It was lunchtime and I wasn't even half way through. This was his way to get back at me and I must say I felt weakened. He needed an excuse and he finally got it. Damn it, I shouldn't have drank so much yesterday. My stomach rumbled and I groaned, burying my head inside the files, giving a faint cry of dissatisfaction.

"Hey, come on. Let's go get lunch," Lily stopped by.

"Sorry, Lily. I got these files to check. You carry on. I won't be able to have lunch today," I smiled forcefully, shuffling through papers as I looked up again, putting my hand against my mouth as I suppressed a yawn.

"But you need food for energy. These files look dangerous," She said, looking actually concerned for me. It felt nice to have someone close to a friend despite not caring if she thought of me as an inferior.

I knew from the beginning, if I had to survive for few years, I had to get along with everyone else. No good would come out of being a loner. None of us had to be best friends but we needed to be friendly acquaintances, at least. Contacts meant connections and connections meant a lot in your career.

"I know. Can't help. His orders. Him, boss. Me, not," I shrugged, stapling some papers together and moving to the next bunch.

Just then, I saw Jared walking by for his break. As he walked past my desk, he paused and turned to face me, "All good, Ms. Marshall?"

"Yes sir," I replied, resisting the urge to roll my eyes and throw the paperweight at him.

"If you can't do it, I would understand," He challenged, giving a look full of challenge.

"I will do it," I gritted my teeth, making sure my face was filled with disdain for this asshole.

I will show you, you piece of shit. Just you wait. I won't let you see me lose. I was going to finish these files by tonight and nobody, not even he could stop me. I wasn't backing down.

"Suits you," Nodding and his expression giving nothing away, he went away, buttoning up his blazer. I watched him leave and flipped him the finger before giving him a loud curse and proceeding to hurry away.

"He seems to hate you," Lily noted with a dubious expression, watching him go.

Not wanting to talk further, I simply agreed, "I wonder why."

"Do you want me to bring you a sandwich?"

"No. He will get to know. He told me I can't have lunch today until I finish these."

"That's madness!" She gasped, "He can't do that. Even if he is your boss!"

At this point, I literally didn't care about right or wrong. All I cared was I had to show him and I would do it. I didn't care one bit if what he was doing was illegal, corrupt or pressurising. I had to win. Complaining or giving up meant him winning and I swore to God this morning, I would never give him that satisfaction. The only way he could win was if I dropped dead from a heart attack or brain aneurysm or the apocalypse happened.

"Leave it. I can't talk right now, sorry. I still have loads to finish," I gulped, empty air, browsing in a hurry.

It was down to personal enmity now. He would never challenge me again after tonight. He would know despite him being the boss, he would never win.

"Okay, I'll go then. See you. Take care."

"Bye."

~¤~

"Okay, this is creeping me out. We should go now. Its almost 10:00. Its night, Allison," Lily said as she wore her coat.

I was feeling light headed now. My legs and hips had become stiff. My head was aching and hands were throbbing. I was sitting at this desk for more than twelve hours straight by then and had just taken four to six bathroom breaks.

I could barely keep my eyes open and rubbed my face many times. Till now, I have had twenty cups of coffee which Lily brought for me and I wouldn't mind more. I was just hungry. My stomach had sunk in probably, due to the feeling of hunger. I would like to call myself a regular eater who never skipped meals, so I had never gone this long without food.

I could barely hear what Lily said as I was almost borderline vague and half conscious, if you asked me. I just needed to finish few more files and I would be done. I doubt if those papers I had checked since last three hours were correct or not. I was now simply browsing through haphazardly and not paying much attention to the details. I hope I wasn't wrong.

I would show him that I wasn't backing down, even if it killed me. It wasn't the healthiest way to go about but this was war now.

"Its fine, Lily. I gotta finish these files. I don't wanna give Jared Grey the fulfillment of winning," I mumbled, snapping another file shut and starting on another.

"Should I speak to him?"

"No, absolutely not! You go home, Lily. I will see you tomorrow," I gave a fake smile.

"Are you sure?"

As much as I loved having her concerned for me, all the time wasted on speaking could be utilised for checking. I wanted peace now and be done with this job as soon as possible.

"Yes," I said impatiently, scuffling through the last few papers, "Thanks for your help throughout the day. I'll see you tomorrow."

"You should take a leave tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight. Thanks again."

She gave a sad look and walked away with others. Within the next ten minutes, some of the lights started shutting off except the hallways. I realized at that point the only light present was my cubicle. The whole office was empty now. Only the janitor was there, I guessed as I heard the rattle of his cart in the distant. I continued with my work as my stomach made a noise of whining.

"Fuck you, Jared. Seriously, fuck you," I mumbled, finishing another one.

I heard the ping of the elevator as it arrived and the noise of slow and soft footsteps coming out. I looked up to find Jared walking towards my desk. Yup, it was his time to leave now.

"How much is covered?" He asked in a business like tone, coming over and picking up a file, checking it.

"Two more files to go," I stifled a yawn, "I am almost done."

