91. You Are Fired
91. You Are Fired
Alina's Pov
I was immersed in the sea of reports scattered across my desk, the muted hum of my computer a familiar background noise. The overhead lights cast a soft glow, accentuating the neat rows of bookshelves lining the walls of my office cabin. My coffee, long since gone cold, sat forgotten at the edge of my desk. Just another typical day of juggling deadlines and expectations.
A soft knock at the door pulled me out of my reverie. I glanced up to see Jacob, one of the office assistants, standing in the doorway, his face slightly flushed from hurrying around.
“Miss Stacy, someone’s here to see you,” he said, his tone polite but with an undercurrent of urgency.
I arched an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. “Who is it?”
“Someone named Elliot,” Jacob replied, glancing at the small notepad in his hand as if to confirm the name. “He’s waiting for you in the lobby.”
Elliot? What could possibly bring him here, out of the blue? I felt a mix of surprise and a flutter of excitement. It had been some time since we had a proper discussion. Plus even at Asher's birthday, we couldn't talk that much because of the guests and well..Theodore of course. I quickly straightened the papers on my desk and stood up, smoothing down my skirt.
“Thank you, Jacob. I’ll be right there,” I said, my mind racing with possibilities.
As I walked down the hallway toward the lobby, my heels clicking softly on the polished floor, memories of the last time I saw Elliot flashed through my mind. The lobby came into view, and there he was, standing near the entrance.
“Elliot!” I called out, my voice carrying a hint of the surprise I felt. His head snapped up, and a smile spread across his face as he saw me. We closed the distance quickly, and I hugged him tightly, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me.
“Alina, it’s so good to see you,” he said, returning the embrace. As we pulled apart, I could see the tension in his features.
“You too! What are you doing here? Is everything alright?” I asked, my tone shifting to concern.
He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture I recognized as a sign of his nerves. “Yes, everything’s fine. But there’s something important I need to discuss with you. It’s... not something I can talk about here.”
My curiosity intensified. What could be so urgent and sensitive that he felt the need to come in person? I glanced at my wristwatch; it was almost the end of the workday. Perfect timing.
“Alright, let’s go somewhere we can talk,” I agreed, already thinking of a quiet café nearby where we could have some privacy.
We made our way out of the office, stepping into the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. The air outside was a refreshing change from the sterile environment of the office, and I could feel the tension in my shoulders begin to ease.
Theodore's Pov
I stood by the large window of my office, phone pressed to my ear as I tried to stay focused on the client's endless requests. The view outside was magnificent—a sprawling cityscape bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun. I could see everything from up here, the bustling streets, the tiny cars moving like ants, and the pedestrians rushing about their lives.
But my attention was drawn to a familiar figure stepping out of the building. Alina. And she wasn't alone. My eyes narrowed as I recognized the man with her. Elliot. My grip on the phone tightened.
"Yes, Mr. Walker, I understand. We'll make those adjustments immediately," I managed to say, my voice clipped as my mind raced. What was that bastard doing here?
I ended the call abruptly, not even waiting for a response. I needed to know what was going on. I practically stormed out of my office, my thoughts a chaotic mess. Reaching Alina’s office, I found it empty. The scattered papers on her desk confirmed she had been here recently, but now she was gone. With him.
My chest tightened as I turned and headed straight for the reception desk. The woman behind the counter looked up, startled by my sudden appearance.
"Where is Miss Stacy?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice calm but failing.
"She left with someone who came to meet her in the lobby," she replied, her eyes wide.
Without another word, I rushed out of the building, scanning the street. There, across the road, in the window seat of a small café, I saw her. Alina and Elliot, deep in conversation. My blood boiled. I crossed the street in long, angry strides, determined to find out what the hell was going on.
I slipped into the café, keeping to the shadows as I edged closer to their table. I could hear their voices clearly now, and what I heard next made my blood run cold.
"Alina. I know this might come off as a surprise. But I really like you. I always have. And I want you to know that this confession shouldn't make a difference on our friendship, but I really want you to consider this...us," Elliot said, his voice earnest and filled with emotion.
Alina looked stunned, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to find words.
"It's alright. You don't have to answer right now. You can think about it. But I just want you to know that I'm very serious about us. And Asher. I have always loved him like my own and—"
That was it. My fury exploded. How dare he? How dare he talk about my son and the woman I loved like that? Without thinking, I marched up to their table and grabbed Alina's arm, pulling her up forcefully. She yelped in surprise as I dragged her behind me, ignoring her protests.
"Theodore, what are you doing? Let go of me!" she cried, struggling against my grip, but I was beyond reasoning.
I didn't stop until we were back in the office, slamming the door behind us. I pushed her against the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The look in her eyes was a mix of shock and anger, but I didn't care. I couldn't stand the thought of losing her to Elliot.
Before she could say anything, I crushed my lips to hers, pouring all my frustration, anger, and love into the kiss. She froze for a moment, then melted against me, her hands clutching at my shirt.
When I finally pulled back, we were both breathless. I rested my forehead against hers, trying to calm the storm inside me.
"What the hell, Theodore?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I can't lose you, Alina. Not to him. Not to anyone," I said, my voice rough with emotion. "You're mine. You and Asher. You're my family."
Her eyes searched mine, and I could see the conflict there. But I also saw something else—something that gave me hope. She was mine, and I would do whatever it took to keep it that way. “We can't do this Mr. Maxwell,” she said confidently, taking me by surprise as she pushed me back.
“Why? Why not? I saw it in your eyes. You didn't have love for that bastard in them. Then why the hell not?” I couldn't care about hiding my jealousy.
“Because it is wrong in every way. I'm your employee! You are my boss! We can't do this! I don't want people to be talking about us like they did that day.”
“Is that the only thing that's standing between us?” Alina didn't say anything as she swallowed the lump in her throat. “Then you are fired!” I yelled before trying to kiss her again but she turned her face away.
“That doesn't change anything. I have signed a contract, remember. You can't fire me and I can't leave for 3 years.”
“Fucking hell Alina!” I punched the door behind her before marching up to my desk, pulling out the contract from the drawer and tear it as Alina watched in horror. “Now shut the fuck up and kiss me back!” I said before marching up to her and slamming my lips back on hers.