Chapter 69

After discussing with Martin, Carly left the agency to return to Landon's mansion. She noticed that he wasn't yet back from the company so she decided to go to the company. By the time she arrived, she noticed that the place was still full of activity and everyone was busy.

She found Noah and called him. "Hey, Noah! What's up?"

"Hi Carly, I'm good. Where have you been, girl?" Noah asked.

Carly smiled. "I went on a trip."

"Oh, you went with your boss for a business trip?" Noah asked. "Ah, despite just recovering from such an illness, he still asked you to go with him? He must be unsympathetic. I don't know how you cope with him, honestly. Look, everyone is still working despite it being past closing hour. He is so grumpy today and drove us to work twice as hard."

Carly looked around at the still atmosphere. That was when she realized that Noah's words had been heard. But more than that, everyone's gaze seemed to be locked onto something. Slowly, she turned toward the direction of their gaze and she noticed Landon standing behind them. He had surely heard everything they had said.

Noah sighed. "This is what I'm talking about. A devil!" He whined and walked away, mumbling some incoherent words. Carly gulped as she turned back, only to find an empty space. She sighed as she made her way up to his office.

Landon ignored her and went about his duties. Employees kept trooping in, showing him their remade presentations as she kept rejecting them.

"Carly, you have to help us! You need to talk to your boss. We are all tired! Go and talk to him." A lady complained. "This is the seventh time I've worked on this and he keeps rejecting it without telling me what's wrong."

Carly glanced at Landon's shut door. "Let me see." After going through it, she chuckled lightly and showed her where to make the necessary corrections. The lady corrected it and went to show it to Landon. To her surprise, he grumpily nodded and asked her to keep it down.

Excited, she ran out and thanked Carly. At least, everyone in her department could leave without pressuring her for anything. Carly soon became the one they all sought on how to make the perfect presentation for Landon. They were all grateful for her presence. Landon felt even angrier and after everyone had left, she decided to go in and meet him.

"What do you want?" Landon asked.

"I... Aren't you going home?" She asked.

Landon chuckled. "Why do you care? You can go if you want."

Carly sighed. She left him and returned to his mansion. After having her bath, she began to unfold the clothes she prepared for the trip but didn't use. As she unpacked them, she heard the sound of his vehicle driving in. She decided to go down to have her dinner so that at least, they could have a little conversation.

"Miss Carly, what shall I prepare for dinner?" The chef asked.

Carly shrugged. "Maybe some vegetables?"

"Make steak." Landon said as he walked in. Without another word, he strode in and climbed the stairs up to his room. The chef and Carly shared a look and Carly shrugged again.

"That's alright, I can make both." She suggested.

"Nah, it's okay. I thought he would like some vegetables and that's why I chose them. You can actually just make the steak, I'd like to eat it." Carly said.

The chef shrugged and walked into the kitchen. Carly sat down there and waited, staring blankly at the table. Suddenly, she jolted in fright at the vibration of her mobile phone on the table. She checked the caller and saw that it was Jasmine.

"Hey Jas-"

"Cut the crap, Carly." Jasmine yelled. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

"What's the matter?"

"If you sound so laid back about this I could literally slap you!"

"Woah." Carly was taken aback. "What the heck?"

"How could you do this?" Jasmine demanded. "You travelled? You lied to your boss and travelled? Carly, this was your chance to... Ugh, guess what?"

"What?" Carly asked. "Wait, how did you know about my trip?"

"Well because -" Landon snatched the phone from her and slammed it on the table. "What the hell?!"

"No phones during meals," Landon said coolly.

Carly stared at him. He had changed a whole lot since the mission and she couldn't stand it anymore. "Landon-"

"No talking at the table." He said. "We talk after the meal."

Carly kept her cool until after eating. She then stared up at him. "Are you mad at me?"

"No." Landon said. "Should I be?"

Carly wondered why he was acting so strange if he wasn't mad at her. "Then why are you acting this way?"

"I'm sorry, I'm housing a woman I do not know. How did you expect me to act?" He demanded.

Carly relaxed in her seat. "A woman you do not know? Really? I have become a woman you do not know, huh?"

Landon smiled. He took out the file and dropped it on the table. "The contract is officially broken, Carly. It was nice doing business with you."

"The... Contract?"

"Yes." Landon nodded. "Don't worry about the money. I myself do not want to hear from you again. Carly, I could allow you to sleep over in my house, assuming you wouldn't lead some thieves in to steal my properties."

"Landon, you're overreacting." Carly said softly. "Can you not see reasons with me?"

"I do not wish to see reasons with you. Matter of fact, I do not wish to see you at all." He said. What even hurt her the most was that he held a soft smile all through, but she could see the pain in his eyes even as he spoke. It was obvious that he didn't want to hide it from her.

"Also, you don't need to resume work. I will find a replacement as soon as possible and you are no longer a worker in the company, no longer a member of this house." Landon said. He got up from his seat. "I do not know who you are anymore, Carly." Then he walked away.

Carly was left at the dining, staring at the contract document before her. Landon had broken it as if it never existed and he didn't have to pay a dime. Now she also didn't need to continue working. Her heart began to race. She had broken his trust.