He completely froze for few seconds immediately and then stared at me with a weird expression, gauging me. I couldn't comprehend what it was. Surprise? Shock? His mouth parted and he blinked stupidly for few more seconds before closing it, mumbling something softly to himself.

For a second, I felt laughing at his idiotic expression which he used to do when he saw me and I first met his parents and Hailey.

I didn't have a morsel since yesterday evening. I was hungry for heaven sakes. I just wanted to go home and eat whatever was there in the fridge, whether it was instant noodles or dry bread and cold butter.

I. Needed. Food.

Jared nodded but did not leave. What was he doing here anyway? Shouldn't he be gone by now, gloating in his mansion?

"Shouldn't you leave?" I asked, eyes half closed.

"Yes, but I couldn't resist to watch my PA doing her job so faithfully," He teased, yet I could still see the shock and surprise in his eyes.

At least that's what I thought. I could have been imagining many things. The only thing I would love more than anything was food. The last thing on my mind was what Jared was thinking.

I kept quiet and continued with my work. He still did not go. He opened his blazer, rolled up his sleeves and loosened his tie before he went and sat on the opposite table edge, watching me again. Time ticked by and he sat there, immobile.

It was a bit uncomfortable after few moments. I felt immense pride on myself as I opened the last file, repressing the urge to break into a dance. I would celebrate once I walked out of the office triumphantly. Till then, I just had to keep calm. I was almost done after few more minutes when he finally spoke.

"You aren't gonna back down, are you?" He asked seriously after an agonizing wait.

I looked up without processing the question, "Hmm."

His eyes softened a bit seeing my face and again went back to the expressionless face within a fraction of a second, crossing his arms across his chest.

"I don't know what you mean,"  I said quietly, after realising the question.

"You know it perfectly well. Drop the act, Allison. Why don't you accept that you are not being able to do it?" He asked, clenching his jaws and his eyes lighting up in frustration.

Okay, I was getting angry now. He was murdering me with work so much that it was affecting my health and he wanted me to answer his childish questions. Speak of entitlement, geez.

"I hate losing," I grumbled. Or my stomach, could be either one.

"Well, you better sooner or later. You can't win this," He said, all traces of humor gone.

"Its not a game, sir. Is it? I am doing my job which you gave me. I can easily sue you for mistreating me and can resign today itself on grounds of mental harassment but I won't because that means I lose. If you want a game, however, I can play it too," I said calmly.

"Cut the crap! This is monstrous work. Your face looks like a sixty years old woman's. This is obviously affecting you. Why won't you admit? Its not as if I am gonna fire you. You can sue me too. Just tell me if you can't do it!" He scowled, still trying to bring out some anger from me.

I knew he wouldn't fire me. That wasn't his motive. It was to reach my breaking point and admit I couldn't do it, either through my work or something else. He wanted me to simply utter the words, 'I can't do it.' Too bad, I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

I got up. The files were done. I arched my back and cracked my fingers, not caring if he was in front of me. I waited for few seconds, regaining my balance and trying to clear the fog out of my eyes. Then, I walked and kept the files beside him. I hadn't even proof read them to see if I had done everything correctly. I just wanted to go home and eat before sleeping like a log.

"But you see, sir. I did it," A slow grin spread across my face as I watched his face harden. The joy I felt on seeing his expression made the entire day worth it.

I did it. I had completed the task even if it took me more than twelve hours. Victory was indeed so sweet. I had never felt this happy even when I scored well in my school quizzes.

However, I didn't feel good as I casually put my hand on the table next to him, reaching for a support. I didn't want to tell him I was feeling unwell but I wasn't feeling too good either.

Shit, I should've listened to Wade. He would kill me if he learnt I went without food for more than 24 hours now. Or worse, he could complain to my parents. I would be dead if he did that.

I had to leave immediately. I turned back and walked over to my desk as I spoke.

"I won't give you the satisfaction of winning or torturing me when its not my fault. I was drunk yesterday which was my mistake. I had no control over my actions and called you names which was again my fault, I admit but I did it only because you had insulted and embarassed me so I went and drank because you have authority and I can't do anything about it unfortunately. The files are done. Check them, sir," I said courteously, gathered my belongings and was about to go when he suddenly walked over and grabbed my wrist as he pulled me back, my body pressed against his now.

I felt a sudden involuntary shiver as I recoiled at the familiar but still unknown feeling of his skin against mine. I couldn't remember much physical affections between us back then but it had unnerved me in the past and it was still unnerving me now.

"Really? Not your fault? Breaking my heart? Shattering it to pieces? Toying with my emotions? Making me believe I was with your sister whereas it was you all the time?!" He seethed, his grip tightening on my wrist as I felt his hot breath on my face.

Finally, he had spoken about the messed up past. He did it.

I jerked my hand off and stepped back a few steps, half-tumbling from the warmth of his body and half hatred.

"Well, firstly, you never gave me an opportunity to explain why I did this. Even when I did, you refused to believe me when you had said many times before that you would trust me and you couldn't hate me. You refused to meet up with me when I called or texted a thousand times. You ran away like a coward and even then never tried to hear me out.
     Secondly, whatever happened was five years ago. You are now punishing me in the present for no fault of mine. You are mixing your personal enmity with me with your profession. And last time I remembered, you said what's done is done. We both have moved on and we should keep it professional. But you yourself are breaking the deal. You are letting your ego and anger come between our job!" I spat.

Finally, phew! All anger vented out.

"You even got paid for being with me!" He shouted.

"It was just damn bloody pizzas! Not money!" I exclaimed.

"What nonsense. You won't stop lying, will you?" He rolled his eyes.

"Its upto you if you believe me or not. I am not wasting my time again explaining myself to you. It doesn't matter to either of us now," I replied coolly, "I admit I made mistakes in my past but at least I had the guts to say sorry and ask for forgiveness. Plus, I told you I couldn't be in a relationship with you. It's not as if we were dating, right? You were lovesick and wanted to be in a relationship with me desperately even when I clearly told I couldn't give you what you wanted. Sure, I still went out with you for fun and might have led you on in certain circumstances but I have apologized for everything! I was wrong but I regretted what I did! I was ready to beg for your forgiveness and do anything you wanted but guess who didn't even hear me out and ran away without a one on one conversation? Not me!"

"So, you are again making this about yourself and playing the victim, huh?" He asked.

"For gods sake, I never said that. I made my mistakes but I was ready to work for it. I went to your house, I contacted you so much but you never even bothered to hear me out once. You just left. You completely blocked me out of your life. How am I supposed to contact you and ask for forgiveness if I can't meet or talk to you? Go to London? I don't have that much of money, I am sorry," My voice broke a bit as I reminded myself not to cry over those memories again.

He opened his mouth looking for an appropriate answer but couldn't find one. He decided to scowl instead, looking like a grumpy aunt. I felt my inner queen dancing in victory as I kept on unleashing what I had these past years and last few months of this absolute bullshit I was facing.

"Thank your lucky stars I am competitive and not taking this opportunity to complain about you to HR. I even have people who can testify for me. You are mentally fucking me over and over again but I am not saying anything because I love what I do and I know how to keep things so called professional, Jared Grey," I spat, my voice choking now from the intense extreme emotions clouding my thoughts.

"This work is nothing. I do twice the workload every single day-"

"Cry me a river, Grey. You have to do it because you are expected to be officially taking over the company by next year and you have to learn everything by then. We both know very well what you gave me today was nothing related to work and it was purely for ego satisfaction," I spat.

He clenched his jaws and looked like he wanted to strangle me right there as I didn't call him by the respected term. I glared back at him before turning back and was about to walk out when I stumbled and bumped into a table. I was feeling really light headed and my vision was a little blurry. I opened my glasses, rubbing my eyes.

"Clumsy girl," He commented.

I didn't move. I had my eyes closed as I kneaded my forehead, the glasses pressed against it as my eyes felt strained. My head was really in pain now.

"Aren't you gonna go out, Marshall?"

Really light headed.

"Allison?"

I licked my dry chapped lips and opened my eyes, trying to focus on the exit door at the end of the room.

Jared got down from the table and walked over to me when he saw I wasn't moving.

"What are you doing? You saw a ghost or what?" Jared held my elbows, straightening me, his other hand wrapped loosely against my waist now.

Oh god...his hands were on my waist. Those familiar hands...warm and soft...I was seeing two of him...two Jareds... two gorgeous, droolworthy Jareds and his hands were on my waist... I liked that...

Stop it, Alli. I was almost seeing white and his voice seemed distant now. I wished things weren't so hot and cold between us. I wonder what it would be like to feel his body against mine again and not a sideway press, a complete-

Don't think of that. Don't go into forbidden areas.

"You are feeling nauseated because of the hunger, huh? Can't go on without a day's lunch, can you Ms. Princess? How are you going to work like this?" He angrily asked without any teasing tone. It was just his usual everyday rudeness.

"Its nothing like that..." The world was spinning again.

"I didn't have anything since yesterday afternoon. I didn't have breakfast today because I was late and yesterday I passed out. I just had coffee today. I usually don't go without food," I breathed heavily, blinking and widening my eyes to see his face clearly, but I couldn't.

He stood still for a few seconds, clasping me. I was staring at the ground, trying to even my breath, so I couldn't see his expression.

"Fuck," He ran a hand through his hair, "How am I supposed to know you didn't have anything since yesterday? I assumed you only skipped lunch. Are you really this callous regarding your meals?"

"Medical issues," I groaned.

"And you couldn't tell this earlier, could you?" He scolded, his arms tightening against me now, "Shit."

I felt so warm and nice, like his hands were meant to be there.

"Never found the opportuni-" Before I could finish, the world started spinning fast and I collapsed on the floor halfway as he held me awkwardly before pulling me up again.

The last thing I heard was Jared shouting my name as I closed my eyes.