Chapter 13 The Weight of Consequences
POV Scarlett:
“I understand, and I’ll do my best.” He frowned. “It won’t be a problem, I assure you,” I added quickly.
He studied my expression, and I swallowed hard, afraid he might not want to give me a chance because of it. I’m so tired of this society that constantly doubts a woman’s ability to do whatever she sets her mind to.
Damn it, if we say we can, it’s because we can.
“Miss Monroe, I have three brothers. Each of them holds a different position in the company,” he began—oh right, I’d forgotten he’s related to the asshole. “Damian is the CEO, and most of the time he needs my help to resolve certain matters. That means there will be times when he’ll need your assistance as well.”
He’s going to hire me?
“Noah is in logistics. He won’t need your help, but you’ll have to make room in my schedule whenever he decides to arrange a last-minute meeting.”
The smile that was about to appear on my lips faded the moment he mentioned the other brother. Noah? It can’t be the same Noah I met… or can it? Of course it can. That’s why he told me to be quick—that Damian’s brother was coming down to move the car and park it in the damned spot. He was the brother.
“Ethan is in public relations; he’s always traveling. I doubt you’ll ever even see him around here.”
The smile that curved on the lips of the man in front of me made my heart skip a beat it shouldn’t have.
“Any questions?”
Any questions? Plenty.
“Are you… hiring me?” I asked to be sure.
“I thought that was implied, Miss Monroe.” He was giving me a chance—and if I wanted this to work, I needed to clear a few things up.
“Sir, before you hire me, I have to tell you what I did.” I lowered my eyes, unable to imagine how he’d react to what I was about to share.
“What are you talking about?” he asked, resting his hand on his chin and leaning slightly forward.
Taking a deep breath, fully aware that I was doing the right thing, I opened my mouth and confessed everything.
“I parked in your brother’s spot—Mr. Damian’s—and he yelled at me, saying I couldn’t park there. I might have called him an asshole and flipped him off.”
“I see. So that’s why he didn’t hire you?” His tone carried no reproach, which surprised me.
“Yes, all because of a stupid parking spot.” I grunted, making the man in front of me raise an eyebrow. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I already knew about that.”
I exhaled, relieved. So he already knew about the car—meaning he wouldn’t back out of hiring me.
“As for the car, I’ll pay for the damage I caused,” I added, hoping to mend things at least a little.
“Car?” He frowned.
“For writing on your brother’s car window with lipstick,” I reminded him, and his mouth formed a perfect O.
“You were the one who wrote ‘asshole’ on Damian’s car?!” His raised voice told me he hadn’t known that part.
Perfect.
“I thought your other brother had told you,” I replied, shrugging.
“Which brother?” His tone made a shiver run down my spine.
“Noah,” I said, then widened my eyes. “I mean—Mr. Noah.”
“And why would he tell me that?” he asked sternly.
“Because he was the one who showed me where the car was parked.”
His expression turned to shock, and that’s when I realized I’d fucked up.
Not even a second passed before the office door flew open, revealing the furious and deranged figure of Damian Blackwell—aka the asshole himself. He glared at me with such hatred that I clutched my purse tightly in my lap, as if it were my life raft in a sea of lunatics.
“YOU! Amanda told me you were here,” he roared, his voice so loud and furious that I shrank in my chair. “Did you have fun vandalizing my car?” He pointed a finger in my face. “Answer me!”
Rage flooded through me, and before I even realized it, I was standing face-to-face with the most arrogant man I’d ever met, my finger shoved in his face as I threw every curse word I knew at him—while he did the same, with not a shred of chivalry, not a hint of restraint, not a damn ounce of decency.
“I don’t give a damn!” I shouted. “I’d do it all over again! You’re an asshole—do you have any idea how long it took me to get the car back? Do you know how much I had to pay?” The fury in me only grew hotter. “I used all my savings because I couldn’t just leave it there—first, because the car isn’t mine, and second, because my father…”
I stopped short, my eyes widening in horror at what I’d almost said.
Silence fell across the room. I lowered my head, too ashamed to admit—even to myself—that I’d almost made a mistake I’d sworn I never would. I’d almost told them that my father would have hit me—something that would’ve shocked them both. After all, what twenty-six-year-old woman still gets beaten by her father like a child? My throat ached, as if punishing me for almost revealing my weakness, for nearly entrusting my secrets to two strangers. A punishment well deserved. Maybe that’s how I’ll finally learn not to be so impulsive.
“What were you going to say?” Liam asked, and I straightened up.
“Forget it. Nothing important,” I replied, turning toward his asshole of a brother. “I’ll pay for the damage I caused,” I offered, even though I had no idea where I’d get the money.
“Don’t break your little piggy bank—I don’t need your spare change. I highly doubt you could even afford what I pay to have my car cleaned.” His words cut deep, but I refused to let it show—not in front of him.
“Better for me,” I muttered, turning back to Liam, and from his expression, I already knew.
“Miss Monroe, I’m sorry,” he said, his tone regretful, “but after what I just witnessed, I don’t think it would work for you to be my secretary.”
I nodded, holding back the tears already welling in the corners of my eyes.
“I understand.” I extended my hand to him, but Liam hesitated to take it, so I pulled it back, feeling utterly humiliated. The bitterness of it burned on my tongue. “Thank you anyway.”
I turned my back to both of them and walked all the way to the car in silence. I kept my tough façade until I sat behind the wheel. Then, resting my forehead against the steering wheel, I let all the pain pour out in the form of tears—so many tears.