27

"Miss Miller," Mr. Hills' voice makes me stand up from my seat.

It's another one of the few times he enters my office, and I wonder what he might need now.

"Yes?"

"Let's go."

Right! I forgot! The meeting. Today we'll be meeting with Mr. Baker.

"Of course."

We leave the office, take the elevator, and exit the building. We walk until we reach the waiting limousine, and Matthew opens the door, inviting us to get in. As soon as we settle inside, the vehicle starts moving, and silence fills the air once again.

Suddenly, I notice that his phone starts vibrating, indicating an incoming call, which Mr. Hills glances at before declining. It's strange to see him rejecting calls because he usually answers them.

Is he avoiding someone?

For some strange reason, Camille comes to my mind. She's blonde, tall, slender, and voluptuous. If I start considering it, she fits the stereotype of the typical woman who would be with a man like Nicholas Hills. I push those thoughts aside and allow myself to close my eyes for a moment. I'm still tired. After the meeting, I started working and didn't stop for a second.

I open my eyes when the limousine stops, and both Matthew and another driver open the vehicle's doors for us. I thank them both while Mr. Hills remains silent, and we enter the luxurious building belonging to Mr. Baker. We pass through the reception, take the elevator, and finally arrive at the conference room located on the top floor of the building.

We greet Mr. Baker formally, take our seats, and the discussions about money, properties, business, and many other things begin. This time, I pay attention to everything, listen to the matters they discuss, do as Mr. Hills instructs, and contribute when necessary. In the process, I admire Mr. Hills' ease in handling this type of business in front of so many people. His intelligence when it comes to his work sometimes leaves me speechless. He's skilled. He has the perfect temperament for all of this. It's as if he was destined to be this, none other than Nicholas Hills, renowned for his successful work and his persona.

After a couple of hours, the meeting concludes, and we bid farewell to Mr. Baker. As we leave the building, we stand on the sidewalk, waiting for the limousine to return and pick us up. Mr. Hills makes a short call, and we fall silent again. I tuck my hands in my pockets as the cold returns, and I survey the surroundings to pass the time.

The afternoon passes faster than usual, and it's starting to get dark.

"Did you bring all your things?" he questions.

"No. I forgot my bag, but..."

"Retrieve your belongings, and I'll take you home."

It's not a suggestion; it's an order.

"I already told you I have a c..."

"Be careful," he says suddenly.

I furrow my brow. What's wrong with him? What is he talking about?

"Excuse me?"

Then, everything happens very quickly as a car, specifically a black sedan, speeds past us. I can't see it clearly as Mr. Hills throws himself on top of me, but I hear something that leaves me paralyzed...

Two shots.

Gunshots...

I tightly close my eyes and open them again. The black sedan continues on its course and disappears. A chill runs down my spine. What the hell was that? In my mind, only one name keeps repeating, and I fear the worst.

"Jonas."

"Didn't you hear me?!" he growls.

"How was I supposed to know?! You should have been more specific..."

I raise my gaze and look at him. His hands are still clenched around my waist, and if it weren't for that, I would be flat on the ground right now. My heart is still pounding, and I feel pressure in my chest, something akin to a bitter gulp of reality.

This can't be happening...

I try to calm myself, thinking that perhaps my boss also has his enemies or his problems, but Jonas is still there, present in every one of my theories and thoughts.

I step away from Mr. Hills and run a hand through my hair, feeling confused.

"Are you alright?"

While I'm on the verge of hyperventilating and having a panic attack, he is as relaxed as possible. Once again, I start thinking that he's an alien or something because any other normal person would be unsettled if someone tried to shoot them, not just once, but twice.

"Yes," I manage to say.

"Mr. Hills!" exclaims one of the men who seem to be his bodyguard.

He stops in front of us, and I notice he's holding a weapon in his hands. He scans the area with his eyes, and three more armed men approach behind him. I'm grateful that the street is almost empty.

"Are you both alright? Are you injured?" he asks.

"We're fine," Mr. Hills responds before looking at someone else. "Matthew, take Miss Miller to Hills Corporation, escort her, and make sure no one follows you."

His orders are clear, and Matthew approaches me.

"Miss, come with me, please."

I exchange a glance with my boss before following Matthew. We turn until we reach the limousine, where I get in, and it starts moving a few minutes later.

"Would you like a bottle of water?" Matthew notices my confusion. "You seem agitated."

"No, thank you... I'm fine, just a bit scared, that's all."

"Don't worry, the important thing is that you're safe."

I nod, taking a deep breath.

"Do you know who it could have been...?" I dare to ask. I need to rule out the possibility of it being one of Mr. Hills' enemies.

Matthew shakes his head. "We'll investigate. We want Mr. Hills and the people around him to be safe."

I nod.

Nerves overwhelm me once again. The situation repeats in my head, and I recall Mr. Hills' reaction; he didn't seem frightened or intimidated.

"He didn't seem scared..." I comment.

"Mr. Hills?" I nod. "He knows how to keep a cool head in these kinds of situations."

Is he accustomed to this? To being attacked?

"Don't worry. These things can happen. Success has its consequences, and sometimes it brings enemies. It's normal to want to eliminate someone from the game, especially when you have the recognition that Mr. Hills has," I say.

"I understand," I murmur.

But I don't think it was like that. My mind screams that it was Jonas, and I'm starting to believe it, although I'm not entirely sure.

Jonas is the only person interested in scaring me or even wanting to end my life. If it's Jonas, I have to admit that he succeeded: he scared me. Because, yes, I'm scared as hell.

When we arrive at Hills Corporation, Matthew accompanies me to the top floor. I thank him for his company, he bids me farewell, and I enter my office. The journey was a bit long due to slow traffic on the way, which took longer than usual.

After calling Carol and telling her what happened, I gather my bag along with my work for the day and leave my office. I take three steps to leave, but I stop when I see the lights in my boss's office are still on. I walk slowly until I'm in front of his door. I must deliver the report he asked for today, and... I feel like I should thank him. After all, in one way or another, he protected me today.

I give three light taps on the door and stand still, waiting for him to indicate that I can enter.