Chapter 39 Thirty - nine

Chapter 39 Thirty - nine
I think I was wrong earlier when I said being outside again isn't any better than remaining locked up in my room.

After I step out of the car, I greedily draw in a lungful of the fresh, cool breeze blowing against my face, reveling in the bliss that flutters through me. I even shut my eyes briefly to savor the experience.

Gosh, I can't recall the last time I felt so free. Even though my freedom is still limited and restrained, for the first time in a while, I feel alive again.

I feel strangely content.

And I feel like this is the dawn of a fresh start.

But is it, really?

A wave of sadness slowly washes away my delusions as I'm hit with my cruel reality again when I remember there's still an ankle monitor strapped to my leg. A reminder that I'm still under the intense scrutiny of Lorenzo Sorrentino.

So much for the dawn of a fresh start.

I'm still stuck with this heartless monster; there's nothing like a fresh start here. It's more like the dawn of a new torturous adventure. And I'm not in the least looking forward to it.

My eyes pry back open when I hear the slam of car doors. A tingle of frustration goes through me as Lorenzo makes his way around the car to join me. His cologne quickly dominates the fresh air I was breathing just moments ago.

I mentally huff.

"You ready?" he asks, his intent gray eyes looking down at me, his imposing frame making me feel inferior.

Nerves fraying, my gaze darts over him uncertainly. But I push away my timidity and nod, suppressing the urge to swallow the lump in my throat. "Uhm..."

He doesn't smile. But he urges me softly, "Come on then."

His chauffeur stays back at the parking lot, so it's just me and him heading inside the building.

His company is massive; the glass building stretches upward, nearly reaching the sky.

Inside, it's a display of luxury interiors. Even the lobby is no exception.

I gulp, trying not to glance around and admire the view like some villager seeing a nice house for the first time.

We make our way to the elevator. I notice some employees are also about to join us, but when they instantly recognize it's Lorenzo in here—their almighty CEO—they bow their heads shakily before fleeing the scene.

I'm in shock as I process what the hell just happened. Did they just run away because it's him?

My head spins with disbelief.

I already suspected his employees must dread him at work, but I didn't realize it was this extreme. How the hell do they work for him if they can't even stand in the same space as him?

I can't believe I'm not the only one he has injected with his sense of fear. Everyone seems to dread him around here.

And while that honestly shouldn't surprise me since I've already heard the dark rumors going around about him, I can't help the knot of concern that tightens in my stomach.

My heart races as I ponder my thoughts.

It's not him I'm thinking about this time. I'm thinking about myself. My survival for the rest of today.

How the hell am I going to cope like this?

Am I even sure I can do this?

Lorenzo has shown me how ruthless he can be before, but after what I just saw, I think whatever he's been showing me back at home is child's play. Especially considering I don't try to run away or shrink under my bed whenever he comes to see me in my room.

Hell, he's been letting me be a nuisance in his presence recently, overlooking every one of my rude retorts and even trying to act nicer toward me lately. Even with all this, I still thought he was cruel. Now, I don't know what to think anymore.

The fact that his employees can't look him in the eye or even ride a common elevator with him tells me everything I need to know. And it also reminds me that I need to be careful from now on.

We arrive at the upper floor of the building, where I assume his office is located. I wasn't even able to concentrate on our proximity in the elevator throughout the ride because I was so engrossed in my thoughts.

However, when we finally step out of the elevator, goosebumps break out on my skin as his suit jacket grazes my arm when he brushes past me. A tingle of sensation zaps through me, but I quickly shove the feeling aside.

I momentarily pause to look around my surroundings. Just like the lower floor, this place is also an opulent display of luxury.

The hallway stretches out, with various executive offices on either side. But what fascinates me is the see-through glass. I can literally see unfamiliar faces working behind mahogany desks.

Some are intently focused on their computers, while others are staring at me strangely as I trail behind Lorenzo.

Feeling really awkward, I try to return their blank and questioning glances with a warm smile, but it's a futile attempt. Eventually, I drag my eyes away from the unfriendly strangers and focus on my path.

Yet, snippets of gossip drift into my ears as I continue walking.

I can barely hear what they're saying, but spotting two women whispering to each other while keeping their scowling gazes on me, yeah, that tells me everything I should know.

They're definitely talking about me.

My heart clenches with hurt at their hostility, but I disregard the feeling.

I'm not here for them, nor am I here to make friends or impress them. It's obvious they don't like me, and I don't really care. I think it's best if I stay clear of their paths and become invisible.

I'll answer only to Lorenzo and carry out the substitute role I'm here to do. That's all it's going to be.

I don't care about some hostile strangers.

We eventually reach Lorenzo's office, and it's the biggest one on the floor. But I frown when I notice the cozy section right outside his office that clearly serves as an office of its own. There's a long desk, a swivel chair behind it, four cabinets, and a stack of paperwork and documents arranged on top of the desk.

I frown deeply, wondering if this is supposed to be my office. No, it can't.

He can't have me work right in front of him after he already secured an electronic monitor around my ankle. No, I won't accept this.

I'm still battling confusion and frustration when he calls out to me in his deep, low voice.

"You liking your office?"

Annoyance spirals through me at his taunting question. When I whip my gaze toward him, the subtle glint of amusement in his orbs makes it evident that he knows I'm not pleased to see this. Yet he asked me that anyway.

"What's this?"

"What's what?"

"Is this really supposed to be my office?" I point at the space outside the bigger room with glass doors. "This one right outside yours?" I add.

"Yeah, why?" He adds teasingly, "You don't like it? Do you perhaps prefer to work INSIDE my office instead? At least that way I can be even more certain you're doing stellar at your job," he smirks smugly, a curve pulling his mouth.