBelle.